Lincecum can't finish off no-no, but still beats Pads

Tim Lincecum had a tough time summing up his successful first half when a disappointing finish to his final start before the break was still so fresh.

"That leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, of course," he said.

Lincecum carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and won his fourth straight start, baffling San Diego with his nasty changeup and a curveball nearly as impressive in the San Francisco Giants' 9-3 victory over the Padres on Thursday night.