Streaking Marlins Dump Cincinnati
National League
Kurt Abbott hit his second inside-the-park home run in four days and the Florida Marlins extended their winning streak to five games Saturday by beating the Cincinnati Reds 7-3.
Following Abbott’s three-run blow in the second inning, Bob Natal hit the next pitch over the left-field fence for his first homer since July 4, 1993. Natal added two-run double in the eighth, giving him a career-high three RBIs.
Florida beat Pete Schourek and improved to 5-0 during its current nine-game stretch against the National League’s three division leaders. The Marlins have won nine in a row at home and 13 of their past 15 games overall.
The Marlins had baseball’s worst record in early June. Their mark of 20-9 since the All-Star break is the N.L.’s best.
The Reds, who had All-Star shortstop Barry Larkin back in the lineup a day after he bruised his knee, lost their third in a row.
Rockies 16, Braves 4
Atlanta
Andres Galarraga and Larry Walker hit three-run homers as Colorado beat Atlanta for just the fourth time in 32 games, 16-4.
Galarraga (23 homers), Walker (27), Dante Bichette (26) and Castilla (25) are aiming for the major-league mark of four teammates with 30 or more homers set in 1977 by Steve Garvey, Reggie Smith, Dusty Baker and Ron Cey of the Dodgers.
Padres 6, Cardinals 5
San Diego
Tony Gwynn’s first pinch-hit of the season drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning as San Diego beat St. Louis for the 15th straight time at home. The Cardinals haven’t won at Jack Murphy Stadium since July 8, 1992.
Gwynn, who has not started seven of the last nine games since fouling a ball off his right big toe, drove in Jody Reed on a full-count pitch with the bases loaded against T.J. Mathews (0-1). Archi Cianfrocco followed with a two-run double to give the Padres a 6-3 lead.
Astros 3, Mets 1
Houston
Houston snapped its six-game losing streak and ended New York’s six-game winning streak, beating the Mets 3-1 and getting a save from Mike Henneman in his first appearance for Houston.
Expos 4, Phillies 3
Philadelphia
Darrin Fletcher homered and Jeff Fassero allowed only one earned run in eight innings as Montreal beat Philadelphia. Philadelphia starter Tommy Greene (0-2) took the loss, the Phillies’ ninth in their last 10 games and 12th in their last 14.
Cubs 4, Giants 0
San Francisco
Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace hit the 9,998th and 9,999th homers in Cubs history and Jaime Navarro pitched an eight-hitter as Chicago beat San Francisco.
Clearing the bases
Cincinnati general manager Jim Bowden refused to go along with his peers when he used the rules to his advantage and kept infielder Mariano Duncan from going to Atlanta, a potential playoff opponent.
Bowden claimed Duncan on waivers, blocking a deal that would have sent him from Philadelphia to Atlanta. The Braves wanted Duncan for needed middle-infield depth and a right-handed pinch-hitter.
Bowden knew that, claimed Duncan on waivers and forced Philadelphia to deal him to the Reds. Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz questioned why the Reds would add a player who fit no need.
Schuerholz had little reason to be angry with Bowden. In 1993, Schuerholz’s waiver claim kept Montreal from sending righthander Dennis Martinez to San Francisco, then in a race with the Braves.
St. Louis’ left-hander Danny Jackson was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right ankle.