LOS ANGELES, 7 July 2003 — Odalis Perez pitched a no-hitter for seven innings before combining with closer Eric Gagne on a four-hitter to help the Los Angeles Dodgers blank the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0 in the National League on Saturday.
The no-hit bid by Perez ended on a leadoff bloop single by Shea Hillenbrand at the start of the eighth. But he recovered to complete the inning despite another pair of singles after a double play erased Hillenbrand.
Perez (5-7) finished up allowing three hits over eight shutout innings with five strikeouts and no walks as he took a no-hitter into the sixth frame for the fourth time in two seasons. Gagne allowed one hit in the ninth for his 30th save of the season as the Dodgers snapped a seven-game losing streak, despite only getting five hits. It was the LA closer’s 38th consecutive save.
Mike Kinkade and David Ross drove in the runs in the fourth to give Perez all the offense he would need to snap a personal five-game losing streak.
Cubs 6 Cardinals 5
In Chicago, Alex Gonzalez’s infield single scored the winning run in the ninth inning and gave the Cubs a 6-5 triumph over the St Louis Cardinals. Sammy Sosa hit his 13th homer of the season for the Cubs, giving him 512 in his career.
Pirates 4 Astros 3
In Pittsburgh, Jeff Suppan pitched seven solid innings and drove in the winning run with a fourth-inning double as the Pirates edged the Houston Astros 4-3. Brian Giles stroked a two-run double that tied the game in the first. Suppan (7-7) gave up two runs and eight hits while Mike Williams allowed one run, a homer by Geoff Blum in the ninth, before closing the game with his 24th save of the season.
Marlins 5 Phillies 4
In Philadelphia, Ivan Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera homered as the Florida Marlins defeated the Phillies 5-4. Brad Penny (7-6) gave up two runs, one earned, and five hits in seven innings for the win and Braden Looper tossed a scoreless ninth for his 15th save of the season.
Mets 6 Reds 2
In Cincinnati, Cliff Floyd hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to help the New York Mets to a 6-2 win over the Reds.Steve Trachsel (8-5) won his third straight start by pitching six scoreless innings. He allowed four hits and struck out two batters.
Rockies 9 Brewers 8
In Milwaukee, Jay Payton’s solo homer in the top of the ninth inning led the Colorado Rockies to a 9-8 victory over the Brewers.
Charles Johnson and Todd Helton also homered for the Rockies. Darren Oliver (6-5) allowed three runs and five hits in six innings and Brian Fuentes gave up a run before striking out the side in the ninth for his third save of the season.
Braves 3 Expos 2
In Atlanta, Robert Fick scored the winning run on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning to guide the Braves to a 3-2 triumph over the Montreal Expos.
Padres 5 Giants 2
In San Diego, Kevin Jarvis earned his first win for more than 14 months by combining with two relievers on a five-hitter as the Padres posted a 5-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
