MLB: Reds break out of slump
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Associated Press
CINCINNATI ó Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer deep into the seats in right field, and rookie Johnny Cueto rebounded from two subpar starts Monday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a slump-busting 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
The Reds ended a five-game losing streak by taking advantage of a pair of errors that set up five unearned runs off Ryan Dempster (4-1), who lost for the first time since switching from closer to starter.
The 22-year-old Cueto (2-3) struck out five in the first two innings around a solo homer by Geovany Soto. The right-hander gave up three runs and six hits in six innings, striking out eight. In his previous two games, Cueto gave up seven runs in only 82/3 innings.
Cardinals 6, Rockies 5
DENVER ó A hustling Albert Pujols scored from second base on a groundout in the ninth inning, lifting St. Louis over Colorado.
After a one-out double to right, Pujols took off on contact as Rick Ankiel grounded out to second baseman Jonathan Herrera, who never glanced at Pujols before lofting a throw to Todd Helton at first.
Pujols turned on the speed after rounding third and slid just out of the reach of catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who lunged forward in an effort to tag him.
Phillies 11, Diamondbacks 4
PHOENIX ó Jamie Moyer pitched seven strong innings and had an RBI double as Philadelphia routed Arizona in a matchup of division leaders.
Eric Bruntlett had a three-run triple and Geoff Jenkins and Carlos Ruiz both had three hits as the Phillies managed a season-high 17 hits.
In his longest outing this season, Moyer (2-2) allowed two runs and six hits, struck out five and walked none. Moyer, a career .141 hitter, singled and doubled for the fifth multi-hit game in his career.
Dodgers 5, Mets 1
LOS ANGELES ó Rafael Furcal hit a leadoff homer and Blake DeWitt connected for his first home run in the major leagues for surging Los Angeles.
Matt Kemp also homered, helping the Dodgers win for the ninth time in 10 games.