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Saenz lifts Dodgers to victory over Braves

Posted on: Tuesday, 16 August 2005, 23:58 CDT

TORONTO (Reuters) - Olmeda Saenz had a two-run pinch-hit single in the top of the ninth inning, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-4 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves in National League play at Turner Field on Tuesday.

Saenz's single capped a three-run rally off Atlanta closer Chris Reitsma, who failed to get an out after coming on in the ninth to protect a 4-3 lead.

Reitsma (3-4) was charged with all three runs on three hits with two walks.

John Foster replaced him and allowed Oscar Robles' run-scoring single before former closer Dan Kolb finally ended the inning.

John Smoltz pitched seven strong innings for the Braves but was denied his 13th win, the second straight time Reitsma's poor ninth inning had cost him a victory.

Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe also went seven good innings, but it was reliever Giovanni Cabrera (7-4) that was credited with the win after pitching one shutout inning of relief.

Duaner Sanchez pitched the ninth for his first save.

Jayson Werth paced the Dodgers' 12-hit attack with three hits and also scored a pair of runs.

Cesar Izturis had two hits and also scored for L.A.

Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Rafael Furcal all homered for the NL East leading Braves, who had just six hits.

In New York, Cliff Floyd hit a two-run homer as the Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2.

Kris Benson (9-4) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out three for the win.

Mark Redman (5-13) pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on five hits, walking four and striking out three to take the loss.

Chris Duffy had two hits and drove in one run for the Pirates.

In Cincinnati, Deivi Cruz hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs as the San Francisco Giants beat the Reds 10-8.

Jeff Fassero (3-6) pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and striking out four for the win.

Tyler Walker pitched one inning for his 22nd save and Ray Durham homered for the Reds.

Jason Standridge (2-1) pitched two innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out one to take the loss.

Rich Aurilia homered twice and Ken Griffey Jr homered once for the Reds.

In Houston, Greg Maddux pitched seven solid innings as the Chicago Cubs beat the Astros 4-1.

Maddux (10-9) allowed one run on three hits, walking two and striking out five.

Ryan Dempster pitched one inning for his 17th save and Aramis Ramirez homered for the Cubs.

Andy Pettitte (10-9) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out eight to take the loss.

Willy Taveras had two hits for the Astros.

In other games, Brian Lawrence picked up the win as the San Diego Padres beat the Florida Marlins 4-2 in Miami, and the Washington Nationals game at Philadelphia was postponed due to rain, with the teams playing a doubleheader on Thursday.

In St Louis, Jeff Suppan pitched seven strong innings as the Cardinals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2, and Wes Helms homered and drove in two runs in leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 6-4 win over the Colorado Rockies at Denver.

Source: REUTERS

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