NEW YORK, 17 August 2004 — Randy Johnson struck out 14 batters in 8 1/3 innings to help the Arizona Diamondbacks end a nine-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over the New York Mets on Sunday. Johnson allowed just five hits and walked one while striking out more than 10 hitters for the 199th time in his career and eighth time this season. The Diamondbacks have the worst record in major league baseball but Johnson lowered his ERA to 2.87 while improving to 12-10. He has one-third of Arizona’s victories this season as the D-Backs improved to just 36-83.
Greg Aquino got the last two outs in the ninth inning for his fourth save to end the Mets three-game winning streak.
In Montreal, the Houston Expos scored three runs in the ninth inning to beat the Expos 5-4 and end Montreal’s seven-game winning streak. Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer for Houston while Dan Miceli (5-6) allowed one run on two hits over two innings of relief for the win before Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless ninth for his 13th save.
In Cincinnati, Adam Eaton pitched six strong innings and drove in two runs as the San Diego Padres beat the Reds 7-2. Eaton (8-10) allowed two runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and one walk while also going two-for-two, scoring two runs and adding a sacrifice bunt.
In Pittsburgh, Craig Wilson had three hits and drove in two runs as the Pirates beat the Colorado Rockies 3-0. Josh Fogg (7-8) allowed four hits over six shutout innings with five strikeouts and two walks and Jose Mesa got three outs for his 33rd save.
In Philadelphia, Brett Tomko pitched six solid innings to give the San Francisco Giants a 3-1 win over the Phillies, completing a three-game sweep. Tomko (6-6) allowed one run on four hits before Dustin Hermanson pitched the ninth for his third save.
In Chicago, Adrian Beltre and Shawn Green both homered as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cubs 8-5.
Milton Bradley drove in three runs for the Dodgers. Duaner Sanchez (3-1) pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the win while Eric Gagne got six outs for his 35th save.
In Milwaukee, Luis Castillo tied the game with a ninth inning RBI single before Damion Easley hit a two-run double in the 10th to give the Florida Marlins a 5-3 win over the Brewers. Rudy Seanez (1-1) pitched one shutout inning for the win and Armando Benitez pitched the 10th for his 34th save.
Koskie Slugs Homer in 10th Inning as Twins Edge Indians
Corey Koskie clubbed a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning to help the Minnesota Twins hold on to first place in the American League Central with a 4-2 road win over the Cleveland Indians.
Koskie’s homer completed a Minnesota comeback as the Twins opened up a two-game lead on the Indians in the division.
Minnesota won for the third time in 11 games while the Indians lost for only the second time in 12.
Lew Ford was struck by a pitch in the 10th before Koskie grabbed his 17th homer of the season off reliever Rick White. White (4-5), Cleveland’s sixth pitcher, allowed two runs on two hits in one inning for the loss. Juan Rincon (10-5) picked up one out for the victory and Joe Nathan pitched a scoreless 10th for his 34th save of the season. Casey Blake had two hits for the Tribe, which had seven hits in all.
In Toronto, David Newham collected four hits and drove in the winning run with a double to cap an eight-run eighth inning rally as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Blue Jays 11-7. Melvin Mora drove in three runs for the Orioles, who fought back from a 7-1 deficit to win for the 11th time in 13 games.
In Arlington, Laynce Nix homered and drove in three runs to lead the Texas Rangers to a 6-2 triumph over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Mark Teixeira belted a two-run homer for Texas.
In Boston, Carlos Lee homered and drove in three runs as the Chicago White Sox edged the Red Sox 5-4. Mark Buehrle (11-6) gave up two runs on six hits over seven innings for the victory.
In Anaheim, Darin Erstad doubled in the winning run in the eighth inning as the Angels defeated the Detroit Tigers 3-2 to move within a half game of first place in the West Division. Scot Shields (6-2) pitched two innings of relief for the victory, allowing one unearned run and one hit.
In Seattle, Miguel Olivo notched three hits and drove in two runs as the Mariners scored six runs in the seventh inning to overcome the New York Yankees 7-3. Ichiro Suzuki homered and also had three hits for Seattle. Gil Meche (3-5) allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits over seven innings for the win.
In Oakland, Joe Randa drove in three runs as the Kansas City Royals eased past the Athletics 6-1. Ruben Gotay had two RBI for the Royals. Zach Greinke (5-9) allowed one run on six hits over seven innings for the victory.