Galarraga Cashes In On Intentional Walk

National League

Andres Galarraga was shocked that a pitcher would intentionally walk a batter to get to him. Then Galarraga did some shocking of his own.

Galarraga, at bat after Larry Walker was passed intentionally, doubled off the left field wall with one out in the last of the 12th inning Monday night, giving Colorado a 5-4 victory over Atlanta and sole possession of first place in the N.L. West.

“I couldn’t believe they left (Brad) Woodall, a left-hander, in to pitch to me after he’d walked Walker,” the right-handed hitting Galarraga said. “I took it personal. I got a slider up high and nearly hit it out.”

The ball caromed off the 347 sign near the line in left and Mike Kingery scored easily from second.

The victory was Colorado’s fifth in a row, matching a season high, and gave the Rockies a one-game lead over Los Angeles, which was beaten at Chicago.

Pirates 7, Padres 5

Pittsburgh

Al Martin had three hits and Pittsburgh took advantage of Andy Ashby’s wildness to beat San Diego, ending a five-game losing streak.

Ashby (9-10) lost his fourth consecutive decision as the Padres lost their fourth straight game and continue to fade in the wild card race.

Reds 2, Marlins 1 (11)

Cincinnati

Jerome Walton’s single with two out in the bottom of the 11th inning lifted Cincinnati.

Cincinnati won for only the fourth time in 12 games, snapping a four-game losing streak against the Marlins.

Cardinals 13, Giants 4

St. Louis

Ray Lankford and Brian Jordan each homered and drove in three runs as St. Louis beat San Francisco.

Ozzie Smith turned a double play in the fourth, tying the career record for shortstops of 1,553 held by Luis Aparacio.

Expos 5, Mets 0

Montreal

Pedro Martinez threw a four-hitter and Montreal averted a four-game sweep with a shutout over New York.

Martinez (13-8) allowed two singles in the first inning and another in the fourth. He retired 11 straight before Joe Orsulak singled with one out in the eighth.

Cubs 12, Dodgers 1

Chicago

Kevin Foster threw a five-hitter over seven innings and also had a two-run double and a run-scoring single to lead Chicago past Los Angeles.

Clearing the bases

Houston outfielder Derek Bell will undergo surgery today to remove a blood clot from his left thigh and will miss another 10 days to two weeks… . Montreal outfielder Cliff Floyd, who shattered his left wrist in a collision with New York’s Todd Hundley on May 15, was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list… . St. Louis outfielder Ray Lankford was 13-for-21 (.619) with three homers, three doubles, a triple and eight RBIs… . Houston pitcher Doug Drabek and Cincinnati outfielder Ron Gant withdrew appeals of their suspensions and immediately began serving their penalties for involvement in a series of brawls last Tuesday.