NEW YORK, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Andy Ashby pitched seven innings and Marquis Grissom had a pair of extra-base hits Sunday as the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the New York Mets, 2-1.
The 35-year-old Ashby (9-9) allowed two runs and four hits, including an RBI single to Timo Perez in the third, while walking one and striking out one. Ashby had been 0-1 in his last six road starts since a win at Tampa Bay on June 12.
Paul Quantrill pitched the eighth and Eric Gagne pitched the ninth for his 43rd save, tying John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves for the major league lead.
Ashby became the latest pitcher to find success at Shea Stadium.
The Mets lost their season-high eighth straight game and have dropped 11 straight at home, two shy of the club record set in 1979 when Joe Torre was manager. The Mets lost all six games on a homestand that ended Sunday.
The Dodgers won their fifth straight game and completed their first three-game sweep at Shea Stadium since May 23-25, 1995.
The Dodgers scored in the third when Grissom tripled to center field and scored on a single by Adrian Beltre.
Two innings later, Grissom doubled to right-center field, went to third on a single by Beltre and scored on a sacrifice fly by Shawn Green.
Steve Trachsel (8-9) labored through five innings on a 91-degree day, throwing 102 pitches and allowing six hits with three walks and six strikeouts. His deliberate pace frustrated both fans and players alike.
Eric Karros was ejected in the third inning, apparently after complaining to umpire Gary Cederstrom that Trachsel was taking too long to deliver. Mets fans appeared to a agree, chanting "throw the ball."
A baserunning mistake helped kill a Mets' rally in the second. Mo Vaughn and Tony Tarasco singled before Jeromy Burnitz flied to right field. Vaughn tagged up and reached third base, but he came off the base briefly after sliding and Beltre applied the tag.
