Rockies Try To Save Their Season While Tim Lincecum, Giants Look To Preserve Division Lead

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Tim Lincecum was dominant in eight innings and Pat Burrell hit a two-run homer, as the San Francisco Giants edged the Colorado Rockies, 2-1, in the start of a crucial three-game series.

Lincecum (15-10) took a perfect game into the sixth inning and ended up allowing just one run and two hits. The right-hander also struck out nine for the Giants, who have won four of five.

Brian Wilson pitched a perfect ninth to secure the victory for San Francisco, which will keep the lead in the NL West. The Giants entered Friday with a half-game edge over San Diego, which hosts Cincinnati. They also extended their lead over the third-place Rockies to 4 1/2 games.

Colorado starter Jhoulys Chacin (9-10) had a no-hitter through four innings and gave up only three walks and three hits in seven innings, while striking out eight. However, one of his hits allowed was Burrell's homer, as the Rockies lost their fifth in a row.

Chacin walked two in the third but got out of the inning, then had his no-hit bid broken up by a Jose Guillen single to start the fifth. But Guillen was doubled off first on a fly out to thwart a potential rally.

Seth Smith doubled to begin the bottom of the sixth to break up Lincecum's chance at a perfect game, and went on to score the game's first run. Smith moved to third on a one-out grounder before Eric Young Jr. chased him home with a single.

But the Colorado lead was short-lived. Buster Posey walked to begin the seventh and bring up Burrell, who took three consecutive fastballs before jumping on a slider in the zone. Burrell pulled it over the left field wall to put the Giants in front, and Lincecum made it hold up.

He tossed a perfect seventh and eighth before giving way to Wilson.

Game Notes

Wilson picked up his 45th save to extend his career high...Giants pitchers have allowed three runs or fewer in 18 consecutive games. The last team to have a streak that long was the 1917 White Sox (who had a streak of 20 games)...Lincecum has thrown 205 1/3 innings and struck out 220 this season. It is the third consecutive season he has thrown at least 200 innings and struck out at least 200, and he became the fifth pitcher in Giants history to do that. The others are Mickey Welch, Amos Rusie, Christy Mathewson and Juan Marichal...Chacin had won his last four decisions.