Cards’ Player Continues Family Tradition

National League

David Bell’s first major-league homer was so perfect that he wondered whether something extraordinary was afoot.

Bell hit a game-winning two-run homer in his hometown Wednesday night, powering the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-3 victory over the host Cincinnati Reds. With family and friends cheering him on, he became the third generation of his family to homer in a major-league game.

His grandfather, Gus, hit 206 and his father, Buddy, hit 201. Both were stars with the Reds. Now David is a part of the list.

“It was something that we’ve talked about a lot,” David said. “It’s not like a pressure-type deal. It was actually something that I wanted to do just to make them proud.

Bell homered off Mark Portugal (8-9) in the sixth inning to snap a 2-2 tie and end Cincinnati’s five-game winning streak. Bell received polite applause from the crowd of 15,793 after he circled the bases.

Padres 3, Expos 2

San Diego

Archi Cianfrocco was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to give San Diego the victory over Montreal.

Giants 4, Phillies 1

San Francisco

William VanLandingham remained unbeaten in his career at Candlestick Park and Robby Thompson homered, leading San Francisco past Philadelphia.

Marlins 4, Cubs 1

Miami John Burkett took a shutout into the ninth inning and finished with a five-hitter as Florida beat Chicago.

Astros 2, Braves 0

Atlanta

Shane Reynolds allowed six hits over eight innings as Houston won their second straight game after losing a team-record 11, beating Atlanta.

Mets 8, Dodgers 1

Los Angeles

New York beat Los Angeles for the fifth consecutive time as N.L. batting leader Mike Piazza of the Dodgers struck out three consecutive times with the bases loaded.

Rockies 6, Pirates 0

Pittsburgh

Ellis Burks picked up Colorado’s slumping offense with a three-run homer, and rookie Brian Rekar pitched eight shutout innings to lead the Rockies past Pittsburgh.

Clearing the bases

Phillies reliever Russ Springer struck out six in three innings, giving him 16 in his last 9-2/3 innings…. Florida Marlins outfielder Gary Sheffield and catcher Charles Johnson will return from their injuries Friday night at Houston, manager Rene Lachemann said…. Batting practice before the Pittsburgh-Colorado game was canceled after a hive of bees swarmed around second base about two hours before game time.