CHICAGO, 6 July 2003 — Jim Edmonds and Albert Pujols clubbed back-to-back first-inning homers to offset a three home-run display by Moises Alou to power the St. Louis Cardinals to an 11-8 National League win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
Tino Martinez also homered, had three hits and drove in four runs for the Cardinals, who took a two-game lead over the Cubs in the NL Central.
Bo Hart added three hits, scored two runs and drove in two runs for the Cards, who had 14 hits. Brett Tomko (5-5) gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings for the win. Alou hammered a career-high three homers and drove in five runs. Eric Karros and Sammy Sosa also homered for the Cubs, Sosa hitting the 511th of his career to tie Mel Ott for 16th place on the all-time list.
Kerry Wood (8-6) was rocked for seven runs, including three homers, and six hits in a three-inning start. Mark Grudzielanek added three hits to the Chicago attack.
Mets 7 Reds 2
In Cincinnati, Jeromy Burnitz launched a three-run homer in the seventh inning to help the New York Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Reds.
Tom Glavine (6-8) snapped a five-game losing streak by holding the Reds to one run and four hits in seven innings. Armando Benitez struck out the final batter for his 20th save of the season.
Jose Guillen scored both runs for the Reds with solo homers in the fourth and eighth. Jimmy Haynes (1-8) dropped his third straight decision after giving up three runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Pirates 3 Astros 2
In Pittsburgh, Reggie Sanders hit a game-winning homer in the eighth inning to help the Pirates edge the Houston Astros 3-2.
Brian Boehringer (4-2) gave up one run and one hit in two innings of relief and Mike Williams closed the game with a perfect ninth for his 23rd save of the season. Reliever Peter Munro (3-4) allowed a run and one hit in two innings.
Rockies 8 Brewers 6
In Milwaukee, Greg Norton homered in the eighth inning to guide the Colorado Rockies to an 8-6 triumph over the Brewers.
Preston Wilson hit a two-run double in the first and homered in the fifth for the Rockies. Steve Reed (5-1) struck out two batters in 1 1/3 innings of relief for the win. Justin Speier tossed a scoreless ninth for his third save of the season.
John Vander Wal cracked a grand slam in the first for Milwaukee and Royce Clayton added a solo shot in the fifth. Leo Estrella (2-1) suffered his first major league loss after giving up three runs, including two on bases-loaded walks, and two hits in 2/3 inning of relief.
Marlins 2 Phillies 1
In Philadelphia, Derrek Lee singled home the winning run in the top of the ninth inning to give the Florida Marlins a 2-1 victory over the Phillies. Braden Looper (4-2) tossed 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for starter Kevin Millwood, who struck out seven batters and gave up one run in seven innings. Pat Burrell scored on a fielder’s choice to tie the game in the eighth before Jose Mesa (3-5) allowed the winning run on two hits and two walks in the ninth.
Braves 8 Expos 6
In Atlanta, Andruw Jones had four hits, including a solo homer in the second inning, to steer the Braves to an 8-6 win over the Montreal Expos. Russ Ortiz (11-4) won his fourth straight start after giving up four runs and five hits in six innings. John Smoltz pitched a scoreless ninth for his 31st save of the season.
Tomo Ohka (7-8) allowed six runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Michael Barrett and Wil Cordero homered for the Expos.
D-Backs 3 Dodgers 1 (10 innings)
In Los Angeles, Quinton McCracken drove in two runs in the top of the 10th inning to hand the Arizona Diamondbacks a 3-1 victory over the Dodgers. Matt Kata homered for the D-Backs. Oscar Villarreal (6-4) pitched a scoreless inning for the win while Matt Mantei tossed a scoreless 10th for his eighth save of the season. Tom Martin (0-2) gave up a run on two hits without getting an out to take the loss.
Giants 8 Padres 6
In San Diego, Barry Bonds and JT Snow homered as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Padres 8-6. Marquis Grissom had three hits for the Giants. Jesse Foppert (5-7) seized the win while Tim Worrell pitched a scoreless inning for his 19th save of the season. Ryan Klesko and Rondell White homered for the Padres. Jake Peavy (8-6) was the loser.
