Wells Wins Without An Offensive Boom

Tuesday, July 3rd 2007, 7:07 am

By: News On 6

A little offense went a long way with David Wells on the mound. The Boomer pitched shutout ball for the first time this year, holding Florida to five hits in 6 2-3 innings and leading the San Diego Padres over the Florida Marlins 4-2 Monday night.

San Diego had just three hits but won for the fifth time in six games. The Padres improved to 4-2 when they have three hits or fewer.

``But hey, we're winning,'' Wells said. ``We're in first place.''

Wells (4-5) struck out a season-high six, and the 44-year-old left-hander won for the first time in five starts.

``His breaking ball had a little bit more bite tonight,'' Padres manager Bud Black said. ``He moved his fastball around the zone and threw strikes.''

In other games it was Chicago 7, Washington 2; Milwaukee 10, Pittsburgh 3; Houston 7, Philadelphia 5; St. Louis 11, Arizona 3; Colorado 6, New York 2; and Los Angeles 8, Atlanta 2.

At San Diego, Brian Giles scored twice on fielder's choices for the Padres. He has reached base nine times in 15 plate appearances over three games since returning Friday night from a five-week stay on the disabled list with a bone bruise in his right knee.

Sergio Mitre (2-4) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings, dropping to 0-2 in his past seven starts.

Cubs 7, Nationals 2

Alfonso Soriano had two hits, an RBI and a stolen base in his return to Washington, and Chicago (41-40) moved above .500 for the first time since it was 16-15 on May 9. Soriano had 46 home runs and stole 41 bases for Washington last season, then signed a $136 million, eight-year contract as a free agent with the Cubs.

Ted Lilly (7-4) allowed one run and three hits over seven innings to beat Jason Simontacchi (5-6), who lasted only three innings for the second time in three starts. He allowed five runs and seven hits as the Nationals lost for the sixth time in seven games.

Brewers 10, Pirates 3

Damian Miller homered twice during a 4-for-5 night. He hit a grand slam in a seven-run seventh inning at Pittsburgh, and his seven RBIs matched a Milwaukee club record.

Miller's two-run shot off rookie John Van Benschoten put the Brewers up 3-1 in the fourth. All of their scoring in the seventh came against Masumi Kuwata (0-1), who gave up five hits and seven runs.

Carlos Villaneuva (6-0) pitched four shutout innings for the victory.

Astros 7, Phillies 5

Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer and Houston scored twice in the seventh on bases-loaded walks by Brian Sanches and Jose Mesa.

Carlos Lee had an RBI single and a solo homer, and Craig Biggio had three hits, including two doubles, as the Astros won for the seventh time in their past eight home games.

Woody Williams (4-10) allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings to outduel fellow 40-something starter Jamie Moyer (7-6).

Cardinals 11, Diamondbacks 3

Albert Pujols hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the seventh, and Scott Rolen had four RBIs at St. Louis.

Braden Looper, in his first outing following a stint on the disabled list caused by a shoulder strain, allowed three runs and four hits in six innings. Russ Springer (4-1) pitched a perfect seventh.

Brandon Webb (8-6) gave up five runs and seven hits in six-plus innings for the Diamondbacks, who have lost three straight and five of seven.

Rockies 6, Mets 2

Matt Holliday homered and Colorado's Jason Hirsh (4-7) threw six shutout innings before spraining his right ankle. Hirsh, who entered 1-for-42 for his career, had two singles, including a two-run chopper down the right-field line in the third.

Coming off a 1-9 trip, their worst ever for that many games away from home, the Rockies won for the 10th time in 12 home games. They scored six times in the third off Tom Glavine (7-6), who was denied his 298th career win. New York had won eight of 10.

Dodgers 8, Braves 2

Matt Kemp had three RBIs, including a tiebreaking two-run homer, and Russell Martin had a career-high four hits at Los Angeles.

Joe Beimel (2-1) pitched two hitless innings. John Smoltz (9-5) allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings and struck out six.