NEW YORK, 26 July 2005 — Mike Piazza belted a two-run homer and Kris Benson delivered eight scoreless innings leading the New York Mets to a 6-0 shutout over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday in National League play at Shea Stadium.

Benson (7-3) was razor sharp on the mound scattering just four hits while striking out five with a walk before turning the game over Aaron Heilman, who tossed pitched a perfect ninth to preserve the shutout.

Piazza was 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs helping the Mets to their sixth win in seven games.

The Mets gave Benson plenty of early support bringing across two runs in both the second and third innings.

Piazza opened the scoring with his two-run blast in the second then drove in another run with a shallow single to right in the third.

In Washington, Eric Bruntlett slammed a two-out, three-run homer in the 14th inning to lift the Houston Astros to a 4-1 win over the Nationals. Bruntlett, with just one homerun this season, was the unlikely hero, taking a 3-2 offering from Hector Carrasco (3-3) and driving it over the left field fence triggering a celebration on the Astros dugout.

In Philadelphia, Brett Myers pitched six solid innings then helped his own cause at the plate with an RBI double helping the Phillies to 5-1 win and a three-game series sweep of the slumping San Diego Padres. Myers (8-5) surrendered just one run on five hits, striking out six and walking one walk to take the decision.

The Phillies seized control of the contest with a four-run burst in the fourth inning highlighted by Jason Michael’s two-run single.

In Pittsburgh, Jose Castillo homered and Mark Redman delivered eight shutout innings as the Pirates blanked the Colorado Rockies 3-0. Redman (5-10) was brilliant on the mound scattering six hits while striking out five with one walk to snap a personal career-high six-game losing streak.

The Pirates did most of their damage at the plate in the second inning with Tike Redman and Humberto Cota each driving across a run. Castillo later added an insurance run with a fourth inning homer.

In Cincinnati, Adam Dunn belted a game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning lifting the Reds to a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tied 2-2 from the fifth inning, Dunn decided the contest with his 28th homer of the season taking a 2-2 offering from Julio Santana (2-4) and parking it in the right field bleachers.

Austin Kearns also had a two-run homer for the streaking Reds, who have won four of their last five.

In San Francisco, A.J. Burnett pitched 7 1/3 solid innings and helped his own cause with homerun guiding the Florida Marlins to 4-1 win over the Giants. The subject of trade rumors, Burnett (7-6) did not let his uncertain future distract him on Sunday as he turned in focused effort, yielding just one run on six hits while striking out four and walking one to earn the win.

Kevin Correia (1-2) took the loss surrendering four runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings.

In Phoenix, Tony Clark homered and Javier Vazquez delivered eight sparkling innings striking out a season high 11 as the Arizona Diamondbacks held on to edge the Atlanta Braves 3-2.

Vazquez (9-9) scattered three hits giving up two runs — both homers to Andruw Jones — before turning the ball over to Brian Bruney, who worked a scoreless ninth for his 11th save.

Luis Gonzalez and Troy Glaus also drove in a run for the Diamondbacks.

Matsui Homer Sends Yankees

Home on Winning Note

In Los Angeles, Hideki Matsui belted a two-run homer and Mike Mussina provide 6 1/3 solid innings as the New York Yankees beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 on Sunday in Anaheim, avoiding a four game series sweep.

Mussina (10-5) was razor sharp, limiting the Angels to one run on seven hits until Yankees bats finally came to life in the seventh with a three-run burst.

After tossing six shutout innings, the Yankees finally got Jarrod Washburn (6-6) when Matsui — with his 17th of the season — homered to deep center scoring Alex Rodriguez.

Tino Martinez then grounded into fielder’s choice bringing home Jason Giambi putting New York in front to stay, 3-1.

Mariano Rivera came on to get the final five outs for his 25th save to send the Yankees home on a winning note.

In Chicago, Tadahito Iguchi stroked a two-run homer and had three runs batted as the White Sox tamed the Boston Red Sox 6-4 to earn a split in their four game series.

Scott Podsednik scored a pair of runs for Chicago while Paul Konerko contributed a pair of RBIs. Jose Contreras (6-6) took credit for the win allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out six and walking two in 5 2/3 innings of work.

In St. Petersburg, Carl Crawford slammed a two-run homer and Casey Fossum provided 6 1/3 sharp innings leading the red-hot Tampa Bay Devil Rays past the ice-cold Baltimore Orioles 6-2. Fossum (5-8) gave up two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and a walk to earn the decision as the Devil Rays swept the three-game series to notch their eighth win in 12 games. Sammy Sosa and Sal Fasano each homered for the slumping Orioles, who have dropped five straight.

In Cleveland, Victor Martinez crushed a three-run homer and Kevin Millwood provided 7 2/3 strong innings sparking the Indians to a 6-3 win over the Seattle Mariners. Millwood (4-9) surrendered two runs — one earned — and three hits, struck out five and walked a pair in the win.

Aaron Sele (6-11) was tagged with the loss allowing three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.

In Kansas City, Angel Berroa homered and Emil Brown and Chip Ambres each had two hits as the Royals held on to edge the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5.

In Detroit, Curtis Granderson homered and tripled, driving in two runs, while Jeremy Bonderman tossed eight strong innings guiding the Tigers to a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Magglio Ordonez had three hits and an RBI while Chris Shelton scored a pair of runs for the surging Tigers, who notched their third win in four games.

Bonderman (13-6) took credit for the win working eight plus innings and yielding two runs on seven hits — striking out six and walking two.

Kyle Farnsworth pitched a perfect ninth to register his fifth save.

Joe Mauer homered for Minnesota.

In Arlington, Scott Hatteberg drove in three runs and Rich Harden worked 5 1/3 gritty innings as the surging Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 8-3 to register their sixth straight win. Harden (8-4) allowed three runs on five hits and struck out five and walked four in the win.

Mark Ellis had two RBIs and two runs scored while Bobby Crosby had three hits and drove in a run. Chan Ho Park (8-5) suffered the loss, giving away six runs on nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings.