Reds’ 4 Home Runs Stun Cardinals

By The Associated Press

The last of Cincinnati’s four home runs stunned the St. Louis Cardinals. Mike Piazza’s two homers, however, weren’t enough to beat ex-teammate Pedro Martinez.

David Ross hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning off Jason Isringhausen, and the Reds rallied for an 8-7 victory over St. Louis on Wednesday night that tightened the NL Central race.

"I don’t know if I’ll sleep tonight," Ross said.

Down to its final two outs, Cincinnati came back for a 2-1 lead in the series, which was set to conclude Thursday. The second-place Reds moved to 2 1/2 games behind the division leaders, whose top starter and closer got rocked by homers.

Chris Carpenter gave up three solo shots in seven innings, the first time in more than two years he allowed three in a game.

St. Louis almost overcame it.

Jim Edmonds hit a grand slam, and David Eckstein’s tiebreaking single in the eighth put the Cardinals up 7-6 and put Carpenter in line for the win.

But Isringhausen (3-5), who entered with one out in the eighth, yielded Cincinnati’s fifth game-ending homer of the season. Ross, who stayed in after pinch-hitting in the seventh, hit a high fastball onto the roof of the batter’s eye in center, a 442-foot shot that made the capacity crowd delirious.

"This team has a flair for the dramatic," Ross said.

So does Piazza, who had a big night back in the Big Apple.

The San Diego catcher and former Mets star hit two more homers off Martinez, even receiving a rare curtain call on the road after the first. His second drive drew a few catcalls, though.

Piazza nearly won the game, too, but his bid for a three-run shot fell barely short in the eighth inning, and New York held off the Padres 4-3.

"It just wasn’t meant to be," he said.

A day after Piazza was showered with ovations in his return to Shea Stadium, Martinez (9-4) and the 49,979 fans again saluted him. At least at the start, when he homered and threw out a runner trying to steal.

"I think after the second one, it wasn’t as warm," Piazza said. "I felt the energy shift."

In other NL games, it was: Colorado 3, Los Angeles 1; Arizona 5, San Francisco 3; Houston 14, Pittsburgh 1; Philadelphia 9, Atlanta 3; Washington 5, Florida 2; and Milwaukee 6, Chicago 3.

Martinez paid homage to Piazza, stepping off the mound and tipping his hat when his former Mets teammate first came to bat.

Piazza responded by tapping his helmet in a similar gesture of respect – remember, they weren’t so friendly a few years ago when Martinez nailed him with a pitch while playing for Boston.

This time, Piazza did all the hitting. His two solo shots gave him six career home runs off Martinez, the most by anyone off the ace.

"He’s had my number so far," Martinez said.

Still, the three-time Cy Young Award winner pitched three-hit ball for 7 1-3 innings to help the NL East-leading Mets win their fourth straight game.

Josh Barfield hit a solo homer in the ninth against Billy Wagner, who held on for his 26th save. New York outfielder Cliff Floyd went on the disabled list with tendinitis in his left Achilles’ tendon.

At Cincinnati, Adam Dunn, Scott Hatteberg and Edwin Encarnacion also homered for the Reds. Ryan Franklin (2-5), acquired Monday in a trade, pitched a perfect ninth for the win.

Scott Spiezio hit a two-run homer for the Cardinals.

"The last couple of years, we won 100 and ran away with the division," said Isringhausen, who is 29-of-37 in save chances. "This year, we’re not playing as well. Hopefully we’ll grind it out, come out on top, and that will make us better at playoff time."

Rockies 3, Dodgers 1

At Los Angeles, Brad Hawpe homered in the fifth inning and hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth to help Colorado stop the Dodgers’ 11-game winning streak.

Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe (9-8) went 8 2-3 innings. Brian Fuentes earned his 23rd save.

Diamondbacks 5, Giants 3

At Phoenix, Luis Gonzalez homered off Matt Morris (8-10) and Arizona set a club record by turning five double plays. Miguel Batista (10-5) got the win despite giving up 12 hits in six innings. The Giants are 3-13 since July 23.

Astros 14, Pirates 1

At Houston, Roy Oswalt (9-7) hit one of Houston’s six homers, and Aubrey Huff connected twice and drove in a career-high six runs.

Pinch-hitter Jason Lane added a two-run homer, and Craig Biggio and Luke Scott hit solo shots for the Astros, who have won six of eight. Pittsburgh starter Shawn Chacon (1-1) lasted only 1 2-3 innings.

Phillies 9, Braves 3

At Atlanta, Chase Utley hit a go-ahead, three-run double in an eight-run seventh for Philadelphia, which finished 6-3 on its road trip.

Nationals 5, Marlins 2

At Washington, Ryan Zimmerman scored three times and Ramon Ortiz (9-9) beat Dontrelle Willis (7-9). Chad Cordero got his 20th save.

Brewers 6, Cubs 3

At Milwaukee, Dave Bush took a no-hit bid into the sixth to help the Brewers snap a three-game skid. Bush (8-8) allowed three hits in eight innings.

Carlos Zambrano (12-5) lost his second consecutive start after going 9-0 with two no-decisions in June and July. Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks is scheduled to have season-ending surgery on his right wrist next week.