"Mathematicians at MIT were hovering over their computers late into Sunday night trying to calculate how the Giants could have 10 hits and a walk with nobody out in the fifth inning with only one run, and why it took three hits to get that man home from second base.

That is your 2011 Giants offense, and it is hard to imagine a vast improvement down the stretch. And yet, the Giants remain in first place in a weak NL West after a 3-1 victory over Philadelphia because they have pitchers such as Tim Lincecum.

He allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings and willed the Giants to a win that prevented the Phillies from completing a four-game sweep at AT