Tim Lincecum tosses no-hitter

Jul 13, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) throws during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum tossed his first career no-hitter Saturday evening, in a 9-0 Giants victory over the San Diego Padres.

The no-hitter by Lincecum went 148 pitches (a career high), 96 for strikes. The former Cy Young Award winner walked four and struck out 13 in his nine innings pitched. He improves to 5-9 overall this season.

Lincecum is the second player this season to toss a no-hitter, as Cincinnati Reds starter Homer Bailey threw his second career no-hitter on July 2 at Great American Ball Park, against oddly the Giants.

Following the game, Lincecum said the first person he was going to call was his dad.

For Lincecum’s no-hitter, a play at third by Pablo Sandoval, along with a diving catch in the eighth by right fielder Hunter Pence proved to be difference makers.

Lincecum faced three batters in the ninth beginning with a strike out of Chase Headley. That was followed with a line out to left field by Carlos Quentin. The final out was a fly ball to left field caught by Gregor Blanco. Blanco was the final out in the Bailey no-hitter.

The no-hitter by Lincecum is the first by a Giants pitcher since Jonathan Sánchez on July 10, 2009, also against the Padres. Matt Cain threw a perfect game for San Francisco last season on June 13, 2012 against the Houston Astros.