Hoffman Can’t Close the Deal

Pinch-hitter Mark Sweeney hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Trevor Hoffman in the ninth inning to lead the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night at San Diego

The Rockies, who have won seven of eight, trailed, 4-3, entering the ninth before Larry Walker led off with a full-count walk against Hoffman (2-1), who blew his third save. Preston Wilson followed with a double to the gap in right-center field to tie the score.

Three batters later, Sweeney hit a 3-and-1 pitch to center field to score Matt Holliday, who had reached on a fielder’s choice.

In the ninth, Colorado closer Shawn Chacon walked pinch-hitter Darren Bragg with two out. Bragg took second on defensive indifference before Ryan Klesko hit an RBI single. Sean Burroughs followed with a single to right before Chacon struck out Khalil Greene for his 20th save in 26 chances.

Tim Harikkala (3-1) pitched the eighth for the win.

Xavier Nady hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning to give the Padres a 4-3 lead.

Nady, recalled from triple-A Portland on July 5 when Phil Nevin went down because of a knee injury, hit a 1-and-0 fastball from Shawn Estes to lead off the seventh and break a 3-3 tie.

Nady also hit an RBI single as the Padres took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and he made a diving catch in left field in the top of the inning to rob Royce Clayton of a hit.

David Wells was denied his third consecutive victory. Wells gave up three runs and seven hits in seven innings.

Philadelphia 7, Atlanta 6 -- Tomas Perez’s pinch-hit, RBI single in the 10th helped the Phillies overcome a five-run deficit and two three-run homers by Rafael Furcal to win at Philadelphia.

Chase Utley hit a solo homer off John Smoltz with one out in the ninth to tie it at 6-6. Mike Lieberthal had four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the eighth.

St. Louis 6, Chicago 1 -- Jason Marquis kept the Cubs reeling and the Cardinals got home runs from Edgar Renteria, Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds and Tony Womack at St. Louis.

Greg Maddux (7-7) gave up three of the homers as the Cardinals won their ninth in a row at home, including the first seven games of a nine-game homestand.

Pittsburgh 11, Montreal 0 -- Jason Bay homered twice at San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the Pirates scored a season-high nine times in the second inning to back Sean Burnett’s first career shutout.

Burnett (3-2) scattered 10 hits, struck out three and walked none. Montreal was shut out for the 13th time this season.

New York 6, Florida 3 -- Ty Wigginton homered and had an RBI double and Mike Cameron also homered at Miami for the Mets, who scored four runs in the eighth inning to win for the seventh time in nine games.

Cincinnati 3, Milwaukee 0 -- Aaron Harang tied his career high with 10 strikeouts and Wily Mo Pena homered to lead the Reds at Milwaukee. Harang (5-2) has given up only one earned run in 18 2/3 innings.