Schmidt allowed only a fifth-inning, infield single to Michael Barrett in tossing a complete-game, 1-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night, snapping the Giants' four-game losing streak.

Won't rate the headines? Nope, not in the shadow of the Big Unit. But hey, it's OK.

"Yeah, that's all right -- he threw a perfect game and well-deserved," said Schmidt with a smile. "I'm happy for him. That's awesome. I can't wait to go back and watch the highlights."

He had a few highlights himself, almost single-handedly beating the Cubs by striking out 13 batters and singling twice himself.

"Usually it takes a couple of innings to get the flow, to start throwing the ball downhill and working on his pitches," crowed manager Felipe Alou. "From the first pitch on, he was on tonight. That was encouraging to see him in command from the get-go."

Barrett's ball prevented Schmidt from making the no-hit history books.

Jason Schmidt  /   P
		Born: 01/29/73 Height: 6'5" Weight: 205 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

"Unfortunate for him -- Michael hit that ball slowly over the line, fair, and no way to make a play," said Alou.

Schmidt said he'll be thinking about the no-hitter that might have been but took solace in the triumph.

"It was nice to get a win no matter what," said Schmidt. "Give credit to A.J. [catcher Pierzynski]. There has been some uncertainty around here, but I didn't shake him [off] a whole lot. He did a great job."

Pierzynski agreed: "He was throwing 95 mph in the ninth -- it didn't look like he was fatigued to me," said the veteran. "One-forty pitches or not, it was a great outing by Schmidt."

The hurler was also pleased to see Barry Bonds back in the lineup after three days with back spasms. Bond proved vital, drawing a walk in the fourth and scoring the game's lone run on Pedro Feliz's single.

"It's almost a guaranteed run every inning -- the home run threat [or] if they walk him it's a guy on and a chance to drive him in," said Schmidt, who threw 144 pitches. "I've thrown 120 last two games, too. Maybe I'll get the arm strength up to 200. Who knows?"

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.