Gonzalez Angry; Arizona Loses, 8-2 - Los Angeles Times
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Gonzalez Angry; Arizona Loses, 8-2

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From the Associated Press

Pedro Feliz had a career-high six runs batted in, Matt Morris pitched a complete game and the San Francisco Giants defeated Arizona, 8-2, Thursday at Phoenix, ending another dismal day on and off the field for the Diamondbacks.

Hours earlier, Arizona left fielder Luis Gonzalez reacted angrily after the team’s top executive told a newspaper there have been “whispers†about whether the five-time All-Star used performance-enhancing drugs.

Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick did not accuse his club’s most popular player of cheating. But he mentioned Gonzalez’s name in a rambling interview with the Arizona Republic about steroids in baseball, which prompted Gonzalez to call a news conference two hours before the game.

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“Just to have your name thrown in it ... I’ve had phone calls from 7:30 this morning till right now,†Gonzalez said. “I don’t want to be in this situation. I don’t think any of my teammates do. It’s unfortunate that I almost have to sit here today to defend myself for no reason.â€

The loss completed a 1-9 homestand for the Diamondbacks, who dropped a game behind the first-place Dodgers in the West Division. They were outscored, 78-24, on the homestand.

New York 5, Philadelphia 4 -- David Wright hit a three-run homer to help the Mets win their eighth in a row and complete a three-game sweep in Philadelphia.

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The East Division-leading Mets (42-23) extended their lead to 9 1/2 games over the second-place Phillies.

They finished 9-1 on their trip against the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Phillies.

Florida 3, Atlanta 2 -- The Braves, who have won a record 14 consecutive division titles, fell 13 games behind the first-place Mets in the East -- their largest deficit since the streak started in 1991, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The host Marlins, meanwhile, extended their winning streak to a season-high five games and improved to 15-6 since May 22. The Braves are 3-14 in their last 17 games.

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Houston 3, Chicago 2 -- Brad Ausmus hit a two-run single in the eighth inning, enabling the Astros to complete a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field.

Chris Burke and Lance Berkman began the seventh with consecutive singles. One out later, Preston Wilson hit a grounder to first baseman Todd Walker, but his throwing error to second loaded the bases. Ausmus then grounded a single to right.

Colorado 8, Washington 1 -- Jason Jennings pitched eight strong innings and Brad Hawpe homered and drove in four runs, leading the Rockies over the Nationals to complete a four-game sweep at Washington. Jennings shut out the Nationals until the seventh, when third baseman Garrett Atkins’ two-base error allowed an unearned run to score.

St. Louis 6, Pittsburgh 5 -- The Cardinals won at Pittsburgh despite another subpar start by Mark Mulder.

Coming off three consecutive ineffective outings, Mulder (6-4) lasted five innings and got the win despite giving up nine hits and four runs. He has yielded 23 earned runs and 36 hits in 19 innings over his last four starts, a 10.89 earned-run average.

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