NL: Anything but aces in Cards victory

NEW YORK - Long after the aces departed, the Cardinals turned to closer Jason Isringhausen, on the mound for the first time since April 26.

Trying to protect a one-run lead in the ninth, he fell behind Jose Reyes 3-0, then walked him with the count full.

Reyes advanced to second on a bunt before Isringhausen got out of trouble Saturday, eventually striking out Mike Cameron for his eighth save in eight chances to preserve St. Louis' 7-6 win over the Mets.

Instead of a pitchers' duel, Mark Mulder and Pedro Martinez let the hitters take control on a breezy afternoon.

Mulder allowed six runs and 10 hits in five-plus innings. Martinez gave up five runs - four earned - and five hits in six innings.

Kaz Matsui chased Mulder with a tying three-run triple in a four-run sixth inning, but the Mets failed to hold a 6-5 lead in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Larry Walker had a go-ahead sacrifice fly off Roberto Hernandez.

ASTROS 4, GIANTS 1: Roger Clemens struck out a season-high 10 in his 331st career win. Lance Berkman hit his first home run of the season after a two-run shot by Craig Biggio in the sixth, helping host Houston end a four-game losing streak with its second victory in 12 games. Clemens gave up one run and five hits in eight innings, his longest outing of the season. He walked none and has allowed just seven runs in eight starts this season for a 1.11 ERA. But the Astros scored only 11 runs for him in his first seven starts, and six of those games were decided by one run.

REDS 12, PHILLIES 4: Ken Griffey hit a go-ahead, three-run homer and Adam Dunn added a homer in a six-run seventh inning to lift visiting Cincinnati. Griffey also doubled and drove in four runs for the Reds, who had season highs in runs and hits (17). Felipe Lopez, Austin Kearns and Ryan Freel all had three hits, and Cincinnati finished with a season-high eight extra-base hits. Aaron Harang pitched eight innings for his first win since April 7. He allowed four runs and nine hits, striking out four and walking two. He didn't allow a hit in his final four innings.

PIRATES 2, BREWERS 0: Mark Redman pitched his first career shutout to finally win after a long run of excellent but unsuccessful starts, and Jose Castillo's two-run double carried host Pittsburgh. The Pirates, who won for the eighth time in 11 games, left the bases loaded in each of the first three innings before Castillo chased Brewers starter Victor Santos with his double in the fifth. Redman won a matchup of pitchers who have had little run support this season. The left-hander threw a four-hitter in his second straight complete game, though he pitched only eight innings in a 2-1 loss Monday to the Giants.

DIAMONDBACKS 10, ROCKIES 4: Brandon Webb pitched eight innings to remain unbeaten, and Chris Snyder had three RBIs for visiting Arizona. Webb had his sinkerball working, getting 13 groundball outs and seven strikeouts to become the NL's fifth five-game winner. It certainly helped that the Diamondbacks staked him to a big early lead, reaching Rockies starter Jamey Wright for four runs in the first and three more in the third. Arizona finished with a season high in runs and had 12 hits after losing 18-3 to Colorado the night before.

PADRES 2, MARLINS 1: Jake Peavy regained his form, holding Florida to one run and five hits in seven innings. The Padres won for the 12th time in 15 games, overcoming a combined three-hitter by Al Leiter and John Riedling. Trevor Hoffman threw four pitches in a perfect ninth for his 404th career save, and his 11th in 13 chances this year. Padres pitchers retired the last 12 batters in a row.

BRAVES 5, DODGERS 1: Eric Gagne gave up homers to Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones, his first two batters since coming off the disabled list. Jones homered twice and drove in three runs, Raul Mondesi also homered and Adam Bernero (3-0) allowed a run and four hits in three innings for the victory after Braves starter Mike Hampton left the game with tightness in his left forearm. Left-hander Odalis Perez (4-4) lost his third straight start, allowing three runs, five hits and no walks in six innings while striking out six.

NATIONALS 4, CUBS 3: Livan Hernandez won his fifth consecutive start and Vinny Castilla had a two-run single. Hernandez (6-2) pitched 61/3 innings before leaving with an injured right knee. He allowed two runs and five hits, walked none and struck out six - all after enduring a lengthy rain delay at the start of the game.

[Last modified May 15, 2005, 01:22:06]