Hoffman Joins the 400-Save Club

Trevor Hoffman retired the side in order in the ninth inning to become the third pitcher in major league history to save 400 games in the San Diego Padres’ 6-5 victory over the Cardinals on Friday night at St. Louis.

“Individually, it’s an accomplishment I’m very proud of,” Hoffman said. “Taking a step back, it’s more important that we’re 2-0 on this particular road trip. They’ve played us very difficult since 1999 and most of my career.”

San Diego has won five in a row, including two in a row in St. Louis for the first time since July 16-17, 1997.

Hoffman joined Lee Smith (478) and John Franco (424) in the 400-save club. He had to face Larry Walker plus the top of the Cardinal lineup to do it, then was mobbed by teammates on the field.

“That situation, it’s almost all the time you go out there,” Hoffman said. “You try not to put too much added pressure on yourself, just try to go out and get three outs.”

Hoffman has converted seven of nine save chances this season and 400 of 450 in his career. To Manager Bruce Bochy, Hoffman belongs in the Hall of Fame.

“I’ll tell you, I had goose bumps in the dugout,” Bochy said. “I reflected back on all the time he’s been out there for me. This guy is so special to me. What he’s accomplished is remarkable.”

New York 7, Milwaukee 4 -- Mike Piazza homered his first two times up at Milwaukee, giving him home runs in three consecutive plate appearances, and the Mets ended the Brewers’ seven-game winning streak.

Mike Cameron added a two-run shot in his second game back from the disabled list, and David Wright hit a solo home run for the Mets, who won for the fifth time in six games.

Piazza went two for four a day after getting four hits in a win over Philadelphia. In two games after a one-for-21 slump, he has raised his average from .198 to .242.

Arizona 8, Pittsburgh 4 -- Troy Glaus drove in four runs, three of them with a 464-foot homer at Phoenix. Shawn Green also homered and Javier Vazquez earned his fourth victory in his last four starts, giving up two runs and seven hits in seven innings.

Glaus’ home run was the sixth-longest in the eight-year history of Bank One Ballpark. It was his ninth home run of the season, tying him with Derrek Lee of the Chicago Cubs for the National League lead.

Philadelphia 3, Chicago 2 -- LaTroy Hawkins blew his third save of the season, allowing the tying and winning runs to score on his throwing error at Chicago.

Hawkins (1-3) relieved starter Mark Prior in the ninth inning and the Phillies loaded the bases on singles by Pat Burrell and David Bell and a one-out walk to Jose Offerman.

Pinch-hitter Placido Polanco then lined a pitch back to Hawkins, who made the catch and threw to first base to try to double up Offerman. But his toss hit Offerman’s helmet and skipped into the stands, allowing pinch-runner Jason Michaels and Bell to score.

Florida 7, Colorado 0 -- Dontrelle Willis became the major leagues’ first six-game winner, giving up five hits in seven innings at Miami.

The Rockies have baseball’s worst record at 6-20, and their nine-game losing streak matches the third-longest in franchise history. They’re 1-14 on the road. Adding to Colorado’s woes, Joe Kennedy (1-4) limped out of the game after a grounder deflected off his left ankle in the sixth inning.

Willis’ ERA of 1.07 is the lowest in the majors.

Washington 9, San Francisco 3 -- Ryan Church hit a bases-clearing double and Brad Wilkerson had three hits and drew a bases-loaded walk at San Francisco in another strong offensive night for the Nationals.

Atlanta 9, Houston 4 -- Johnny Estrada hit a three-run homer and six other Braves drove in runs at Atlanta. John Smoltz (3-3) won his third consecutive start, giving up two hits and a run before coming out after the fifth inning because of a strained muscle in his back. The injury wasn’t considered serious.

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San Diego’s Trevor Hoffman picked up his 400th save Friday, leaving him 78 behind all-time leader Lee Smith. The top five save leaders among active pitchers:

*--* Pitcher Team 1st yr Saves John Franco Houston 1984 424 Trevor Hoffman San Diego 1993 400 Mariano Rivera N.Y. Yankees 1995 339 Roberto Hernandez N.Y. Mets 1991 320 Troy Percival Detroit 1995 318

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