Paul Lo Duca hit two three-run homers and had an RBI single to drive in a career-high seven runs as Mets beat the Reds for their fifth straight win. Lo Duca, who hadn’t homered since June 30, hit one in the second off Matt Belisle and one in the eighth off Todd Coffey.
Florida’s Miguel Cabrera became the third-youngest player in history with 500 RBIs with a fifth-ining single against the Nationals, his 96th RBI of the year. Cabrera, at 24 years 139 days, trails only Mel Ott (23 years 74 days) and Ted Williams (24 years 4 days).
Josh Beckett won his major-league-leading 17th game as the Red Sox beat Toronto. After allowing a career-high 13 hits in a start against the Yankees, Beckett gave up three runs on five hits in eight innings, striking out seven and walking two in outdueling Roy Halladay.
THREE DOWN
Pirates right-hander Matt Morris (8-9) struggled in his second start in St. Louis as a visiting player. Morris, whose 101 wins rank 10th on the Cardinals’ career list, lasted five innings and gave up five runs and five hits. He’s 3-4 since joining Pittsburgh at the trade deadline.
Devil Rays reliever Dan Wheeler came in against the Orioles with the score 4-4. Five batters later he was gone, charged with four runs in an 8-4 loss. Wheeler (0-3) allowed four hits and retired only one batter. He’s 0-2 with a 9.36 ERA since his trade from the Astros.
Buddy Carlyle lasted just 1 2/3 innings, giving up four hits, three runs and three walks in the shortest start of his career as the Braves lost to the Phillies. The righty has allowed 12 homers in his last 11 starts. He is 0-2 with an 8.64 ERA in two starts this season against the Phils.
