Padres Boost West Lead to 13

Once the subject of trade talks, San Diego’s Joey Hamilton is now the talk of the team.

Behind eight sharp innings from Hamilton, the Padres increased their NL West lead to a team-record 13 games Thursday, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-0, at San Diego.

Hamilton (9-9) gave up four hits, struck out 10 and walked none. He has won four consecutive decisions despite rumors that he was on the trading block.

The trade rumors heated up after Hamilton lost six consecutive starts in a streak that went through June 3. Over his last four starts, Hamilton has given up only five earned runs in 27 innings to lower his earned-run average to 4.62.

Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 32nd save, striking out two.

The victory put the Padres (67-35) 32 games above .500 for the first time in franchise history.

Atlanta 3, Philadelphia 2--Javy Lopez and Curtis Pride of the Braves hit back-to-back homers at Philadelphia to break a sixth-inning tie.

Kevin Millwood (11-5) gave up eight hits and two runs in seven innings, and Kerry Ligtenberg struck out the side in the ninth for his 12th save.

St. Louis 8, San Francisco 1--Kent Bottenfield (3-5) gave up one run and three hits in seven innings and drove in a run for the first time since 1993 to pace the Cardinals at San Francisco.

Mark McGwire, who leads the majors with 43 homers, went 0 for 2 with three walks, an RBI and two runs scored. He was hitless in six at-bats as the Cardinals swept the two-game series.

Chicago 2, Montreal 1--Mark Clark and Beck combined on a six-hitter at Chicago as the Cubs extended their winning streak to five games. Clark (6-9) gave up four hits in eight innings. He walked one and struck out four. Beck pitched the ninth for his 29th save.

New York 6, Milwaukee 5--Mike Piazza singled for his third hit and scored the game-winning run on pinch-hitter Matt Franco’s single in the ninth inning at Milwaukee.

Colorado 6-6, Cincinnati 4-4--Rocky rookie Todd Helton hit his 17th homer and Larry Walker had his seventh three-hit game of the season in the first game of a doubleheader at Denver. Walker hit his 11th homer and Dante Bichette hit his 17th in the second game. Both were two-run homers.

Pittsburgh 9, Florida 1--Jose Guillen and Lou Collier each drove in three runs at Pittsburgh and Jon Lieber won his third consecutive start.