Diamondbacks Can’t Convert

Montreal’s Javier Vazquez was just a little better than Arizona’s Albie Lopez.

Vazquez teamed with Scott Stewart for a three-hitter, Orlando Cabrera homered and the Expos defeated the Diamondbacks, 1-0, Thursday at Phoenix.

Vazquez (10-10) worked at least six innings in his 18th consecutive start, giving up three hits in eight innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

“He’s what an ace is supposed to be--the good athlete who can crank it up and stop losing streaks and also win a game like this, a very low-scoring game,” Expo Manager Jeff Torborg said. “We didn’t have much margin for error out there.”

Vazquez also enjoyed superb fielding by Cabrera, who had his 33rd consecutive errorless game at shortstop, and Vladimir Guerrero. The right fielder had four putouts in the last four innings, including a diving catch on the warning track to deny Mark Grace an extra-base hit to lead off the Diamondbacks’ seventh.

Houston 4, New York 3--Moises Alou’s infield single brought home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning at Houston as the Astros rallied to defeat the Mets.

Pinch-hitter Orlando Merced’s two-run double off Met closer Armando Benitez made it 3-3 in the ninth, and Alou’s sharp single drove in Craig Biggio with two outs in the 10th.

San Diego 4, Chicago 3--Ryan Klesko hit a grand slam in the eighth inning and the Padres rallied past the Cubs for the second consecutive game at San Diego.

Fred McGriff drove in all three Chicago runs, including two on his first homer for the Cubs.

Atlanta 2, St. Louis 1--Tom Glavine won his fifth consecutive decision and Javy Lopez hit a two-run opposite-field home run as the Braves won at St. Louis to avoid a three-game sweep.

Philadelphia 4, Colorado 2--Pat Burrell homered in his third consecutive game, leading David Coggin and the Phillies at Denver. Coggin (2-1) gave up two runs and nine hits in seven innings, and won for the first time since July 4.

Milwaukee 4, Florida 3--Mark Sweeney homered and Henry Blanco hit a two-run double at Milwaukee as the Brewers ended a four-game losing streak.