MLB: San Francisco 4, Philadelphia 1

PHILADELPHIA, July 28 (UPI) -- Tim Lincecum threw six shutout innings Thursday after recovering from a recent illness and paced the San Francisco Giants to a 4-1 decision over Philadelphia.

The defending World Series champions took two out of three from the team with the best record in the majors.

Lincecum (9-8) had his start pushed back two days while he battled flu-like symptoms, but he turned in a solid effort that limited the Phillies to three hits. The 2010 National League Cy Young Award winner struck out six.

Four relievers closed out the victory with Philadelphia's lone run being unearned. Brian Wilson gave up a hit and struck out two in the ninth for his 33rd save.

Carlos Beltran, obtained in a trade with the New York Mets this week, made his San Francisco debut and went hitless in four at-bats.

Pablo Sandoval's 10th homer of the year put the Giants in front in the second and Nate Schierholtz singled in a run in the fourth.

The final two San Francisco runs scored on a throwing error by third baseman Michael Martinez in the seventh.

The loss went to Kyle Kendrick (5-5), who gave up four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. The Phillies have lost back-to-back games for the first time since early June.