Padres Lose Matchup of NL's Worst

<br>Even with eight innings of shutout ball, the San Diego Padres can't get a win. For the second time in three nights, a San Diego starter took a three-hit shutout into the ninth and lost it as visiting

Friday, May 30th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Even with eight innings of shutout ball, the San Diego Padres can't get a win. For the second time in three nights, a San Diego starter took a three-hit shutout into the ninth and lost it as visiting Milwaukee rallied to beat the Padres 3-2 on Thursday.

Brian Lawrence allowed only three hits through eight innings, but gave up four hits in the ninth as all three Milwaukee runs scored with two outs.

Lawrence's collapse came just two nights after Jake Peavy took a three-hit shutout into the ninth, only to see the Brewers rally for a win.

``Lightning hit us twice,'' Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. ``I've never seen a third out so hard to get.''

In other games National League games, Colorado beat Los Angeles 12-5, New York blanked Philadelphia 5-0, Montreal edged Florida 3-2, and Houston beat St. Louis 7-4.

Lawrence retired 13 of 15 going into the ninth, but gave up a leadoff double to Scott Podsednik. He then retired Richie Sexson on a ground out and struck out Geoff Jenkins.

But Brady Clark singled to score Podsednik, took second on a wild pitch and scored the tying run on Wes Helms' double.

``I never had any doubt. I felt like I could get the win,'' Lawrence said.

Instead Lawrence got the loss. Eddie Perez hit a single to center and Helms scored the go-ahead run, chasing Lawrence.

``He threw me one that I could handle, and still I didn't hit it good at all,'' Perez said. ``I just hit it in the right place.''

The Padres nearly rallied in the bottom of the inning, but Sean Burroughs grounded out to first with runners on first and second, ending the game.

The Padres have the NL's worst record at 15-39 and lost for the 26th time in 31 games.

The Brewers, who have the NL's second-worst record (20-33), took two of three from San Diego and have beaten the Padres five times in six games over 11 days.

Leo Estrella pitched the eighth for his first career win. Mike DeJean finished for his 10th save in 13 chances.

Rockies 12, Dodgers 5

At Denver, Todd Helton had his second three-homer game in the majors and a career-high six RBIs to lead Colorado past Los Angeles.

Helton hit a two-run homer in the first inning off Odalis Perez, a solo shot in the fourth against Perez and another two-run homer in the eighth off Eric Gagne. Helton, who has 10 homers this season, also singled in a run in the third.

Helton, who also homered three times at Coors Field on May 1, 2000, had his 22nd multihomer game, his first this season.

The Rockies have won five straight and reached the .500 mark for the first time since May 6. They swept the Dodgers in Denver for the first time.

Mets 5, Phillies 0

At Philadelphia, Steve Trachsel, Graeme Lloyd and Armando Benitez allowed six hits as New York shut out the Phillies.

Trachsel pitched 6 2-3 innings and Lloyd bailed him out in the seventh, striking out Jimmy Rollins after Trachsel had loaded the bases with two outs. Benitez struck out the side in the ninth.

Cliff Floyd had a two-run double and Rey Sanchez, Jeromy Burnitz and Tony Clark each had RBI doubles for the Mets.

Kevin Millwood gave up three runs and seven hits in seven innings. He hadn't lost since April 17, winning his last five decisions.

Expos 3, Marlins 2

At Miami, Orlando Cabrera's bloop RBI single capped a three-run rally in the seventh inning that carried Montreal over Florida.

Marlins starter Brad Penny pitched six shutout innings and hit a home run. Penny has two hits this season, both of them homers. The other was April 11 against Atlanta.

The victory helped the Expos tie the franchise record for best mark through 54 games at 33-21.

Astros 7, Cardinals 4

At St. Louis, Jeff Kent doubled twice in the last two innings to rally Houston past St. Louis.

The Astros scored twice in the eighth and the ninth after blowing a 3-1 lead in the seventh.

Kirk Saarloos threw five pitches and got the win, striking out Mike Matheny to end the Cardinals seventh. Billy Wagner pitched the ninth for his 11th straight save.