Gonzalez Has a Big Night in Victory

Luis Gonzalez homered in his first three at-bats and drove in four runs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks pounded the New York Mets, 12-8, on Monday night to end a four-game losing streak.

Gonzalez had two chances for a fourth homer, but he struck out looking in the fifth inning and grounded out to second in the eighth, leaving him with the second three-homer game of his career.

Chad Tracy and Steve Finley also homered as Arizona tied its club record with five home runs in a game. Tracy, moved to the leadoff spot for the first time this season, also tripled and drove in three runs.

Gonzalez had his other three-homer game at Kansas City on June 8, 2001. With his 20th multihomer game, Gonzalez increased his home run total to 10 this season.

His first two came off starter James Baldwin, a two-run shot in the first and leadoff home run in the third. His third, an opposite-field blast, came against Dan Wheeler to start the fourth inning. Finley also homered in the fourth, his 10th of the season.

Baldwin (0-1), just called up from triple-A Norfolk, didn’t last long in his first start since Aug. 11, 2002. He gave up six runs and seven hits in two-plus innings.

Arizona starter Casey Daigle (2-1) staggered through five innings but got the victory despite being tagged for seven runs, six earned, and 12 hits. He left with a 12-7 lead.

The Mets’ Ty Wigginton went five for five, setting a career high for hits. Mike Piazza was three for four.

***PHOENIX -- Luis Gonzalez homered in his first three at-bats and drove in four runs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks pounded the New York Mets, 12-8, on Monday night to end a four-game losing streak.

Gonzalez had two chances for a fourth homer, but he struck out looking in the fifth inning and grounded out to second in the eighth, leaving him with the second three-homer game of his career.

Chad Tracy and Steve Finley also homered as Arizona tied its club record with five home runs in a game. Tracy, moved to the leadoff spot for the first time this season, also tripled and drove in three runs.

Gonzalez had his other three-homer game at Kansas City on June 8, 2001. With his 20th multihomer game, Gonzalez increased his home run total to 10 this season.

His first two came off starter James Baldwin, a two-run shot in the first and leadoff home run in the third. His third, an opposite-field blast, came against Dan Wheeler to start the fourth inning. Finley also homered in the fourth, his 10th of the season.

Baldwin (0-1), just called up from triple-A Norfolk, didn’t last long in his first start since Aug. 11, 2002. He gave up six runs and seven hits in two-plus innings.

Arizona starter Casey Daigle (2-1) staggered through five innings but got the victory despite being tagged for seven runs, six earned, and 12 hits. He left with a 12-7 lead.

The Mets’ Ty Wigginton went five for five, setting a career high for hits. Mike Piazza was three for four with two RBIs.

Mike Cameron hit his seventh homer -- a solo shot -- in the ninth to cap the scoring.

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Three’s Company

A look at players who have hit three or more home runs in a game this season:

NATIONAL LEAGUE

* Luis Gonzalez, Arizona, May 10, vs. N.Y. Mets...3

* Steve Finley, Arizona, April 28, vs. Chicago Cubs...3

* Mike Lowell, Florida, April 21, at Philadelphia...3