NEW YORK, 8 September 2004 — Brandon Backe pitched seven innings and clubbed a two-run homer, the first of his major league career, to earn the Houston Astros an 11-5 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Monday.
The host Astros closed within 1 1/2 games of the wildcard-leading Chicago Cubs with their 10th straight win and 18th in 21 outings.
Backe (3-2), making only his fourth major league start, allowed one run on seven hits with eight strikeouts and one walk to record the victory. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate, with two runs scored and two RBI, as the Astros raced into an 11-1 lead after six innings.
Jeff Kent, Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman homered for Houston, with Bagwell scoring three runs and driving in three. Mike Lamb also had three RBI on two hits as the Astros pounded out 12 hits.
Aaron Harang (8-8) took the loss, yielding seven runs on nine hits over four innings. Juan Castro cracked a three-run homer for the Reds in the ninth while Sean Casey added three hits.
In Chicago, Aramis Ramirez produced a pair of two-run homers to sweep the Cubs past the Montreal Expos 9-1. Derrek Lee, Mark Grudzielanek and Michael Barrett also homered for Chicago, which was missing slugger Sammy Sosa with a hip injury. Carlos Zambrano (13-8) allowed one run on four hits over eight innings for the win. Tony Armas Jr (2-4) was rocked for seven runs on seven hits over three innings and took the loss.
In Atlanta, Travis Smith pitched five strong innings in an emergency start as the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1.
Smith (1-3) allowed one run on five hits in place of Mike Hampton, who had a stiff neck, before John Smoltz notched the last five outs for his 36th save of the season. Andruw Jones homered and drove in two runs and Julio Franco had three hits and an RBI for the Braves.
Eric Milton (13-4) lasted four innings, giving up three runs on six hits to take the loss. Jim Thome drove in the Philadelphia run.
In Pittsburgh, Brady Clark drove in four runs as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Pirates 9-5. Geoff Jenkins homered and drove in three runs while Craig Counsell had two RBI as the Brewers scored six runs in the third inning.
Gary Glover (1-0) allowed four runs on six hits over five innings for the win and Dan Kolb claimed the last three outs for his 37th save of the season. Ryan Vogelsong (4-12) gave up seven runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings and was the loser. Rob Mackowiak whacked a two-run homer for Pittsburgh.
In San Diego, Brian Giles drove in two runs as the Padres overcame the St Louis Cardinals 7-3. Ramon Vazquez had three hits, scored two runs and drove in another for the Padres. Scott Linebrink (7-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the victory and Trevor Hoffman recorded the last three outs for his 39th save of the season.
Edgar Renteria produced three hits and drove in two runs for the Cardinals. Reliever Cal Eldred (3-1) allowed four runs, three earned, on four hits in 1/3 inning to take the loss.
