SAN FRANCISCO — Tim Lincecum won for the first time in nearly two months to end the worst drought of his career, and the San Francisco Giants held the Los Angeles Dodgers scoreless for the third straight game in a
SAN FRANCISCO — Tim Lincecum won for the first time in nearly two months to end the worst drought of his career, and the San Francisco Giants held the Los Angeles Dodgers scoreless for the third straight game in a 3-0 victory Wednesday.
Angel Pagan hit an RBI single and drew a bases-loaded walk to back Lincecum (3-8) as the Giants moved into a first-place tie in the NL West with the Dodgers by completing their second sweep of the season.
It was the first time in franchise history that they shut out the rival Dodgers in a three-game series, a stretch that spans 123 seasons.
Lincecum threw four-hit ball over seven innings for his first win since April 28. He struck out eight and walked two while outpitching Chad Billingsley (4-7). The two-time Cy Young Award winner ended a career-long 10-start winless stretch in which he went a career-worst 0-6.
He was 0-4 in his previous six starts against Los Angeles since his last victory on July 30, 2010.
Already missing injured All-Star Matt Kemp, the Dodgers lost Andre Ethier after one at-bat to a left oblique injury that could land him on the disabled list.
PIRATES 11, PHILLIES 7
PHILADELPHIA — Chase Utley homered in his first at-bat of the season, but Pittsburgh spoiled his return by connecting three times to beat Philadelphia.
Michael McKenry hit a three-run homer and Andrew McCutchen and Casey McGehee also went deep for the Pirates in their highest-scoring game of the season.
Utley, who had three hits, missed the first 76 games this year because of a chronic problem in both knees.
James McDonald (7-3) allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings. It was the first time in 15 starts this season he gave up more than three runs.
NATIONALS 11, ROCKIES 5
DENVER — Jordan Zimmermann pitched seven strong innings, Ryan Zimmerman and Tyler Moore both homered for the second straight game, and Washington beat Colorado.
Moore finished with three hits, Ian Desmond also went deep, and Bryce Harper had two hits for the Nationals, who had another big outburst at the plate. Washington scored nine runs once in its first 71 games before accomplishing the feat on consecutive nights against the Rockies.
Marco Scutaro had two hits and two RBIs for Colorado, which matched the Nationals with 14 hits but lost for the 16th time in 20 games.
BREWERS 8, REDS 4
CINCINNATI — Rickie Weeks and Cody Ransom each hit a two-run homer off Homer Bailey, and Milwaukee avoided a three-game sweep by beating Cincinnati.
Zack Greinke (9-2) remained unbeaten against the Reds, allowing two runs in six innings. Greinke is 4-0 in six career starts against Cincinnati.
Bailey (5-6) has had nothing but trouble against Milwaukee, falling to 0-5 in 10 games with a 6.50 ERA. He left trailing 5-2 after failing to get an out in the fifth inning.
Ryan Braun was out of the Brewers’ lineup with a tender left elbow.
METS 17, CUBS 1
CHICAGO — Daniel Murphy homered twice, Scott Hairston hit a grand slam, and David Wright drove in five runs as New York routed Chicago.
Ike Davis had a three-run homer and an RBI double as he combined with Murphy, Hairston and Wright to drive in all 17 runs — with each having at least four RBIs — to help the Mets snap a four-game losing streak.
Murphy hadn’t homered since last July 16 but went deep in consecutive innings for his first multihomer game. Davis’ four RBIs matched his career high, and Hairston had his second career slam.
The onslaught made for an easy afternoon for Jonathon Niese (6-3), who went seven innings and improved to 4-0 with a 1.89 ERA in day games.
BRAVES 6, D’BACKS 4
ATLANTA — Chipper Jones and Jason Heyward homered, and Atlanta withstood Arizona’s comeback attempt.
Jones’ two-run shot off Trevor Cahill (6-6) in the sixth inning was his first homer since May 4.
Tommy Hanson (9-4) gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth to earn his NL-leading 22nd save.
The Braves led 6-0 before Ryan Roberts’ three-run homer in the seventh knocked Hanson out of the game. Chris Young added a pinch-hit homer off Jonny Venters later in the inning.
MARLINS 5, CARDINALS 3
MIAMI — John Buck and pinch-hitter Logan Morrison connected for consecutive home runs in the seventh inning, rallying Miami past St. Louis to end its eight-game losing streak against the Cardinals.
Tony Cruz’s first career homer in the seventh put the Cardinals ahead 3-2.
Buck tied it when he homered off Fernando Salas. Morrison then sent a drive off Sam Freeman (0-1) that hit the top of the right-field fence, bounced off a nearby railing and dropped back into play.
ASTROS 1, PADRES 0
HOUSTON — Lucas Harrell pitched his first complete game, and left fielder J.D. Martinez threw out a runner at the plate in the ninth inning to preserve Houston’s victory over San Diego.
Matt Downs homered, and Harrell (7-6) finished a six-hitter by striking out Nick Hundley with the bases loaded.
