NEW YORK, 8 June 2004 — Ken Griffey Jr. clubbed two home runs, taking him to 498 for his career, and the host Cincinnati Reds scored three times in the bottom of the ninth inning to edge the Montreal Expos 6-5 in the National League on Sunday.
Griffey Jr has 17 home runs this season, tied for the major league lead. He has homered nine times in his last 14 games, including three in two days.
His two-run homer in the first inning and solo shot in the third gave him 100 in a Reds uniform since joining the team in 2000.
Griffey Jr now needs two more home runs to become the 20th major leaguer to reach the 500 milestone.
Despite his efforts, the Expos led 5-3 heading to the bottom of the ninth after scoring two runs in the top of the inning.
Pinch-hitter Jacob Cruz recorded a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game before D’Angelo Jimenez drove in the winning run with a single.
In Chicago, Greg Maddux allowed only four hits over seven innings as the Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1.
Maddux (5-4) notched his 294th career victory after being charged with one run with six strikeouts and no walks. LaTroy Hawkins allowed two hits but had a scoreless ninth for his fourth save of the season.
Aramis Ramirez homered for Chicago. Ryan Vogelsong (1-6) gave up two runs on four hits over six innings with five strikeouts and two walks and took the loss.
In Atlanta, JD Drew belted a three-run homer to help the Braves rally to overcome the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4.
Trailing 4-0, the Braves scored six runs in the fifth inning. Jaret Wright (4-5) allowed four runs on six hits over five frames for the win and John Smoltz claimed the last four outs for his eighth save of the season.
In New York, Mike Piazza homered and drove in four runs to lead the Mets past the Florida Marlins 5-2. It was Piazza’s third homer in two days. Shane Spencer had two hits and scored twice while Al Leiter (2-2) allowed two hits over 5 2/3 shutout innings, striking out five batters and walking six.
In St. Louis, Roy Oswalt scattered six hits over six innings as the Houston Astros edged the Cardinals 3-2.
Oswalt (4-4) surrendered two runs with six strikeouts and no walks before Octavio Dotel pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save of the season. Raul Chavez drove in the winning run with a double in the sixth.
Cody McKay had two hits and drove in two runs for the Cards, who lost Albert Pujols with a strained hamstring in the sixth.
In Denver, Barry Bonds stroked his 16th homer of the season and 674th of his career to power the San Francisco Giants to a 16-4 thrashing of the Colorado Rockies.
In Phoenix, Robby Hammock delivered two hits and drove in two runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5. Steve Finley, Danny Bautista and Luis Gonzalez all had two hits and drove in a run for the D-Backs.
In San Diego, Phil Nevin’s three-run homer carried the Padres to an 8-3 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers.
