Sheffield joins 500-homer club

NEW YORK – Gary Sheffield joined the 500-homer club, and Luis Castillo drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the ninth inning to give the New York Mets a 5-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.

Ryan Braun hit a three-run homer to give Milwaukee a 4-3 lead in the sixth before Sheffield connected off Mitch Stetter, who was facing his first batter in relief of Dave Bush. The nine-time All-Star was on as a pinch hitter and sent a full-count pitch an estimated 385 feet for his first hit of the season for the Mets.

After squandering a bases-loaded opportunity in the eighth, Carlos Delgado doubled off Seth McClung (0-1) to start the ninth. Delgado scored on Castillo’s single to short, when a diving J.J. Hardy couldn’t deliver the throw home in time.

New York’s revamped bullpen gave up just one hit over the final four innings, with J.J. Putz (1-0) pitching a perfect ninth for his first win with the Mets.

At Chicago, Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, after striking out three times earlier in the game, to rally Chicago past St. Louis, 8-7.

It was the second game-winning homer in a week for Soriano, who sent a 1-2 pitch from Chris Perez (0-1) into the left-field bleachers.

The Cardinals, losing for the second time in nine games, couldn’t score the tying run after Carlos Marmol walked Colby Rasmus and hit Albert Pujols with a pitch to start the ninth. Ryan Ludwick, who had hit two home runs, struck out, and pinch-hitter Khalil Greene grounded into a game-ending double play. Pirates 3, Braves 0

At Pittsburgh, Paul Maholm combined with two relievers on a six-hitter as Pittsburgh handed Atlanta its fourth straight loss.

Maholm (2-0) pitched seven innings, allowing four hits. The left-hander, who worked around three walks, two hit batters and a balk, lowered his ERA to 0.87 in winning his first home start of the season.

John Grabow allowed two hits in the eighth inning, and Matt Capps pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.

Nate McLouth hit a two-run homer and Freddy Sanchez added two hits for Pittsburgh.

At Philadelphia, Scott Hairston homered and hit a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning to help San Diego overcome a six-run deficit and beat Philadelphia, 8-7.

The World Series champion Phillies honored legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas in a moving ceremony before the game. The Hall of Fame announcer died Monday in Washington after collapsing in the broadcast booth before a game against the Nationals. He was 73.

Chase Utley, one of Kalas’ favorite players, hit a three-run homer, but the Phillies got another shaky outing from Cole Hamels and setup man Ryan Madson (0-1) gave up three runs in the eighth.

Luis Rodriguez and Nick Hundley also homered for the Padres.   (AP)