Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
ATLANTA - Jose Reyes switched on the power and put his name in the record book.
Reyes became the youngest player in modern history to homer from both sides of the plate, leading the New York Mets over the Braves 3-1 Thursday night.
"This is my first time ever," the rookie said. "I wasn't thinking about hitting home runs, but it's a good feeling."
Al Leiter allowed two hits in seven shutout innings for the Mets. He outpitched Crystal River's Mike Hampton, who had won nine straight decisions.
Reyes connected right-handed against Hampton leading off the fifth and added a two-run shot from the left side off Trey Hodges in the ninth.
At 20 years, 79 days, Reyes became the youngest since 1900 to homer from both sides in a game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, baseball's statistician.
The youngest to do it was Texas' Ruben Sierra at 20 years, 342 days on Sept. 13, 1986, at Minnesota.
Reyes, a natural right-handed hitter, began batting from the left side three years ago.
"I've got more power from the right side, but I'm getting better from the left side," he said.
The last-place Mets took two of three from the Braves, who have the best record in the majors. New York has won four of five and 11 of 15 overall.
CARDINALS 3, CUBS 2: Kerry Robinson hit his first home run of the season, a leadoff shot in the ninth that lifted St. Louis into a first-place tie with the Astros.
Robinson hit a 3-and-2 pitch from Mike Remlinger over the right-centerfield wall. The ball landed in the St. Louis bullpen, where Cardinals pitcher Jason Simontacchi caught it with his cap.
The Cardinals won five of seven against the Cubs at Busch Stadium this season and 13 of 16 over the past two seasons. St. Louis hasn't lost a home series to the Cubs since the final series of the 1999 season.
DODGERS 6, ASTROS 3: Eric Gagne earned his 44th straight save of the season, setting a major-league record for visiting Los Angeles.
Jeromy Burnitz homered and drove in three as the Dodgers ended a four-game losing streak.
Gagne beat Tom Gordon's 1998 record of 43 in a row to begin a season. Gordon holds the record for consecutive saves overall with 54. It was Gagne's 52nd straight dating to last season.
PIRATES 5, MARLINS 0: Josh Fogg pitched shutout ball for 72/3 innings and Jack Wilson drove in four as Pittsburgh shut out slumping Florida for the second straight game.
The Marlins had three runs and 12 hits during three straight losses to the Pirates to finish 1-8 on a three-city road trip to Colorado, San Francisco and Pittsburgh.
Florida had four hits in losing 4-3 Tuesday to Pat Mahomes and two relievers, three hits in a 4-0 loss to Kip Wells and two relievers Wednesday and five hits against Fogg and relievers Mike Lincoln and Julian Tavarez.
BREWERS 4, REDS 3 (10): Geoff Jenkins homered for the fourth consecutive game but left with what likely was a season-ending thumb injury before Bill Hall hit a two-run homer in the 10th to send visiting Milwaukee to its 10th straight victory.
Jenkins broke his left thumb after banging it on Cincinnati catcher Jason LaRue's shin guard while being tagged out to end the seventh.
The Reds took advantage of a Milwaukee error to tie it at 2 in the seventh. LaRue put down a sacrifice bunt, but second baseman Keith Ginter took his eye off first baseman Richie Sexson's throw and the ball sailed into foul territory down the rightfield line, allowing Dernell Stenson to score from first.
ROCKIES 6, GIANTS 1: Preston Wilson hit a grand slam, Jason Jennings pitched seven strong innings and host Colorado snapped a five-game losing streak. With Colorado leading 2-1, Wilson connected off Jim Brower in the seventh for his career-best 32nd homer.