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Maddux joins elite in 300-win club
Greg Maddux became just the 22nd pitcher in major league baseball history to claim 300 wins on Saturday, although the milestone victory didn't provide the best example of the precision and craftiness that has defined his career. Maddux survived slightly more than five rough innings before five relievers combined to preserve the victory as the Chicago Cubs beat San Francisco 8-4. "It's pretty special," Maddux said. "When I'm done playing, I'll look back and I'm sure I'll pat myself on the back then, but right now it's about my next start and the rest of the season." Maddux, 38, failed in his first chance at 300 on Sunday against Philadelphia. On Saturday he was erratic, allowing four runs and seven hits before leaving the game with two runners on in the sixth with Chicago leading 6-3. Uncharacteristically, Maddux walked three and threw 52 of 82 pitches for strikes, but he benefited from the efforts of the Cubs bullpen. "I didn't really pitch all that good today, obviously," Maddux said. "When you're not locating your fastball like you like to, you have to try other things. It was a total team effort. It was great to see." Jon Leicester got an out in the sixth but surrendered an RBI single before giving way to Kent Mercker, who got the final two batters in the inning. Mercker left with an injury and Mike Remlinger worked around a hit in the seventh. Things looked worse for Maddux's milestone when Kyle Farnsworth had runners at second and third with one out in the eighth. But Farnsworth got Dustan Mohr on a groundout with the bases loaded to preserve the 6-4 edge. Chicago scored twice in the ninth and closer LaTroy Hawkins recorded the final three outs. Maddux joined Houston's Roger Clemens as the only active pitchers with 300 wins. Clemens reached the milestone with the New York Yankees in June of last year. The last National League pitcher to reach 300 was Steve Carlton on September 23, 1983, with the Philadelphia Phillies. The only other pitcher to win his 300th game for the Cubs was Grover Cleveland Alexander on September 20, 1924. "It's the best thing I've ever seen in sports," Kent Mercker said. "I'm glad I got to pitch today and I'm glad I didn't screw it up. He's the best I've ever seen. He's got to be in the top five of all time. It's unbelievable. I'm so happy I was here to watch it live, every pitch." Maddux won 95 games during his initial stint with the Cubs and the first of his four consecutive Cy Young Awards in 1992. He then joined the Atlanta Braves and was a key figure in their run of a dozen consecutive division titles. Maddux's career record of 300-170 includes a 106-82 mark with the Cubs. He is 11-7 with a 3.99 earned run average this season. Last year, Maddux became the first pitcher in major league history with 16 straight 15-win seasons, breaking a tie with Cy Young. |
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