Monday, July 29, 2002
NL roundup
Giants beat Dodgers, then acquire Lofton
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
Jason Schmidt gave the ailing San Francisco Giants just what they needed — a well-pitched game to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers.
General manager Brian Sabean then gave them something even more important — a healthy outfielder.
Schmidt struck out 10 and combined with two relievers on a four-hitter as the Giants ended a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory Sunday over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After the game, the Giants acquired six-time All-Star Kenny Lofton from the Chicago White Sox for two minor league pitchers — a welcome addition to a team missing its top four outfielders because of injuries.
“We're glad to have Kenny, and we got him in the nick of time,” Giants manager Dusty Baker said. “Not only do we want him, but we need him.”
Jeff Kent's two-run homer in the first inning was all the offense Schmidt (6-5) needed. The Giants salvaged the finale of the three-game series to move within one game of Los Angeles in the NL wild-card race.
“We were trying to sweep, but it was a very well-pitched game from both sides,” Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. “This was a big game for them.”
In other NL games, it was: Arizona 5, San Diego 4; St. Louis 10, Chicago Cubs 9; Houston 4, Pittsburgh 0; Philadelphia 7, Atlanta 1; New York 6, Cincinnati 5; Montreal 4, Florida 1; and Milwaukee 5, Colorado 3.
The Giants went 2-5 on their homestand. They played the weekend series against their biggest rivals without outfielders Barry Bonds, Reggie Sanders, Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Marvin Benard and All-Star catcher Benito Santiago because of injuries.
Tim Worrell pitched a perfect eighth for San Francisco and Robb Nen struck out the side in the ninth for his 28th save — the 299th of his career.
Shawn Green had an RBI double for the Dodgers, who fell to 5-12 since the All-Star break. Andy Ashby (7-9) took the loss.
Before the game, Los Angeles acquired reliever Paul Shuey from Cleveland for reliever Terry Mulholland and two minor leaguers, including prized pitching prospect Ricardo Rodriguez.
“I don't see much of a down side for us,” Tracy said. “Any time you can add a pitcher of Paul Shuey's reputation and talents without sacrificing a core player, it's a huge boost.”
Diamondbacks 5, Padres 4, 10 innings
Luis Gonzalez hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the 10th and also had an inside-the-park homer to lead Arizona to its seventh straight win.
Junior Spivey singled and stole second before Gonzalez, who went 4-for-4, singled off San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman (1-2). The win gave the Diamondbacks their first 7-0 homestand.
Arizona starter Brian Anderson struck out a career-high 11 in eight innings. Mike Koplove (2-0) got the win.
Cardinals 10, Cubs 9
Edgar Renteria's three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth rallied St. Louis at Busch Stadium. Renteria drove in four runs as the Cardinals came back from a 6-0 deficit after three innings.
The Cardinals entered the ninth trailing 9-5, but Fernadno Vina led off the inning with an infield single. An RBI double by pinch-hitter Miguel Cairo scored Vina and an RBI single by Jim Edmonds brought in closer Antonio Alfonseca. He walked Albert Pujols, struck out J.D. Drew and then gave up and Tino Martinez. Alfonseca (1-2) then gave up Renteria's towering shot to left-center.
Dave Veres (4-6) pitched the final two innings for the win.
Astros 4, Pirates 0
Wade Miller (8-3) and four relievers combined on a five-hitter as Houston shut out Pittsburgh for the third time in four games. Houston swept the four-game series at Minute Maid Park.
It was the first time the Astros had three shutouts in a series since August 1974. The Pirates hadn't been shut out three times in four games since August 1986.
Kip Wells (10-8) allowed two runs in six innings as the Pirates equaled their season-high six-game losing streak.
Phillies 7, Braves 1
Scott Rolen homered off Tom Glavine (13-6), and a strong outing by Vicente Padilla carried Philadelphia.
The Braves lost two of three games during the weekend at Turner Field — their first series loss since May 7-9 against Los Angeles.
Jimmy Rollins had three RBIs for the Phillies.
Padilla (11-6) had gone five starts and more than a month since his last victory at Florida on June 24.
Expos 4, Marlins 1
Bartolo Colon pitched a two-hitter for his seventh complete game of the season, and Jose Vidro and Fernando Tatis homered to lead Montreal over visiting Florida.
Colon (4-1) held the Marlins to a one-out double by Eric Owens in the first and Andy Fox's two-out triple in the eighth.
The Marlins turned the first triple play in team history in the third when third baseman Mike Lowell caught Vladimir Guerrero's liner with two runners on the move.
Brewers 5, Rockies 3
Ronnie Belliard hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the sixth inning off Mike Hampton (5-13) as host Milwaukee completed its first series sweep against Colorado.
The Brewers, with the worst record in the NL, swept the three-game series and have won four straight to improve to 38-67.
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