Maddux Shuts Down the Marlins, 4-0

The Atlanta Braves were in desperate need of a win, so they called on Greg Maddux.

No problem.

Maddux pitched a four-hitter for his second consecutive shutout as the Braves blanked the Florida Marlins, 4-0, Wednesday night at Atlanta.

The Braves, who ended a three-game losing skid, maintained a two-game lead over New York in the NL East.

“It was the Greg Maddux Show again tonight,” Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox said.

“That was vintage Maddux,” Marlin Manager John Boles said. “That’s illegal, that kind of stuff.”

Maddux (17-8) pitched his third shutout of the season in running his scoreless streak to 22 2/3 innings for his third consecutive win. It was his fifth complete game.

Maddux threw 89 pitches, 60 for strikes, got 12 groundball outs, struck out four and walked none.

New York 4, Milwaukee 1--Jay Payton scored the tying run in the ninth and hit the game-winning three-run homer in the 10th as the Mets rallied at New York.

With one out in the 10th, Mike Bordick singled off Juan Acevedo (3-7). Joe McEwing then hit a popup to shallow center, but there was confusion between shortstop Mark Loretta and center fielder Lou Collier and the ball fell in for a single.

After Bubba Trammell fouled out, Payton hit a first-pitch slider over the fence in left-center for his 14th homer.

St. Louis 9, Pittsburgh 5--Mark McGwire, hobbled by a sore knee, grounded a single into the left-field corner that started a two-run first inning at Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals completed a three-game sweep and cut their magic number to seven for clinching the NL Central title.

Cincinnati 13, Chicago 3--Benito Santiago had four hits and Rob Bell pitched his first career complete game as the Reds won at Cincinnati.

Philadelphia 15, Montreal 5--Scott Rolen hit two triples and a double, driving in three runs at Philadelphia.

Colorado 11, San Diego 0--Todd Hollandsworth hit a grand slam and a solo home run as the Rockies easily won at San Diego.