Lincecum Dazzles Again

San Francisco Giants' Ryan Sadowski works against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 3, 2009, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

(AP)

Tim Lincecum ran his career-best scoreless innings streak to 23 in winning his third straight start and also scored the first run in the San Francisco Giants' 9-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner struck out nine and allowed three hits with two walks in seven innings. Brandon Medders and Merkin Valdez each pitched an inning to finish the three-hit shutout, the Giants' majors-best 11th and fourth in their last seven games.

San Francisco had 12 hits a day after producing a season high in runs and pounding 15 hits in a 13-0 victory Friday night.

Pablo Sandoval singled home Lincecum in the fifth and Randy Winn added a two-run double and scored on a passed ball in the inning that got by Astros catcher Ivan Rodriguez. Aaron Rowand added a two-run single and Bengie Molina an RBI double.

Lincecum (9-2), expected to be named an All-Star on Sunday for the second straight year, outpitched former Giant Russ Ortiz (3-4). Lincecum struck out Michael Bourn looking on his third pitch of the game. After Lance Berkman doubled to start the fourth, Lincecum struck out the side.

He has gone 18 consecutive innings without allowing a baserunner past second.

Lincecum — coming off back-to-back complete games — walked in the fourth and later scored, then drew another free pass in the fifth to load the bases before Rowand's single. Winn doubled and Sandoval was intentionally walked before Ortiz's day was done. He received a warm ovation as he walked off the mound.

Lincecum's scoreless streak is the longest by a Giant since Robb Nen went 25 2-3 consecutive innings without allowing a run in 2000. Lincecum has won six of his last seven decisions.

The Astros were shut out in consecutive games for the second time this year, also April 12-13 at St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The Giants shut out Houston in back-to-back games for the first time since Sept. 22-23, 1993.