NEW YORK, 25 September 2004 — Greg Maddux reached the 15-win plateau for a record 17th straight season and also drove in two runs in the second inning to power the Chicago Cubs to a 6-3 victory over the host Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Thursday.
Maddux (15-10) allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings with six strikeouts and no walks for his 304th career victory. Last year, he surpassed Cy Young’s mark of 15 successive seasons with at least 15 wins.
He has also now pitched a total of 201 2/3 innings, reaching the 200 mark for the 16th time in 17 years. Four relievers finished the game, with LaTroy Hawkins tossing a perfect ninth for his 22nd save of the season.
In Milwaukee, Yadier Molina’s first major league homer, a two-run shot in the eighth inning, earned the St Louis Cardinals a 4-2 win over the Brewers. Hector Luna also homered and had four hits as the Cards (100-52) chalked up their 100th victory of the season.
In Denver, rookie Jeff Francis delivered six strong innings to inspire the Colorado Rockies to a 7-1 rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first game of a doubleheader.
Francis (3-2) allowed one run on seven hits and had eight strikeouts.
In game two, Jeromy Burnitz drove in the winning run with a 10th-inning single as the Rockies triumphed 2-1 to secure a sweep of the D-Backs. Allan Simpson (2-1) pitched a scoreless 10th for the victory.
In Montreal, Gerald Williams and Victor Diaz homered to steer the New York Mets past the Expos 4-2. Tom Glavine (10-13) yielded two runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings for the victory. Braden Looper tossed the ninth for his 27th save of the season.
In Miami, Jimmy Rollins homered in the top of the 10th inning as the Philadelphia Phillies edged the Florida Marlins 9-8. Jim Thome, Chase Utley and David Bell also homered for the Phillies. Billy Wagner (4-0) allowed an unearned run on one hit in one inning and grabbed the win.
In San Francisco, Lance Berkman thumped a three-run homer in a five-run ninth inning as the Houston Astros rallied to beat the Giants 7-3. Berkman notched four RBI, Carlos Beltran had three hits and Dan Miceli (6-6) recorded one out for the win.
In San Diego, Cesar Izturis homered and drove in two runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame the Padres 9-6. Elmer Dessens (2-6) seized one out in relief in the fifth and grabbed the win while Eric Gagne picked up the last six outs for his 43rd save of the season. Adrian Beltre added three hits for the Dodgers.
In Atlanta, rookie Luke Hudson pitched a two-hitter over five innings as the Cincinnati Reds won 3-2 to keep the Braves waiting for the East Division title. Hudson (4-2) gave up one unearned run with eight strikeouts.
Texas Sweeps West-Leading Oakland
David Dellucci’s two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning helped the Texas Rangers complete a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 5-4 win in the American League at Arlington Thursday. Hank Blalock whacked a solo homer earlier in the ninth to start a three-run rally that pushed the Rangers within two games of first place Oakland in the West Division.
In New York, Jon Lieber pitched 7 1/3 solid innings as the Yankees clinched a playoff spot for the 10th straight season with a 7-3 triumph over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Lieber (13-8) allowed three runs on 11 hits. Derek Jeter belted a lead-off homer and three hits.
In Boston, Miguel Tejada bludgeoned a three-run homer to lead the Baltimore Orioles past the Red Sox 9-7. Jose Leon and Melvin Mora drove in two runs apiece for the Orioles. Todd Williams (2-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win while Ramiro Mendoza (1-1) allowed two runs on two hits in 1/3 inning for the loss.
In Cleveland, Grady Sizemore picked up a two-run homer as the Indians edged the Minnesota Twins 9-7. Josh Bard homered and had three RBI for the Tribe while Coco Crisp drove in two runs. Cliff Lee (12-8) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits.
In Chicago, Joe Crede’s three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning handed the White Sox a 7-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Crede also produced a solo blast in the eighth while Aaron Rowland.
