It Goes Much Better for Reed Against Braves

New York Met pitcher Rick Reed was put on the disabled list after his last start against the Atlanta Braves. There was nothing wrong with Reed, however, after he pitched against the Braves Saturday.

Reed pitched seven shutout innings for his first win in more than a month, and the Mets defeated the Braves, 4-0, for only their second victory in 19 games in Atlanta since September 1997.

The Braves had put together eight- and nine-game winning streaks against the Mets at home, including three victories in last year’s National League championship series and a 6-3 victory Friday night to open this weekend’s three-game series.

Reed (5-2) was on his game in yielding only four hits with one walk and six strikeouts, and was aided by three double plays. He helped himself with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.

In his previous start against the Braves on June 29 in New York, Reed broke his left wrist when struck by Andruw Jones’ line drive, and also strained his left calf muscle while running to first. Reed was put on the disabled list the next day, and Saturday he was making only his second start since coming off.

“Hopefully, I’m back on track,” Reed said.

Greg Maddux (12-4) gave up five hits and three runs in eight innings but lost his third consecutive regular-season decision to the Mets. He had given up 14 runs in five innings of his previous two starts against New York.

Cincinnati 7, Arizona 3--Barry Larkin got a 20-second standing ovation from Cincinnati fans urging him to stay with the team, and emergency starter Ron Villone had a two-run single for the Reds.

Larkin, in his 15th season with the Reds, has to decide whether to accept a trade to the Mets. Several banners urged him to stay and the crowd of 42,568 gave him a warm reception in the first inning.

In first at-bat, Larkin backed out of the box, waved to the crowd, then bowed his head and stood motionless as the cheering got louder. He stepped back in and singled--his only hit in five at-bats.

Villone (8-6)--filling in for sore-armed starter Larry Leubbers--gave up five hits and three runs in six innings.

Chicago 3, Milwaukee 2--Sammy Sosa’s RBI single with one out in the 13th inning at Chicago gave the Cubs their ninth victory in 12 games.

Ricky Gutierrez drew a one-out walk against Steve Woodard (1-7) in the 13th and took second on Mark Grace’s single. Sosa hit a 3-2 pitch to left field for his 86th run batted in.

Milwaukee starter Jason Bere had retired 14 consecutive batters before Damon Buford hit his 14th home run with two out in the seventh to tie the score, 2-2.

Houston 10, St. Louis 5--Wade Miller gave up four hits and struck out nine in eight innings for his first major league victory, and the Astros had a five-run first inning and a season-high 17 hits at Houston.

Miller (1-2)--making his fourth major league start--gave up four runs, including Jim Edmonds’ 28th home run.

Montreal 17, Florida 7--Andy Tracy hit his first career grand slam and drove in seven runs at Miami for the Expos, who had season highs in runs and hits (19).

Tracy, a rookie first baseman, entered with a .164 batting average and six RBIs.

Florida has lost six of eight to drop below .500 (48-49) for the first time since July 1.

Pittsburgh 2, Philadelphia 1--Bronson Arroyo held Philadelphia to two singles in seven shutout innings at Pittsburgh for his first major league win.

Arroyo (1-3)--in his sixth major league start--walked three and struck out three.

Philadelphia starter Robert Person (5-3) came off the disabled list and gave up four hits and one run in seven innings.

Colorado 9, San Diego 4--Todd Helton and Larry Walker each had three RBIs at Denver as the Rockies won for only the third time in 16 games.

Helton went three for five--including his 24th homer--to raise his batting average to .382. He has 82 RBIs.

Brian Hunter and Neifi Perez--the first two hitters in the Colorado lineup--got on base seven times and scored four runs.

Gabe White (7-1) struck out three in 2 2/3 innings.