Lincecum gets 200th strikeout

SAN FRANCISCO -- One of these days Tim Lincecum believes he'll pitch a complete game. For now, the San Francisco right-hander will settle for leading the major leagues in strikeouts.

Lincecum threw eight dominant innings and struck out eight to become the first pitcher in the majors to reach 200 this season in the Giants' 5-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday.

"It's great to get there," Lincecum said. "I've never had that many strikeouts in any season. It's cool. Everything was going well, everything felt good."

Travis Ishikawa hit a three-run homer and Bengie Molina had two hits and two RBIs for the Giants, who won their third in a row and sixth of seven.

Lincecum (14-3) gave up four hits while becoming the ninth pitcher in franchise history to reach 200 strikeouts in a season and the first since Jason Schmidt had 251 in 2004.

The Giants haven't had a pitcher lead the National League in strikeouts since Bill Voiselle (161) in 1944. Currently, only Milwaukee's CC Sabathia (192) is close to Lincecum's total.

"That's quite a milestone for the kid," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "At this stage of the season to have 200 strikeouts, that tells you what incredible stuff he has. What's been impressive is how he's emerged as a pitcher, too. He can throw any pitch any time."

This story was originally published August 23, 2008 at 4:30 AM with the headline "Lincecum gets 200th strikeout."