Clemens shuts down Nationals
Facing Roger Clemens was probably the last thing the slumping Washington Nationals needed. For one night, they looked as close to their previous incarnation -- the Expos -- as they have all season.
Clemens matched his season high with 10 strikeouts over six shutout innings, and Morgan Ensberg, Jason Lane, and Mike Lamb each drove in three runs to lead Houston at Washington, 14-1, last night, the Nationals' 12th loss in 16 games.
Houston collected season highs for runs and hits (19) and stretched its winning streak to a season-best six games.
Clemens earned his 336th career victory and had double-digit strikeouts for the 110th time.
Diamondbacks 6, Braves 5 -- Alex Cintron homered leading off the bottom of the 10th to lift Arizona at Phoenix.
The Braves remained tied with Washington, which lost to Houston.
Cardinals 2, Cubs 1 -- David Eckstein's 11th-inning squeeze bunt, his second game-winning squeeze this month, gave host St. Louis the victory over Chicago.
Pinch-hitter John Mabry led off the 11th with a triple, the fifth of his career and first since Aug. 3, 2002, off Sergio Mitre (2-5). With one out, Eckstein dropped a perfect bunt in front of the plate on a 1-1 count as pinch-runner Hector Luna scored without a play.
Phillies 8, Padres 6 -- Chase Utley hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the 11th as Philadelphia defeated San Diego.
Ryan Howard homered and drove in three runs for the Phillies.
Dodgers 6, Mets 5 -- Jeff Kent homered, doubled, and singled, and visiting Los Angeles held off New York for its third consecutive win.
Jayson Werth drove in two runs as the Dodgers built a 6-0 lead for Jeff Weaver, who helped himself with an RBI single and won for only the second time in eight starts.
Giants 8, Marlins 5 -- Pedro Feliz homered for the third straight game and drove in three runs, while Edgardo Alfonzo and Ray Durham both had two RBIs to lead host San Francisco.
Reds 11, Brewers 6 -- Ken Griffey Jr. tied Mickey Mantle for 42d on the career RBI list (1,509), and Adam Dunn drove in three runs with two homers, leading host Cincinnati.
Rockies 5, Pirates 3 -- Todd Helton hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the 10th inning off Jose Mesa after Pittsburgh had tied it in the ninth, and Colorado won another road game.
