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NL: Giants gain on Dodgers, Cubs

Associated Press
Published September 26, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO - The Giants showed they can win even the biggest games without Barry Bonds' bat.

Pedro Feliz hit a tiebreaking grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning for his fourth hit of the day, and San Francisco defeated Los Angeles 9-5.

The first-place Dodgers had their West lead trimmed to 11/2 games over the Giants, who also pulled within a half-game of Chicago in the wild-card race after the Cubs lost 4-3 to the Mets in 11 innings.

The Dodgers and Giants play four more times, including the season's final three at Dodger Stadium.

Feliz sent an 0-and-1 pitch from Yhency Brazoban over the leftfield wall for his second career grand slam and 21st homer of the year. He also hit a grand slam June 11, 2003, at Chicago.

Scott Eyre pitched the eighth for the win and Ray Durham homered and hit a run-scoring double for San Francisco, which lost the opener of this crucial three-game series 3-2 Friday.

Closer Dustin Hermanson pitched a perfect ninth.

Bonds, who hit his 702nd career homer Friday, matched his career high with five walks, including three intentional.

The Dodgers played without first baseman Shawn Green, who spent the day observing the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur. Green hit a two-run homer Friday.

METS 4, CUBS 3 (11): Victor Diaz hit a tying, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth and Craig Brazell hit his first home run in the 11th for host New York. Brazell, who entered in the 11th as part of a double switch, led off the bottom half and lined a 1-and-2 pitch from Kent Mercker over the rightfield wall, ending Chicago's five-game winning streak.

Chicago appeared to be cruising to its 14th victory in 17 games behind 72/3 strong innings from Mark Prior and a two-run homer by Todd Walker. But Diaz hit his second career homer off closer LaTroy Hawkins to tie it at 3.

BREWERS 8, ASTROS 0: Wes Obermueller pitched a six-hitter en route to his first career shutout for host Milwaukee. Russell Branyan homered, doubled and drove in three runs and Keith Ginter also hit a home run for the Brewers, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Houston remained 21/2 games behind the Cubs in the wild-card race.

BRAVES 1, MARLINS 0: Mike Hampton pitched seven scoreless innings on an ailing knee for host Atlanta. Hampton made his first start since Sept. 11, when he tore cartilage in his left knee against Montreal. The left-hander will need surgery to repair the damage at season's end.

CARDINALS 10, ROCKIES 6: John Mabry hit a three-run homer and Roger Cedeno a two-run shot for visiting St. Louis. With the Cardinals having clinched the Central, Matt Morris, the scheduled starter, was given the day off.

REDS 7, PIRATES 4: Paul Wilson became Cincinnati's second 10-game winner in as many nights. Jason LaRue drove in four runs for the Reds, who have won four straight and sent host Pittsburgh to its fifth consecutive loss and also guaranteed the Pirates their fourth straight losing season at PNC Park.

PHILLIES 4, EXPOS 3 (10): Mike Lieberthal and Ryan Howard drove in runs in the 10th for visiting Philadelphia. Billy Wagner allowed a home run to Tony Batista before recording his 19th save. About 500 Expos fans held a 30-minute rally before the game in the faint hope of keeping the team from moving to Washington, D.C.

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