CINCINNATI - The Reds' Ken Griffey will miss the rest of the season after hurting his right ankle Thursday night, the latest in a string of major injuries for the 11-time All-Star.
The centerfielder ruptured a tendon while running out a double in the sixth inning of the Reds' 5-4 loss to the Astros.
"The MRI was very clear. The tendon was torn," general manager Jim Bowden said. "There was no alternative but to surgically repair it. Obviously, it's devastating. It's a shame. He's heartbroken. I talked to Junior earlier, and I told him that we're all praying for him."
Once thought to be a threat to break Hank Aaron's record of 755 career homers, Griffey has dropped from the game's elite because of injuries. He hit .247 with 26 RBIs in 53 games this season.
Griffey had been bothered by a sore tendon for about a week and was getting treatment before games.
The 33-year-old Griffey hit 13 home runs this year, raising his career total to 481. He had 438 homers through 2000, hitting 40 or more in seven of his previous eight seasons and averaging 50 homers during a five-year span.
But since then, he has hit just 43 and has gone on the disabled list six times.
After 11 seasons with Seattle, he forced a trade in February 2000 to his hometown Reds - the team his father helped win World Series titles in 1975 and '76.
Griffey hit 40 homers during his first season in Cincinnati, but his production worsened along with his health.
Griffey will have surgery today at The Good Samaritan Hospital, the Reds said. The team also said he will have arthroscopic reconstructive surgery in about two weeks on his right shoulder, which was dislocated May 12.
Geoff Blum hit a two-run single that capped a five-run second inning for Central-leading Houston, which stopped a six-game road losing streak.
Rookie left-hander Jeriome Robertson won his fifth consecutive start and eighth straight decision.
Earlier Thursday, Reds outfielder Austin Kearns went on the DL, retroactive to July 9, because of an inflamed right rotator cuff.
DIAMONDBACKS 9, PADRES 1: Curt Schilling pitched seven strong innings to win for the first time since returning from the disabled list for visiting Arizona.
Former Padres star Steve Finley hit a three-run homer in the first to start the Diamondbacks' scoring. Finley had three hits and Luis Gonzalez three runs.
Schilling allowed just one run - unearned because of his error - and eight hits in seven innings. He struck out eight and walked one in his second start since coming off the DL. Schilling missed six weeks with a broken right hand.
BRAVES 3, METS 2: Mark DeRosa's check-swing infield single in the ninth scored Vinny Castilla from third and gave Greg Maddux and host Atlanta the victory.
With the Mets playing their first game without traded closer Armando Benitez, the Braves loaded the bases with one out against John Franco. DeRosa hit a dribbler to second baseman Joe McEwing, who couldn't come up with it as Castilla scored.
Maddux pitched an eight-hitter for his first complete game of the season.
Castilla and Rafael Furcal went 3-for-4 for the Braves, who held on to the best record in the majors with their 10th victory in 11 games.
PHILLIES 5, EXPOS 2 (11): Marlon Byrd's two-out, three-run homer in the 11th lifted host Philadelphia.
The Phillies, who lead the wild-card race, have won six of seven. Montreal has lost eight of 10.
Byrd hit a 1-0 pitch over the left-centerfield wall for his third homer. Byrd was 4-for-5, and is hitting .412 (14-for-34) since moving into the leadoff spot seven games ago.
DODGERS 6, CARDINALS 3: Hideo Nomo pitched six strong innings and added a two-run homer and a run-scoring double for host Los Angeles.
Nomo limited the Cardinals to two hits and one unearned run, walking four and striking out five. The extra-base hits were the first this season by Nomo, as were the RBIs.
GIANTS 8, ROCKIES 4: Edgardo Alfonzo had three hits and drove in two runs and Rich Aurilia had two RBIs for host San Francisco.
Damian Moss won for the first time in five starts and the West-leading Giants got their sixth victory in nine games.
BREWERS 7, PIRATES 5: John Vander Wal's third grand slam this season helped open a seven-run lead, and visiting Milwaukee overcame Craig Wilson's pinch-hit grand slam.
