Griffey Homers as Reds Win, 4-2

Ken Griffey Jr. tied Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt on the all-time home run list and Bronson Arroyo pitched a complete game to lead the Cincinnati Reds past the New York Mets, 4-2, on Monday night for their eighth straight victory on the road.

Griffey’s 548th homer spoiled Orlando Hernandez’s strong start and put the 12-time All-Star in 11th place alongside Schmidt.

“He was an awesome player,” Griffey said. “For my name to be mentioned with him is an honor in itself.”

Griffey, who is 36, and his father, Ken Sr., have combined for 700 major league homers. Junior got the ball back as a souvenir and said he would give it to his dad.

“Which one am I prouder? Probably 700 with my dad,” Griffey said.

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Arizona 5, Pittsburgh 4 -- Johnny Estrada’s pinch-hit single drove in the go-ahead run in the 11th and the Diamondbacks halted a five-game losing streak, squandering a four-run lead before rallying at Pittsburgh.

The Pirates loaded the bases with none out in the ninth on singles by Jack Wilson and Sean Casey and Jason Bay’s intentional walk. But reliever Greg Aquino struck out Jeromy Burnitz, Freddy Sanchez and Jose Castillo, all on pitches in or near the dirt.

The Diamondbacks, scoreless since a four-run fourth, took the lead on one-out singles in the 11th by Orlando Hudson, Chris Snyder and Estrada off Salomon Torres (2-3).

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INTERLEAGUE

Colorado 7, Oakland 0 -- Byung-Hyun Kim combined with three relievers for a seven-hitter and Matt Holliday hit a two-run homer at Denver to help end the Athletics’ 10-game winning streak.

Oakland starter Dan Haren was nearly as good as Kim, holding the Rockies to three runs -- two earned -- and seven hits with six strikeouts in seven innings. The right-hander just didn’t get much offensive help, leading to his first June loss in 10 starts the last two seasons.

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Boston 6, Washington 3 -- Emergency starter Kyle Snyder gave the Red Sox five solid innings and a career-high six strikeouts at Boston and Manny Ramirez hit his 453rd homer. Snyder (1-0) was waived by the Royals on Friday and claimed by Boston, which has lost starters David Wells, Matt Clement and Lenny DiNardo to the disabled list.

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Philadelphia 4, New York Yankees 2 -- Pat Burrell hit a two-run double and Brett Myers outpitched Randy Johnson at Philadelphia.

Myers gave up two runs in 6 2/3 innings and Aaron Rowand had an RBI double.

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Detroit 3, Milwaukee 1 -- Magglio Ordonez hit a two-run double with two out in the eighth and Jeremy Bonderman struck out 12 over seven innings at Milwaukee.

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Chicago Cubs 12, Cleveland 8 -- Henry Blanco tied a career high with four RBIs and Juan Pierre drove in three runs for the Cubs at Cleveland.

Phil Nevin hit a two-run homer in the seventh, his 200th home run.

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Power supply

Ken Griffey Jr. tied Mike Schmidt on the all-time home run list Monday. Home run leaders through Monday (x-active):

*--* Player No. 1. Hank Aaron 755 2. x-Barry Bonds 718 3. Babe Ruth 714 4. Willie Mays 660 5. Sammy Sosa 588 6. Frank Robinson 586 7. Mark McGwire 583 8. Harmon Killebrew 573 9. Rafael Palmeiro 569 10. Reggie Jackson 563 11. x-Ken Griffey Jr. 548 11. Mike Schmidt 548 13. Mickey Mantle 536

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