J.T. Snow had four RBIs and hit a tie-breaking two-run double in the eighth inning, keeping San Francisco atop the NL wild-card race with a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Barry Bonds didn’t start but pinch-hit in the key eighth inning and drew his 106th intentional walk of the season.
Tuesday’s starters: Brett Tomko (10-6) vs. Carlos Hernandez (1-2)
Quotable: “Any loss for us the rest of the way is big,” Giants closer Dustin Hermanson said. “To lose two out of three at home to San Diego would have been a big blow to us.”
Notable: Ray Durham left the game for a pinch-runner in the sixth after fouling a ball off his shin. He expects to be able to play Tuesday against Houston.
Home games remaining: Houston (3), Los Angeles (3)
Away games remaining: San Diego (3), Los Angeles (3)
CLEMENS TAKES BREWERS
Roger Clemens (18-4) allowed two hits and two walks in eight brilliant innings for career victory No. 328 as Houston completed a three-game sweep of Milwaukee, 1-0. Clemens (18-4) fanned 10, and the win kept Houston within one game of the wild-card lead and ran their home winning streak to 12 games, second-longest in club history.
Tuesday’s starters: Carlos Hernandez (1-2) vs. Brett Tomko (10-6)
Notable: C Brad Ausmus was not in the lineup for Sunday’s game because of a mild concussion, but he should be back Tuesday.
Home games remaining: St. Louis (3), Colorado (3)
Away games remaining: San Francisco (3), Milwaukee (3)
LONG AND SHORT OF IT
Terrence Long hit a dramatic game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning, but San Francisco scored twice in the bottom of the inning to knock off San Diego, 4-2.
Tuesday’s starters: Adam Eaton (10-13) vs. Jeff Weaver (12-11)
Quotable: “We can’t afford to lose a game now,” Lawrence said. “We all know it. Momentum was definitely on our side. To let it get away after all that in the eighth is really hard.”
Notable: Ryan Klesko was scratched from the Padres’ lineup shortly before the game with a stomach virus.
Home games remaining: L.A. (3), Arizona (3), San Francisco (3)
Away games remaining: Arizona (3)
MARLINS AVERT THE SWEEP
Ismael Valdez pitched six innings to help the Marlins earn their 14th shutout of the season and beat the Atlanta Braves 3-0 on Sunday.
Monday’s starters: Game 1: Carl Pavano (17-6) vs. Mark Prior (5-4); Game 2: David Weathers (6-7) vs. Matt Clement (9-12)
Quotable: “We ain’t got too many choices,” Florida manager Jack McKeon on giving Weathers a start, his first since May 1998.
Notable: Marlins RHP A.J. Burnett, sidelined with elbow inflammation, threw in the bullpen for 10 minutes and felt discomfort toward the end. The setback will indefinitely delay the return of Burnett, who has already missed one turn in the rotation.
Home games remaining: Cubs (2), Philadelphia (3)
Away games remaining: Atlanta (3), Montreal (3), Philadelphia (4)
– – –
TEAM: San Francisco Giants
W: 84
L: 66
PCT.: .560
GB: —
MONDAY: OFF
TUESDAY: Houston 9:15 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Houston 9:15 p.m.
THURSDAY: Houston 9:15 p.m.
FRIDAY: Los Angeles 9:15 p.m.
TEAM: CUBS
W: 82
L: 65
PCT.: .558
GB: 1 1/2
MONDAY: at Fla. (2) 12:05 p.m. WGN
TUESDAY: At Pittsburgh 6:05 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: At Pittsburgh 6:05 p.m.
THURSDAY: At Pittsburgh 11:35 a.m.
FRIDAY: At N.Y. Mets 6:10 p.m.
TEAM: Houston Astros
W: 83
L: 67
PCT.: .553
GB: 1
MONDAY: OFF
TUESDAY: At San Francisco 9:15 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: At San Francisco 9:15 p.m.
THURSDAY: At San Francisco 9:15 p.m.
FRIDAY: At Milwaukee 7:05 p.m.
TEAM: San Diego Padres
W: 80
L: 70
PCT.: .533
GB: 4
MONDAY: OFF
TUESDAY: Los Angeles 9:05 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Los Angeles 9:05 p.m.
THURSDAY: Los Angeles 9:05 p.m.
FRIDAY: Arizona 9:05 p.m.
TEAM: Florida Marlins
W: 78
L: 69
PCT.: .5314 1 1/2
MONDAY: CUBS (2) 12:05 p.m.
TUESDAY: Philadelphia 6:05 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Philadelphia 6:05 p.m.
THURSDAY: Philadelphia 6:05 p.m.
FRIDAY: At Atlanta 6:35 p.m.
