Mets Construct Huge First Inning

The New York Mets enjoyed their biggest inning of the season, knocking out starter Trevor Wilson and scoring seven first-inning runs Thursday en route to an 9-6 win over the host San Francisco Giants.

Brett Butler walked, scored and singled in two runs as New York sent 11 batters to the plate in the opening inning. Bobby Bonilla had three hits, including an RBI double in the first, and winning pitcher Dave Mlicki (4-1) had a run-scoring groundout.

Mlicki, pitching a career-high 7 innings, allowed five runs on eight hits, including homers by Barry Bonds and Mark Carreon. < Rockies 5, Cubs 3

Chicago

Vinny Castilla hit a two-run double in the first inning to sink Chicago and lead Colorado to its seventh win in the last eight games.

Reds 6, Astros 3

Houston

Hal Morris’ sacrifice fly drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and Tim Pugh (4-0), who hasn’t lost since last May, allowed six hits in six innings as Cincinnati defeated Houston.

Marlins 7, Pirates 3

Miami

Kurt Abbott and Greg Colbrunn each went 3 for 4 with a homer as Florida downed Pittsburgh for its first three-game winning streak of the season.

Sabo’s in the Cards

Former Cincinnati third baseman Chris Sabo signed a minor-league contract with St. Louis.

Sabo cleared waivers and was to suit up for the Louisville Redbirds of the Triple-A American Association in Buffalo.

Sabo won the 1988 National League Rookie of the Year when he batted .271 with 11 homers.

Clearing the bases

Montreal outfielder Moises Alou has a slightly torn tendon in his right bicep. He would miss 6-8 weeks if the Expos opted for surgery… . San Diego shortstop Andujar Cedeno agreed to a one-year, $1.15 million contract… . Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin, fourth in the league with a .353 batting average, left the game after he was hit on the right hand by a pitch from Houston’s Darryl Kile. X-rays were negative.