National League roundup

[May 04, 2009]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Dodgers are a perfect 10 -- at home, anyway.

Sunday's 7-3 victory over San Diego broke a 63-year-old franchise record for consecutive home wins from the beginning of a season. The 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers started out 9-0 at Ebbets Field under Leo Durocher, back when current manager Joe Torre was 5 years old and growing up on Avenue T in the Marine Park section of the borough.

"It always feels good to be a part of history," second baseman Orlando Hudson said. "Right now, things are going good at home. But this is an up and down game, and we know things can change in a matter of moments. So you have to ride the wave."

Fortunately, the fans at Chavez Ravine have been too busy giving standing ovations and eliciting curtain calls from the players to think about doing the wave. The Dodgers have scored at least seven runs in six of their home games. The other four have been decided by one run, including 1-0 and 2-1 walkoff wins on Friday at Saturday nights.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this season-opening streak at home is the longest by an NL team since 1983, when Torre's Atlanta Braves won their first 10 games at Fulton County Stadium to tie the modern NL record shared by the 1918 New York Giants and 1970 Chicago Cubs.

The major league record in that department is 12, set in 1911 by the Detroit Tigers.

The Arizona Diamondbacks (11-14) invade Los Angeles for a two-game series beginning Monday night, followed by another two-game set with the Washington Nationals (6-17). All they have to do is beat Doug Davis, Max Scherzer and Jordan Zimmermann to have the record all to themselves.

"We're supposed to win at home. This is our field," right-hander Chad Billingsley said after improving to 5-0 in six starts. "When you're sitting on the bench, you can see the intensity of the crowd. That makes a huge difference for us."

Hudson, who set the tone in the home opener by hitting for the cycle, drove in three runs Sunday with a pair of doubles. He is batting .336 with three homers and 15 RBIs. The three-time Gold Glove second baseman has committed only one error, and is the only player on the team to start every game in the field.

"Hudson's been huge for us, when you consider how late we signed him in the spring (Feb. 22). And to have that kind of an addition that late was really a big lift for everybody," Torre said. "At that time we didn't know if he was going to be healthy enough to start the season. But he worked hard in spring training, and he hasn't looked back. I talked to him today about an off-day and he kept shaking his head."

Torre's defending NL West champions lead the majors with an 18-8 record, their best overall start since 1984. They are only 8-8 on the road, but they won't have to deal with that part of the equation again for another seven games.

"The only thing we have to do now is try to win 10 in a row on the road," Hudson said with a grin.

Billingsley allowed two runs and four hits over seven innings and struck out eight. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth by striking out Nick Hundley on three pitches, and hit an RBI single during the Dodgers' four-run sixth.

The four-game sweep of the Padres was the Dodgers' first against them at Los Angeles in the 21-year history of the rivalry. Brian Giles and Jody Gerut homered for the Padres, who have dropped 11 of 13 overall after a 9-3 start. Chad Gaudin (0-1) was charged with six runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings.

"They just came out swinging and ambushed me," Gaudin said. "I'm a firm believer in pitching to contact. That's how I make my living. Some teams are patient and some are aggressive."

Cubs 6, Marlins 4

At Chicago, Derrek Lee hit his ninth career grand slam soon after Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano hurt himself beating out a bunt single.

Zambrano strained his left hamstring and left in the fifth inning.

Chicago won its third straight. John Baker homered, doubled and singled for the Marlins, who have lost 10 of 13 since starting out 11-1.

Giants 1, Rockies 0, 10 innings

At San Francisco, Rich Aurilia hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to beat Colorado.

Backup catcher Steve Holm drew a leadoff walk from Manuel Corpas (0-2), moved up on a sacrifice by Randy Winn and easily scored on Aurilia's third game-ending hit in his 14-year career.

Barry Zito gave up two hits in seven innings for the Giants and set down 15 straight batters. Jason Hammel pitched six sharp innings for the Rockies.

Astros 7, Braves 5

At Atlanta, Michael Bourn had three hits, including a go-ahead single in the seventh inning as Houston won a series at Turner Field for the first time since May 2004.

Astros reliever Doug Brocail strained his left hamstring covering first base in the eighth inning and was carted off the field.

Reds 5, Pirates 0

At Pittsburgh, Johnny Cueto gave up just four singles and struck out nine over eight innings. Cincinnati has won all four of its road series this season.

Ramon Hernandez drove in three runs to back the Reds' fifth shutout this year, most in the majors.

Brewers 4, Diamondbacks 3

At Milwaukee, Prince Fielder and Mike Cameron hit consecutive home runs to lead the Brewers

Arizona's Mark Reynolds, Justin Upton and Miguel Montero each homered in the seventh inning. Trevor Hoffman earned his third save.

[Associated Press]

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