SAN FRANCISCO — Even when Tim Lincecum has a bad outing he still doesn't give up many runs.

Lincecum pitched eight shutout innings, lowering his ERA to 2.18 and the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-0, last night.

"You can have great rhythm through the game and still get lit up," said Lincecum. "You go out there with confidence in yourself that today is going to be a good day but I didn't know it was going be like that."

Lincecum (12-3) struck out eight to increase his major-league leading total to 191. He leads the majors in strikeouts and innings.

Brian Wilson earned his 27th save in 31 opportunities when he pitched the ninth to complete the seven-hit shutout. The Giants lead the majors with 15 shutouts.

"It was definitely a team performance today," said Wilson. "(Juan) Uribe coming up big with two RBIs. Tim did a marvelous job yet again. Whatever he seems to do doesn't baffle us — he never ceases to amaze. I'm happy that he allowed me to come in and finish his game out."

The Giants improved to 36-16 (.692) at home, which is the best home record in the majors.

"Tim did work hard tonight but against a very very good lineup, he pitched great," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.

Joe Blanton suffered his first defeat in his last five outings as the NL East leading Phillies lost for only the 18th time on the road this season.

"I just go out and pitch," said Blanton. "If we score 10 runs I go out and pitch, if we score no runs I go out and pitch."

Blanton threw seven innings, gave up seven hits and two earned runs while striking out five.

PIRATES 11, NATIONALS 6:

Andrew McCutchen homered three times and had a career-high six RBIs, and host Pittsburgh handed Washington its fourth straight loss. McCutchen, a rookie, doubled his home run total by hitting three shots to left.

BRAVES 4, DODGERS 3:

Derek Lowe (11-7) allowed three runs in six innings in his first game against Los Angeles since he signed with Atlanta in the offseason, and Adam LaRoche had two hits and scored the tying run in the sixth in his return to Atlanta following Friday's trade from Boston in a win for the Braves.

CARDINALS 3, ASTROS 1:

Matt Holliday hit two solo homers and Chris Carpenter (10-3) tossed an eight-hitter for his second complete game of the season as host St. Louis beat Houston.

CUBS 9, MARLINS 8, 10 INNINGS:

Derrek Lee led off the 10th inning with a home run as Chicago — despite losing ace Carlos Zambrano (back stiffness) and slugger Aramis Ramirez (hit by pitch) to injuries — beat host Florida.

ROCKIES 6, REDS 2:

Ubaldo Jimenez (8-9) allowed two runs in eight innings and Seth Smith homered to help send host Cincinnati to its fifth consecutive loss.

METS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 6:

Angel Pagan hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the eighth inning off Clay Zavada (2-3) and host New York beat Arizona.

PADRES 4, BREWERS 2:

Ryan Braun's outfield miscue allowed the go-ahead run to score in the sixth and Clayton Richard allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings in his first start after coming over in the Jake Peavy trade as host San Diego beat Milwaukee.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

WHITE SOX 14, YANKEES 4:

Scott Podsednik and Gordon Beckham had four RBIs apiece and host Chicago finished with 17 hits to rout New York.

RAYS 7, ROYALS 1:

Rookie Jeff Niemann (10-5) allowed one run in eight innings and Carl Crawford hit a two-run homer as host Tampa Bay beat Kansas City.

MARINERS 7, RANGERS 2:

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 622nd career home run and Felix Hernandez (12-4) allowed two runs in seven innings to lead Seattle over host Texas.

RED SOX 4, ORIOLES 0:

Josh Beckett (13-4) pitched seven innings of six-hit ball for his major league-leading 13th win, and Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis homered as Boston beat host Baltimore.

TIGERS 4, INDIANS 3, 12 INNINGS:

Ryan Raburn singled in the go-ahead run in the 12th inning and finished with three hits, leading Detroit over host Cleveland.

ANGELS 11, TWINS 6:

Kendry Morales, Maicer Izturis and Juan Rivera each homered in the sixth inning and Joe Saunders allowed four runs in six innings to help Los Angeles beat host Minnesota.

BLUE JAYS 6, ATHLETICS 5:

Aaron Hill hit a three-run homer and Brett Cecil (5-1) retired 15 straight after giving up four runs in the second inning to lead Toronto over host Oakland.