Giants gain ground in wild-card race

Tim Lincecum pitched seven strong innings in his return from a balky back, Eugenio Velez drove in four runs and the San Francisco Giants gained ground on the NL wild card-leading Colorado Rockies with a 9-1 victory Monday night.

Bengie Molina homered and scored three runs and Aaron Rowand drove in two runs for the Giants, who moved within 3 1/2 games of the Rockies in the wild-card race. Juan Uribe and Fred Lewis also drove in runs for San Francisco.

Lincecum, who missed his last start with back spasms, threw 116 pitches and had only one clean inning. He stranded nine runners.