Merced Puts Pinch on Cubs

As Orlando Merced was rounding the bases, he realized he’d have to protect himself from his own teammates when he reached home plate.

Merced’s pinch-hit grand slam Friday night helped the Astros to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Houston, extending the Astros’ winning streak to seven in a row over the Cubs.

“I tried to keep my helmet on going back to the dugout because I knew they’d be hitting me hard,” Merced said. “People are throwing you around. It’s a good feeling when your teammates receive you that way.”

The Astros pulled within two games of the first-place Cubs in the National League Central.

The Astros swept the Cubs in three games earlier this season and haven’t lost to them since Aug. 23.

Jon Lieber (12-5) had won his last six decisions, tying a career high, and was off to a good start until the Astros scored five runs in the fifth inning.

Richard Hidalgo and Vinny Castilla led off with singles. Brad Ausmus sacrificed, reaching on second baseman Eric Young’s fielding error to load the bases.

Merced then connected for the third grand slam of his career and third pinch-hit homer of the season, a liner down the right-field line that barely cleared the fence and gave the Astros a 4-2 lead.

San Francisco 1, Arizona 0--Livan Hernandez pitched two-hit ball for seven innings at San Francisco to help the Giants to their sixth victory in eight games.

Ramon Martinez homered in the third inning as San Francisco took the opener of a key three-game series.

Baseball’s top two home run hitters weren’t factors in the outcome. Barry Bonds went 0 for 2 with two walks to remain at 42 homers, while Arizona’s Luis Gonzalez--right behind Bonds with 37 homers--went 0 for 4.

San Diego 11, Milwaukee 2--Ryan Klesko and Phil Nevin hit home runs on consecutive pitches at San Diego and the Padres handed Ben Sheets his third consecutive loss.

Padre starter Sterling Hitchcock, who hadn’t pitched since July 4, continued his comeback from reconstructive elbow surgery with his second consecutive strong start. He held the Brewers to two runs and nine hits in seven innings, struck out seven and walked none.

Hitchcock (2-0) has 12 strikeouts, no walks and a 1.93 earned-run average in two starts following his 13-month rehab after his “Tommy John” ligament transplant surgery on June 6, 2000.

Philadelphia 10, New York 1--Robert Person pitched a four-hitter at Philadelphia and hit the first home run of his career.

Pat Burrell homered and tied a career high with five runs batted in for the Phillies, who ended a four-game slide.

Florida 5, Cincinnati 3--Cliff Floyd, Mike Lowell and Derrek Lee hit home runs in the first inning at Miami.

Matt Clement (6-6) gave up nine hits and two unearned runs in six innings for his second consecutive victory.

Pittsburgh 4, St. Louis 1--Jason Schmidt pitched one-hit ball for seven scoreless innings at St. Louis to help the Pirates end an 11-game losing streak against the Cardinals.

Kevin Young, Aramis Ramirez and Abraham Nunez hit home runs for the Pirates, who beat the Cardinals for the first time since Aug. 22.