Rookie’s Bat Heating Up

National League

Outfielder Billy Ashley, who had a career-high three hits in Friday night’s 8-4 victory over the Cardinals, went two for two with a homer and single Sunday. Ashley was six for 10 in the three-game series.

Ashley credits hitting coach Reggie Smith for improving his hitting mechanics.

“My mechanics were messed up,” Ashley said. “I was lunging at the ball and collapsing my back.”

Clearing the bases

Philadelphia starters have pitched through the fifth inning in 14 of 17 games… . Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully of the Dodgers took Sunday off to spend Mother’s Day with his 94-year-old mom.

Rockies 6, Marlins 3

Miami

Colorado third baseman Vinny Castilla hit a homer and two singles, all to center field, helping the Rockies beat Florida.

Castilla scored twice and went 3-for-4, improving his batting average for the past seven games to .571. He has adjusted his approach at the plate with help from hitting coach Art Howe.

Cards 6, Dodgers 5 (10)

Los Angeles

St. Louis manager Joe Torre almost didn’t have Brian Jordan’s bat when he needed it most.

Jordan, on the bench with John Mabry starting in right field against knuckleballer Tom Candiotti, belted a pinch-hit, two-run homer off Candiotti to tie the score in the eighth inning.

Pirates 2, Giants 1 (10)< San Francisco

Pittsburgh manager Jim Leyland was playing the percentages, and San Francisco’s Darren Lewis took it personally.

Lewis singled home the winning run with two outs in the 10th inning after the Pirates manager had the previous batter intentionally walked.

Reds 5, Braves 3 (10)

Atlanta

Ron Gant hit a home run to beat his former teammates for the second time in three days, connecting for a two-run drive in the 10th inning that sent Cincinnati over Atlanta.

The Reds won for the seventh time in eight games, including three extra-inning victories in four days.

Phillies 5, Astros 2

Houston

Paul Quantrill pitched seven strong innings before getting help in the eighth, and Philadelphia beat Houston for its 10th win in 11 games.

Gregg Jefferies hit a two-run homer as the Phillies completed a three-game sweep. Philadelphia has not lost two in a row this season, and is 12-4 overall and 10-2 on the road - both marks lead the majors.

Padres 9, Cubs 7

Chicago

Pinch-hitter Brian Johnson hit a grand slam off Randy Myers with two outs in the eighth inning and San Diego beat Chicago for its first road win of the season.

Andujar Cedeno hit a pair of two-run homers for the Padres.

Expos 3, Mets 2 (13)

New York

Mark Grudzielanek’s infield out scored Mike Lansing from third base in the 13th inning, and Montreal extended its win streak to four with a victory over New York Mets in a 4 1/2-hour game.

Ugueth Urbina (1-0), in only his second major-league appearance, pitched a scoreless 12th inning to earn the victory, while Mel Rojas, the seventh pitcher used by the Expos, pitched the 13th for his fifth save.