Separated Shoulder Will Sideline Gonzalez

The Arizona Diamondbacks may have lost a lot more than a chance to clinch a playoff berth.

Luis Gonzalez, who leads the team in home runs and runs batted in, separated his left shoulder in an outfield collision as the Diamondbacks lost, 13-1, to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night at St. Louis.

The star left fielder was going back to Phoenix today to meet with Michael Lee, the team physician.

“Best-case scenario, it’ll be a first-degree separation and it’ll be maybe a week,” Diamondback trainer Paul Lessard said. “Worst-case scenario would be the season.”

Gonzalez is batting .288 with 28 home runs and 103 RBIs. He got the hit that won last year’s World Series for the Diamondbacks.

Gonzalez was hurt when he tried to make a diving catch on Tino Martinez’s bloop double in the fourth inning. Shortstop Tony Womack’s knee hit Gonzalez’s shoulder, and Womack cartwheeled over his teammate.

“It doesn’t look good right now for him being a part of our postseason plans,” pitcher Rick Helling said. “Hopefully it’s not as bad as they think it is.”

The Cardinals broke open the game by scoring 10 runs in the seventh inning, and sent Arizona to its fourth consecutive loss. The National League West leaders have a magic number of one for wrapping up a playoff berth, with six games left.

“Obviously, it’s a lot more than just a loss in the standings,” Manager Bob Brenly said.

The Diamondbacks’ lead for home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs is down to two games over St. Louis, which has won 16 of 19. The NL Central champion Cardinals had their highest-scoring game this season in the opener of a three-game series.

“You guys can create the drama,” Manager Tony La Russa said. “We’ll just come out and play the game tomorrow and try and find a way to win.”

Eli Marrero had four hits for the second time in four games. St. Louis tied a season high with 18 hits.

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Houston 8, Milwaukee 6--Jeff Bagwell hit a two-run single and Brandon Puffer (3-3) pitched one scoreless inning to earn the victory as the Astros defeated the Brewers at Houston.