LOS ANGELES, 24 May 2003 — Darren Dreifort struck out 12 batters in six innings to guide the Los Angeles Dodgers to their seventh straight victory, 4-3 over the Colorado Rockies in the National League Thursday.
Los Angeles pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts as the Dodgers won for the 18th time in 24 outings to move within 2 1/2 games of first-place San Francisco in the NL West. Dreifort also doubled home a run as the Dodgers swept their second successive series and completed a 7-2 homestand despite giving up two unearned runs in the first inning.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game we’ve played this year,” Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy told reporters. “But to make several mistakes and still win, we have to feel awfully good.” Dreifort (4-3) allowed three runs, one earned, and two hits while walking four batters for his third victory in a row. He struck out four batters in the second inning after allowing Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook to advance to first on a wild pitch.
Eric Gagne struck out a pair in the ninth for his 18th save of the season. The Dodgers closer has saved six consecutive games in seven days. Cook (1-4) allowed four runs, two unearned, and six hits in six innings. Brian Jordan had three hits, including a third-inning single that brought home the game-winning run.
Mets 6 Phillies 3
In New York, Timo Perez recorded the game-winning run with a pinch-hit double in the sixth inning to help the Mets to a 6-3 triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies. Cliff Floyd homered for the fourth time in five games and drove in two runs for the Mets.
Pedro Astacio (3-1) gave up three runs and five hits in six innings and Armando Benitez struck out two in the ninth to earn his 13th save of the season. Vicente Padilla (3-6) allowed five runs and 11 hits in six innings.
Cubs 3 Pirates 2
In Pittsburgh, Tom Goodwin had three hits, including a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 3-2 victory over the Pirates. The Cubs had a two-run lead in the third before Reggie Sanders and Brian Giles clubbed solo homers to tie the game. Kenny Lofton extended his NL-leading 20-game hitting streak with a double in the fifth.
Mike Remlinger (3-0) pitched a perfect eighth and Joe Borowski closed the game with his eighth save of the season. Scott Sauerbeck (0-4) worked one inning of relief, giving up the winning run in the ninth.
Expos 8 Marlins 2
In Montreal, Endy Chavez had a three-run double in the second inning to help the Expos to an 8-2 victory over the Florida Marlins. Jamey Carroll had an RBI double in the third and added a sacrifice fly in the fifth for the Expos, who swept the three-game series.
Livan Hernandez (4-2) pitched the complete game, giving up two runs and seven hits while striking out four batters and walking one. Michael Tejera (0-3) was tagged for seven runs and nine hits in a four-inning start.
Braves 9 Reds 4
In Cincinnati, Javy Lopez homered twice and drove in three runs to power the Atlanta Braves to a 9-4 win over the Reds. Lopez added a triple and scored a run in the second inning. Shane Reynolds (4-1) allowed four runs and six hits and struck out nine batters in 6 2/3 innings for his third straight win. Ryan Dempster (1-4) struck out 10 batters while giving up nine runs and 11 hits in six innings. Jose Guillen had two home runs for the Reds.
Astros 5 Cardinals 2
In Houston, Adam Everett hit his first major league home run to steer the Astros to a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Richard Hidalgo had two hits, including a fourth-inning home run, and Jeff Kent had RBI doubles in the first and third.
Jeriome Robertson (2-3) held the Cardinals to one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings and Billy Wagner closed the game with his 12th save of the season. Albert Pujols blasted a solo homer in the first and Brett Tomko (2-3) gave up five runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.
