Quote: "I had no strategy. I made my best pitches on him and he can strike out or hit a home run." -- Dodgers pitcher Ismael Valdes on facing St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire.

It's a fact: Before Wednesday night's 11-inning, 9-8 victory over Houston, Arizona was 0-54 when trailing after eight innings.

Who's hot: The Pirates' Tony Womack is 21-for-43 during a 10-game hitting streak.

Who's not: San Diego's eight-time NL batting champion, Tony Gwynn, is in a 2-for-29 skid that has dropped his average from .333 to .309.

On deck: Two pitchers will be going for their 13th victories tonight: Atlanta's Tom Glavine (12-4) goes against Milwaukee's Brad Woodall and San Diego's Andy Ashby (12-5) pitches against the Reds' Mike Remlinger.

! Pub Date: 7/17/98