By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Whenever the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers face each it get it is always a big deal.

Tim Lincecum went six innings, allowing one runs on five hits, while walking three and striking out five and the Giants would go on to defeat the Dodgers 6-2 before a sellout crowd of 41,386, the 335th consecutive sellout at AT&T Park.

It could be the middle of April, or the end of the season and these ancient rivals can always one up each other.

The Giants maybe in fifth place, but you could not tell them that on this night against the first place Dodgers.

Brandon Crawford continued his hot hitting, as he singled in Justin Maxwell in the bottom of the second inning.

Maxwell tripled into the right-centerfield gap just out of the reach of former Palo Alto High School star Joc Pederson.

Buster Posey gave the Giants what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the third inning, as he singled off of eventual losing pitcher Brett Anderson.

Posey drove in Joe Panik, who singled with one out after Nori Aoki grounded out to leadoff the inning.

Aoki drove in the Giants third run on the evening in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he beat out an infield single.

On the play, not only did Maxwell score, but Crawford scored as well, when Anderson’s throw got by Adrian Gonzalez at first base and an error was called on Gonzalez.

The Dodgers would get on the board in the top of the fifth inning, as Juan Uribe hit a double up the left-center gap and would then score on a double by pinch hitter Alex Guerrero.

Crawford made the play of the night in the top of the sixth inning, as he made a diving stop on a Howie Kendrick hit ball and with his glove, flipped to Panik for one and then onto a Posey to complete the dazzling double play.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly challenged the call, but after just a 49-second review, the play stood and the inning was over.

Anderson, who also pitched for the Oakland A’s went four innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and striking out one.

With the Dodgers threatening in the top of the eighth inning, with two on and one out, Yaisel Puig came to the plate.

On the only pitch that Sergio Romo threw the slugger, Puig hit a foul ball that Maxwell dove at feet first in the wall in foul territory and made an outstanding catch for the second out.

Javier Lopez came on to replace Romo, and he was able to get Adrian Gonzalez on a ground ball to Panik and Lopez covered first base for the final out of the inning.
Maxwell not only did it with the glove, but he hit his first home run as a member of the Giants in the bottom of the eighth inning against Pedro Baez.

It was a two-run home run for Maxwell, as Andrew Susac walked to leadoff the inning.

Things got dicey in the ninth inning, as Jean Machi gave up two singles and then a walk to Pederson that loaded the bases and brought the tying run into the on-deck circle. That would be it for Machi, as Bruce Bochy went to his closer Santiago Casilla.

With Justin Turner at the plate, Casilla unleashed a wild pitch that Kendrick to score from third base.

Luckily for Casilla and the Giants, Turner ended the game, as he grounded out to Panik for the final out.