Jones’ base-loaded walk brings home winning run for Atlanta
ATLANTA (AP) – Andruw Jones drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Ayala in the 10th, capping a comeback that gave Atlanta the 3-2 victory Tuesday night and sole possession of first place in the NL East. Washington closer Chad Cordero blew a 2-1 lead in the ninth, spoiling a strong start by Livan Hernandez against Atlanta’s John Smoltz in a matchup of All-Star pitchers. The Braves tied it when Jones doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Adam LaRoche, who homered earlier.
Rookie catcher Brian McCann led off the 10th with a single against Mike Stanton (0-1), and pinch-runner Jeff Francoeur advanced to second on pinch-hitter Julio Franco’s sacrifice. Nationals manager Frank Robinson ordered an intentional walk to Rafael Furcal.
After Kelly Johnson popped out for the second out, Robinson brought in Ayala, who hit Marcus Giles with a pitch, loading the bases. Jones, who already had a triple and a double, took four straight balls.
Chris Reitsma (3-2) worked a perfect 10th for the win.
It was Cordero’s fourth blown save in 38 chances.
Astros 2, Phillies 1
HOUSTON – Mike Lamb led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run and Roy Oswalt threw a complete game to move into a tie for the most wins in the National League.
Houston has won nine of 10 games, while Philadelphia has lost eight of 11 road games.
Oswalt (14-8) tied St. Louis’ Chris Carpenter for the NL lead in victories as he improved to 10-1 at home. Oswalt leads the majors in wins since the 2004 All-Star break with 26.
Oswalt, who has taken the decision in every start this season, won for the eighth time in his last nine games and dropped his ERA to 2.33, third in the NL. He allowed eight hits and struck out nine, walking four.
Orioles 5, Rangers 4
BALTIMORE – Sammy Sosa hit his 586th home run to tie Frank Robinson for fifth place on the career list, and Baltimore ended a six-game losing streak with a victory over Texas.
Javy Lopez hit a tiebreaking homer off James Baldwin (0-1) in the eighth, and Luis Matos also connected for the Orioles, who avoided their longest losing streak of the season by winning for the first time since July 18.
Sosa gave Baltimore a 4-1 lead in the sixth with his 12th homer, a two-run shot to center.
Texas starter Kenny Rogers gave up four runs and eight hits over seven innings in what could be his final appearance before serving a suspension for shoving two TV cameramen last month. The 40-year-old went before commissioner Bud Selig on Friday to appeal the 20-game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball on July 1.
Lopez went 3-for-4 in his second game since returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list with a broken hand.
Reliever Jason Grimsley (1-1) got the win and B.J. Ryan got three outs for his 22nd save.
Yankees 4, Twins 0
NEW YORK – Randy Johnson took a no-hit bid into the sixth, pitched two-hit ball for eight innings and struck out 11 to lead the Yankees.
Johnson (11-6), who matched his season strikeout high, showed no signs of the minor back pain that caused the Yankees to cut short his start in Anaheim last week. He hit Shannon Stewart with his second pitch of the game, then got Nick Punto to ground into a double play, getting 17 straight outs until Juan Castro bounced a single up the middle with two outs in the sixth.
Johnson reached double digits in strikeouts for the third time this season and 207th in his career, trailing only Nolan Ryan (215). Tom Gordon followed with a hitless ninth.
Alex Rodriguez hit a second-inning homer off Brad Radke (6-10), who lost for the sixth time in seven decisions.
Blue Jays 8, Angels 0
TORONTO – Gustavo Chacin pitched eight scoreless innings and Shea Hillenbrand homered and had four RBIs to lead the Blue Jays.
Hillenbrand had three hits for the Blue Jays, who moved one game over .500 (50-49).
Toronto third baseman Corey Koskie went 1-for-4 with a walk in his first game since breaking a thumb on May 19.
Chacin (10-5) and Miguel Batista combined on the eight-hitter. The Angels have been shut out five times this season.
Angels starter Paul Byrd (9-7) allowed a season-high seven runs and 10 hits in three-plus innings.