Lincecum Throws No-Hitter, Strikes Out 13 Padres On 148 Pitches

Major League Baseball has it's second no-hitter in 11 days.

San Francisco Giants right hander Tim Lincecum no-hit the San Diego Padres 9-0 Saturday night at PETCO Park.  It's the first career no-hitter for the former Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion.

Alexi Amarista came close to spoling Lincecum's gem in the eighth inning.  But right fielder Hunter Pence's diving catch of the sinking liner ended the inning and saved the no-hitter.  Lincecum struck out Chase Headley and then retired Carlos Quentin and Yonder Alonso on fly balls in the ninth, and the celebration was on.

Lincecum's 148 pitches were the second most thrown in a no-hitter since at least 1988, according to ESPN Stats and Information.  He struck out 13, walked four and hit a batter to win just his fifth game of the season.  Lincecum had been struggling coming in, losing his previous four decisions and hadn't won since June 4 against Toronto. He hadn't won on the road since April 3 at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ironically, Lincecum was the losing pitcher when Cincinnati's Homer Bailey no-hit the Giants on July 2.