Bell’s Giant Night Dings Giants, 11-4

National League

San Francisco couldn’t even outscore Derek Bell on Thursday night.

Bell padded his N.L. RBI lead with a career-high six, including a three-run homer and two-run single, to lead the Houston Astros to an 11-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

“I’ve just been able to put the ball in play with men on base,” Bell said. “I look at guys with 24 or 25 home runs, but I’m not looking for homers - I’m just looking to get on base and use my speed.”

It was the Giants’ fourth straight loss and extended Terry Mulholland’s losing streak to seven decisions. Mulholland (2-8) allowed nine hits and six runs over 2-2/3 innings.

Bell leads the league with 70 RBIs, despite just six homers. That didn’t diminish his credentials with Giants manager Dusty Baker.

“It’s not about hitting home runs, it’s about driving in runs,” Baker said. “People equate home runs with driving in runs, but that’s not always true.”

Braves 4, Pirates 3

Atlanta

Charlie O’Brien’s pinch-hit single with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth capped a two-run rally aided by two errors that gave Atlanta the victory Pittsburgh.

Cardinals 8, Mets 6

St. Louis

Darnell Coles hit a three-run homer and Ray Lankford continued his hot hitting with a two-run shot as St. Louis ended New York’s four-game winning streak.

Dodgers 4, Fla. 2 (10)

Miami

Eric Karros’ one-out single in the 10th inning broke the tie and Los Angeles went on end Florida’s four-game winning streak.

Expos 4, Cubs 0

Montreal

Butch Henry pitched a seven-hitter, Darrin Fletcher and Rondell White hit solo homers and Montreal beat Chicago, the Expos’ seventh win in nine games since the All-Star break.

Rockies 7, Phillies 3

Denver

Bill Swift (6-2) won his fifth straight start and Dante Bichette, whose 16 homers have all been at home, hit another to lead Colorado past Philadelphia.

Clearing the bases

Phillies third baseman Charlie Hayes, who was with the Rockies during the team’s first two seasons, went 1 for 16 in his first four games against his former teammates. … St. Louis catcher Tom Pagnozzi, who fractured his lower left knee and tore a tendon in a home plate collision Monday night in Montreal, was placed on the 15-day disabled list. … Houston relief pitcher Doug Brocail was suspended for three games for bumping umpire Charlie Williams during an argument last week. … Florida’s Jeff Conine, the All-Star game MVP, was honored before the game, but went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts.