Galarraga Fuels Rockies’ Rout
National League
Andres Galarraga drove in a team-record eight runs with two homers and a double, powering Colorado to a 13-1 rout of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night in Denver and snapping the Rockies’ three-game losing streak.
The Rockies, drawing within 1-1/2 games of the N.L. West-leading Dodgers, rebounded from a 1-5 road trip as Galarraga hit three-run homers in each of the first two innings.
Kevin Ritz (9-4) threw a six-hitter for his sixth straight win and second complete game of the season. He walked one and struck out six.
Colorado had 17 hits off the statistically best pitching staff in the majors. Galarraga’s 422-foot shot in the first and 437-footer in the second - both off Pedro Astacio (3-6) - helped stake Ritz to a 7-1 lead. Galarraga added a two-run double in the sixth, breaking his franchise mark of seven RBIs, which he set twice. The eight RBIs were the most in the league this season and matched Cal Ripken’s high in the majors.
Braves 3, Cardinals 0
Atlanta
Greg Maddux and two relievers combined on a three-hitter, Maddux’s third straight win, as Atlanta beat St. Louis. Maddux (8-5) struck out five and walked none, leaving for a pinch-hitter in the seventh after being hit on the right leg by a line drive by Brian Jordan in the top of the inning.
Padres 11, Giants 1
San Francisco
Fernando Valenzuela pitched 7-2/3 strong innings and five San Diego players hit home runs, helping the Padres to a victory over San Francisco. The Giants have lost seven straight.
On the mend
Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda, who had an angioplasty performed Wednesday to unclog an artery following a heart attack, was moved from intensive care to a private room at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, Calif. Doctors do not know precisely when the heart attack happened, but Lasorda’s cardiologist, Dr. Anthony Reid, said the manager’s heart is working “very well.” Lasorda remains in stable condition.
Clearing the bases
The Rockies claimed veteran outfielder Milt Thompson off waivers from the Dodgers. … The Rockies drew 48,043 for their 90th consecutive sellout - a major league record.