Sun, Aug 21, 2005 - Page 23 News List

Marlins won't let opponents score

MAJOR LEAGUES Florida's third consecutive shutout came following a 3-0 win over the Dodgers as A.J. Burnett matched his high for wins in a season

AP , MIAMI, FLORIDA

A.J. Burnett won his seventh straight start and combined with Todd Jones on Florida's third consecutive shutout, a 3-0 victory over Los Angeles on Friday night.

Paul Lo Duca's two-run single broke up a scoreless tie in the seventh. Burnett (12-6) allowed six hits in eight-plus innings to set a Marlins record with his 49th career victory.

Burnett struck out nine, walked one and matched his career high for wins in a season. The Marlins, who blanked San Diego on Wednesday and Thursday, lead the major leagues with 15 shutouts.

Jones entered with two on in the ninth and struck out three straight batters for his 27th save.

Florida won with only four hits. D.J. Houlton (4-7) retired the first 13 batters and took a shutout into the seventh, but the Marlins loaded the bases with one out, and Lo Duca's single put them ahead.

Houlton, winless since June 27, has lost six consecutive decisions. Los Angeles has scored a total of three runs in his past four starts.

Cubs 5, Rockies 3

In Denver, Mark Prior struck out 10 in six strong innings, then got relief help from Kerry Wood again. Todd Walker homered and Jeromy Burnitz drove in two runs for the Cubs, who have won three straight.

Prior (9-4) allowed two runs, five hits and two walks, improving to 4-1 in his last eight starts. He threw 118 pitches and fanned Todd Helton twice in the 20th double-digit strikeout game of his career.

After Roberto Novoa gave up a run in the seventh, Wood came on and struck out two in a scoreless eighth. He also helped preserve a win for Prior on Sunday night, a 5-4 victory over St. Louis. Ryan Dempster worked a perfect ninth for his 19th save.

Byung-Hyun Kim (3-10) allowed four runs, five hits and five walks in 4 2-3 innings. Jorge Piedra homered and Danny Ardoin had an RBI single for the Rockies, who have lost seven of eight.

Pirates 11, Phillies 2

In Philadelphia, Kip Wells allowed three hits over seven innings, hit a two-run homer and snapped a career-high four-game losing streak.

The right-hander improved to 5-0 with a 1.26 ERA against Philadelphia for his career. In his last win before the streak, Wells shut out the Phillies and struck out 12 on July 5.

Brad Eldred hit a two-run homer and Jack Wilson had two hits and two RBIs for the Pirates, who have won four of six.

Bobby Abreu went 0-for-3 and struck out three times for Philadelphia, which has lost two straight and three of five.

Wells (7-12) won for the first time since July 5, a span of seven starts. He walked one, struck out seven and allowed one run on Mike Lieberthal's RBI double in the fourth.

Mets 1, Nationals 0

In New York, Jae Seo allowed four hits in eight innings to outpitch John Patterson, and Victor Diaz drove in the game's only run in the seventh with a single.

Jose Reyes tied career highs with four hits -- all singles -- and three stolen bases, helping the Mets take the opener of the three-game series. New York is 17-4 in series openers at home, tops in the majors.

Seo (5-1) improved to 3-0 since the Mets recalled him from Triple-A Norfolk earlier this month. He matched the longest outing of his career -- last Saturday in a victory over Los Angeles -- and has allowed one run and 13 hits in 23 1-3 innings since his return.

Braden Looper got the final three outs for his 24th save.

Patterson (7-4) lost for the first time this month, allowing seven hits in seven innings. He had won all three starts in August, giving up four earned runs in 22 2-3 innings.

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