MLB: San Francisco 9, Colorado 1

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Tim Lincecum recorded 11 strikeouts in seven innings and Eugeno Velez drove in four runs Monday, keying San Francisco's 9-1 blitz of Colorado.

The victory pulled the Giants within 3 1/2 games of Colorado for the lead in the National League wild card standings. San Francisco has now won two straight after losing four in a row, while Colorado has lost three in a row following an eight-game winning streak.

Lincecum (14-5) allowed six hits and four walks but only one run. The right-hander had missed his last start because of back spasms.

San Francisco also got a solo homer from Bengie Molina and a two-run single from Aaron Rowand.

Jason Hammel (8-8) gave up seven hits and four runs over six innings in his first loss in a month.

Colorado got its run when Carlos Gonzalez tripled with two outs in the seventh and scored on a Lincecum wild pitch.