National League Roundup: Haynes shines at plate

Reds pitcher singles twice, drives in three runners

? The final memory from Cinergy Field might be: Jimmy Haynes hitting.

The right-hander singled twice, driving in three runs, and pitched eight innings Thursday as the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-0, in their final game before the players’ strike deadline.

Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, left, tags out Cardinals shorstop Edgar Renteria at second base in the first inning. Cincinnati defeated St. Louis, 7-0, Thursday at Cinergy Field in Cincinnati.

If the rest of the season is wiped out, the game will go down as the last one played at a stadium that was the setting for so many historic moments Pete Rose bowling over Ray Fosse, Hank Aaron’s 714th homer, Rose’s record-setting hit No. 4,192.

Haynes provided the latest and possibly the last highlight, though it never crossed his mind. Cinergy Field is scheduled to be torn down after the season to make room for a new ballpark.

“I just wanted to make pitches and win the ballgame,” Haynes said. “I try not to do too much thinking out there.”

There was one concession to the possibility that it was the final game at the stadium. Ushers punched holes in fans’ tickets instead of tearing them, leaving them intact as a souvenir.

Haynes (13-8) was an unlikely star he hadn’t won since Aug. 3 and had never won 13 games in a season during his career with Baltimore, Oakland and Milwaukee.

He gave up seven hits in eight innings and struck out a season-high seven batters.

Righty Woody Williams (6-4) returned from the disabled list and had his worst showing in a year.

Williams, sidelined since July 6 with a strained muscle in his side, gave up five runs in four innings.

Phillies 2, Expos 1

Philadelphia Brandon Duckworth pitched seven strong innings and Bobby Abreu hit a two-run homer off Bartolo Colon (7-3).

The Phillies have won seven of eight and moved back to .500.

Duckworth (6-8) allowed one run, two hits and struck out eight and won for the first time since July 1.

Giants 10, Rockies 6

Denver Barry Bonds hit his 40th homer of the season and Jeff Kent went deep twice.

Bonds hit his fifth homer in three games and Kent homered in his fourth straight game. They went back-to-back for the third straight game.

The Giants won their fifth straight to move within two games of Los Angeles in the NL wild-card race.

Cubs 13, Brewers 10

Milwaukee Mark Bellhorn became the first player in National League history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same inning.

Also, Bellhorn’s five RBIs in one inning tied a team record set by Billy Williams on May 1, 1964.

Richie Sexson hit a grand slam for Milwaukee, highlighting a six-run ninth.

Matt Clement (11-9) struck out 10 in seven innings. Andrew Lorraine (0-1) took the loss.

Pirates 4, Braves 1

Pittsburgh Tom Glavine’s wildness led to Pittsburgh’s first two runs and the Pirates, helped by Bronson Arroyo’s effective start and Aramis Ramirez’s homer, shut down Atlanta’s offense.

On the final game for both teams before a possible strike, the Pirates’ two runs against Glavine the NL player representative were driven in by Kevin Young, their own player rep, and Keith Osik, who doesn’t belong to the players’ union.

Arroyo (2-1) held Atlanta to an unearned run over five innings, allowing five hits and striking out six.

Mike Williams finished for his 38th save in 41 opportunities.

Astros 5, Padres 0

Houston Orlando Merced hit an RBI double and made two outstanding throws from right field and Lance Berkman hit his 37th homer.

Pete Munro (5-2) and three relievers combined on a four-hitter. It was the Astros’ ninth shutout, all at home.

The win moved the Astros within 2 1/2 games of the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.