Padres Stop Giants, End Schmidt’s Win Streak

Jay Payton hit a three-run homer in San Diego’s six-run third inning and the Padres ended Jason Schmidt’s 12-game winning streak, defeating the Giants, 9-4, Thursday at San Francisco.

The Padres’ David Wells (6-5) gave up four runs, 10 hits and walked two in winning for the fourth time in a row.

Although the longtime American League left-hander is profoundly uncomfortable batting, he drew a walk from Schmidt to start San Diego’s decisive third-inning rally.

Schmidt (12-3) has been the National League’s most dominant pitcher for most of the summer, leading the league in victories and hovering near the top of several categories.

But he was off from the outset, giving up nine hits, eight runs and four walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Giant Manager Felipe Alou and Schmidt weren’t pleased with umpire Matt Hollowell’s calls.

“There was a lot of funny stuff going on,” Schmidt said. “It was a mind-boggling afternoon. Every umpire has got his own zone, and you’ve got to adjust to it.”

It was Schmidt’s first loss in 17 starts since April 21, when the Padres beat San Francisco, 11-0. He had the majors’ longest winning streak since Toronto’s Roy Halladay won 15 in a row last season, and he fell four victories short of Jack Sanford’s San Francisco record, set in 1962.

St. Louis 4, Milwaukee 0 -- Jason Marquis (10-4) threw eight sharp innings, Jim Edmonds homered and the Cardinals shut out the Brewers at St. Louis.

Edgar Renteria, Albert Pujols and John Mabry drove in a run apiece to help the Cardinals sweep the two-game series. They also shut out the Brewers, 1-0, on Wednesday, and Thursday was the eighth time Milwaukee had been blanked.

Houston 10, Arizona 3 -- Carlos Beltran drove in three runs with two homers and Adam Everett tied his career high with four runs batted in at Phoenix as the Astros extended the Diamondbacks’ losing streak to 11 games.

Everett had a two-run homer off Edgar Gonzalez (0-2) and a two-run single before getting spiked in the eighth inning and having to leave the game. He is day to day.

Florida 10, Philadelphia 8 -- Alex Gonzalez and Jeff Conine each hit three-run homers and Mike Redmond added a solo shot to lead the Marlins to victory at Philadelphia.

Armando Benitez bailed the Marlins out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning, helping Florida move within two games of the Phillies and Atlanta for the National League East lead.

Atlanta 2, Pittsburgh 1 -- Johnny Estrada drove in the winning run with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th inning at Atlanta.

The Braves rallied against Salomon Torres (6-4), who was pitching for the first time since serving a three-game suspension for throwing twice at Oakland’s Damian Miller last month.

Montreal 4, New York 1 -- Tony Batista hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning at New York to lift the Expos, who finished 10-15 on a six-city trip that featured 25 games in 28 days.