Pitch perfect: It's Lincecum's turn to shine on mound

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). Li...