Schmidt Wins 11th in a Row

Jason Schmidt wasn’t around to celebrate his special win. He was on his way to Houston to join his fellow All-Stars -- a fitting trip for a starter who has won 11 consecutive decisions.

Schmidt became the first San Francisco Giant pitcher to win 11 decisions in a row in 42 years with a 9-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday at San Francisco.

Schmidt (11-2) has not lost since April 26 -- a span of 15 starts. Jack Sanford won 16 in a row for the Giants during the 1962 season. Schmidt retired 18 of the final 20 batters he faced and beat the Diamondbacks for the fifth time in a row.

San Diego 4, Colorado 2 -- At San Diego, Ryan Klesko hit a rare home run for the Padres, who ended a four-game losing streak. Klesko’s two-run shot off Denny Stark with one out in the third inning was his second homer this season and his fourth since the All-Star break a year ago.

Atlanta 6, Philadelphia 4 -- Julio Franco hit a three-run home run, and J.D. Drew homered among his four hits to lead the Braves at Philadelphia. The Braves, who have won 12 of 15, took two of three to pull within a game of the first-place Phillies in the East Division.

*

Florida 5, New York 2 -- At Miami, Jeff Conine hit a grand slam to help Dontrelle Willis (7-5) beat the Mets for the fifth time in as many tries. He gave up two runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Cincinnati 9, Milwaukee 6 -- Jason LaRue hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, and Wily Mo Pena followed with his second homer of the game to lead the Reds.

Montreal 2, Pittsburgh 1 -- Scott Downs (1-3) pitched seven crisp innings to give the Expos their first win by a left-handed starter in three years in their final game this season in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Chicago 8, St. Louis 4 -- Sammy Sosa homered and drove in five runs to help Kerry Wood (4-3) win his first start in two months.

Jim Edmonds homered in his fifth straight game for the Cardinals, whose 10-game winning streak at home ended.