Chacon Too Tough for Schmidt, Giants

Shawn Chacon became the first eight-game winner in the National League, leading the Colorado Rockies to a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants Monday night at San Francisco.

Greg Norton homered to help the Rockies end a seven-game road losing streak and avoid being swept by the Giants for the fourth time in franchise history.

The Giants, who saw their five-game winning streak end, lost for the first time on their 12-game homestand. They also had their lead over the Dodgers reduced to four games.

Jason Schmidt (4-2) struck out four of his first eight batters but was outpitched by Chacon (8-2), who won his career-best fourth start in a row.

Schmidt, who was 6-1 in 11 appearances against the Rockies, is 1-2 in his last six starts. His only win since April 30 came in a 6-0 shutout at Arizona on May 21.

San Diego 4, Arizona 1 -- Carlton Loewer won for the first time since being hurt in a hunting accident in January 2000, pitching five solid innings at San Diego.

The Padres, who have the NL’s worst record (17-41), earned a split of the four-game series. It was their seventh win in 35 games.

Making his fourth start of the season, Loewer (1-1) gave up one run, five hits and walked one. It was his first win since May 4, 1999, while with Philadelphia, when he beat the Padres, 3-0.