Clark’s Four Hits Pace Pittsburgh

National League

Dave Clark had four of Pittsburgh’s season-high 17 hits and the Pirates hammered Darryl Kile for eight runs in two-plus innings in a 12-9 victory over Houston on Friday night at the Astrodome.

Pittsburgh, which has won seven of its last nine road games, snapped the Astros’ four-game winning streak. The 12 runs also were a season-high.

Kile (3-7) dropped to 0-6 at home this season. He gave up eight hits, leaving after the Pirates loaded the bases with none out in the third. It was the shortest outing of Kile’s 4 1/2-year career.

Rockies 2, Dodgers 1

Los Angeles

Colorado beat Los Angeles for the first time in five tries this season as Kevin Ritz and three relievers combined on a five-hitter.

Ritz (6-3) allowed three hits over six innings and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth.

Phillies 3, Braves 1

Philadelphia

Tony Longmire singled home the go-ahead run as Philadelphia got three straight RBI singles with two outs in the seventh inning to beat Atlanta.

Len Dykstra’s single broke up John Smoltz’s no-hit bid in the sixth.

Cardinals 3, Cubs 1

Chicago

Pitcher Tom Urbani hit his first major league homer and earned his first victory in two months as St. Louis beat Chicago.

Marlins 10, Expos 1

Miami

Jeff Conine hit two of Florida’s four home runs and the Marlins had a season-high 19 hits and defeated Montreal.

Mets 7, Reds 6

New York

Rico Brogna’s two-run homer in the seventh inning capped a comeback from a three-run deficit as New York won its seasonhigh third.

Mets starter Dave Mlicki left the game after six innings with stiffness in his right elbow.

Giants 7, Padres 6

San Francisco

Barry Bonds’ second homer of the game, a three-run shot with one out in the ninth inning, gave San Francisco a win.

Signings

Florida signed its second-round draft pick, first baseman Nate Rolison of Petal, Miss. He will report to the Gulf Coast Marlins next week. The Marlins also signed right-handed pitcher Pete Smith to a Class AAA contract.

Clearing the bases

The Rockies have gone four games in a row without a home run, their longest streak since a fivegame drought in July 1993. … The results of an MRI on Marlins pitcher Bobby Witt showed no muscular damage in his lower back. His back spasms will be treated by specific exercises and he will make his scheduled start against the Expos on Sunday.

The Marlins’ victory gave them a 13-13 record in June, their third nonlosing month in club history. It ties a record for most wins in any month (June 1993).

Left-fielder Gregg Jefferies, on the disabled list since June 17 with an inflamed left thumb, took batting practice without difficulty and might be ready to play for Philadelphia on Sunday.