Ashby Beats Maddux to Win No. 16

Andy Ashby beat Greg Maddux to become the National League’s first 16-game winner, and Ken Caminiti hit a two-run homer as the Padres beat Atlanta, 5-1, Wednesday night for their second successive win in the series between the league’s top two teams.

The Padres won their first home series against Atlanta in 10 years and pulled within one game of the Braves in the race for home-field advantage should these teams meet in the NL Championship Series.

Playing before 40,597, Ashby (16-6) got out of a jam in the top of the sixth inning, then the Padres got Maddux (15-6) in trouble in the bottom of the inning.

With two out, the bases loaded and the Padres leading, 2-1, Wally Joyner’s sharp grounder skipped off the heel of first baseman Andres Galarraga’s glove and rolled into right field for a two-run single.

Ashby beat the Braves for the second time this season. He earned the lone San Diego victory during a four-game series at Atlanta in May. He also became the first Padre pitcher to win 16 games since Ed Whitson in 1989.

Ashby gave up one run and five hits in seven innings. Randy Myers pitched a perfect eighth and Donne Wall retired all three Brave batters in the ninth.

NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO: Atlanta Braves

WHERE: Dodger Stadium

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.