Barry Bonds hit a two-run homer and Kirk Rueter pitched sevenstrong innings as the host San Francisco Giants defeated Los Angeles2-1 Wednesday night to pull one game behind the NL West-leadingDodgers.
Bonds' 34th homer, his sixth against the Dodgers this year, went426 feet into the upper deck in right field. Bonds did a 360-degreespin as he watched the ball disappear into the stands, then pumpedhis right fist.
After crossing home plate, Bonds blew kisses to the 50,921 fans,who spent much of the night chanting "Beat L.A." It was the Giants'second home sellout of the season.Rueter (13-6), who did not allow a hit until Raul Mondesi hithis 27th homer with one out in the fifth, gave up one run on fourhits.Braves 10, Mets 2: Atlanta became the first major-league team toclinch six straight postseason appearances and also set a record withtheir 12th grand slam of the year, using a nine-run first to cruisepast visiting New York.Ryan Klesko hit the slam, Jeff Blauser added a three-run homerand Greg Maddux picked up his 19th victory for the Braves, who havebeen in the playoffs every completed season since 1991 and areassured at least a wild-card berth.The Braves reduced their magic number to six for winning a sixthstraight division title. Atlanta holds a six-game lead in the NLEast over the Florida Marlins, who split a doubleheader with thePhiladelphia Phillies.The Braves announced 20-game winner Denny Neagle will miss hisscheduled start today because of an ailing right (non-pitching)shoulder. Reliever Paul Byrd will start instead.Phillies 5-2, Marlins 2-5: Rookie Tony Saunders earned his firstvictory since July 31 to help host Florida salvage a split of itsdoubleheader with Philadelphia.Saunders (4-6), winless in his last seven starts, allowed fourhits and one run in six innings. He entered the game 3-0 against theBraves but 0-6 against the rest of the league.Rookie Garrett Stephenson and closer Ricky Bottalico combined ona six-hitter for the Phillies in the opener.Astros 8, Pirates 4: Visiting Houston took a big step towardwinning its first division title since 1986, backing Shane Reynolds'eight-hit pitching with three homers.The Astros have won their last two games by a combined score of23-7 to open a 4 1/2-game lead in the NL Central over the upstartPirates, who had edged back into the race by winning two in a row.Houston's magic number is seven.Expos 4, Reds 1: Rondell White's three-run homer in the eighthsnapped visiting Montreal's four-game losing streak. The Expos havelost seven of their last 11 games.Padres 5, Rockies 4: Wally Joyner's two-run homer in the sixthgave host San Diego the victory. Larry Walker had two homers andfour RBI for Colorado.
Giants close gap vs. DodgersBarry Bonds hit a two-run homer and Kirk Rueter pitched sevenstrong innings as the host San Francisco Giants defeated Los Angeles2-1 Wednesday night to pull one game behind the NL West-leadingDodgers.
Bonds' 34th homer, his sixth against the Dodgers this year, went426 feet into the upper deck in right field. Bonds did a 360-degreespin as he watched the ball disappear into the stands, then pumpedhis right fist.
After crossing home plate, Bonds blew kisses to the 50,921 fans,who spent much of the night chanting "Beat L.A." It was the Giants'second home sellout of the season.Rueter (13-6), who did not allow a hit until Raul Mondesi hithis 27th homer with one out in the fifth, gave up one run on fourhits.Braves 10, Mets 2: Atlanta became the first major-league team toclinch six straight postseason appearances and also set a record withtheir 12th grand slam of the year, using a nine-run first to cruisepast visiting New York.Ryan Klesko hit the slam, Jeff Blauser added a three-run homerand Greg Maddux picked up his 19th victory for the Braves, who havebeen in the playoffs every completed season since 1991 and areassured at least a wild-card berth.The Braves reduced their magic number to six for winning a sixthstraight division title. Atlanta holds a six-game lead in the NLEast over the Florida Marlins, who split a doubleheader with thePhiladelphia Phillies.The Braves announced 20-game winner Denny Neagle will miss hisscheduled start today because of an ailing right (non-pitching)shoulder. Reliever Paul Byrd will start instead.Phillies 5-2, Marlins 2-5: Rookie Tony Saunders earned his firstvictory since July 31 to help host Florida salvage a split of itsdoubleheader with Philadelphia.Saunders (4-6), winless in his last seven starts, allowed fourhits and one run in six innings. He entered the game 3-0 against theBraves but 0-6 against the rest of the league.Rookie Garrett Stephenson and closer Ricky Bottalico combined ona six-hitter for the Phillies in the opener.Astros 8, Pirates 4: Visiting Houston took a big step towardwinning its first division title since 1986, backing Shane Reynolds'eight-hit pitching with three homers.The Astros have won their last two games by a combined score of23-7 to open a 4 1/2-game lead in the NL Central over the upstartPirates, who had edged back into the race by winning two in a row.Houston's magic number is seven.Expos 4, Reds 1: Rondell White's three-run homer in the eighthsnapped visiting Montreal's four-game losing streak. The Expos havelost seven of their last 11 games.Padres 5, Rockies 4: Wally Joyner's two-run homer in the sixthgave host San Diego the victory. Larry Walker had two homers andfour RBI for Colorado.
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