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Jurrjens, Braves blank Mets, 11-0

Jul 18, 2009 - 8:06 AM By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA(AP) -- The Atlanta Braves inducted Greg Maddux into the team's Hall of Fame and retired his number.

Then the Braves really paid tribute to the four-time Cy Young Award winner: They held the New York Mets to two hits in an 11-0 victory Friday night.

Jair Jurrjens combined with three relievers on the shutout and Brian McCann drove in four runs in the first three innings.

Jurrjens (8-7) gave up both hits and two walks in six innings after the Braves retired the No. 31 worn by Maddux in a pregame ceremony at Turner Field. Boone Logan, Luis Valdez and Kris Medlen each pitched an inning after Jurrjens left.

"It was one of the best nights I've ever spent at this ballpark," said Braves manager Bobby Cox.

Maddux became only the sixth Braves player to have his number retired by the team.

"I think it was a special night for everybody in Atlanta," Jurrjens said. "He did a lot of great things for this city and I think everybody wanted to come out with a bang, to make it more special."

McCann and Yunel Escobar each had three hits for Atlanta. Escobar drove in three runs.

The slumping Mets lost Gary Sheffield to a hamstring injury in the fifth inning.

Sheffield grabbed the back of his right thigh after catching up to a double hit by Escobar in the fifth inning. He dropped the ball and leaned over while center fielder Angel Pagan threw the ball back to the infield.

"When I got ready to throw the ball, that's when I felt it grab," Sheffield said.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Sheffield won't start on Saturday but may be available as a pinch-hitter.

The Mets already are without outfielders Carlos Beltran and Fernando Martinez, first baseman Carlos Delgado, shortstop Jose Reyes, starting pitcher John Maine and relievers J.J. Putz and Billy Wagner due to injuries.

New York was shut out for the sixth time in 22 games since Beltran went on the disabled list. The Mets are 8-14 and have scored a major league-low 68 runs in that span.

The injuries and losses are beginning to take a toll on the Mets.

"I have to say there is frustration," Manuel said. "To a degree, I am frustrated."

Mike Pelfrey (7-5) gave up nine hits and a career-high nine earned runs in 4 1-3 innings. Pelfrey gave up nine runs, including eight earned, in an 11-6 loss at Pittsburgh on June 4.

"I felt bad for everybody playing behind me," Pelfrey said. "It's embarrassing."

McCann hit a two-run double in the first and a two-run homer in the third as the Braves led 10-0 after five innings. Martin Prado homered in the third.

Cardinals 6, Diamondbacks 1=

Albert Pujols hit two homers to add to his major league-leading total.

It was his eighth multihomer game of the season and No. 31 for his career. He leads the majors with 34 homers and 89 RBIs.

Chris Carpenter (8-3) blanked the Diamondbacks over eight innings, allowing seven hits and striking out seven.

Miguel Montero homered against Jason Motte for visiting Arizona's only run.

Pujols led off the fourth and sixth with drives off Jon Garland (5-9).

Rockies 5, Padres 3=

At San Diego, Ubaldo Jimenez struck out 10 and allowed three hits in seven innings for Colorado.

Clint Barmes homered for the second straight game for the Rockies, who are 29-9 since June 4.

The Padres are a major league-worst 11-29 since June 1.

Jimenez (7-9) allowed three runs and walked four. Huston Street pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save.

Josh Geer (1-5) allowed five runs and seven hits in four-plus innings for San Diego, which is a major league-worst 11-29 since June 1.

Astros 8, Dodgers 1=

Roy Oswalt continued his dominance over NL West teams with a four-hitter, Ivan Rodriguez homered among his four hits and Miguel Tejada also connected for visiting Houston.

Oswalt (6-4) threw his 16th career complete game and third this season. He is 12-0 with a 2.13 ERA in his last 13 starts against the NL West, and 36-12 against that division during his career.

Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley (9-5) gave up hits to nine of the 14 batters he faced and left trailing 6-0.

Pirates 2, Giants 1, 14 innings=

Garrett Jones' homer in the 14th inning, his second of the night and fifth in four games, ended Pittsburgh's four-game losing streak.

The host Pirates hadn't scored since Jones' two-out homer in the first off Tim Lincecum. He drove Bob Howry's second pitch of the 14th over the right-field stands. Jones has seven homers in 12 games since being recalled from the minors.

Evan Meek (1-0) pitched the 14th for his first major league victory in 38 appearances and only the fourth victory by Pittsburgh in 15 games. Howry (0-5) got the loss.

Lincecum, the NL All-Star starter, allowed four hits in seven innings and struck out 10.

Paul Maholm limited the Giants to an unearned run and four hits over eight innings.

Phillies 6, Marlins 5, 12 innings=

At Miami, Chase Utley hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the 12th inning and Philadelphia extended its winning streak to seven.

The Phils were up 4-1 when Cole Hamels left after a rain delay of 1 hour, 18 minutes midway through the sixth inning. The bullpen blew the lead, then escaped several jams in the final innings.

With the score 4-all, Jimmy Rollins led off the 12th with a single off Burke Badenhop (5-4), took second on a sacrifice and came home on Utley's single. Jayson Werth singled home another run.

Clay Condrey (5-2), activated from the disabled list before the game, allowed one hit in the 11th. Brad Lidge walked two in the 12th and gave up a run on a wild pitch but earned his 19th save.

Reds 4, Brewers 0=

Bronson Arroyo (10-8) allowed five hits over seven innings and Edwin Encarnacion had four hits for host Cincinnati.

Encarnacion tied his career high with the four hits, including a solo homer that left him 7 for 7 in the first two games of the series. Since returning from a broken wrist, the third baseman is batting .385 with three homers in 12 games.

The Reds took control with three unearned runs off Jeff Suppan (5-7), who hasn't won in more than month.

Cubs 3, Nationals 1=

Carlos Zambrano worked five effective innings after a shaky start and hit a key two-run double for visiting Chicago.

Zambrano (6-4) gave up an unearned run and four singles to win his second consecutive start after going 0-2 in his previous six outings. Kevin Gregg went one inning for his 17th save.

Washington fell to 0-2 under interim manager Jim Riggleman, who took over when Manny Acta was fired Monday. Nyjer Morgan had three hits for the Nationals, who have lost eight of nine to lower their major league-worst record to 26-63.

Aramis Ramirez homered off Washington's Craig Stammen (2-5).