Braves Give Little Support To Neagle

National League

Atlanta’s Denny Neagle pitched decently, allowing three runs in 5-2/3 innings, but got no support from his new teammates as the visiting Braves lost 12-0 to Chicago for their most lopsided defeat this season.

“I could have picked a better script,” said Neagle (14-7), who allowed three hits and three walks and left trailing 3-0 before relievers Brad Clontz and Dean Hartgraves were clobbered by the Cubs. “But I’m going to get at least five more starts, and I’m sure I’ll have some better ones.”

Chicago’s Frank Castillo (7-14) was working on three days’ rest. But he outpitched his more heralded opponent, giving up only two hits in 6-2/3 innings for his first win in eight career decisions against Atlanta.

Neagle was acquired Wednesday from Pittsburgh.

Dodgers 11, Phillies 7

Philadelphia

Raul Mondesi’s two-run homer capped an eight-run fourth inning and Ismael Valdes (12-7) won his first game since July 23 as Los Angeles defeated Philadelphia.

Mondesi and Wayne Kirby each had three hits and every Dodgers starter had at least one hit. Los Angeles totaled 18 hits, two short of its season high, against five Phillies pitchers.

Expos 4, Padres 2

Montreal

Omar Daal won his first major-league start, combining with two Montreal relievers on a four-hitter as the Expos snapped the Padres’ six-game winning streak.

F.P. Santangelo hit an RBI triple in the fourth off Bob Tewksbury (10-9) for a 1-0 lead and Mark Grudzielanek’s run-scoring double in the sixth gave Montreal a 4-0 cushion.

Astros 5, Pirates 4

Pittsburgh

Pinch-hitter Tony Eusebio hit a two-run single to cap Houston’s three-run ninth inning, and the Astros ruined Francisco Cordova’s first major-league start by beating Pittsburgh.

With Houston trailing 3-2 following Jermaine Allensworth’s go-ahead homer in the eighth, Jeff Bagwell and Derek Bell quickly tied it with consecutive doubles off John Ericks (3-4).

Mets 7, Giants 2

New York

New York gave manager Bobby Valentine his first victory in five games and the Mets snapped a season-high eight-game losing streak with a victory over San Francisco.

Roberto Petagine and Alvaro Espinoza hit consecutive homers in the sixth inning for the Mets, who had lost three one-run games since Valentine took over for the fired Dallas Green.

Reds 22, Marlins 8

Cincinnati

Kevin Mitchell drove in a career-high six runs and pinch-hitter Lenny Harris hit a grand slam as Cincinnati rallied for a win to snap Florida’s seven-game winning streak.

The Reds overcame a 5-0 deficit after the first inning by hitting five homers and taking advantage of 11 walks for their best offensive game in almost nine years.

Cardinals 2, Rockies 1

St. Louis

Andy Benes allowed four hits in eight innings and Ray Lankford hit a two-run homer as St. Louis defeated Colorado. The Rockies failed to hit a homer, breaking their streak of 16 straight games with at least one homer.

Clearing the bases

Tom Lasorda, who played in the Philadelphia minor-league system, was honored by the Phillies before their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers…. Right-hander Chris Corn, who was pitching for the New York Yankees’ Class A Tampa farm club, was sent to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade for third baseman Charlie Hayes. … Former New York outfielder Mookie Wilson will be the 18th player inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame today. … Los Angeles acquired outfielder Dave Clark from Pittsburgh for minor-league pitcher Carl South.