Quote: "I can't remember back that far." -- Pirates broadcaster and former pitcher Steve Blass, after giving Diamonbacks pitcher Brian Anderson his scorecard as a souvenir of the left-hander's first shutout and being asked if he kept a scorecard from his first shutout in 1964.

It's a fact: The expansion Diamondbacks have won season series from Pittsburgh (6-3), Milwaukee (6-3) and Florida (6-2), plus Seattle (2-1) in interleague play.

Who's hot: The Mets' Edgardo Alfonzo has four homers and eight RBIs in his last five starts.

Who's not: The Padres' Andy Ashby (16-7), who on Aug. 12 became the first NL pitcher to win 16 games, failed for the fourth time to win his 17th. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings in each of his previous two starts.

On deck: Third baseman Sean Burroughs, the Padres' first-round pick in the June amateur draft, agreed Wednesday night to terms of a deal that includes a $2.1 million signing bonus. Burroughs is the son of Jeff Burroughs, a former AL MVP, and led Long Beach to Little League World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.

Pub Date: 9/04/98