SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Tim Lincecum rose to the occasion. One errant pitch cost him.
Lincecum allowed Paul Goldschmidt's first career homer in the fifth inning and San Francisco lost 2-1 to Arizona on Tuesday night to fall into a tie with the Diamondbacks for the NL West lead.
Goldschmidt's two-run drive to left on a 2-1 pitch gave Arizona a 2-1 lead and was the only blemish for Lincecum (9-9), who allowed five hits in seven innings.
The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner dropped to 4-3 with a 1.59 ERA in his last eight starts.
"I lost it there for a while rhythm-wise and location-wise," said Lincecum, who struck out eight and walked three. "I was all over the place, walking the pitcher and not being as aggressive as I wanted to, I just kind of wasted pitches."
Pablo Sandoval had three hits, including an RBI double, for the Giants, who matched their season-high five-game losing streak.
"We're just trying to play good ball," Lincecum said. "To hold onto the lead in the NL West we need to manufacture runs and pitch better than we have been. Those are simple things and it's just a matter of getting back to playing ball like we did before. It's not a big adjustment."
Goldschmidt, who was leading all minor leaguers in home runs (30) and RBIs (94) when he was called up Monday, said he looked back to previous experiences to keep him levelheaded.
"It's hard not to hear about that," Lincecum said. "He's a threat for the long ball. Regardless of who we're playing or who it is, you just have to make better pitches."
Arizona's Daniel Hudson (11-7) allowed one run and six hits over eight innings to snap a two-start slide. The 24-year-old right-hander struck out five and walked one.
"It's a lot of fun but at the same time there's a long way to go," Hudson said. "The division goes through San Francisco and we have a lot of games left with the Giants."
Hudson set down nine of his first 10 hitters. Orlando Cabrera led off the third with a bunt single but was caught stealing.
Bryan Shaw pitched the ninth, finishing an eight-hitter.
Lincecum was working on a no-hitter before Ryan Roberts led off the fifth with a single. Goldschmidt followed with a deep drive into the left-field bleachers.
"He worked early in the game but that was a great effort by him," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He had good stuff and his velocity was good."
Justin Upton added his 22nd homer as the Diamondbacks won their fourth straight to grab a piece of the division lead for the first time since June 24. Roberts had two hits and drove in a run.
"These two clubs see each other two more times," Bochy said. "We're going stagnant with these bats and we need to get them going."
Upton's two-run shot off Ramon Ramirez accounted for the first runs scored against the Giants' bullpen since the All-Star break, a span of 18 innings. Upton extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
Roberts and Gerald Parra each drove in a run in the ninth.
The Diamondbacks have won 12 of 17 to make up 4 1/2 games on the Giants.
NOTES: Giants INF Freddy Sanchez underwent surgery on his torn right labrum in Arizona and likely will be ready by spring training. ... RHP Ryan Vogelsong will start Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks. His eight wins are a career high. He is 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA against Arizona in eight appearances, two starts. ... RHP Jason Marquis will make his first start for Arizona. He threw a five-hit shutout against the Giants while with the Nationals this year. He's 5-3 with a 2.47 ERA in his career against San Francisco. ... OF Cody Ross made his second straight start as the leadoff hitter. Bochy said he's one of several candidates to lead off. ... Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero has reached base safely in his last 14 games.
