Matheny Saves Win for the Cardinals

The entire sequence was a blur to catcher Mike Matheny. So was his throw to first base that saved the St. Louis Cardinals.

Matheny made a pivotal play behind the plate for the final out, and the Cardinals held off the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-5, Tuesday night at Philadelphia.

With the bases loaded and two out in the ninth, closer Jason Isringhausen struck out Pat Burrell swinging at a high fastball.

The ball deflected off Matheny’s glove all the way to the backstop, but the two-time Gold Glove winner chased it down. With no play at the plate, he fired a long throw to first, getting Burrell by a half-step and preserving the victory.

“I don’t remember seeing it. I just chucked it,” Matheny said. “It could have been real ugly.”

New York 6, San Francisco 2 -- Steve Trachsel (3-3) held down a Giant lineup missing Barry Bonds, and the Mets took advantage of Edgardo Alfonzo’s two errors at second base to stop San Francisco’s three-game winning streak at New York.

Bonds did not play because of a sinus infection.

Atlanta 4, San Diego 2 -- Russ Ortiz pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, Damon Hollins had a career-high three runs batted in and the Braves returned home for the first time in 16 days and defeated the Padres.

The Padres lost their second in a row after a six-game winning streak.

Arizona 6, Chicago 3 -- Steve Sparks (2-1) got his first victory as a starter since Aug. 16, 2002, holding the Cubs scoreless until Sammy Sosa’s three-run homer in the eighth at Chicago.

Houston 4, Pittsburgh 3 -- Andy Pettitte (2-1) struck out eight over five innings to get his first victory in Houston for his hometown Astros.

Montreal 10, Colorado 4 -- Terrmel Sledge hit his first career homer and Endy Chavez had a three-run homer as the Expos routed the Rockies at Montreal.

Milwaukee 6, Cincinnati 2 -- Lyle Overbay fouled off four two-strike pitches before hitting his first career grand slam in the third inning, leading the Brewers past the Reds at Cincinnati.