• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Cubs Gain One-Game Lead in NL Central Race

Posted on: Wednesday, 24 September 2003, 06:00 CDT

There's a new leader in the NL Central. Kerry Wood and the Chicago Cubs plan to keep themselves in front for five more games. Wood struck out 12 and limited the Cincinnati Reds to one infield single in seven innings Tuesday night, leading Chicago to a 6-0 victory and sole possession of first place.

"We're sensing that we've gotten into the position we wanted to be in all year long," Wood said. "We're in it, and now we've got to step up and play good baseball."

The Cubs moved a game ahead of Houston, which got blown out by San Francisco. They have five games left - two more at Cincinnati and three at home against Pittsburgh.

After Wednesday's series finale against the Giants, the Astros close at home with four games against last-place Milwaukee.

The Cubs are alone atop the NL Central for the first time Sept. 8. They hadn't held sole possession of first place this late in a season since 1989, the last time they won a division title.

"The guys are starting to feel it," outfielder Kenny Lofton said. "Once you start to feel it, it takes you to another level."

In other NL games, it was: San Francisco 10, Houston 3; Florida 5, Philadelphia 4; Los Angeles 2, San Diego 1; Atlanta 2, Montreal 0; St. Louis 5, Milwaukee 1; Colorado 20, Arizona 9; and New York 1, Pittsburgh 0.

Even at Great American Ball Park, thousands of blue-jacketed fans stood and chanted "Let's go Cubs!" as Chicago rallied for four runs in the sixth inning.

Wood (14-11) was in complete control against Cincinnati's weak lineup, beating the Reds for the third time this year. He increased his major league-leading strikeout total to 266 and set a career high for wins.

The Reds couldn't get a ball out of the infield through the first six innings, and Wood didn't come close to giving up a hit. He walked Russell Branyan with one out in the seventh, and Wily Mo Pena broke up the no-hit bid with an infield single.

"It's unfortunate they got a hit like that - I'd like to see a real hit there," said Mark Grudzielanek, who had a two-run double. "But he threw a great game, and we needed it."

Kyle Farnsworth and Mike Remlinger finished the two-hitter.

Aramis Ramirez led Chicago's offense with a solo homer and RBI single off right-hander Scott Randall (2-4), a nine-year minor leaguer who was making his first big league start.

Giants 10, Astros 3

At Houston, Edgardo Alfonzo hit a grand slam in a 10-run second inning.

The Giants roughed up Wade Miller (14-13) and sent the Astros to their fourth consecutive loss, matching a season high. Houston had held at least a share of the division lead since Sept. 8.

Jason Schmidt (17-5) allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings. Slated to start Game 1 of the playoffs for the NL West champions, he has won five straight decisions and 12 of 14.

The Giants lead Atlanta by two percentage points in the race for the best record in the NL and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Marlins 5, Phillies 4

At Miami, Jeff Conine's three-run homer off Kevin Millwood highlighted Florida's five-run seventh inning.

The Marlins overcame a shaky start by rookie Dontrelle Willis and moved two games ahead of fading Philadelphia in the wild-card race with five to go - including two more in this series.

The Phillies have lost five straight in Miami. Florida has won 12 of 14 home games.

Luis Castillo's RBI single put Florida ahead, and Ugueth Urbina earned the save.

Dodgers 2, Padres 1

At San Diego, Alex Cora doubled home the go-ahead run in the ninth inning.

Adrian Beltre homered and Eric Gagne got another save for the Dodgers, who remained 3 1/2 games behind Florida in the wild-card race with six to play.

Gagne got three straight outs in the ninth for his 54th save this season, extending his major league record to 62 in a row dating to last year.

Braves 2, Expos 0

At Atlanta, John Smoltz got his first save since coming off the disabled list and 45th of the year after Rafael Furcal's two-out single in the eighth broke a scoreless tie.

Gary Sheffield added a run-scoring double off Javier Vazquez (13-12), who dominated the Braves for seven innings before tiring. Sheffield has 128 RBIs, breaking the Atlanta record held since 1966 by Hank Aaron.

Cardinals 5, Brewers 1

At Milwaukee, Woody Williams (17-9) scattered three hits over seven innings as St. Louis stayed 3 1/2 games behind Chicago in the NL Central with four left. Mike Matheny hit a two-run homer off Ben Sheets (11-13).

Rockies 20, Diamondbacks 9

At Denver, Ronnie Belliard homered twice and drove in a career-high eight runs, and Larry Walker hit a grand slam and had six RBIs as Colorado eliminated Arizona from postseason contention.

Belliard's eight RBIs matched the Colorado record, shared by Andres Galarraga and Walker. The 20 runs set a Rockies mark - they scored 19 twice before. It was the most runs ever scored against Arizona. Darren Oliver (13-11) beat rookie Brandon Webb (10-8).

Mets 1, Pirates 0

At New York, Al Leiter (15-9) pitched his 10th career shutout as the Mets snapped an eight-game losing streak and won for only the second time in 18 games. Timo Perez had an RBI groundout.

More News in this Category