Stinnett’s Homer Extends Arizona Streak

The Arizona Diamondbacks got some timely production from an unexpected source.

Kelly Stinnett hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning Monday as the Diamondbacks defeated the Montreal Expos, 8-5, at Montreal for their seventh consecutive victory.

Stinnett, who entered the game hitting .146, also had a two-run single to cap Arizona’s four-run sixth.

“Sometimes we can’t depend on the top five guys and some of us down at the bottom have to help out now and then,” said the Diamondback catcher. “It was nice to be able to do that tonight and hopefully it shows a little bit of character.”

Steve Kline (1-2) gave up the homer after walking Travis Lee with one out. Kline also gave up a solo home run to pinch-hitter Greg Colbrunn later in the inning.

Darren Holmes (3-1) got the last out of the ninth for the win, and Gregg Olson pitched the 10th for his seventh save in 12 chances.

Arizona rookie Byung-Hyun Kim, who got a save in his major league debut Saturday against the New York Mets, gave up a game-tying, three-run homer in the the ninth to Orlando Cabrera.

Kim, a 20-year-old Korean, struck out the side in the eighth but lost his control in the ninth, hitting Jose Vidro with a pitch and walking Ryan McGuire before giving up the home run to Cabrera.

Milwaukee 8, San Diego 2--Hideo Nomo gave up three hits in 6 1/3 innings at Milwaukee in his fifth consecutive strong start for the Brewers.

Nomo (2-1), released by the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs this season, has a 2.41 earned-run average in five starts since joining the Brewers.

“I wouldn’t say he’s exceeded my expectations because I didn’t know what to expect,” Brewer Manager Phil Garner said. “Let’s just say we’re very pleased with what he’s done for us right now.”

After giving up two runs in a 39-pitch first inning, the former Dodger right-hander settled down. He gave up a leadoff single to Ruben Rivera in the second and then retired the next 15 batters.

“I feel that I really didn’t change my pitching form at all so I can’t say that I regained my old form,” Nomo said through a translator. “I feel that I have been pitching the same way since I came to the United States.”

Ron Belliard homered and scored twice and Mark Loretta drove in three runs for the Brewers.

Philadelphia 4, San Francisco 3--Alex Arias hit a solo homer against John Johnstone (4-2) to cap a four-run seventh inning at Philadelphia as the Phillies handed the Giants their fifth consecutive loss.

Arias’ second homer of the season came after the Phillies ended a 22-inning scoreless drought with three runs, tying the score at 3-3 and chasing starter Kirk Rueter. Rico Brogna had a run-scoring single, and Bobby Abreu a two-run single as the Phillies scored for the first time since the first inning of Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Yorkis Perez (2-1) got two outs in the seventh for the victory after Carlton Loewer went 6 1/3 innings but failed to get his first win since May 4.

Wayne Gomes pitched two innings for his fourth save, striking out the side in the eighth despite giving up two singles and having the tying and winning runs in scoring position. He struck out Brent Mayne with runners at second and third.

Atlanta 3, Colorado 1--Brian Jordan had three hits at Atlanta, including two run-scoring singles, to help Kevin Millwood win his fourth consecutive decision.

Millwood (6-3) gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out five in seven innings.

Mike Remlinger pitched a scoreless eighth and John Rocker pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 12 opportunities.

The only run Millwood gave up was a solo home run in the fourth inning to Vinny Castilla, whose ninth of the season extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Millwood pitched out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the fifth when he got Castilla on a popup. Shortstop Ozzie Guillen had saved a run when he made a diving stop of Larry Walker’s single, forcing Darryl Hamilton to stop at third.

Jordan, who was three for four, drove in Atlanta’s first two runs with singles in the first and third innings against Pedro Astacio (4-5).

Cincinnati 5, New York 3--Greg Vaughn hit a home run and Ron Villone and Scott Williamson combined for 6 1/3 innings of hitless relief at New York.

It was the fourth loss in a row and fifth in seven games for New York. Cincinnati has won three in a row and 11 of 15 to improve to three games over .500 (25-22) for only the second time since September 1996.

Vaughn, who sat out the last six games because of an abdominal strain, hit a 423-foot solo homer to give Cincinnati a 4-3 lead in the fifth. Vaughn is batting only .211 with 10 home runs after hitting 50 homers last season.

Pokey Reese had a solo home run in the seventh.