MLB: Chi. Cubs 2, San Francisco 0

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Carlos Zambrano threw a two-hitter Friday and the Chicago Cubs damaged San Francisco's playoffs hopes with a 2-0 win over the Giants.

In addition to handing the Giants a key setback, the Cubs again prevented the St. Louis Cardinals from clinching the National League Central title.

A win by St. Louis or a loss by the Cubs over the final week of the season will give the Cardinals the division crown. St. Louis missed out on a chance for victory earlier in the evening when it fell to Colorado and the Cubs then forced the Cardinals to wait at least another day by defeating the Giants.

Chicago scored two runs in the ninth inning on Thursday to rally past the Giants and keep St. Louis from clinching the division title.

San Francisco fell five games behind Colorado in the National League wild-card chase. Both teams have eight games remaining.

Zambrano (9-6) allowed only a lead-off single by Juan Uribe in the second and a lead-off single by pitcher Tim Lincecum in the sixth. Zambrano retired the last 12 men he faced.

It was the ninth complete game and fourth shutout of Zambrano's nine-year career, all of it with the Cubs.

Lincecum (14-7) took the loss, giving up two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings.