Pinch-runner Darren Ford scored the go-ahead run from second base on a wild pitch and throwing error in the eighth inning, helping Tim Lincecum end a career-worst five-start skid in the San Francisco Giants' 2-1 victory over Colorado on Wednesday night.
Ubaldo Jimenez (17-6) was denied in his fifth attempt at a franchise-record 18th win. He lost his third straight start and fourth consecutive decision dating to a win over the Giants on Aug. 4.
The Giants gained another game on the first-place Padres, pulling within three games in the NL West race after San Diego lost its seventh in a row.
Lincecum (12-9) won for the first time since July 30. He hung tough in an impressive pitchers' duel between the two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner and the guy who may unseat him for the honor this season.
Ford came through hours after being called up from Double-A Richmond. Veterans Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell exchanged chest slaps, while Pablo Sandoval greeted Ford with a big hug in the dugout.
Lincecum allowed five hits, struck out nine and walked one in eight innings. All-Star closer Brian Wilson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 38th save in 42 chances. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez, facing the outfield, made an over-the-shoulder catch on Melvin Mora's popup to end it. Sanchez laid flat on his back in relief as the crowd at AT&T Park roared.
Carlos Gonzalez homered to start the fourth for the Rockies, who did little else against Lincecum on a night the hard-throwing right-hander looked like his old self again. Winning this series for the Giants was huge considering they dropped the opener Monday on a bizarre broken-bat triple.
Sports
Jimenez didn't allow a hit until Jose Guillen singled to right leading off the fifth. Buster Posey walked and Sandoval struck out swinging before Mike Fontenot's RBI single made it 1-all. Lincecum went 1/3 last September and expects more from himself this time to keep his team in the playoff chase.
Colorado now heads home for a makeup game with the Phillies on Thursday before traveling to San Diego for a key weekend series.Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki returned to the Rockies' lineup after missing two games with a sore left groin. He went 0 for 4 and had his hitting streak snapped at 10 games.
