Smoltz Returns To Win Column
National League
John Smoltz pitched a two-hitter to stop his three-game losing streak and hit a run-scoring single Saturday as the Atlanta Braves beat the Florida Marlins 3-0 in Atlanta.
Smoltz (15-4), the winningest pitcher in the majors, struck out 10 and walked three in his fourth complete game of the season. He got his ninth career shutout - his second this year - and matched his high for victories in a season.
Smoltz increased his strikeout total to a major league-leading 159.
Cardinals 10, Cubs 5
Chicago
Brian Jordan hit a grand slam and a two-run homer as St. Louis assaulted Chicago pitching for the second straight day, routing the Cubs behind a strong outing from Todd Stottlemyre.
Jordan went 3 for 4 and tied a career high with six RBIs, giving him 30 in the last 17 games.
Reds 3, Pirates 0
Cincinnati
Kevin Jarvis pitched a three-hitter for his second career shutout, leading Cincinnati to a win.
Eric Davis and Joe Oliver hit solo homers to give the Reds their second victory in five games. Pittsburgh has lost five of seven.
Giants 7, Dodgers 0
Los Angeles
Recently promoted Shawn Estes struck out 11 in seven innings for his first major-league victory, and San Francisco stopped an eight-game losing streak.
The Giants ended a team-record 12-game road skid as Barry Bonds, Matt Williams and Tom Lampkin each homered off Hideo Nomo (9-8).
Rockies 11, Padres 6
Denver
Ellis Burks and Jayhawk Owens hit two-run homers and Vinny Castilla had a solo shot as Colorado pounded San Diego for the third straight game.
The Rockies, who erupted for a club-record 11 runs in the seventh inning Friday night, bunched seven runs in the fourth off Scott Sanders (1-3) for an 8-2 lead.
Phillies 6, Expos 2
Montreal
Pete Incaviglia homered twice and drove in three runs and Benito Santiago hit a two-run homer as Philadelphia won its third in a row.
Incaviglia hit a two-run homer off Rheal Cormier to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Astros vs. Mets, ppd.
New York
The game was rained out because of downpours associated with Hurricane Bertha and is rescheduled today as part of a doubleheader.
Umpire Gregg returns
Eric Gregg returned to umpiring in the most difficult place imaginable - the same field where his mentor collapsed and died on opening day.
Gregg worked his first game since April, when close friend John McSherry collapsed at Riverfront Stadium on Opening Day and died a short time later at a hospital.
McSherry’s death from severe heart disease prompted Gregg, 44, to take a leave of absence and enroll in a weight-loss program at Duke University. He said he has lost about 60 pounds in the last three months.
Dawson to retire
Andre Dawson, who has hinted at retiring many times over the past two years, said this will be his final season.
Dawson, the 1987 National League MVP and a Miami native, said he’s had enough.
“This is it. I’m done,” said Dawson, who turned 42 Wednesday. “It’s been a lot of fun. I feel I’ve had a good career, but this is definitely my last season. I guess I just feel ready to say it now.”
Clearing the bases
The Pirates extended the contract of reliever Dan Plesac through next season. … Phillies pitcher Mike Grace, sidelined by a right-shoulder injury since June 2, is expected to miss the rest of the season. … Paul Wilson, the highly touted Mets’ rookie who pitched inconsistently before sustaining shoulder problems, will start for New York Monday night.