The Associated Press

A Fernando Tatis grand slam isn’t unusual.

Wednesday, July 26, 2000

A Fernando Tatis grand slam isn’t unusual. After all, he hit two in a single inning last year.

Randy Johnson getting chased after 5 2-3 innings. Now, that’s something that doesn’t happen too often.

”I never got ahead of hitters,” Johnson said after his Arizona Diamondbacks lost 7-3 at St. Louis on Tuesday night. ”I found myself behind in the count most of the night against a very good team. You can’t pitch like that and expect to be successful.”

Johnson (15-3) lasted just 5 2-3 innings in his shortest outing of the season, allowing five runs – four earned – and five hits with seven strikeouts.

He had completed six innings in 40 consecutive starts since a 10-4 loss to Atlanta on June 20, 1999. It was just the sixth time in 22 starts this season the Big Unit didn’t reach double digits in strikeouts.

St. Louis rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the sixth when Mike Matheny hit a two-run homer off Johnson.

Placido Polanco singled, Edgar Renteria walked, Dan Plesac relieved and walked Jim Edmonds and Tatis connected off Russ Springer for his fourth career slam.

”When you hit a grand slam like that, it’s a great feeling,” Tatis said.

At St. Louis, Garrett Stephenson (11-6) gave up three runs and five hits in eight innings.

Braves 6, Marlins 5

Javy Lopez hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the sixth at Turner Field as Tom Glavine (12-5) gave up 11 hits – all singles – in 6 2-3 innings to win his fifth straight start.

Ryan Dempster (9-8) allowed only four hits and Florida outhit the Braves 15-6. But the Marlins stranded 11 runners and made five errors, tying a team record.

Cliff Floyd homered in the ninth off Kerry Ligtenberg, who allowed a two-out triple to Derek Lee before striking out Mark Smith for his ninth save.

Mets 5, Expos 0

Mike Piazza had three hits and two RBIs to back Glenson Rusch (7-7), who gave up three hits in seven scoreless innings for his first win in five starts since June 27. Dennis Cook and Pat Mahomes completed the five-hitter,

Piazza had an RBI single in the first off Dustin Hermanson (8-8), singled in the third and added another run-scoring single in the fifth as the Mets returned home for the first time since the All-Star beak and snapped visiting Montreal’s four-game winning streak.

Cubs 8, Phillies 7

Damon Buford drove in three runs, including a tiebreaking triple in the eighth off Chris Brock (5-5) as visiting Chicago won for the 10th time in 13 games.

Tim Worrell (1-1) pitched 1 2-3 innings, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. Rick Aguilera pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Dodgers 6, Rockies 4

Eric Karros hit a game-tying, three-run homer in the seventh off Masato Yoshii at Coors Field, and Adrian Beltre lined a two-run, tiebreaking single in the eighth off Jose Jimenez after Bobby Chouinard (0-1) walked the first two batters of the inning.

Chan Ho Park (11-7) allowed four runs – two earned – and seven hits in seven innings, sending Colorado to its 17th loss in 20 games. Jeff Shaw pitched the ninth for his 15th save.

Padres 3, Giants 2

Woody Williams (5-3) allowed two runs – on Ellis Burks’ homer in the fourth – four hits and four walks in 6 2-3 solid innings at San Diego. He also singled and had a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 24th save, striking out pinch-hitter Felipe Crespo and retiring Russ Davis on a game-ending popout with Bill Mueller on third.

With the Padres trailing 2-1 in the sixth, Al Martin hit an RBI single off Kirk Rueter (7-6) and Phil Nevin scored when Burks overran the ball in right for an error.

Brewers 4, Pirates 1

Jose Hernandez hit a two-run single in the 11th off Jason Christiansen (2-8) as visiting Milwaukee stopped a four-game losing streak.

Curtis Leskanic (1-2) pitched a perfect 10th and Bob Wickman got his 15th save.