National League Game Capsules
POSTED: 12:46 am EDT July 4,
2008
Houston, TX -- Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Chad Billingsley tossed eight strong innings, and James Loney went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs batted in and two runs scored as the Los Angeles Dodgers topped the Houston Astros, 5-2, in the finale of a four-game series at Minute Maid Park. Billingsley (8-7) allowed a pair of unearned runs on six hits -- striking out five and walking one -- as he won his fourth straight start. The 23-year-old right-hander held the opposition without an earned run for his second straight outing, as he beat the Angels on Saturday, 1-0, despite the Dodgers not getting a hit behind him. Blake DeWitt knocked in a pair of runs for the Dodgers, who won the final three of this set and have taken five of their last seven overall. Andre Ethier added a solo homer. J.R. Towles had a two-run double for the Astros, losers of three straight after a three-game win streak. Mark Loretta and Carlos Lee each went 2-for-4, while Brandon Backe (5-9) allowed all five runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 frames to take the loss.Final Score: Arizona 6, Milwaukee 5 Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Conor Jackson's two-run single capped a six-run ninth, as the Diamondbacks took advantage of a meltdown by the Brewers bullpen to steal a 6-5 Arizona win in the finale of a four-game set. Trailing 5-0 entering the ninth, the Diamondbacks sent seven batters to the plate. Milwaukee relievers Guillermo Mota, Brian Shouse, and Salomon Torres all failed to get an out in the ninth as Arizona stole the game and earned a split in the series. The rally made a winner of Leo Rosales (1-0), who pitched a scoreless inning of relief, and got Brandon Webb off the hook. Webb was in line for the loss after giving up five runs on nine hits in six innings. Chad Tracy had a pinch-hit three-run triple in the ninth for Arizona, which had dropped six of eight entering the game. Torres (4-2) took the blown save and the loss, ruining a stellar effort by Manny Parra, who tossed six shutout innings, allowing just four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. J.J. Hardy went 4-for-5 with a homer, and Mike Cameron also homered for the Brewers, who have dropped five of eight. Final Score: San Francisco 8, Chicago 3 San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Rich Aurilia drilled a three-run homer to lift the San Francisco Giants to an 8-3 win and a split of a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs. Aaron Rowand went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Jose Castillo went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Giants, who have won four of six overall. Tim Lincecum (10-1) continued his stellar season and won his sixth straight decision, giving up three runs on seven hits in six innings of work. His last and only loss of the season occurred on April 29 against Colorado, a span of 13 starts. Mark DeRosa drove in a pair of runs while Sean Gallagher (3-4) lost his third straight decision, giving up four runs -- three earned -- on four hits in five innings of work for the Cubs, who have dropped six of their last eight games. Final Score: Philadelphia 4, Atlanta 1 Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Cole Hamels was brilliant on the mound, as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the Atlanta Braves, 4-1, to complete another three-game sweep at Turner Field. The 24-year-old Hamels (9-5) gave up one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in 8 2/3 innings for Philadelphia, which has won seven straight against the Braves. The Phillies have also won their last six games in Atlanta, the longest streak since a six-game stretch from August 20, 1975-August 24, 1976. Pedro Feliz finished 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI for Philadelphia, which has won four of its last five overall. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard both clubbed solo homers, while Pat Burrell was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens (8-4) allowed four runs on eight hits in seven innings, while walking one and fanning six. Brian McCann doubled in the Braves' only run with two away in the bottom of the ninth. Yunel Escobar, Gregor Blanco and Chipper Jones also doubled for Atlanta, which has dropped five in a row. Final Score: Cincinnati 5, Washington 3 Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Brandon Phillips drove in three runs on three hits to lift the Cincinnati Reds over the Washington Nationals, 5-3, in the first game of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park. Johnny Cueto (7-8) tossed seven strong innings for the Reds, who won for the first time in three outings. The 22-year-old rookie Dominican allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out eight, including the first three hitters of the game. He earned the win in his first career start against Washington. Elijah Dukes homered and drove in two for the Nationals, who took six of seven from the Reds last season and have lost three of four overall. Jesus Colome (2-2) suffered the defeat in relief of John Lannan. Colome was tagged for two unearned runs on one hit and one walk. Lannan went the first six innings as he yielded three runs, five hits and three walks. Final Score: Colorado 6, Florida 5 (11 innings) Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Ryan Spilborghs' two-run single in the bottom of the 11th inning lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 win over the Florida Marlins in the opener of a four-game set at Coors Field. Matt Herges clipped Jorge Cantu with a pitch to begin the top of the 11th. After Josh Willingham grounded into a fielder's choice and Helms lined out, Cody Ross produced the go-ahead run by slicing a double to the wall in left-center. Kevin Gregg came on to protect the lead in the bottom half and issued a free pass to Yorvit Torrealba. Scott Podsednik then bunted and Gregg's throwing error put runners on second and third. After Troy Tulowitzki drew a walk to load the bases, pinch-hitter Omar Quintanilla hit a slow roller to second baseman Alfredo Amezaga, who came home with the throw. Spilborghs then lined a single to left- center field to win the game. Baker belted a two-run homer and finished with four RBI for Colorado, which has won three straight on the heels of an eight- game skid. Barmes finished 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, while Atkins had two hits and scored once. Mark Redman allowed two runs on six hits over six innings in his first start for Colorado since May 6. The veteran lefty was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday after starter Jeff Francis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation. Taylor Buchholz gave up two runs in his one inning of relief. Herges (3-3) picked up the win despite surrendering the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th. Cantu clubbed a two-run homer for the Marlins, who have dropped two of their last three games. Ross finished with three hits, while Hanley Ramirez went 2-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Andrew Miller gave up three runs on five hits with five strikeouts and three walks in 6 2/3 innings for Florida, which opened a season-long 11-game road trip. Logan Kensing allowed a run, while Gregg (6-3) blew his fifth save of the season. Final Score: New York 11, St. Louis 1 St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Carlos Delgado hit a two-run home run, Jose Reyes had a bases-loaded triple, and Mike Pelfrey threw seven solid innings, as the New York Mets blasted St. Louis, 11-1, in the finale of a four-game set with the Cardinals. Pelfrey (6-6) took the win after allowing just one run on six hits, while striking out six for the Mets, who earned the split in the series and have won three of five overall. New York's offense exploded for 10 hits. Endy Chavez, Damion Easley, and Marlon Anderson each collected a pair of hits and added an RBI. Mitchell Boggs (3-1) surrendered all 11 runs -- 10 earned -- and the 10 hits to take the loss, while walking six in his fifth start of the season. The Cardinals had not yet lost a game Boggs started, as the rookie surrendered career highs in hits and runs. Ryan Ludwick, Yadier Molina and Adam Kennedy each had two hits, while Chris Duncan drove in the lone run for St. Louis, which compiled nine hits but failed to pick up its 50th win of the season.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.










