Mets Stop Maddux in Pursuit of 20 Wins

For the fifth time in his career, Greg Maddux finished one victory shy of a 20-game season.

The Mets prevented Maddux from reaching the milestone for the third time in his career and ended the Atlanta ace’s scoreless streak at 39 1/3 innings--the longest in the majors in 10 years--as New York’s second stringers won, 8-2, Thursday night at New York.

“You always look back at the one or two things you might have done differently,” said Maddux, who also won 19 games in 1989, 1995, 1997 and 1999. “A run here, a play here, or one less hanging slider. But I feel good about the way I pitched this year and I’m strong going into the postseason.”

Maddux (19-9) had won five consecutive September starts and hadn’t given up a run since Sept. 2 before giving up three in the fourth inning. His streak was the longest since Baltimore’s Gregg Olson pitched 41 consecutive scoreless innings in 1989-90.

The Mets defeated the Braves in a series for the first time since winning three of four Sept. 4-7, 1998. But both wins came after Atlanta clinched the NL East with a victory in Tuesday’s opener, and the final one came with many regulars on the bench.

“We take it for what it is,” Met Manager Bobby Valentine said. “We won two of three. We’re playing to win and I’m glad we won.”

One night after clinching the wild-card berth, Valentine gave many of his regulars the night off. Mike Piazza, Robin Ventura, Todd Zeile, Mike Bordick and Derek Bell all sat as New York rested for its playoff opener Wednesday at St. Louis or San Francisco.

Their backups filled in admirably. Todd Pratt had three hits and three runs batted in, Kurt Abbott hit a two-run homer, and Lenny Harris and Matt Franco added RBIs.

Bobby J. Jones (11-6) gave up two runs--one earned--and seven hits in eight innings, perhaps solidifying a spot as the fourth starter in the playoffs. Jones, who started the year 1-3, ended the season by winning seven of eight decisions.

St. Louis 7, San Diego 6--Darryl Kile became a 20-game winner for the first time as the Cardinals rallied for two runs in the eighth inning and defeated the Padres at San Diego.

Kile (20-9), traded from Colorado to St. Louis after going 8-13 last season, became the third 20-game winner in the majors.

Backed by Will Clark’s three-run homer, Kile won his sixth consecutive decision and led St. Louis to a 9-0 sweep of the Padres this season.

Pittsburgh 3, Houston 2--Jose Lima gave up just one home run and finished his season with 48, two short of Bert Blyleven’s major league record, but the Astros lost at Pittsburgh.

The Pirates won with two runs in the ninth off Octavio Dotel (3-7). Mike Benjamin drew a one-out walk and moved to second on Brian Giles’ groundout. After John Vander Wal walked, pinch-hitter Jason Kendall singled to tie the game. Wayne Franklin relieved and surrendered Warren Morris’ game-winning single.

Lima retired the first 11 batters before Giles hit his first pitch over the center-field wall for his 35th home run.

Arizona 12, Colorado 3--Pitching just hours after the birth of his third child, the Diamondbacks’ Armando Reynoso threw his eighth career complete game in a victory at Denver.

Matt Williams had a two-run double and Jay Bell went three for four with two homers and five RBIs.

Florida 7, Montreal 4--Derrek Lee hit his 27th home run and Brad Penny got his third consecutive win as the Marlins completed a three-game sweep at Miami.

Penny (8-7) allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings, struck out six and walked one in his fourth outing since coming off the disabled list Sept. 2.

Philadelphia 4, Chicago 2--Cliff Politte struck out a career-high nine and hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly as the Phillies won at Chicago.