NEW YORK, 7 September 2004 — Mike Lamb homered, drove in four runs and had four hits as the streaking Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-5 in National League play at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, their ninth straight victory. The Astros have now won 17 of 20 games to pull to within 1 1/2 games of the NL wildcard leading Chicago Cubs.
Carlos Beltran added three hits for the Astros, who swept the three-game series over the Pirates. Pete Munro (4-5) allowed five runs on four hits over five innings for the win and three relievers followed with four shutout innings of relief. Craig Biggio added two hits and an RBI for the Astros, who had 16 hits. John Van Benschoten (0-3) relieved starter Kip Wells in the first inning and took the loss. He allowed six runs — four earned — on seven hits over 2 1/3 innings.
Wells left the game with tightness in his right elbow. It was his first start since going on the disabled list with arm problems Aug. 23. The Pirates have lost four straight and 14 of their last 19. Jason Bay drove in two runs for the Pirates and Jason Kendall had three hits and an RBI.
In Philadelphia, Brett Myers pitched seven strong innings to lead the Phillies to a 4-2 win over the reeling New York Mets. Myers (8-9) allowed one run on three hits while striking out two and walking one before Billy Wagner returned to the line-up with a perfect eighth and Tim Worrell finished up for his 17th save.
Mike Lieberthal and Jimmy Rollins both homered for the Phillies, now 68-68. The Mets have lost nine straight. Steve Trachsel (10-13) allowed four runs on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks to take the loss and David Wright and Jason Phillips both homered.
Tony Batista drove in the winning run with a double in the 12th inning, powering the Montreal Expos past the Atlanta Braves 4-3. T.J. Tucker (4-2) pitched a scoreless 12th inning for the win. Brad Wilkerson homered for Montreal and Brian Schneider had four hits. J.D. Drew hit his 30th homer for the Braves. Juan Cruz (4-2) allowed one run on two hits over 1 1/3 innings and took the loss.
In Milwaukee, Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 9-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Luke Hudson (2-1) pitched six shutout innings for the win, allowing just one hit. Ryan Freel also homered for the Reds and had three hits.
Jorge De La Rosa (0-2) allowed five runs on five hits in just 1 2/3 innings. Keith Ginter homered for the Brewers.
Reggie Sanders singled in the winning run in the 11th inning, leading the Cardinals past the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5. John Mabry homered and Jim Edmonds had three hits and an RBI for the Cardinals.
Ray King (5-2) pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the win. Giovanni Carrara (4-2) allowed the game-winning hit. Jose Hernandez forced extra innings with a three-run double in the ninth and Adrian Beltre homered for Los Angeles.
In San Francisco, Edgardo Alfonzo hit a two-run homer as the Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1. Brett Tomko (9-6) allowed one run on six hits with eight strikeouts over seven innings for the win and Dustin Hermanson pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save.
Barry Bonds went 1-for-2 with two walks, remaining at 697 career homers. Randy Johnson (12-13) allowed four runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking two, to take the loss.
Vinny Castilla, Jeromy Burnitz and Matt Holliday all homered, leading the Colorado Rockies to a 5-2 win over the San Diego Padres.
Jeff Francis (1-2) went 5 1/3 shutout innings for his first major league win, allowing five hits while striking out three and walking one.
Phil Nevin homered for the Padres, who have lost six of their last seven. Brian Lawrence (13-12) allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings for the loss.
