Hoffman's save streak ends at 41

In 41 straight save chances, Trevor Hoffman had been perfect. Then on one pitch, his streak ended and so did his bid to set a major league record.

The San Diego closer gave up a home run to Moises Alou on his first delivery in the ninth inning Sunday, tying the game. The Padres wound up beating Houston 5-4 in the 10th, but Hoffman blew his chance at history.Hoffman entered the game to the loud sounds of AC/DC's "Hell's Bells" playing over the public address system, just as he did Saturday when he matched the consecutive save record of 41 set by San Francisco's Rod Beck from 1993-95.

After the music, most of the 41,034 fans stood to cheer for Hoffman. There was just silence, however, after Alou connected for his 25th homer of the season to tie it at 4.

Hoffman, who had recorded 33 saves this season, had not blown a save chance since last Aug. 22.

The Padres won in the 10th on Andy Sheets' RBI single with two outs off Mike Magnante (3-5). Donne Wall (4-2) picked up the victory.

GIANTS 2, REDS 1 : Jeff Kent hit reliever Stan Belinda's second pitch for a home run in the 10th inning, giving the San Francisco Giants a victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

After Cincinnati's Brett Tomko two-hit the Giants over a career-best nine innings, Belinda (4-7) allowed Kent's fourth homer in three games and 13th of the year, a drive into the left-field bleachers.

Jose Mesa (1-0) struck out the side in the 10th for his first victory since joining San Francisco on Friday. It also marked the first series the slumping Giants have won since the All-Star break.

CUBS 3, METS 1: Sammy Sosa hit his 38th homer and Kerry Wood remained unbeaten at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs downed the New York Mets, giving them a 31/2-game lead in the NL wild-card race.

With the Cubs trailing 1-0 in the sixth, Sosa drove a 2-2 pitch from Rick Reed (11-7) into the shrubbery beyond the center-field wall, following a one-out walk to Jose Hernandez.

Wood (10-5) allowed four hits in seven innings and ran his home record to 7-0 in nine career starts at Wrigley. The rookie walked three, struck out six and gave up Brian McRae's 15th homer in the third.

PHILLIES 10, MARLINS 9: Rico Brogna hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied from an early seven-run deficit to beat the Florida Marlins.