Victorious L.A. Turns Triple Play
National League
Hideo Nomo pitched six strong innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers turned their first triple play in 47 years Saturday during a 6-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta.
Nomo (8-5) went 6-1/3 innings, giving up one run on five hits, before leaving with a mild calf strain. In three career starts against the Braves, he has given up only two earned runs in 22-1/3 innings.
Astros 4, Giants 3
San Francisco
Craig Biggio homered in his first two at-bats, leading rookie Donne Wall and Houston to a win over San Francisco.
Wall (4-0), who hasn’t lost since last September, allowed seven hits in seven innings. The right-hander has won seven straight games in the majors, and the Astros are 7-0 in games he has started this season.
Padres 2, Cubs 1
Chicago
Tim Worrell pitched eight strong innings and Steve Finley hit a two-run homer, helping San Diego snap an eight-game losing streak.
Worrell (5-1), making only his second start this season, gave up four hits in eight innings.
The right-hander, who had been in the Padres’ bullpen and did not get a decision in his other start this year, was making his 21st career start and only his second since April 18, 1994, when he suffered a season-ending elbow injury.
Pirates 12, Marlins 8
Pittsburgh
Charlie Hayes’ bases-loaded double finished off Pittsburgh’s five-run second inning and Danny Darwin made another strong start, leading Pittsburgh past Florida.
The Pirates needed Jeff King’s two-run single in the ninth inning to rally past the Marlins 5-4 Friday, but made quick work of Florida starter Pat Rapp (3-8) by jumping into a 7-0 lead in the second.
Rockies 4, Phillies 2
Denver
The Colorado Rockies waited out a nearly 4-hour rain delay to start the game, then got a strong start from Armando Reynoso for their fifth straight win.
Dante Bichette and Trenidad Hubbard had RBI doubles for the Rockies, who have won eight of their last 10 games.
Cardinals 4, Mets 2
St. Louis
Rookie Alan Benes, despite giving up three more hits to Jose Vizcaino, combined with Dennis Eckersley to pitch St. Louis past New York.
Vizcaino is 9 for 9 lifetime against Benes (6-4). The hits have come in three games this season.
Eckersley pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save since coming back from the disabled list Thursday. Eckersley, sidelined with inflammation in his elbow, struck out two in earning his first save since May 12 and ninth overall.
Expos 6, Reds 5
Cincinnati
Shane Andrews had three hits for the second consecutive game and drove in three runs as Montreal built a lead run by run and held on.
Montreal scored one run in each inning from the third through the seventh.
Cubs waive Jones
The Cubs placed veteran closer Doug Jones on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. Right-handed pitcher Kent Bottenfield, who had 18 saves at Triple-A Iowa, was called up to take Jones’ spot. First baseman Brant Brown also was called up to fill Mark Grace’s spot in the roster. Grace was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday because of a back strain.
Clearing the bases
The Giants’ pitching staff has now allowed 86 home runs this season, tops in the N.L. .. The Phillies placed second baseman Mickey Morandini on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right shoulder, the result of a collision with teammate Glenn Murray Friday night. Reds outfielder Eric Davis started at first base for the first time in his life. Manager Ray Knight wanted an all-right-handed lineup against Rueter.