By ROB MAADDI
AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- This was vintage Pedro.

Pedro Martinez tossed seven impressive innings to outpitch Tim
Lincecum, Ryan Howard doubled in the tiebreaking run and the
Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on
Thursday night.

Martinez (3-0) struck out a season-high nine in his fifth start
since signing with the Phillies during the All-Star break,
allowing one run and five hits. He didn't walk a batter and
threw just 87 pitches in his longest outing since last Aug. 21
with the New York Mets.

"I flashed back to the good old times," Martinez said. "I don't
have the power I used to have, but I always said it's not about
power, it's about hitting your spots."

Jayson Werth homered for the NL East-leading Phillies, who are
16-6 since getting swept by Florida at home last month.

Eugenio Velez hit a leadoff homer for the Giants, who remained
one game behind Colorado in the NL wild-card race.

The 37-year-old Martinez, plagued by injuries and inconsistency
during his last three seasons with the Mets, looked like the guy
who won three Cy Young Awards and was one of the most dominant
pitchers of his generation.

Martinez had plenty of pop on his fastball, often reaching the
low 90s on the radar gun, and mixed in an effective changeup.

"He had a little more life on his fastball, good movement and he
had good command," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He used his
changeup well. I will admit he had a little bit more life than I
thought."

Martinez was lifted for a pinch hitter after Carlos Ruiz hit a
two-out double in the seventh. Ryan Madson pitched a perfect
eighth and Brad Lidge finished for his 28th save in 37 chances.

Lincecum (13-5) was the tough-luck loser for the Giants, who've
scored the second-fewest runs in the NL. Lincecum struck out 11
in seven innings, allowing two runs and four hits. It was the
seventh time this season the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner
gave up two earned runs or less and didn't get a win.

"He reminds me a little bit of me, but he's twice as good as me
at this time of my career," Martinez said of Lincecum. "It took
me seven years to win a Cy Young."

Lincecum was equally impressed.

"It's ridiculous how nasty his stuff still is," he said. "When
you watch him, it's obvious he knows what he's doing out there."

Despite scoring just three runs in the series, the Phillies took
two of three against San Francisco in a potential postseason
preview. They beat the Giants 1-0 in the series opener behind a
two-hitter by Cole Hamels. Brad Penny tossed eight scoreless
innings in his Giants debut, helping San Francisco win 4-0
Wednesday.

Lincecum got into trouble when he drilled Chase Utley in the
back with a fastball with two outs in the sixth. Howard then
ripped a liner to right-center to put the Phillies ahead 2-1.

Velez hit Martinez's first pitch into the seats in right-center
for his first career leadoff homer.

Werth drove a 3-2 slider a few rows deep into the upper deck in
left in the second. The All-Star outfielder became the 22nd
Phillies player to hit 30 homers in a season with his 435-foot
drive.

Lincecum has allowed just nine homers this season and Werth was
the second right-handed hitter to connect off him.

"If a guy makes a mistake, you have to capitalize on it," Werth
said.

Martinez settled in nicely after Pablo Sandoval's one-out double
in the first. He retired 13 consecutive batters before Aaron
Rowand singled with two outs in the fifth. Martinez fanned seven
of eight batters at one point. He struck out the side in the
third, firing a 91 mph fastball past Edgar Renteria to end the
inning.

The Giants wasted Velez's leadoff double in the sixth. Renteria
grounded out to shortstop, Sandoval bounced to second and Bengie
Molina lined to center.

NOTES: Phillies RHP Brett Myers will travel with the team to
Houston and expects to be activated for the series. He hasn't
pitched since hip surgery in June. Myers, the team's opening-day
starter the last three seasons, will pitch out of the bullpen.
He had 21 saves as a closer in 2007 and could spell Lidge when
necessary. "I wish him well and I'm pulling for him every
night," Myers said. "If he's sore one day or he's thrown three
days in a row or something, there's plenty of guys down there
that can jump in that spot and do it. I don't necessarily have
to be the guy that does it, but it's always fun to do." ...
Howard was named NL player of the month after batting .299 with
11 homers and 33 RBIs in August.