Cubs Find Dozen Ways To Enter Record Book
National League
The Chicago Cubs can finally say they’re record-setters.
The Cubs set the mark for the worst start in National League history, making three more errors Wednesday as they extended their losing streak to 12 with a 4-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs have lost 26 of their last 28 games, including the end of last season, and have the fourth-worst start ever, trailing the 1904 Washington Senators and 1920 Detroit Tigers (each 0-13) and the 1988 Baltimore Orioles (0-21).
Chicago, which has 21 errors this season, broke the modern N.L. record of 0-10 set by Atlanta in 1988 and the overall N.L. record of 0-11 by the 1884 Detroit Wolverines.
Dodgers 5, Mets 2 New York
Pedro Astacio took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, and Brett Butler matched his career high with five hits as Los Angeles beat New York.
Astacio, whose best complete games are a pair of three-hitters, didn’t allow a hit until Carlos Baerga doubled down the right-field line leading off the eighth. Astacio was immediately replaced.
Padres 7, Pirates 5 Pittsburgh
Fernando Valenzuela (1-1) made his second strong start against Pittsburgh in eight days, then watched reliever Dario Veras nearly give away a five-run lead before San Diego held on to win.
Valenzuela matched his Padres career high of eight strikeouts, giving him 13 in 13 innings in the two starts against Pittsburgh.
Marlins 2, Cardinals 1 Miami
Gary Sheffield’s leadoff home run in the third inning broke a tie and Pat Rapp and two relievers held St. Louis to five hits as Florida won.
Sheffield, who has reached base safely in all 13 games this season, hit his second homer of the season off left-hander Donovan Osborne (0-2).
Giants 6, Phillies 5 (10) Philadelphia
Glenallen Hill homered twice and drove in four runs, and San Francisco scored twice without getting a hit in the 10th inning to defeat Philadelphia.
Hill’s second homer tied the score, and the Giants then took advantage of Reggie Harris’ wildness to score two runs in the 10th.
Braves 7, Reds 1 Atlanta
Kenny Lofton homered and went 4 for 5 to raise his batting average to better than .400 as Atlanta stretched its winning streak to five.
The Braves, who have won 11 of 12 since opening the season with two losses, prevailed again even though Greg Maddux missed his scheduled start with a strained hamstring and Chipper Jones was limited to pinch-hitting duties because of a strained groin muscle.
Astros 10, Expos 2 Houston
Shane Reynolds pitched a three-hitter and added a two-run double in a six-run third inning as Houston beat Montreal.
Clearing the bases
Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza was not in the lineup because he was attending his grandmother’s funeral in Philadelphia. … New York’s John Olerud went hitless for only the second time in 14 games this season. … Andres Galarraga, hit by a pitch Tuesday, has a fractured left hand and the Rockies first baseman was out of the lineup for Wednesday’s game. He will be examined today in in Denver. … San Francisco’s Barry Bonds has reached safely in all 13 games this season. … Tests were negative for Astros pitcher Sid Fernandez, who has missed two starts with tendinitis in left bicep. He won’t go on the DL and will pitch on the sidelines until he’s ready for another start.