Lincecum, Sandoval lift Giants over Arizona 1-0

[August 31, 2013]  PHOENIX (AP) -- Tim Lincecum pitched six spotless innings and third baseman Pablo Sandoval made a diving play to save the San Francisco Giants in their 1-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

Angel Pagan doubled and scored in the first during his first game back from a long stint on the disabled list. Three relievers closed it out for the Giants, who handed Randall Delgado a hard-luck loss and won for the 10th time in their last 12 games at Chase Field.

Arizona loaded the bases against Lincecum in the sixth, and A.J. Pollock hit a sharp grounder past third. Sandoval had it played just right, though. He backhanded the ball as he hit the ground, got to his feet and threw to first for the third out.

Lincecum (8-13) allowed six hits and two walks while striking out two.

Javier Lopez pitched the seventh, Santiago Casilla worked the eighth and Sergio Romo got three outs for his 33rd save. Romo has a 20-inning scoreless streak at Chase Field, and his 23 consecutive scoreless appearances there mark the longest such streak for any visiting pitcher at any ballpark dating to 1921, according to STATS.

Delgado (4-5) gave up only three hits over seven innings.

San Francisco scored on Pagan's leadoff double and a sacrifice fly from Brandon Belt. Pagan was reinstated from the 60-day DL before the game after missing 82 games with a left hamstring injury.

The Diamondbacks loaded the bases on two hits and a walk in the sixth, the only inning in which Lincecum got in trouble. But he struck out Miguel Montero for the second out before Sandoval's defensive gem.

NOTES: Three days after designating OF Jason Kubel for assignment, the Diamondbacks traded him to Cleveland for a player to be named or cash. ... The Diamondbacks will hold their second annual alumni game following Saturday night's game against the Giants. Players returning include Luis Gonzalez, Erubiel Durazo, Reggie Sanders, Mark Grace, Greg Swindell and Brandon Webb. ... To make room for Pagan, the Giants optioned OF Francisco Peguero to Triple-A Fresno and transferred OF Andres Torres from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. ... Play was held up briefly so groundskeepers could work on the mound before Lincecum delivered a pitch in the sixth.

[Associated Press; By JOSE M. ROMERO]

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