PHILADELPHIA – Jim Thome ended his season-long home-run drought to back another solid outing from Jon Lieber in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 6-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.
Lieber (4-0) so far has lived up to his billing as the ace of Philadelphia’s otherwise so-so staff. He’s done what No. 1 starters are supposed to – stop losing streaks. In his previous start, he snapped Philadelphia’s three-game skid and ended a two-game losing streak in this one.
Lieber, who signed a $21 million, three-year contract in December, gave up nine hits and struck out only one in eight innings. But it was his second straight start where he didn’t walk anyone.
Billy Wagner pitched a perfect ninth for his third save, completing a game that took just 2 hours, 15 minutes.
Cardinals 4, Cubs 0
ST. LOUIS – Chris Carpenter pitched a seven-hitter and Scott Rolen homered, doubled and had three RBIs, helping the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0.
Carpenter (3-1) struck out six and walked one in his sixth career shutout, his first since Sept. 4, 2001, against the Yankees. It was his 14th career complete game and first since last Aug. 26 at Cincinnati.
Pirates 4, Reds 2
CINCINNATI – Jason Bay hit his first home run of the season and drove in two runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Bay had three hits, finishing a triple short of the cycle, and his solo homer in the fifth off Eric Milton (2-2) was his first since Sept. 29.
Braves 2, Nationals 1
WASHINGTON – Shortstop Cristian Guzman’s two-run throwing error on Raul Mondesi’s wet bases-loaded grounder with two outs in the ninth inning allowed the Atlanta Braves to rally for a 2-1 victory over the Washington Nationals.
It was the first loss of the season for Washington’s bullpen, which entered leading the major leagues with a 5-0 record.
Mets 10, Marlins 1
MIAMI – Pedro Martinez pitched seven innings, Doug Mientkiewicz hit his first career grand slam and the New York Mets routed baseball’s stingiest pitching staff, beating the Florida Marlins.
Astros 8, Brewers 7
HOUSTON – Andy Pettitte pitched seven strong innings to win for the first time since last July, Willy Taveras had an RBI triple and the Houston Astros held on for an 8-7 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
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