Giants Fall to Rockies, 6-5

Vinny Castilla hit a two-run homer, Matt Holliday drove in two runs, and Colorado defeated Jason Schmidt and the Giants, 6-5, on Thursday night at San Francisco.

Joe Kennedy (7-6) pitched effectively into the eighth inning as the Rockies won their second in a row after a season-high, eight-game losing streak. They also had lost nine in a row on the road.

Shawn Chacon pitched the ninth for his 32nd save in 40 opportunities. The Colorado closer walked Michael Tucker with one out, but Chacon picked him off first before striking out pinch-hitter A.J. Pierzynski to end it.

Schmidt (15-6) gave up six runs for the second consecutive game in 4 1/3 innings as the Giants fell 1 1/2 games behind idle Chicago in the National League wild-card race. The Giants fell 6 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West.

Barry Bonds -- four homers shy of 700 -- was issued his 98th intentional walk, 30 more than his previous major league record set in 2002.

Kennedy gave up five runs and nine hits in 7 1/3 innings as the Rockies won their second consecutive series at San Francisco.

St. Louis 7, San Diego 2 -- Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds homered in the first inning and Jeff Suppan (14-6) won his fifth in a row, leading the Cardinals to a three-game sweep of the Padres at St. Louis.

Pujols and Edmonds each homered three times in the series for the Cardinals, who have won six in a row and 11 of 13 and have the majors’ best record at 89-44. Pujols was eight for 12 with six runs batted in in the series and has homered in four consecutive games.

Larry Walker also homered for the Cardinals, who are 33-6 against the Padres the last six seasons.

Florida 9, New York 6 -- Carl Pavano moved into a tie for the NL lead with his 16th victory as the Marlins gained ground in the wild-card chase with a victory at New York.

The Marlins, who swept the four-game series and have won seven in a row, are 2 1/2 games behind Chicago for the wild-card spot.

Milwaukee 7, Pittsburgh 1 -- Ben Sheets (10-10) threw a four-hitter for his first victory since the All-Star break, Bill Hall drove in four runs, and the Brewers salvaged a split of a four-game series at Milwaukee.