Glavine With Outing As Mets Top Astros

Saturday, September 2nd 2006, 1:44 pm

By: News On 6

Tom Glavine was just happy to get back on the mound. Glavine pitched for the first time in a few weeks after being sidelined by a blood clot in his pitching shoulder. He didn't get the win as New York beat Houston 8-7 Friday night, but he was pleased with the outing.

``Right now my goals are simple, I just want to feel good and come out of the game feeling good and that happened tonight so that's good,'' said Glavine, who remained at 287 career wins.

Glavine threw 93 pitches, 52 for strikes and allowed seven hits and six runs while striking out five. It was his first start since he yielded three runs over seven innings in a loss at Philadelphia on Aug. 16.

The NL East-leading Mets should be encouraged by the 40-year-old two-time Cy Young winner's return to the mound as they gear up for the playoffs, even if it was less than stellar.

He said he hasn't felt the coldness in his left ring finger that led to his absence in almost a week.

``I'm very excited about Glavine tonight,'' manager Willie Randolph said. ``I said before the game, win or lose, it will be good just to see him out there healthy.''

The game was tied at 6 when Jose Valentin's hit to the corner in left off Russ Springer (1-1) scored David Wright, who had three RBIs. Endy Chavez followed with an RBI single to extend the lead.

The loss ended a season-high six-game winning streak for the Astros, who are looking to make a push for the playoffs.

In other NL games, it was: Los Angeles 6, Colorado 3; Cincinnati 6, San Diego 2; St. Louis 3, Pittsburgh 1; Florida 3, Milwaukee 2; and Chicago 6, San Francisco 2. Arizona against Washington and Atlanta at Philadelphia were both rained out by remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

Guillermo Mota (1-0) got the win for the Mets and Billy Wagner pitched the ninth for his 33rd save in 38 chances. He gave up an RBI single to Craig Biggio.

``We had a chance,'' Biggio said. ``Wags has run off a bunch of saves in the last month, and he's one of the elite closers in the game. We gave ourselves a chance, but we came up short.''

Reds 6, Padres 2

At San Diego, Bronson Arroyo kept San Diego off balance for seven innings and Rich Aurilia tied his career high with four hits, including a homer, as the Reds snapped a six-game losing streak.

Arroyo (11-9) allowed four hits in seven innings to win for only the second time since June 19. The Reds snapped their skid in time to avoid dropping below .500 for the first time since opening day.

The Padres saw their lead in the NL wild-card race shrink to a half-game over the Reds and the Phillies, whose game against Atlanta was rained out.

Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. went 0-for-5 to end his 15-game hitting streak.

Clay Hensley (8-11) took the loss.

Dodgers 6, Rockies 3

At Los Angeles, Derek Lowe came back from a rare relief appearance earlier in the week to earn his 13th victory in the Dodgers' win over Colorado.

Lowe (13-8) got the start this time, giving up three runs and seven hits in five innings, walking three and striking out one. He also singled and scored the Dodgers' first run against Jason Jennings (7-12).

Wilson Betemit hit a solo homer off Jose Mesa in the eighth and also had an RBI double for the Dodgers, who increased their NL West lead to four games over San Diego.

Lowe pitched three innings and got the win in a 6-5, 16-inning victory over Cincinnati on Tuesday, allowing one hit and throwing 22 pitches. The relief appearance was his first in the regular season since 2001.

Cardinals 3, Pirates 1

At St. Louis, Chris Carpenter pitched a three-hitter to beat the Pirates for the fourth time this season.

Juan Encarnacion had two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals, who are 6-1 during a nine-game homestand to regain control of the NL Central.

The loss was the 82nd for the Pirates and ensured their 14th consecutive losing season, the longest stretch of futility in major American sports.

Carpenter (13-6) has dominated the Pirates in all four of his starts, allowing three runs in 30 innings. He struck out eight and walked none for his 23rd complete game.

Zach Duke (8-13) gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings and has lost his last three starts.

Marlins 3, Brewers 2

At Milwaukee, Rookie Anibal Sanchez pitched seven strong innings and Cody Ross hit a two-run home run to help Florida hand the Brewers their eighth straight loss.

Sanchez (6-2) gave up just one run and five hits for Florida, while striking out a career-high seven.

Taylor Tankersley pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Joe Borowski gave up a solo homer to Laynce Nix before getting the final three outs for his 32nd save in 36 chances.

Chris Capuano (11-9) pitched seven innings for the Brewers and suffered his fifth loss in six decisions since he made the NL All-Star team. He gave up three runs and five hits, while striking out seven.

Cubs 6, Giants 2

At Chicago, Rich Hill allowed five hits in eight strong innings and Matt Murton and Ryan Theriot homered as the Cubs ended a six-game losing streak.

Hill (4-6), who pitched shutout ball for seven innings, walked one and struck out six. Murton and Theriot connected against Giants starter Noah Lowry (7-8), who gave up eight hits and six runs in five innings.

Barry Bonds, batting .538 with three homers in his previous nine games, got the day off to rest.