Cardinals Pitcher Gets Into Power Act

National League

Everybody’s getting into the act for the St. Louis Cardinals’ suddenly powerful offense. This time, pitcher Donovan Osborne led the way.

“You’re tired of seeing everybody else hit, so you go out there and try to do your best,” Osborne said after his first career home run - a grand slam - helped the Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 8-3 for their eighth straight victory Saturday in St. Louis.

During the last six games of the streak, their longest since 1987, the Cardinals have scored 57 runs on 80 hits.

“You know they’re hot when their pitcher hits a grand slam,” Padres manager Bruce Bochy said.

Dodgers 4, Pirates 3

Los Angeles

Brett Butler came through again for Los Angeles, scoring the game’s first run on a sacrifice fly and coming in on Raul Mondesi’s three-run homer that gave the Dodgers a win over Pittsburgh.

Butler, playing his second game since returning from throat cancer, went 2 for 4 as the Dodgers opened a 1-1/2-game lead over San Diego in the N.L. West.

Astros 5, Rockies 4

Houston

Andres Galarraga, who earlier hit his N.L.-leading 41st home run, struck out with runners on second and third to end the game, and Houston held off Colorado.

Expos 2, Marlins 1

Miami

Mark Leiter, still undefeated with the Expos, pitched 6-2/3 scoreless innings and Montreal beat Florida.

The Marlins lost despite the arm of left fielder Joe Orsulak, who threw out three runners in a span of five batters.

Braves 6, Mets 1

Atlanta

John Smoltz tied a season-high with 13 strikeouts in his 21st win of the season, moving another step closer to his first Cy Young Award and giving Atlanta a victory over New York.

Smoltz (21-7) turned in one of his most overpowering performances in a season filled with them. He had a strikeout in every inning. It was his 11th time in double figures this year.

Reds 7, Giants 5

Cincinnati

Kevin Mitchell hit a tie-breaking three-run home run in the sixth inning to lead Cincinnati past San Francisco.

Mitchell also doubled home a run in the first inning for the Reds, who have won 7 of 10 to remain in the wild-card hunt.

Phillies 4, Cubs 2

Philadelphia

Pinch-hitter Ruben Amaro doubled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and Philadelphia beat Chicago.

Kevin Stocker opened the seventh with a triple and scored on Amaro’s hit for a 3-2 lead.

TV monitor injures 7

Los Angeles

Seven people, including the eldest son of Los Angeles third baseman Tim Wallach, were injured when a television monitor fell about 30 feet from a broadcast booth during the Dodgers’ game.

Six of the seven people struck were members of the Dodgers’ family section. The other had snuck into the section without a ticket. He was the most seriously injured. He was placed in a neck brace and treated for shock before being taken out on a stretcher.

Clearing the bases

The Dodgers paid tribute to former manager Tom Lasorda in words and gifts Saturday. Lasorda, who turns 69 later this month, kept his composure while a parade of Dodgers coaches, executives and current and former players told stories and praised the man who always said he bled Dodger blue.

Keith Mitchell of Cincinnati had his second consecutive pinch-hit RBI. He homered Friday night.

… Prized Philadelphia rookie third baseman Scott Rolen was lost for the season with a fractured right forearm. after being hit by a pitch.