Stellar Play Ends Astros’ Winning Streak

The National League’s best defensive team lost its way for a few days, but the Philadelphia Phillies recovered in time to end a three-game losing streak.

Desi Relaford’s sacrifice fly in the sixth brought home the go-ahead run as the Phillies ended the Houston Astros’ winning streak at eight with a 5-3 victory Sunday at Philadelphia.

But it was the Phillies’ defense later in the game that secured the victory.

Philadelphia turned two double plays in the final three innings, including one started on a stellar effort by second baseman Mark Lewis, to help make up for the two errors they made earlier in the game and the three they made Saturday.

Lewis made a diving stop of a grounder back up the middle in the eighth, and flipped to Relaford, who completed the 4-6-3 double play that helped preserve the Phillies’ two-run lead.

“That was beautiful,” said Mark Leiter, the pitcher at the time. “I thought it was up the middle.”

Manager Terry Francona called it the play of the game. “That’s an unbelievable play under any circumstances, but the context of the game made it even better.”

Cincinnati 5, Milwaukee 3--Brett Tomko scattered eight hits in seven-plus innings and the Reds made quick work of the Brewers’ No. 1 starter at Milwaukee.

Cal Eldred (0-1), who began the year with a career-high six no-decisions and entered the game with a 1.67 ERA, gave up five earned runs and nine hits and four walks in four innings. Four of the runs came on two-out hits. Jeff Shaw pitched the ninth inning for his ninth save.

St. Louis 8, Chicago 5--Brian Jordan and John Mabry homered as the Cardinals overcame a three-run, sixth-inning deficit at Chicago to defeat the Cubs and stop a three-game losing streak.

Mark McGwire struck out three times and walked twice, raising his major league-leading total to 36. Chicago walked him nine times in the four-game series.

Florida 1, San Diego 0--Rookie Jesus Sanchez got his first win, combining with two relievers on a five-hitter as the Marlins won at Miami.

Sanchez made his third career start and gave up four hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked four.

Andy Ashby gave up the one run and seven hits in seven innings for the Padres.

New York 5, Colorado 2--John Olerud’s sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run after two errors by the Rockies’ infield set up the Mets’ four-run eighth inning at New York.

Rick Reed gave up only five hits in eight innings for the Mets, who ended a six-game losing streak.

Vinny Castilla hit his major league leading 13th homer in the ninth off John Franco.

Montreal 4, Arizona 1--Dustin Hermanson pitched a two-hitter at Montreal and Vladimir Guerrero homered for the third consecutive game as the Expos gave the Diamondbacks their sixth consecutive loss.