MLB: San Francisco 9, San Diego 3

SAN FRANCISCO, July 10 (UPI) -- Bengie Molina staked San Francisco to a quick lead with a two-run homer in the first inning Thursday and the Giants coasted past San Diego 9-3.

The Padres lost their fifth straight.

San Francisco held onto its 2-0 advantage until the sixth, when the Giants blew the game open on solo homers by Travis Ishikawa and Juan Uribe, along with a two-run double by Pablo Sandoval.

Tim Lincecum (10-2) took a shutout into the seventh, but wound up surrendering two runs on three hits in 6 2/3 innings.

The loss went to Josh Geer (1-4), who was touched for six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3.

Lincecum struck out eight to run his National League-leading total to 149. He is in a position to challenge for his second consecutive Cy Young Award.