MLB: Atlanta stays in a funk

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Associated Press
ATLANTAó Carlos Beltran hit a pair of two-run homers, David Wright added a two-run shot of his own and the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 6-4 Monday night to match their 2008 total for wins at Turner Field.
The Mets, who went 1-8 in Atlanta last season, improved to 30-63 at Turner Field since the start of the 1998 season.
Beltran, hitting .400, was 2 for 3 with a walk. The two homers gave him four this season.
John Maine (2-2) earned his second consecutive win despite setting a career high with six walks. Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth for his sixth save.
Bobby Parnell (East Rowan) pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Mets and got Kelly Johnson to ground into a double play.
Chipper Jones homered for Atlanta.
Phillies 6, Cardinals 1
ST. LOUIS ó Ryan Howard hit his seventh career grand slam, tying Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt for the Phillies record, in a victory over the Cardinals that included a frightening injury to Rick Ankiel.
The Cardinals’ outfielder crashed headfirst into the fence after chasing down a line drive in the eighth inning. He was carted off the field strapped to a gurney and wearing a neck brace.
Brewers 7, Pirates 4
PITTSBURGH ó Rickie Weeks hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the ninth after Ryan Braun tied it an inning earlier with a two-run double.
Nationals 9, Astros 4
WASHINGTON ó Adam Dunn delivered a two-run single during a five-run sixth inning, Ryan Zimmerman matched a career high with four hits and the Nationals rallied to beat the Astros.
Cubs 4, Giants 2
CHICAGO ó Ryan Theriot hit another home run, Ryan Dempster pitched seven strong innings and the Cubs beat the Giants.
Theriot hit a two-run drive in the second inning for his third homer in the last four games. He entered the month with just seven career homers.
Marlins 3, Reds 2 (14)
MIAMI ó A throwing error by shortstop Paul Janish sent home the winning run in the 14th inning, and the Marlins retained the NL East lead by beating the Reds.
American League
KANSAS CITY, Mo. ó Zack Greinke struck out 10 in a six-hitter and became the majors’ first six-game winner with his second shutout in four starts, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 3-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
More than 6,500 fans bought walk-up tickets ó pushing the attendance over 21,000 ó to watch Greinke pitch and he didn’t disappoint.
Orioles 8, Rays 4
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. ó Nick Markakis hit a three-run homer and Brian Roberts added a two-run shot to help the Orioles stop a six-game losing streak with a victory over the Rays.
Twins 7, Tigers 2
DETROIT ó Francisco Liriano had a season-high nine strikeouts and Michael Cuddyer hit a two-run triple in a five-run seventh, leading the Twins to a win over the Tigers.
Liriano (1-4) allowed four hits, matching a season low, and two runs over 71/3 innings to snap his five-game skid dating to last season.
Indians 9, Blue Jays 7
TORONTO ó Josh Barfield singled home the go-ahead run in the 12th inning and the Indians beat the Blue Jays.
Angels 5, Athletics 2
OAKLAND, Calif. ó Torii Hunter drove in three runs, while Joe Saunders pitched six-hit ball into the seventh inning.
Rangers 6, Mariners 5SEATTLE ó Chris Davis hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Felix Hernandez in the sixth inning and the Rangers beat the Mariners.