Giants Trump Another Arizona Ace

Any team that defeats Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling on consecutive days must be on a roll, even if San Francisco Manager Dusty Baker won’t admit it.

“Not yet,” Baker said, “but we’re on our way.”

Kirk Rueter and three relievers combined on a five-hitter Saturday at Phoenix, as the Giants won their seventh in a row, 5-0, over Schilling and the slumping Arizona Diamondbacks.

“The name of the game is pitching,” Baker said. “If anybody knows that, it’s the Diamondbacks. We took a page out of their book, I guess.”

Schilling and Johnson lost on consecutive days for the first time. They lost consecutive games on Aug. 23 and 25 of 2000, but there was an off day in between. Schilling lost to Milwaukee, then two days later Johnson lost to the New York Mets.

“These guys are great pitchers, but you have to believe you can win and beat them too,” said David Bell, who hit one of two home runs off Schilling. “It’s something we should be really happy with, but at the same time it’s just two games.”

Schilling (21-5), who lost to a National League West team for the first time this season, gave up three runs, four hits and struck out nine in seven innings. His four walks, one intentional, were his most in 88 starts.

“Anytime Schil walks four guys in a month, it catches you by surprise,” Arizona Manager Bob Brenly said, “but I don’t think it was anything Curt did wrong. I just think it was a real good approach by the Giants’ hitters.”

The Diamondbacks lost their season-worst fourth in a row, two to the Dodgers and two to San Francisco, the teams chasing them in the NL West.

Kenny Lofton and Rich Aurilia hit home runs for the Giants. San Francisco matched its longest winning streak of the season and is seven games behind first-place Arizona in the NL West. The Giants are 6-0 with one game left on their trip.

Schilling had won 12 in a row against division opponents since he last lost to the Giants on July 26, 2001. Schilling is 20-2 against the NL West over the last two seasons.

Rueter (12-7) gave up four hits, struck out seven, walked one and hit a batter in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The Diamondbacks didn’t get a runner to second base until the sixth inning.