Cubs 11, Astros 1CHICAGO -- Kerry Wood, in his first major league game in almost 19 months, gave up just one run -- a homer -- and three hits in six innings Tuesday night as the Chicago Cubs routed the Houston Astros 11-1.
The 1998 NL Rookie of the Year, who had a torn ligament in his right elbow replaced on April 8, 1999, struck out four but only one in the first four innings.
He also hit his third career homer, a two-run drive off Jose Lima (1-5), who has given up 11 homers this season. Lima, whose ERA swelled to 9.59, allowed 10 runs -- nine earned -- and 13 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
DIAMONDBACKS 5, BREWERS 1: At Milwaukee, Steve Finley had his second multihomer game this year, the 16th of his career, and Todd Stottlemyre (5-1) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings.
Finley, tied with San Francisco's Barry Bonds for the NL home-run lead at 11, is 10-for-18 (.556) with seven homers and 13 RBIs in his last four games at County Stadium.
REDS 7, PHILLIES 0: At Philadelphia, Denny Neagle (3-0) allowed one hit in six innings -- a leadoff double to Doug Glanville -- and Sean Casey hit a two-run homer. Neagle has pitched 18 consecutive scoreless innings.
BRAVES 5, DODGERS 3: At Los Angeles, Atlanta became the first NL team to win 15 straight since the New York Giants took 16 in a row from Aug. 12-27, 1951. The Braves overcame a 3-2, eighth-inning deficit on Andruw Jones' two-run single off Terry Adams (2-2).
Minnesota was the last major league team to win 15 straight, accomplishing the feat from June 1-16, 1991.
John Rocker pitched the ninth for his seventh save in seven chances, getting Gary Sheffield to hit a game-ending flyout with two on.
GIANTS 7, METS 1: At San Francisco, Bobby Estalella hit the first grand slam at Pacific Bell Park, and Livan Hernandez (1-4) pitched an eight-hitter to win his first game of the season.
Hernandez, who lost all five decisions to the Mets last season, has both of San Francisco's complete games this season. After losing their first six games at Pac Bell, the Giants have won three of their last four.
PADRES 8, MARLINS 3: At San Diego, Damian Jackson had a two-run homer among his three hits, scored three runs and made an acrobatic play at shortstop as San Diego stopped a four-game losing streak.
PIRATES 10, CARDINALS 7: At St. Louis, Mark McGwire hit his ninth home run, but his throwing error also allowed Pittsburgh to go ahead 7-6, and the Cardinals never caught up.
Ray Lankford connected twice and Jim Edmonds also homered for St. Louis.
ROCKIES 12, EXPOS 6: At Denver, Jeffrey Hammonds hit his second career grand slam, and Mike Lansing, Brent Mayne and Tom Goodwin also homered for the Rockies, who have hit 15 in their last four games. They had 17 in their first 23 games.