Wood Leaves Early as Reds Rout Cubs

L.A. Times Archives

July 21, 2005 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

Ken Griffey Jr. hit one of Cincinnati’s three solo shots against Kerry Wood, forced from the game after only three innings because of a stiff shoulder, and the Reds homered four times in all Wednesday night for a 9-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati.

Aaron Harang (6-8) pitched a seven-hitter for Cincinnati’s first complete game of the season, slowing a Cub offense that had nine homers in the series’ first three games. Derrek Lee hit his major league-leading 31st for Chicago.

Wood (3-3) gave up solo homers to Griffey, Felipe Lopez and Adam Dunn in three innings, a sign that something wasn’t right. A trainer and pitching coach Larry Rothschild visited Wood after Griffey hit his 21st homer in the third inning.

Wood stayed in the game and retired the next two batters but didn’t return for the fourth.

New York 7, San Diego 3 -- Mike Piazza hit a two-run homer at New York to move into a tie with Johnny Bench on the career home run list with 389, and Tom Glavine (7-7) won his third decision in a row for the Mets.

Colorado 3, Washington 2 -- J.D. Closser hit a decisive two-run homer against Livan Hernandez in the sixth inning at Washington, and the Rockies won a road series for the first time this season.

St. Louis 4, Milwaukee 2 -- Albert Pujols homered for the third game in a row to back Mark Mulder (11-5) at St. Louis as the Cardinals won for the fifth time in six games since the All-Star break.

Atlanta 4, San Francisco 1 -- John Smoltz pitched eight smooth innings for his seventh win in a row, and rookie Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer to lead the Braves at San Francisco.

Houston 8, Pittsburgh 0 -- Andy Pettitte improved to 4-0 with a 0.90 earned-run average in his last six starts as the Astros completed a four-game sweep at Pittsburgh.

Florida 9, Arizona 2 -- Juan Encarnacion had a homer and two doubles, driving in three runs to lead the Marlins at Phoenix.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Moving up another rung

Ken Griffey Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds broke a tie for 14th on the career home run list.

1. Hank Aaron...755

2. Babe Ruth...714

3. Barry Bonds* ...703

4. Willie Mays...660

5. Frank Robinson...586

6. Sammy Sosa *...584

7. Mark McGwire...583

8. Harmon Killebrew...573