Astros’ Holt Takes Punch Out of Brewers

If Houston’s Chris Holt had realized the significance of Ron Belliard’s line drive in the second inning, he might have leaped out of his shoes trying to stop it.

Holt pitched a one-hitter for his first career complete game Friday night as the visiting Astros defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-0.

Helped along by early run support and a slumping Milwaukee lineup, Holt didn’t allow a runner to reach second base while recording his first career shutout.

Belliard’s hit was a clean single over Holt’s head. Afterward, Holt couldn’t even remember the ball that deprived him of a no-hitter.

“All it took was for me to get a little confidence in my pitches,” Holt said. “I had all my pitches going early, and we were able to get a lot of their balls on the ground.”

Holt (1-3), whose earned-run average dropped from 11.51 to 7.98, got his first victory of the year by striking out three and walking two. He induced three double plays and 13 additional ground ball outs with a wicked sinker.

Colorado 12, New York 5--Mike Piazza left because of an injury in the fifth inning and Met starter Mike Hampton was chased moments later as the Rockies beat up the Mets at Denver.

Piazza sprained his right wrist and hyperextended his right elbow in a play at the plate. He is expected to be sidelined at least a few days.

Piazza was hurt as the Rockies’ Todd Helton scored on an errant throw from second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo.

The Mets, who have lost three straight after a nine-game winning streak, trailed, 6-0, when Piazza left.

They never recovered as Hampton (2-4), a 22-game winner last season with Houston, equaled his loss total from all of 1999.

Pittsburgh 2, Cincinnati 1--Kris Benson limited the Reds to five hits in eight innings as the Pirates won at Pittsburgh.

Benson (1-3) didn’t allow a hit until Benito Santiago singled with one out in the fifth. The right-hander struck out six and walked three. Mike Williams got the final two outs for his third save.

Chicago 6, Arizona 5--Sammy Sosa hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning as the Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks at Chicago to end Kevin Tapani’s 12-game losing streak dating back to June.

Steve Finley’s ninth homer leading off the seventh gave Arizona a 1-0 lead and Tapani (1-3) appeared on his way to tying the club record with his 13th straight loss.

St. Louis 7, Philadelphia 4--Mark McGwire had a go-ahead two-run double and three runs batted in as the big-hitting Cardinals didn’t need a home run to defeat the Phillies at Philadelphia.

The Cardinals failed to homer for only the second time in 23 games.

Montreal 9, San Francisco 3--Chris Widger homered to tie the game in the seventh inning and hit a three-run double during a six-run eighth as the Expos defeated the Giants to drop San Francisco to 0-6 at Pacific Bell Park, one defeat shy of the worst start by a team playing its first season in a new stadium.