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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, September 24, 2006

Padres extend NL West lead

Associated Press

San Diego Padres' Josh Barfield is congratulated by Brian Giles after hitting the go-ahead solo homer in a 2-1 win over Pittsburgh.

DENIS POROY | Associated Press

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SAN DIEGO — It was vintage Trevor Hoffman, from the AC/DC blaring from the stadium speakers to a final, nasty changeup dropping toward the dirt and eluding the swing of a helpless batter.

Hoffman never veers from his routines or his signature pitch, and last night he tied Lee Smith's career saves record with No. 478, helping the NL West-leading San Diego Padres beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 to build a 1 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I know I'll be more relieved when we clinch a playoff spot," Hoffman said after pitching a perfect ninth for his NL-best 42nd save in 47 chances.

The 38-year-old closer has never been comfortable talking about himself, so it's been easier on him with the Padres trying to make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in club history.

Jake Peavy (10-14) struck out 11 to match the team record for double-digit strikeout games, and rookie Josh Barfield hit a go-ahead homer leading off the seventh.

Hoffman entered in the ninth with AC/DC's "Hells Bells" playing in the background, and got former teammate Xavier Nady on flyout to center. Ronny Paulino grounded out and Hoffman tied Smith's record when he struck out Ryan Doumit on his signature pitch, a changeup.

"I feel sorry for teams who don't have what we have," Peavy said about Hoffman.

Zach Duke (10-14) took the loss.

Diamondbacks 9, Dodgers 3: Eric Byrnes had four hits and Miguel Batista (11-7) gave up six hits and three runs in eight innings for his first win since Aug. 9 to lead Arizona past host Los Angeles, which has lost 12 of its last 20 games.

Phillies 8, Marlins 6: Carlos Ruiz and Jeff Conine each drove in three runs, Jon Lieber (9-10) allowed two runs in seven innings and host Philadelphia beat Florida to take a 1/2-game lead over Los Angeles in the wild-card race. Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins hit his 23rd homer and Maui's Shane Victorino and Chase Utley each went 4 for 5.

Mets 12, Nationals 6: David Wright's three-run homer capped a six-run fifth inning in support of John Maine (6-5), who allowed four runs and struck out seven in five innings as host New York defeated Washington. Alfonso Soriano hit his 46th homer for the Nationals.

Astros 7, Cardinals 4: Luke Scott hit two home runs, including a three-run shot in the ninth inning to give host Houston a victory over St. Louis. The Cardinals' magic number for clinching the NL Central title remained at five.

Brewers 10, Giants 8: Barry Bonds hit his 734th career home run to break Hank Aaron's NL record, but host Milwaukee scored two runs in the eighth to break an 8-all tie to defeat San Francisco. Bonds hit his 26th homer of the season, a solo shot off Chris Capuano over the right-center fence in the third inning. Bonds is 21 homers shy of Aaron's career mark of 755.

Cubs 11, Reds 4: Carlos Zambrano hit his sixth homer, tying the Cubs' record for a pitcher, and Aramis Ramirez had a two-run shot that sparked Chicago to victory over host Cincinnati. Zambrano (16-6) gave up four runs in seven innings. His home run off Kyle Lohse (2-5) matched Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins' team record of six homers in 1971.

Rockies 10, Braves 9: Kaz Matsui hit a two-run triple in a six-run third inning and Jeff Francis (13-11) became the winningest lefty in Rockies history, surpassing Brian Bohanon's mark of 29, during host Colorado's victory over Atlanta. Andruw Jones went 4 for 4 with two home runs for the Braves.