SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Lincecum trailed for all of two innings, then held down the Chicago Cubs' dangerous lineup.
Lincecum increased his National League-leading strikeout total to 122 with eight Ks in six innings and also singled in a run and scored, helping the San Francisco Giants salvage a four-game split with an 8-3 win over the Cubs on Thursday night.
Pinch-hitter Rich Aurilia hit a three-run homer in the seventh for some key insurance, his seventh home run and third career pinch-hit homer. He hadn't had a pinch-hit homer since June 12, 2003, at the Chicago White Sox during his first stint with San Francisco.
Fred Lewis hit an RBI triple in San Francisco's four-run second and Jose Castillo added an RBI double in the inning. The Cubs allowed another run on a routine popup by Ray Durham right along the third-base line that catcher Geovany Soto appeared to lose in the sun and dropped for an error. Lewis ran around him and stepped on the plate to make it 4-1.
Lincecum (10-1) seemed unfazed - and certainly not jinxed - in his first start since he made the Sports Illustrated cover this week.
"They're excited for Timmy," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's getting recognized, as he should. I'm sure he's taking some razzing." Full story
Reds 5, Nationals 3
CINCINNATI -- Brandon Phillips had three hits and three RBI and the Cincinnati Reds capitalized on a Washington error to rally for a win over the Nationals.
Corey Patterson, pinch hitting for starting pitcher Johnny Cueto, reached second base after a bunt when Washington first baseman Dmitri Young couldn't handle the throw from relief pitcher Jesus Colome (2-2). Patterson moved to third on Jerry Hairston's single, but couldn't score after falling down while rounding the bag.
Jeff Keppinger was walked intentionally to load the bases, and after Ken Griffey Jr. popped up, Phillips lined relief pitcher Luis Ayala's first pitch down the right-field line for a two-run single.
Royals 10, Orioles 7
BALTIMORE -- Mark Grudzielanek went 4-for-5 and played a key role in a seven-run sixth inning that carried the Kansas City Royals past the Baltimore Orioles.
The Royals overcame a four-run deficit and two homers by Aubrey Huff to earn a split of the four-game series. Kansas City took an early 3-0 lead, then yielded seven straight runs before sending 11 players to the plate in their most prolific inning of the season.
Jose Guillen led off the sixth with a walk and Billy Butler doubled before Miguel Olivo struck out. Kevin Millar then botched a grounder to first as Guillen scored. Adam Loewen (0-2) replaced starter Garrett Olson and gave up an RBI single to Ross Gload before Tony Pena got an infield hit to load the bases.
