Sun, Oct 02, 2005 - Page 24 News List

It's all tied up once again in AL East

MAJOR LEAGUES Rookie Wang Chien-ming (8-5) of Taiwan gave up five runs (three earned) four hits and six walks. He struck out four in 6 2-3 innings

AP , BOSTON

Cory Lidle (13-11) improved to 6-0 in his career against the Expos-Nationals, allowing two runs -- one earned -- and six hits in 6 2-3 innings with eight strikeouts. Billy Wagner gave up a run in the ninth before finishing for his 37th save.

Livan Hernandez (15-10) allowed four runs and 10 hits in seven innings.

Cubs 4, Astros 3

At Houston, after Lance Berkman's two-run homer in the eighth off Roberto Novoa (4-5) put Houston ahead 3-2, Brad Lidge (4-4) blew his first save in more than three months and the Astros lost their second straight game to Chicago.

After Matt Murton and Jeromy Burnitz had consecutive singles in the ninth, Michael Barrett doubled off the top of the left-field wall to tie the game at 3.

Corey Patterson hit a hard chopper to first, and Berkman gathered the ball and threw home for the first out. Pinch-hitter Todd Walker, playing for the first time since hurting his knee on Sept. 23, got a grounder by Berkman for a single that sent home Barrett with the go-ahead run.

Ryan Dempster worked the ninth for Chicago and allowed a leadoff walk to Brad Ausmus. Charles Gipson sacrificed pinch-runner Chris Burke to second, and Craig Biggio's grounder moved Burke to third.

Padres 3, Dodgers 1

At San Diego, NL West champion San Diego guaranteed itself at least a .500 record by beating Los Angeles behind seven strong innings from Woody Williams (9-12).

There's never been a division champion in a non-strike year that's finished with a losing record. The Padres appeared capable of becoming the first the way they struggled earlier in September, but they've won three straight games and are 81-79 with two to play.

Since 1969, and excluding strike-shortened years, the 1973 New York Mets own the lowest winning percentage of a division champion by going 82-79 (.509) to win the NL East.

The Padres need to win their final two games to go 83-79 (.512). If they split their last two games, they'll finish 82-80 (.506).

Derek Lowe (12-15) allowed three runs, two earned, and five hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Diamondbacks 7, Giants 3

At San Francisco, Alex Cintron hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth and added a three-run double in the ninth, leading Arizona over San Francisco for its sixth straight victory.

Chad Tracy hit a two-run homer and Andy Green hit a tying sacrifice fly in the seventh for the Diamondbacks, who matched their longest winning streak of the year and won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners doubled in the first inning and singled in the second against Oakland on Friday to become the sixth player in major league history to collect 200 hits in five straight seasons.

Raising his batting average four points, Suzuki went 4-for-5 -- including two doubles -- in the Mariners 4-1 win over the Oakland Athletics to give him 202 hits. With two games left, Suzuki is hitting .301.

Willie Keeler (1894-1901) holds the record with eight straight 200-hit seasons, while Wade Boggs (1983-1989) had seven. Suzuki joined Chuck Klein (1929-1933), Al Simmons (1929-1933) and Charlie Gehringer (1933-1937) at five in a row.

Suzuki, 31, established the major league record with 262 hits last season, breaking George Sisler's mark of 257 set in 1920.

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