SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Jason Schmidt struck out 11 in seven innings Wednesday night as San Francisco routed the San Diego Padres, 8-3, clinching the National League West crown.
Also, Andres Galarraga and Marquis Grissom hit home runs.
San Francisco secured at least a tie for the division after beating San Diego, then had to wait for second-place Los Angeles to lose before clinching. The Giants stood on the top step of their dugout and watched the final half-inning of the Dodgers' 2-0 loss to Arizona on the video screen in center field.
San Francisco won its third NL West title in seven years in just 150 games, making it the quickest since the franchise moved from New York following the 1957 season.
Schmidt (16-5) won for the 11th time in his last 13 decisions, allowing three runs and seven hits.
Barry Bonds added an RBI single, and Jose Cruz Jr. drove in a pair of runs for the Giants, who have won 13 of their last 17 games.
