Maddux’s Streak Reaches Five in Loss to Mets

Greg Maddux insists there is nothing wrong.

Only one thing is out of place. The four-time Cy Young Award winner is stuck with a 5-5 record.

Maddux’s winless streak reached five starts as the Atlanta Braves lost to the New York Mets, 3-2, Wednesday night at New York.

Maddux, coming off one of his worst outings, gave up eight hits and three runs--two of them earned--in seven innings. He actually lowered his earned-run average to 3.35 in the loss.

“It was typical of Maddux’s year,” Brave Manager Bobby Cox said. “He had shutout stuff tonight. Hopefully, his luck will turn around.”

Not since Maddux went seven starts without a win in 1991, the season before he began a string of four straight Cy Young Awards, has he gone so long without a victory. Since his last victory, he is 0-2 with three no-decisions.

In his last game, Maddux lasted only 3 1/3 innings and gave up seven runs to Colorado, but wound up with a no-decision in a game Atlanta lost, 19-8. Other than that, he has not given up more than two earned runs during his drought.

As much as anything, he’s been the victim of poor run support and shoddy defense.

“There are only two things I can control--pitch selection and pitches,” Maddux said. “The wins, the losses, the ERA, all of it--I look at it, but I don’t worry about it. I can’t control it.”

Said pitching coach Leo Mazzone: “He’s 5-5, but he’s pitching like he should be 8-2. But it will all turn out OK. We’ll take our chances with him.”

Cincinnati 9, San Diego 4--Eric Davis and Brett Boone hit two-run homers in the ninth inning to break the game open at San Diego as the Reds handed the Padres their sixth consecutive loss and their ninth in 10 games.

The Padres, who lost the three-game series to the Reds, concluded their homestand with a 1-8 record, their worst mark since 1990.

John Smiley (6-6) continued his mastery over the Padres, improving to 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 20 games.

Montreal 8, Florida 0--Jeff Fassero gave up five hits in eight innings and Sherman Obando homered and drove in three runs as the Expos shut out the Marlins at Montreal.

Fassero (6-5) struck out five and walked none in eight innings to win his third straight start as the Expos took the three-game series, 2-1.

Home plate umpire Ed Rapuano fractured his left collarbone when the Expos’ Andy Stankiewicz fouled a pitch by Al Leiter straight back.

Colorado 8, Houston 0--Marvin Freeman threw seven shutout innings and combined with two relievers on the Rockies’ first shutout at Coors Field.

The shutout was the Rockies’ first in 103 games at Coors Field and third at home in franchise history.

Philadelphia 4, Chicago 3--Sid Fernandez gave up only two hits in 5 2/3 innings and Gregg Jefferies and Todd Zeile hit consecutive home runs as the Phillies ended a six-game losing streak at Philadelphia.