National League roundup

On a night when Barry Bonds hit two home runs and then almost added career shot No. 622, the night belonged to Jason Schmidt. <br><br>Pitching at Pac Bell Park just five days after burying his mother,

Friday, May 2nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

On a night when Barry Bonds hit two home runs and then almost added career shot No. 622, the night belonged to Jason Schmidt.

Pitching at Pac Bell Park just five days after burying his mother, Schmidt threw a three-hitter and struck out 12 Wednesday night as the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs 5-0.

``The highlight of my career, all things considered,'' Schmidt said. ``I love coming to the park every day. You're here around a great group of guys and it was fun getting back out there. In some ways I felt kind of guilty.''

Schmidt was at the funeral in Washington state after his mother, Vicki, died from a malignant brain tumor. Schmidt said a silent prayer before facing the Cubs.

Bonds has his own off-the-field concerns. His father, Bobby, had a chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer Monday; earlier this month, the former major leaguer had a brain tumor removed.

Bonds marveled at Schmidt's effort on an emotional evening.

``It was incredible,'' he said. ``It was more special for him than me. I've been dealing with some family personal things, too, but not as much as him.''

In other NL games, Los Angeles stopped Philadelphia 4-0, Cincinnati outlasted Colorado 13-11, St. Louis trounced New York 13-4, Atlanta beat Houston 11-1, Montreal downed Milwaukee 9-5, Arizona topped Florida 7-3 and Pittsburgh defeated San Diego 8-5.

Bonds' multihomer game was his first of the season and 62nd of his career, tying him with Hank Aaron for fourth on the career list. Babe Ruth leads with 72, followed by Mark McGwire (67) and Willie Mays (63).

Bonds launched a two-run drive to left-center in the third inning and led off the sixth with a shot that sailed into McCovey Cove.

That gave Bonds eight home runs this year. He narrowly missed another one in the eighth when his long drive hooked foul.

``It's going to happen sooner or later,'' said Cubs manager Dusty Baker, who left the Giants in the offseason.

``When a guy hits 621 homers, he hits them against everybody. It was his day and Jason Schmidt's day,'' he said. ``Jason was throwing as hard in the ninth inning as he was in the first inning. I'm sure it was out of motivation with the passing of his mother.''

Dodgers 4, Phillies 0

Odalis Perez struck out a career-high 11 and Fred McGriff hit his 481st lifetime home run to lead Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.

Perez was pulled after throwing 132 pitches in 8 2-3 innings. Dodgers manager Jim Tracy was booed when he brought in Eric Gagne from the bullpen.

Adrian Beltre hit a three-run homer after striking out in his first two at-bats against Philadelphia starter Vicente Padilla.

Reds 13, Rockies 11

Adam Dunn, Jose Guillen and Jason LaRue homered as Cincinnati beat Colorado in the highest-scoring game of the year at Coors Field.

The Reds blew an early five-run lead, then rallied behind a season-high 16 hits.

Cincinnati starter Ryan Dempster gave up seven runs on only one hit in 1 2-3 innings. He walked six in the second inning.

Cardinals 13, Mets 4

Albert Pujols homered twice and Eli Marrero and Fernando Vina also connected as St. Louis routed the Mets for the second straight night at Busch Stadium.

A day after romping past the Mets 13-3, the Cardinals did it again. Edgar Renteria drove in three runs, giving him seven RBIs in two games.

Woody Williams sent New York to its fourth straight loss, pitching seven strong innings.

Braves 11, Houston 1

Mike Hampton shut down his former team and Chipper Jones drove in four runs to lead Atlanta.

Gary Sheffield homered and doubled as the Braves won for the 13th time in 15 games. Atlanta has won six in a row on the road.

Wade Miller, Houston's opening-day starter, is 0-3 after six outings.

Expos 9, Brewers 5

Jeff Liefer and Orlando Cabrera homered and Montreal finished April with a 17-10 record.

The Expos overcame Richie Sexson's three-run homer in the first inning. Milwaukee has lost four straight.

Brooks Kieschnick struck out as a pinch-hitter for the Brewers. A power hitter who had trouble making contact while with the Cubs, Cincinnati and Colorado, he's trying to revive his career as a reliever. He pitched in the minors earlier Wednesday, then was called up to the majors.

Diamondbacks 7, Marlins 3

Rod Barajas went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs at Bank One Ballpark.

Before the game, Arizona found out four-time Cy Young winner Randy Johnson will have arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday and miss three-to-six weeks.

Miguel Batista stopped Florida for his first win of the season. He's pitching while his appeal of a 10-game suspension is waiting to be heard.

Pirates 8, Padres 5

Adam Hyzdu hit a grand slam and made two fine catches in center field as Pittsburgh won at San Diego.

Called up from Triple-A Nashville on April 12, Hyzdu hit his first homer of the season. Of his 18 career home runs, three have been slams.