Saturday, September 18, 1999Cardinals 11, Astros 8
ST. LOUIS — Mark McGwire's grand slam was the first of three consecutive home runs for St. Louis in a nine-run fourth inning as the Cardinals spoiled Jose Lima's bid for a 21st victory with an 11-8 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night.
McGwire's towering shot to left-center was his 56th of the season and 513th of his career, moving him past Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews into 11th place on the career list. McGwire trails Sammy Sosa by three homers for the major league lead.
Thomas Howard homered on the next pitch after McGwire's blast, and Fernando Tatis followed with his 29th to knock out Lima (20-8).
It was the first time in 35 years and the fourth time ever the Cardinals hit three consecutive homers. The last time it happened was July 19, 1964, against the Mets, when Ken Boyer started the barrage with a grand slam and Bill White and Tim McCarver followed with homers.
Jeff Bagwell hit his 41st homer for Houston, which has lost two straight after winning 12 in a row. The Astros kept a 31/2-game lead in the NL Central over the Cincinnati Reds, who lost 3-1 to Pittsburgh.
Garrett Stephenson (6-1) gave up six runs, seven hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out six. Ricky Bottalico came on with two on and one out and got two outs for his 20th save.
Lima took a 4-0 lead into the fourth and appeared on his way to tying Joe Niekro for the team record in wins. But he couldn't get out of the fourth, allowing nine runs and 11 hits in 3 2-3 innings.
The Astros responded to the Cardinals' nine-run inning with some power of their own. Carl Everett and Ken Caminiti homered on back-to-back pitches to lead off the fifth, pulling Houston within three.
Pinch-hitter David Howard hit a solo shot in the fifth off Brian Williams for the Cardinals, who tied a season high with four homers.
Bagwell responded with a two-run shot in the sixth for Houston to make it 10-8.
Notes: The loss for Lima was his first decision in nine career starts against St. Louis. ... Lima's teammate Mike Hampton, the NL's only other 20-game winner, will have a shot to get No. 21 on Saturday. ... Cardinals OF Ray Lankford missed his fourth straight start after undergoing minor rectal surgery Monday. ... David Howard's homer snapped a 0-for-18 streak against Houston pitching ... The seven home runs were the most at Busch Stadium since Pittsburgh and St. Louis combined for seven Aug. 15, 1998. ... Tatis left the game in the seventh inning with a strained lower back.
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