Astros Lose; Lima Now 1-13

The best against the worst was no contest.

Randy Johnson outpitched Jose Lima, with rookie Jason Conti hitting a bases-loaded double in a seven-run third inning Tuesday night to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Houston Astros, 10-4, at Houston.

Lima (1-13) dropped his 13th consecutive decision and leads the majors in losses. He left after Arizona’s burst in the third inning, highlighted by Conti’s three-run double and Damian Miller’s two-run homer.

Johnson (13-2), who leads the NL in victories, gave up four hits in six innings. He struck out eight.

It wasn’t Johnson’s best outing, but it was enough.

“Obviously, it was a pretty frustrating outing, I struggled almost the whole game with my location, I was never in a groove,” Johnson said. “I pitched to some good hitters and they hit some home runs.”

Johnson, who struck out 13 in beating the Astros in his last start Thursday, held Houston hitless until Jeff Bagwell’s 22nd home run in the fourth.

Johnson didn’t allow another hit until Bagwell singled, Richard Hidalgo doubled and Moises Alou hit a three-run homer in the sixth.

It was the first time this season Johnson gave up a homer with runners on base.

Lima, a 21-game winner last season, hasn’t won since his first start of the season April 5.

“Ten years from now, I’m going to remember this game,” Lima said. “It’s going to teach me a lesson because I lost my composure. I found out I cannot fight with myself. I make a mistake or give up a hit and I get mad at myself and lose my concentration.”

Atlanta 7, Montreal 3--Chipper Jones homered, doubled and drove in three runs at Atlanta.

The come-from-behind victory followed Atlanta’s worst outing of the season, a 17-1 loss to the Expos on Monday night.

Andruw Jones had three hits for Atlanta, including his 22nd home run in the eighth inning. Chipper Jones followed with his 20th homer, both off reliever Anthony Telford.

Greg Maddux (10-3) gave up six hits, three runs--two earned--walked one and struck out four in seven innings.

Florida 9, New York 8--Mark Kotsay tied the score with a two-run double and came home with the go-ahead run on the front end of a double steal as the Marlins used a six-run fifth inning to beat the Mets at Miami.

Mike Piazza’s 21-game hitting streak ended when he pinch hit in the ninth and grounded into a fielder’s choice.

St. Louis 14, Cincinnati 3--Jim Edmonds hit a pair of two-run homers at St. Louis, giving him 24 for the season, and Andy Benes won his fifth consecutive decision.

It was the 10th career multihomer game for Edmonds, and second this season.

Cardinal backup catcher Keith McDonald homered in his first major league at-bat, pinch-hitting in the eighth off Andy Larkin.

San Francisco 4-3, Colorado 1-0--Mark Gardner pitched seven shutout innings and the Giants completed a day-night doubleheader sweep with a win in the nightcap at San Francisco.

In the opener, Livan Hernandez held the Rockies hitless until the seventh inning.

Robb Nen saved both games and has 200 for his career.

The Rockies, who lead the NL with 504 runs, continued to struggle at Pacific Bell Park, where they have scored once in 36 innings.

Philadelphia 7, Milwaukee 4--Pat Burrell’s grounder scored Bobby Abreu with the go-ahead run as the Phillies got four runs in the ninth inning to beat the Brewers at Milwaukee.

Milwaukee took a 4-3 lead into the ninth, but closer Bob Wickman--expected to be the Brewers’ only All-Star--blew his second save in his last three tries and his third overall.

Pittsburgh 10, Chicago 4--On the anniversary of a grotesque ankle injury that ended his 1999 season, Jason Kendall revived the Pirates at Chicago.

Kendall hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the ninth off Rick Aguilera and Wil Cordero and Pat Meares also homered in the seven-run inning.

On July 4 a year ago, Kendall dislocated his right ankle while landing on first base as he tried to beat out a bunt against Milwaukee.

Around the League

The Cardinals activated second baseman Fernando Vina from the disabled list and put infielder Placido Polanco on the disabled list because of a strained right hamstring.