SAN FRANCISCO, 22 July 2003 — Alberto Castillo launched a grand slam home run, his first homer in two years, to help the San Francisco Giants complete a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with an 8-4 win in the National League on Sunday.
Castillo’s first career grand slam came in the fourth inning and put the Giants ahead to stay as they opened up a seven-game lead atop the NL West.
Rich Aurilia had four hits for the Giants and drove in two runs while Marquis Grissom homered, had two hits and drove in two runs. Jose Cruz Jr added three hits to the offense as San Francisco won for the ninth time in 12 games.
Jesse Foppert (6-8) allowed four runs on three hits over six-plus innings, striking out a career-high 10 and walking two. Five relievers combined to complete the six-hitter.
Denny Neagle (2-4) gave up seven runs on seven hits over four innings to take the loss. Todd Helton and Preston Wilson homered for the Rockies, who have lost five straight games.
Padres 3 Diamondbacks 2
In San Diego, Ryan Klesko and Lou Merloni homered to lead the Padres past Randy Johnson and the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2. Kevin Jarvis (3-2) allowed two runs on three hits over 7 1/3 innings for the win. Rod Beck pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save of the season. Johnson (1-3) made his first start since coming off the DL.
Astros 6 Reds 3
In Cincinnati, Jeff Bagwell crushed two home runs, including the 400th of his career, as the Houston Astros beat the Reds 6-3. Bagwell thumped a two-run homer in the fourth inning and added a solo drive in the sixth to become the 35th member of the 400 home-run club. Jeff Kent belted a solo shot in the ninth for the Astros.
Wade Miller (7-9) gave up three runs, two earned, and three hits in 5 1/3 innings. Billy Wagner struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his 28th save of the season.
Cubs 16 Marlins 2
In St. Petersburg, Alex Gonzalez delivered a three-run homer in the ninth inning to help the Chicago Cubs rout the Florida Marlins 16-2.
Sammy Sosa also homered and Jose Hernandez added two hits and drove in three runs for the Cubs. Carlos Zambrano (7-8) won for the first time in five starts after holding the Marlins to one run and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Miguel Cabrera drove in both runs for Florida, including one with an eighth-inning double.
Braves 11 Mets 8
In Atlanta, Javy Lopez homered in an eight-run eighth inning, which handed the Braves an 11-8 triumph over the New York Mets. Ray King (3-0) retired both batters he faced in the eighth and John Smoltz closed the game with his 36th save of the season.
Phillies 3 Expos 2
In Philadelphia, Bobby Abreu had two hits, including a seventh-inning double that scored the winning run, to give the Phillies a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Expos.
Brett Myers (10-6) struck out 10 batters and allowed two runs and seven hits in 8 2/3 innings to win his fifth straight decision. Jose Mesa recorded the final out for his 19th save of the season.
Pirates 6 Brewers 3
In Pittsburgh, Aramis Ramirez homered in the third inning and hit a two-run single in the fourth as the Pirates overcame the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3. Reggie Sanders also homered and Jason Kendall extended his 22-game hitting streak with a two-run single in the second.
Cardinals 10 Dodgers 7
In Los Angeles, Woody Williams picked up his 13th win of the season and also had a home run as the St. Louis Cardinals scored a wild 10-7 victory over the Dodgers. The teams combined for a Dodger Stadium record nine home runs. Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Edgardo Perez homered for the Cards while Williams (13-3) went seven innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits. Jason Isringhausen had the last three outs for his seventh save of the season.
