Mike Hampton is definitely going to remember this one. Josh Johnson also had a reason to feel good about his victory.
Hampton earned his first win in nearly three years and hit an RBI double, leading the Atlanta Braves past the San Francisco Giants 11-4 on Tuesday night.
The 35-year-old Hampton hadn’t won since Aug. 14, 2005, for the Braves against Arizona – 1,087 days earlier – and wondered if he would ever get another ‘W’ by his name.
“There’s always been some doubt with all the things I’ve been through, all the health issues,” Hampton said. “I just kept pushing to get to this point I’m at today. One thing I’ve learned through this whole process is don’t take anything for granted – cherish every single one of them.”
Johnson pitched six scoreless innings and the Florida Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-2 in a matchup of the two top teams in the NL East.
The Marlins, who have by far the lowest payroll in the majors, closed within 1 1/2 games of first-place Philadelphia. The New York Mets are two games behind.
Johnson (2-0) allowed five hits and overcame four walks in his fifth start since returning from elbow surgery in August 2007. The Marlins improved to 5-0 in his starts this year.
“My changeup was real good. That’s what I’ve been waiting for,” Johnson said.
In other NL games, it was: Arizona 3, Pittsburgh 1; St. Louis 6, Los Angeles 4 in 11 innings; New York 6, San Diego 5; Chicago 11, Houston 7; Milwaukee 8, Cincinnati 1; and Colorado 8, Washington 2.
Jamie Moyer (10-7) fell to 10-1 against the Marlins. The 45-year-old left-hander gave up two runs and six hits in five innings, walked three and hit two batters.
“It was bound to happen,” Moyer said. “I beat myself.”
Jeremy Hermida drove in four runs for the visiting Marlins.
Hampton (1-0) allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings. He improved to 14-4 in 25 career appearances against the Giants with his first win over them since May 11, 2003, which also was his last start versus San Francisco.
“He was the bulldog Hampton tonight,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “He had the super-duper sinker going. He was just outstanding.”
Fred Lewis ended a 12-game homerless streak by San Francisco with a solo shot leading off the seventh. Jonathan Sanchez (8-8) allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings.
Diamondbacks 3, Pirates 1
Brandon Webb became the first 16-game winner in the majors, tossing a nine-hitter for his third complete game for host Arizona.
Webb (16-4) carried a shutout into the ninth but surrendered a leadoff double to Freddie Sanchez and an RBI single to Doug Mientkiewicz. The Pirates put runners on second and third with one out before Webb struck out Brandon Moss and Jason Michaels to finish the game in an efficient 1 hour, 55 minutes.
Webb struck out four and walked none in his 15th career complete game.
Zach Duke (4-10) worked seven sharp innings but lost his fifth straight start.
Cardinals 6, Dodgers 4, 11 innings
Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning off Jason Johnson, a starter called into duty, to give St. Louis the win.
Ludwick’ 28th homer, his fifth in four games, allowed the host Cardinals to recover after the bullpen blew a four-run ninth-inning lead for its major league-leading 27th blown save. Jaime Garcia (1-1) got the win.
Manny Ramirez went 2-for-3 and Johnson recorded one out for the Dodgers.
Mets 6, Padres 5
Fernando Tatis homered twice and drove in four runs, giving the Mets’ mix-and-match bullpen enough breathing room to close out visiting San Diego without injured Billy Wagner.
Mike Pelfrey (10-7) pitched effectively into the seventh inning to help the Mets end a four-game skid, hours after they put Wagner on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left forearm.
Scott Schoeneweis became the first Mets reliever besides Wagner to earn a save this season.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, Adrian Gonzalez and Jody Gerut homered for the Padres. Mike Adams (1-1) got the loss.
Cubs 11, Astros 7
Alfonso Soriano hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the seventh inning and host Chicago rallied after blowing a five-run lead.
Soriano’s 20th homer highlighted a five-run burst and sent the NL Central-leading Cubs to their eighth victory in 10 games. Bob Howry (4-4) got the win.
All-Star closer Kerry Wood pitched a scoreless eighth in his first appearance after missing three weeks with a blister on his right index finger.
Chris Sampson (5-4) got the loss.
Brewers 8, Reds 1
Prince Fielder made amends by apologizing, then hit a two-run homer that helped visiting Milwaukee quickly move beyond its ugly altercation in the dugout.
The Brewers were on their best behavior a day after Fielder shoved pitcher Manny Parra in the dugout during the series-opening loss. Fielder apologized before the game, then helped Milwaukee’s uptight offense relax by hitting his sixth homer in his last nine games.
Dave Bush (6-9) tossed seven sharp innings to get the win.
All-Star Edinson Volquez (13-5) gave up five runs and nine hits in five innings for the Reds.
Rockies 8, Nationals 2
Brad Hawpe’s bases-loaded, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth sparked a six-run rally for host Colorado.
Manny Corpas (2-3) pitched one inning in relief and Ian Stewart hit his fifth home run of the season for the Rockies.
Luis Ayala (1-7) pitched one-third of an inning and took the loss for the Nationals, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.
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