DENVER (AP) – Jeff Francis and three relievers combined on a four-hitter and the Colorado Rockies moved into a tie for first place in the National League West with a 6-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.

The win moved Colorado (43-40) into a three-way tie with San Diego and Los Angeles in the division.

It’s the first time Colorado has been in first place this late in the season since July 3, 2000. The next day the Giants swept a doubleheader from the Rockies, sending Colorado on an 11-game slide and out of the divisional race.

Francis (6-7) was cruising before heavy rain arrived in the sixth inning. He didn’t return after a 1-hour, 47-minute delay. Francis allowed only a second-inning single to Jason Ellison over five innings.

Tom Martin, making his fourth straight appearance, pitched two innings, giving up one hit, before turning it over to Jose Mesa, who gave up a hit in the eighth. Ramon Ramirez allowed the run in the ninth on a leadoff walk to Omar Vizquel and an RBI double to Lance Niekro.

Giants starter Jason Schmidt (6-4) didn’t return after the rain delay. He went five innings, giving up four hits and one earned run. He struck out three and walked two.

Schmidt hasn’t won since June 6 against Florida when he struck out 16. In his last five starts, Schmidt has two losses and three no-decisions.

Garrett Atkins hit his 11th home run off Jack Taschner, who was called up from Triple-A Fresno before the game, in the sixth. Atkins had a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Todd Helton smashed a 3-2 pitch to right in the third inning for his 10th homer. Helton has reached base safely on either a walk or a hit in 34 straight games. It’s one game shy of matching the team record held by Larry Walker in 2002. Helton has hit four home runs in his last 10 games.

Colorado took advantage of Schmidt’s control problems and San Francisco miscues to score twice in the second. Matt Holliday reached on an error by Pedro Feliz and Atkins drew a walk.

After Brad Hawpe hit into a fielder’s choice, advancing Holliday to third, J.D. Closser singled home Holliday. Omar Quintanilla reached on a walk and then Francis helped his own cause with a sacrifice fly to left to score Hawpe. It was Francis’ second RBI of the season.

Ellison’s wild throw home allowed the runners to advance, but Schmidt got Jamey Carroll to ground out to end the inning.

Barry Bonds was a late scratch from Tuesday’s lineup. San Francisco manager Felipe Alou said Bonds took the day off in hopes of playing the last five games before the All-Star break.

Notes: Rockies manager Clint Hurdle sent bottles of wine over to Alou after he won his 1,000th game Monday. “He knows I like a glass of wine,” Alou said. “It’s good wine.” … Giants OF Moises Alou took batting practice Tuesday and is optimistic he may be back before the All-Star break. Alou has been on the disabled list with a lower back strain. … Rain delayed the start for 13 minutes. … Giants OF Randy Winn had his 10-game hitting streak ended. … SS Vizquel committed his third error of the season in the sixth. The Giants had four errors in the game.

AP-ES-07-05-06 0048EDT