Injury Sidelines Surging Bagwell

National League

The disconsolate look on Jeff Bagwell’s face said it all as he sat in his locker, cradling his broken left hand.

Bagwell, the unanimous National League MVP in 1994, broke the fourth metacarpal bone when he was hit by a pitch from former teammate Brian Williams in the fourth inning of Houston’s 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. He’s expected to miss three to four weeks.

Not only was it the third straight season that Bagwell has had his left hand broken, but it was the second time in just less than a year that the same bone was fractured by a pitch from a San Diego player.

“I can’t tell you how sad I am about this right now because we’re 3-1/2 games behind the Reds and we’re playing great baseball,” Bagwell said. “We’ve still got a great team and everything, but I know that my production was helping, at least.”

Bagwell had a career year in 1994, hitting .368 with 39 homers and 116 RBIs. He slumped badly opening this season, but had raised his average 100 points, to .283, since May 31.

Mets 2, Pirates 1

New York

Rookie Jason Isringhausen scattered six hits over eight innings to get his first major league win as New York defeated Pittsburgh.

Isringhausen, making his third start, struck out five and allowed three walks.

Cubs 8, Phillies 0

Chicago

Jim Bullinger pitched a three-hitter for his first career shutout and Mark Grace drove in three runs as Chicago defeated Philadelphia to complete a rare home series sweep.

Bullinger (8-2) had a career-high eight strikeouts and allowed only singles to Tom Marsh, Tony Longmire and Kevin Stocker.

Expos 11, Rockies 4

Montreal

Pedro Martinez held Colorado hitless for 5-2/3 innings as Montreal beat the Rockies for the first time in seven games this season.

Darrin Fletcher had a three-run double, Sean Berry had a two-run double and Tony Tarasco stole three bases and scored three runs.

Dodgers 5, Reds 4

Los Angeles

Hideo Nomo allowed five hits and one run in eight innings and struck out 11 as Los Angeles held off Cincinnati.

Mike Piazza hit a tie-breaking homer in the sixth inning for the Dodgers, who won for the ninth time in 12 games.

Marlins 3, Cardinals 1

Miami

Greg Colbrunn’s two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning helped Florida rally past St. Louis.

Florida came back after Bernard Gilkey’s RBI double in the top of the eighth scored the first run for the Cardinals in 34 innings to give them a 1-0 lead.

Giants 3, Braves 2

San Francisco

Making only his second start of the season, rookie Jamie Brewington held Atlanta to four hits as San Francisco edged the Braves.

The victory broke Atlanta’s 12-game winning streak against the Giants, dating back to 1994.

Clearing the bases

With the trade deadline looming, New York is continuing to talk with the Red Sox about a deal that would send Bret Saberhagen to Boston… . San Francisco pitcher Terry Mulholland took the day off after hinting he may ask for his release. Mulholland, after consultation with general manager Bob Quinn and manager Dusty Baker, decided to take a breather and meet the team on Tuesday in San Diego.