SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Jeff Kent hit a go-ahead two-run double in the fifth, Derek Lowe bounced back from a bad outing on opening day and the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak in San Francisco to seven games with a 4-1 victory Saturday.
Nomar Garciaparra added a sacrifice fly for the Dodgers, who haven’t lost in the Giants’ waterfront ballpark since Aug. 18.
San Francisco fell to 1-4 with one game remaining on its season-opening homestand and will look to avoid a three-game sweep by its archrivals Sunday.
Lowe (1-1) looked much better than he did Monday at Milwaukee, where he lasted only four innings and was tagged for six runs and eight hits with four strikeouts and five walks. This time, Lowe worked ahead in the count and was efficient in seven strong innings. He allowed four hits and one run. Takashi Saito pitched the ninth for his third save in as many games.
Giants starter Russ Ortiz (0-1) lost his 12th straight decision and failed to earn his first win since Aug. 29, 2005, at San Diego while he was with Arizona. The right-hander, trying to make a comeback this year with his former club, owns the longest active skid in the majors.
Ortiz allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings.
Braves 5, Mets 3
ATLANTA (AP) – John Smoltz outpitched former teammate Tom Glavine to help the Braves hand the Mets their first loss of the season.
It was the second time Smoltz had faced Glavine after 15 years as teammates and golf buddies. The Atlanta right-hander also won on July 15, 2005.
Smoltz (1-0) went six innings and allowed two runs, seven hits, walked four and struck out four. Bob Wickman got Shawn Green to line out to first with runners on second and third to pick up his second save.
Glavine (1-1) pitched 5 1-3 innings and was hurt by his defense. The left-hander gave up five runs – two earned – four hits, walked three and struck out two.
The Braves batted around and scored three runs in the sixth to take a 5-2 lead.
Reds 7, Pirates 5
CINCINNATI (AP) – Adam Dunn’s wind-blown fly ball deflected off Xavier Nady’s glove and cleared the wall for a two-run homer, a goofy play that set the tone for the Reds’ win.
Dunn’s third homer off Tony Armas (0-1) helped the Reds improve to 4-1 on a bitterly cold afternoon. Edwin Encarnacion had three hits, including a bases-loaded single that put Cincinnati ahead to stay.
Blowing into his cupped right hand between pitches, Aaron Harang (2-0) persevered for 5 2-3 innings to get the victory. David Weathers pitched the ninth for his second save in as many chances.
It was 30 degrees at the first pitch – colder than the kickoff for any Bengals home game last season – and fly balls cavorted with gusting winds that reached 25 mph.
Adam LaRoche homered for the Pirates.
Cubs 6, Brewers 3
MILWAUKEE (AP) – Carlos Zambrano allowed three runs in seven innings and hit an RBI single to lead the Cubs to the win.
Zambrano (1-1) struck out four of the first six batters he faced and cruised through three perfect innings to start the game before allowing a solo home run to Rickie Weeks to lead off the fourth.
Ryan Dempster pitched the ninth for his second save.
Brewers starter Ben Sheets (1-1) gave up five runs and nine hits in six innings to take the loss.
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