Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, May 8, 2008

NL ROUNDUP: Cubs' Lieber serves up four homers in one inning

Associated Press

 CINCINNATI -- Jon Lieber became only the second pitcher in Chicago Cubs history to give up four homers in an inning, and Joey Votto connected three times in all as the Cincinnati Reds powered their way to a 9-0 victory on Wednesday.

Votto started a four-homer second inning off Lieber (2-2), who was making his first start of the season. Adam Dunn and Paul Bako also had solo shots, and Jerry Hairston Jr.'s two-run homer completed the history-matching rally.

Brandon Phillips and Votto had back-to-back solo homers off Sean Marshall in the fifth. An inning later, Votto completed the biggest game of his two-year career with a two-run drive off Sean Gallagher, giving him seven overall for the season.

Given a chance to hit a fourth homer, Votto grounded out in the eighth against Michael Wuertz.

The seven homers were Cincinnati's most since it hit an NL-record nine at Philadelphia on Sept. 4, 1999. Votto became the 23rd Reds player to hit three in a game, the first since Aaron Boone on May 8, 2003.

Lieber joined Phil Norton as the only Cubs pitchers to allow four homers in an inning.

Edinson Volquez (5-1) struck out 10 in seven innings for the Reds and lowered his ERA to 1.04, best in the NL.

Mets 12, Dodgers 1

LOS ANGELES -- John Maine became the first New York starter this season to pitch more than seven innings, taking a shutout into the ninth.

Maine (4-2) hit a two-run single and was two outs from his third shutout and complete game in the majors when Matt Kemp hit an RBI single, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. A day before his 27th birthday, Maine allowed four hits in 8 1/3 innings and won his third straight start.

Brad Penny (5-3) allowed 10 runs in 4 2/3 innings, the most off him in 236 career big league starts. He gave up 10 hits for the third time in eight starts this season.

Luis Castillo, David Wright and Raul Casanova each drove in two runs as the Mets avoided being swept in the three-game series.

Braves 5, Padres 2

ATLANTA -- Pinch-hitter Greg Norton broke a seventh-inning tie with a bases-loaded single and Atlanta won its fifth straight.

With the game tied 2-2, Padres starter Randy Wolf (2-2) was lifted after loading the bases in the seventh on Brian McCann's double, Matt Diaz's single and Mark Kotsay's walk.

Kelly Johnson's fly ball to center drove in Diaz, and Yunel Escobar added a run-scoring single to left for a 5-2 lead. Wolf gave up eight hits and five runs with four walks and one strikeout.

Tim Hudson (5-2) gave up six hits and two runs in seven innings. He walked three and struck out three. Manny Acosta recorded the final two outs for his third save.

Pirates 3, Giants 1

PITTSBURGH -- Xavier Nady hit a two-run homer to spoil Barry Zito's mostly effective return to the Giants rotation and Pittsburgh's Phil Dumatrait pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings for his first career win.

Zito (0-7), roughed up in each of his first six starts, was far better after spending 10 days working out his problems in the bullpen. The left-hander worked five innings, allowing three hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts was easily his best of the season.

Dumatrait (1-1) struck out five, walked one and allowed five hits before leaving with a runner on second and two out in the sixth.

Marlins 6, Brewers 2

MIAMI -- Florida rookie Burke Badenhop pitched 5 2/3 innings for his first major league victory and Milwaukee lost its fifth game in a row.

The Brewers' longest losing streak this season sent their record below .500 for the first time.

Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla hit back-to-back homers for Florida. Hanley Ramirez singled twice, walked twice and scored twice.

Badenhop (1-2) gave up five hits and two runs. He had a season-high seven strikeouts and walked only one.

Dave Bush (0-4) gave up six runs in six innings, and his ERA rose to 6.98.

Astros 4, Nationals 3

HOUSTON -- Carlos Lee drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning with a single to lift Houston to its fifth straight win.

Lee's liner flew just over the head of Lastings Milledge and scored Kaz Matsui.

Matsui walked and stole second in the ninth before Joel Hanrahan (0-2) intentionally walked Lance Berkman. Jesus Colome came on in relief and Matsui advanced to third on a wild pitch before Lee's hit. Lee second consecutive game-winning RBI against Washington

Houston closer Jose Valverde (4-1) pitched a perfect ninth.

Ryan Zimmerman had two homers, the second in the sixth inning to tie it at 3 for Washington.

Rockies 4, Cardinals 3

DENVER -- Chris Iannetta tripled home two runs off Jason Isringhausen to cap a four-run eighth-inning rally for Colorado.

After managing just four hits off Adam Wainwright in seven innings, the Rockies rallied against St. Louis' bullpen to win for just the fourth time in 17 games.

The Rockies rally started against relievers Kyle McClellan and Randy Flores. With the score 3-1, Isringhausen (1-3) came in and allowed pinch-hitter Ryan Spilborghs' run-scoring single before Iannetta sliced a triple into the right-field corner.

Ryan Speier (1-1) pitched a scoreless inning of relief, and Brian Fuentes picked up his third save.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA