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Brett Myers leads Phillies to big win over Mets; Lowe terrific as Dodgers beat Diamondbacks

By The Associated Press

4:27 AM EDT, September 6, 2008

Brett Myers and Derek Lowe kicked off two big weekend series in the National League with dominant pitching performances.

Myers buzzed through the New York Mets' lineup, pitching eight terrific innings and leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-0 victory Friday night that cut their NL East deficit to two games.

"This is his best game this year. This is definitely the most impressive. Right on time, too," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said.

Lowe held Arizona to two hits over eight innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers trimmed the Diamondbacks' NL West lead to a half-game with a 7-0 victory.

In other NL games, it was: Cincinnati 10, Chicago Cubs 2; Milwaukee 3, San Diego 2 in 11 innings; Florida 4, St. Louis 1 in 11 innings; Pittsburgh 7, San Francisco 0; Colorado 5, Houston 3; and Atlanta 10, Washington 5.

At Shea Stadium, Greg Dobbs hit a two-run homer off Mike Pelfrey (13-9), and Brad Lidge got through a shaky ninth, retiring Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church with two on to end New York's sixth loss in 23 games.

After struggling early this season, Myers (9-10) is 6-1 in nine outings since coming back from the minors July 20. He is 4-0 with a 0.58 ERA in his past four starts spanning 31 innings — holding the opponent scoreless three times.

"I always knew I could do it. I had to go down there to get in shape to see if I could do it at this level," Myers said. "I knew it was going to be a dogfight going in. Pelfrey has been pitching great and I had to try to match him or do even better."

Lidge remained perfect in 34 save chances this year. He completed Philadelphia's NL-leading 11th shutout this season, while New York was blanked for the fifth time.

Andre Ethier went 5-for-5 and drove in a career-high five runs for Los Angeles, which earned its sixth straight victory and sent the visiting Diamondbacks to their eighth loss in their last 11.

Lowe (12-11) kept hitters off balance with a wicked sinker. He struck out four and walked two, surrendering singles to Conor Jackson in the fourth and Chris Young in the fifth.

"My sinkerball wasn't working that well the last game (also against Arizona), so I used the curve," Lowe said. "But this time it was working, and I think they were looking for the breaking ball because of the last game."

Chan Ho Park pitched the ninth to complete the two-hitter, the Dodgers' 11th shutout this season. Arizona has been blanked six times.

Dan Haren (14-8) gave up five runs and six hits in four innings for Arizona.

Jay Bruce hit his first career grand slam and Joey Votto added a two-run homer, an all-rookie power display that helped Cincinnati get the win at home.

Nothing went right for the first-place Cubs. Manager Lou Piniella got lost on his way to the ballpark. Ted Lilly (13-9) lasted a season-low two innings. And the Cubs' losing streak reached a season-high six games against a team already eliminated from the race.

Bronson Arroyo (14-10) won his fourth straight start, allowing one run in 6 1-3 innings.

CC Sabathia pitched seven strong innings, but Milwaukee needed an 11th-inning RBI single from J.J. Hardy to beat visiting San Diego.

The Brewers snapped a four-game skid and got within four of the NL Central-leading Cubs.

Sabathia gave up just one run and five hits while striking out nine. He also had two singles and drove in a run.