SAN FRANCISCO — Ned Colletti recalls several nerve-racking days after he dealt for Greg Maddux at the deadline, emotions to be expected after pulling off such a blockbuster trade.

The Dodgers' rookie general manager had only spoken to the 300-game winner by phone.

Two months later, Maddux pitched Los Angeles back into the playoffs, a key second-half piece on a remade roster put together to bring this franchise back to respectability after an awful 2005.

Maddux outdueled rookie Matt Cain, hit a single and even stole a base as the Dodgers won their sixth straight game, beating the San Francisco Giants, 4-2, yesterday.

That deal for Mad Dog sure did pan out.

"I wasn't with the team when we made the trade and I didn't come back for about a week," Colletti said, drenched from a champagne dousing in the raucous visitor's clubhouse. "The first time I felt good was when he walked into my office. That was the first time I was able to calm down."

Maddux was among the first to make his way into the clubhouse for a wild postgame party of champagne and beer after the Dodgers danced on the mound, celebrating in their archrivals' ballpark.

"If you're going to cinch it, you want to cinch it against the San Francisco Giants," said Hall of Fame manager Tom Lasorda, who guided the Dodgers to eight NL West championships in 20 years before stepping down in 1996 following a heart attack. "That's why this is sweeter than ever. ... Everybody in Los Angeles thought we weren't going to amount to anything."

After winning the NL West in 2004, Los Angeles went 71-91 in 2005, among the worst seasons in franchise history.

Los Angeles and San Diego head into the season's final day tied for the division lead. The Dodgers' victory ensured them and first-year manager Grady Little at least the wild card — the rest of the NL playoff picture was still to be sorted out. The Padres hold the tiebreaker for the West based on head-to-head record.

It was fitting that Maddux (15-14) had much to do with the Dodgers' return to the playoffs. They acquired the 40-year-old from the Chicago Cubs on July 31 to give them a veteran arm for the stretch run — and he won six games in Dodger Blue.

"It feels great," Maddux said. "I had a great time in Chicago. I'm glad I got traded to Los Angeles, so it's been a very good year for me personally. Hopefully it'll get better."

Maddux allowed three hits and two runs, struck out four and didn't walk a batter in seven strong innings. Takashi Saito finished for his 24th save in 26 chances.

Julio Lugo had a sacrifice fly in the first and an RBI double in the third for the Dodgers. Lance Niekro tied the score both times, with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the first and a solo homer leading off the fourth. J.D. Drew gave Los Angeles the lead for good with a run-scoring double in the fifth.

Cain (13-12) allowed nine hits and four runs, struck out four and walked two in 5 2/3 innings.