Griffey, Reds Hang On, Top Giants

Aaron Boone’s bases-loaded double highlighted a six-run fifth inning and Ken Griffey Jr. made a saving catch as the Cincinnati Reds held on for an 11-9 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night at Cincinnati.

The Giants failed to hold two early leads and wound up losing for only the second time in 13 games, leaving them two games behind the Dodgers in the National League West.

With the Reds protecting a two-run lead, the bases loaded and two out in the eighth, Griffey dove into the padded wall in center to take an extra-base hit away from Jeff Kent.

Barry Bonds, who hit his 48th homer Tuesday, walked twice and struck out looking three times.

Arizona 7, Florida 1--Randy Johnson (15-5) gave up one run and six hits in seven innings, struck out eight and walked two at Miami to win his sixth consecutive decision. The Diamondbacks won for only the fourth time in 12 games.

Montreal 6, St. Louis 5--Geoff Blum hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to tie it, 5-5, then scored the winning run on Michael Barrett’s run-scoring double in the 11th at Montreal.

Orlando Cabrera led off the ninth with a double and Blum followed with a home run off Dave Veres. Blum doubled to lead off the 11th and scored when Barrett followed with a liner into the gap in left-center field.

Houston 2, Atlanta 1--After the Astros loaded the bases with three consecutive singles, Julio Lugo’s sacrifice fly scored Brad Ausmus with the winning run in the 12th inning at Atlanta.

Houston’s Moises Alou left the game with a strained right hamstring after doubling in the fourth. He is day-to-day.

Philadelphia 4, San Diego 3--Rookie David Coggin pitched 6 1/3 innings at Philadelphia to get the win and doubled for his first major league hit and run batted in.

Tony Gwynn received a standing ovation when he pinch-hit in the seventh. He was walked.

New York 5, Milwaukee 4--Steve Trachsel struck out a season-high eight in seven innings, leading the Mets at New York. Edgardo Alfonzo hit a home run in the fifth as the Brewers lost their seventh consecutive road game.

Chicago 2, Colorado 1--Jason Bere pitched seven shutout innings to extend his scoreless streak to 17 2/3 for the Cubs at Chicago.