Jimenez outduels Lincecum for 10th win

SAN FRANCISCO - Ubaldo Jimenez felt the hype from Denver to the Dominican Republic. From his Facebook friends near and far, and even over the e-mail channels.

The soft-spoken Rockies ace keeps living up to every bit of the positive attention he's receiving.

Jimenez pitched a four-hitter to become the majors' first 10-game winner this year, outpitching Tim Lincecum to lead Colorado past the San Francisco Giants, 4-0, in yesterday's highly anticipated Memorial Day matchup.

"My adrenaline was really high," Jimenez said. "Everyone was expecting that game - my parents, neighbors, everyone back in my country, and in Denver, too . . . Everyone was expecting that game and waiting to get in front of the TV."

The 26-year-old pitcher didn't disappoint. He's making an early push for this year's Cy Young Award, though he insists, "I don't even think about that."

Clint Barmes hit a two-run single in the second inning that held up for Jimenez (10-1), who struck out nine, lowered his ERA to 0.78 and extended his career-best scoreless-innings streak to 26. He pitched his fourth career complete game, second career shutout and second this year.

Lincecum (5-2), making his 100th start and matched up with Jimenez for the fourth time, walked five for the fourth straight start and the Giants had their four-game winning streak snapped.

In a game featuring two of baseball's top righthanders, Jimenez improved to 3-1 head-to-head against Lincecum, who has won the last two NL Cy Young awards. Jimenez retired nine straight before a two-out double to Pablo Sandoval in the ninth and a walk to Aubrey Huff that brought manager Jim Tracy to the mound for a visit.

Jimenez got Juan Uribe on a liner to left to end the 128-pitch gem in 2 hours, 38 minutes.

Tracy looked Jimenez in the eyes and twice asked him how he felt. The skipper received an emphatic reply of "I'm fine."

"I'm actually beginning to run out of words really to describe not only the excellence but the dominance in which this guy is pitching up to this point - 10-1, 0.78 ERA and tomorrow is the first of June. Enough said," Tracy said. "He's as good as it gets for two months. We're going to play for four more months and we'll see."

Jimenez became the 15th pitcher since 1952 to win 10 or more games by June 1.

Todd Helton doubled in a run in the fifth as the Rockies kicked off a six-game road trip against the division in impressive fashion. Colorado added another run in the sixth on reliever Dan Runzler's throwing error trying for a pickoff at first.

The Rockies know they only need to give Jimenez a couple of runs and he will take care of the rest.

"It's pretty hard to describe how he does throw the ball every time he goes out and pitches - he's unbelievable," Helton said. "It's dominating stuff as usual."

Barmes got his first career hit off Lincecum with the single. Barmes was 0-for-11 with four strikeouts against Lincecum coming into the game. Lincecum gave up consecutive walks to start the inning to Troy Tulowitzki on five pitches and then Brad Hawpe.

Both righties had to throw plenty of pitches early - Lincecum 43 and Jimenez 40 through two innings. Lincecum's 32-pitch second inning followed a 1-2-3 first on 11 pitches.

"I'm just proud for what I've been able to accomplish this year," Jimenez said. "I'm feeling really confident."