Benes Prevails but No-Hitter Escapes Him

Andy Benes came within two outs of becoming the first pitcher since 1969 to throw a no-hitter for an expansion team.

Rookie first baseman Sean Casey singled with one out in the ninth to end Benes’ bid, but the Arizona Diamondbacks went on to defeat the Reds, 5-0, Sunday at Cincinnati.

It was the second time Benes had gone deep into a game with a no-hit bid. On July 4, 1994, with San Diego, he held the New York Mets hitless until Rico Brogna doubled to lead off the eighth.

“I’m disappointed. I thought I had a chance,” said Benes (13-13). “I was getting a little tired. I was trying to get a little adrenaline going.”

Before the ninth, the only Reds batter who came close to getting a hit was Bret Boone, but his warning-track fly ball was pulled in by center fielder Andy Fox. Benes struck out six and walked five in 8 1/3 innings.

Jay Bell and Tony Batista hit two-run homers as Arizona ended a four-game losing streak. Jason Bere (1-2) gave up four hits in six innings.

Bill Stoneman of the Montreal Expos pitched the last expansion no-hitter, shutting out the Philadelphia Phillies on April 17, 1969.

New York 1, Montreal 0--The Mets’ Willie Blair and two relievers combined on a four-hit shutout and Brian McRae threw out the Expos’ potential tying run at the plate to end the game at Montreal.

With runners at first and second and two out in the ninth, Expo pinch-hitter Mike Hubbard lined a single to center off John Franco. McRae’s one-hop throw to Todd Hundley, who started at catcher for the first time in nearly a year, got Shane Andrews at the plate as Franco earned his 36th save. The Mets, who remain one game behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL wild-card race, avoided a sweep.

Florida 6, Atlanta 5--Jesus Sanchez and the Marlins helped keep the host Braves from celebrating their seventh consecutive division title. Florida scored four runs in the seventh off Odalis Perez and added two more without the benefit of a hit in the eighth.

An Atlanta victory or a New York loss would have given the Braves the title, but the Mets won at Montreal.

Perez (0-1) ruined a one-hit shutout that Braves starter Greg Maddux carried through six innings. Maddux was removed before the start of the seventh after straining a muscle under his right arm.

Philadelphia 4, Pittsburgh 1--Bobby Abreu broke a tie with a two-run, upper-deck homer to right field and Paul Byrd gave up three hits over seven innings as the Phillies won at Philadelphia.

Byrd (4-2) escaped early wildness to earn his second consecutive victory. After the Pirates had three baserunners in the first, the right-hander set down 15 of the final 18 batters he faced.