Jonathan Sanchez struck out 11 and pitched eight shutout innings to lead the San Francisco Giants to a 6-0 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon.

Sanchez allowed three hits and didn’t walk a batter in his best performance since no-hitting the San Diego Padres last season.

San Francisco (7-2) is off to its best start since beginning the 2003 season with an 8-1 record.

Backup catcher Eli Whiteside hit a three-run homer in San Francisco’s four-run second inning. Aubrey Huff led off the inning with an inside the park homer to right.

Whiteside doubled in the fifth inning and scored on Aaron Rowand’s two-run homer.

Lastings Milledge had two of Pittsburgh’s three hits against Sanchez. Brian Wilson pitched a scoreless ninth for the Giants.

Pittsburgh starter Charlie Morton gave up all six San Francisco runs. Morton allowed eight hits in six innings while dropping to 0-2.