Phillips’ Homer Crushes Astros
National League
There have been few moments of satisfaction for rookie J.R. Phillips this season. His homer leading off the 14th inning Sunday provided one of them.
“I hope he enjoys tonight, because these moments have been kind of rare,” Giants manager Dusty Baker said after Phillips gave San Francisco a 7-6 win over the Houston Astros in a game that lasted four hours, 54 minutes.
Phillips, who came to bat hitting .152 and was 0-for-5 in the game, hit his fifth homer of the season on a 2-2 pitch by Doug Brocail (2-1).
Phillips was given the Giants’ starting job at first base this season, but struggled to get his average above .100 for the first two months. He landed on the bench, with Mark Carreon taking over as the regular first baseman.
Marlins 5, Dodgers 2
Los Angeles
Pat Rapp struck out a career-high nine and combined with two relievers on a five-hitter as Florida defeated Los Angeles.
Rapp (4-5) pitched six-plus innings, giving up four hits and walking two. He left with stiffness in his lower back after a collision with Los Angeles’ Roberto Kelly at first base.
Cubs 7, Reds 5
Chicago
Brian McRae homered, tripled and singled twice as Chicago defeated Cincinnati even though the Reds hit four home runs.
Kevin Foster (7-5) allowed five hits - all but one a homer - in seven innings for the Cubs, who avoided a four-game sweep and won for the first time since the All-Star break.
Pirates 3, Cardinals 0
Pittsburgh
Steve Parris, in danger of going to the minors only last week, pitched six shutout innings in as Pittsburgh beat St. Louis.
Carlos Garcia and Steve Pegues hit solo homers, giving the Pirates 10 homers in their last five games and a 20-9 edge in their last 14 games.
Expos 5, Phillies 1
Montreal
Carlos Perez spoiled Sid Fernandez’s debut for Philadelphia, pitching 7-1/3 strong innings and leading Montreal past the Phillies.
Perez (8-2) improved to 7-0 at Olympic Stadium, allowing one run on seven hits.
Mets 2, Rockies 1
New York
Rico Brogna singled home the winning run with two outs in the 10th inning as New York downed Colorado.
The Mets, with the second-worst record in the league, won three of four from the NL West-leading Rockies.
Padres 3, Braves 1
San Diego
Steve Finley and Ken Caminiti hit solo homers and rookie Glenn Dishman allowed only two hits in 7-1/3 innings as San Diego cooled off Atlanta and avoided a four-game sweep.
Finley went 3-for-5 and Tony Gwynn extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a sixth-inning single and added a sacrifice fly.
Clearing the bases
Cincinnati activated outfielder Deion Sanders from the disabled list… . Bret Saberhagen, forced to leave Saturday night’s game in the third inning because of a strained muscle in his lower left side, was re-examined Sunday and will definitely miss his next start.