Estes Impresses as Giants Win

Before the season, Shawn Estes set a personal goal of 15 victories. He reached that mark 6 1/2 weeks early.

Estes got his 15th victory and Bill Mueller hit a three-run homer Thursday as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Chicago Cubs, 7-3, at San Francisco.

Estes (15-4) gave up two runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings, striking out 10. He retired 11 consecutive batters in the fourth through seventh innings. Estes is 11-2 in his last 18 starts.

“His curve ball was: ‘Oh my God!’ ” said Jose Hernandez, who went hitless in three at-bats against Estes.

By winning, the Giants matched last year’s victory total (68). They also stayed 1 1/2 games ahead of the Dodgers atop the NL West.

“It’s been a fun year; it’s been an easier year because I’m on a good team,” Estes said. “I had pretty close to my best stuff today. My fastball felt as live as it did all year.”

Barry Bonds was hitless in four at-bats, extending his slump to two for 35 in his last 10 games.

San Diego 5, Cincinnati 4--Tony Gwynn, back after missing five games because of a kidney stone ailment, beat out a fielder’s choice in the 10th inning to give the Padres a victory at San Diego.

Mandy Romero led off the 10th with a single off Jeff Shaw (3-2) and Craig Shipley sacrificed. Romero took third on Quilvio Veras’ infield single before Gwynn hit a bouncer to second baseman Bret Boone. Boone stepped on the bag for one out, but his off-balance throw to first was too late to get Gwynn. Trevor Hoffman (5-4) struck out the side in the 10th.

Gwynn, who had the kidney stone surgically removed Sunday in Chicago, went two for five to raise his average to .383.

New York 6, St Louis 2--Bobby Jones won his 13th game in his 10th attempt and Edgardo Alfonzo’s grand slam broke open a one-run game in the fifth inning as the Mets won at St. Louis. Jones (13-7), who once led the NL in victories, gave up seven hits in seven innings. Donovan Osborne (2-5) took the loss.