Schilling Cruises to 23rd Victory

Curt Schilling gave up three hits and struck out 10 in seven innings for his major league-best 23rd victory Tuesday night to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks over the San Diego Padres, 8-2, at Phoenix.

Luis Gonzalez and Matt Williams each hit two-run homers, and Steve Finley had a solo shot as the defending World Series champions stayed five games ahead of their nearest rival in the National League West with 17 games to play.

For the 15th time in his 32 starts, Schilling did not walk a batter. He threw 92 pitches--66 strikes--and reached double digits in strikeouts for the 13th time this season.

Schilling (23-5) surpassed his previous career-best 22 victories set last year, one night after teammate Randy Johnson won his 21st, also a career-high.

Atlanta 12, New York 6--The host Braves overcame a five-run deficit behind two home runs by Andruw Jones, who homered in four consecutive at-bats dating to Saturday’s game against Montreal and became the 11th player in NL history to accomplish the feat.

New York starter Pedro Astacio (12-9) gave up four homers and was ejected in the fifth inning after he plunked Gary Sheffield with a pitch.

St. Louis 8, Milwaukee 3--Eduardo Perez hit a three-run homer and Scott Rolen had a solo shot at Milwaukee for the Cardinals, who have won seven in a row for the first time since a nine-game streak from Sept. 8-22, 2001.

Houston 11, Colorado 4--Lance Berkman hit his career-high 40th home run and had five RBIs at Houston, and the Astros won their fourth in a row.

Wade Miller (13-3) won his 10th consecutive decision.

Cincinnati 3, Pittsburgh 0--Russell Branyan hit a solo homer to back Danny Graves and four Red relievers, who combined on a six-hitter at Cincinnati.

Graves, a reliever, made his first career start and helped send the Pirates to their 14th shutout loss.

Montreal 6, Chicago 2--Javier Vazquez (9-13) matched a season high with 10 strikeouts at Chicago and ended a seven-game losing streak, and Brad Wilkerson tied a Montreal rookie record with his 19th home run.

Florida 6-2, Philadelphia 4-1--Justin Wayne got his first major league victory and the Marlins completed their first road doubleheader sweep since joining the NL in 1993.

Mike Redmond hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning in the first game.