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September 23, 2002
DENVER -- Three straight losses have the Diamondbacks looking over their shoulders.
Todd Helton homered and drove in five as the Rockies beat Arizona 11-7 Sunday to sweep a three-game series, keeping the Diamondbacks' magic number for clinching the West at three.
San Francisco's third win in a row reduced Arizona's division lead to 41/2. Arizona's magic number for clinching at least a wild-card spot remained at one after Los Angeles won.
"We need a win," Diamondbacks right-hander Miguel Batista said.
Reliever Mike Myers said he didn't sense worry in the clubhouse.
"One win could turn it around for us. As bad as we played in this series, this could be the best thing that could happen to this team," he said. "We're still loose and having fun."
First baseman Mark Grace insisted, "We're fine. All we've got to do is win a couple of games. Hopefully, we'll right the ship in St. Louis and do some damage."
The Diamondbacks begin a three-game series at Central champion St. Louis today, then play their final four games at home against Colorado.
"Our magic number is three," Myers said. "That's not much, not with seven games left."
Manager Bob Brenly said his team "didn't play well in any aspect of the game in this series. But we'll be in St. Louis and we'll get back after it again."
ATLANTA -- Greg Maddux did something that hadn't been accomplished in nearly 100 years. It took John Smoltz only one season to do his thing.
Maddux joined Cy Young as the only pitchers to win 15 or more in 15 straight seasons and Smoltz tied the league record for saves in a season as the Braves beat the Florida Marlins 4-1.
"I never really thought about it," Maddux said of the record. "It feels good to be healthy enough to get it. It helps to be on a good team and having a closer like Smoltzie helps, too."
Maddux matched the record set by Young from 1891-1905.
Smoltz pitched a perfect ninth for his 53rd save in 57 chances, tying the record set by the Cubs' Randy Myers in 1993 and the Padres' Trevor Hoffman in 1998.
Bobby Thigpen has the major-league record of 57 saves.
"To do something like that in my first year is pretty neat," said Smoltz, a starter until becoming a closer late last season. "There's no way I'd think this was possible."
GIANTS 3, BREWERS 1: Jeff Kent and Benito Santiago homered in the ninth and San Francisco kept pushing toward the wild-card slot with a three-game sweep at Miller Park. The Giants have won five of six and 24 of 34.
Kirk Rueter held Milwaukee to one run and three hits in seven innings. The Giants are 11-0 in his no-decisions.
DODGERS 4, PADRES 3: Pinch-hitter Mike Kinkade singled home the go-ahead run with two outs in the ninth as visiting Los Angeles remained two behind San Francisco in the wild-card race.
Kinkade singled off left-hander Kevin Walker and Mark Grudzielanek scored from second, just ahead of the throw from centerfielder Mark Kotsay.
CARDINALS 7, ASTROS 3: Chuck Finley pitched seven strong innings, rebounding from a shaky start, and Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer for host St. Louis.
PIRATES 5, CUBS 4: Rob Mackowiak's tiebreaking single capped host Pittsburgh's three-run rally in the fifth, helping Kris Benson win his fifth straight decision.
EXPOS 5, METS 1: Vladimir Guerrero hit his 38th homer and stole his 40th base for visiting Montreal.