Cubs’ Rookie Shows Punch
National League
In a span of five weeks, Brooks Kieschnick has had two days he’ll never forget.
The first came March 26, when he was stunned and saddened to learn he was going to the minor leagues. The second arrived Tuesday, when the rookie showed why he felt he should have been with the Cubs all along.
Kieschnick drove in six runs with two homers and a single as Chicago continued to rebound from its 0-14 start by beating the Montreal Expos 14-8 at Chicago.
“This was definitely fun,” said Kieschnick, who is batting .317 with three homers and 10 RBIs as the starting left fielder since being recalled April 11.
Dodgers 6, Braves 2 Atlanta
Greg Gagne homered and singled twice as Los Angeles slowed down Atlanta.
Monday, Atlanta set an N.L. record for April victories by winning its 18th game.
Marlins 2, Padres 1 Miami
Bobby Bonilla hit a two-out, two-run triple in the eighth inning to give Florida its victory over San Diego, which lost its seventh straight game.
The Marlins, who had just three hits, swept a five-game homestand.
Phillies 8, Pirates 2 Philadelphia
Mike Lieberthal hit a three-run homer and Calvin Maduro pitched seven effective innings as Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh.
Astros 3, Rockies 1 Houston
Donne Wall celebrated his return to the major leagues by pitching Houston to victory over Colorado.
Wall, who was 9-8 with the Astros last year, had a bad spring and was sent to Triple-A New Orleans at the start of the season. He won his first three starts there and was called up last Wednesday.
Cardinals 9, Giants 7 St. Louis
Ron Gant hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning off Giants closer Rod Beck, and St. Louis overcame a six-run deficit to beat San Francisco.
Beck (0-1) had been perfect in 11 save chances.
Mets 3, Reds 1 Cincinnati
Mark Clark pitched seven shutout innings and John Olerud hit a pair of RBI singles as New York beat slumping Cincinnati.
Clearing the bases
The Cincinnati Reds recalled third baseman Terry Pendleton from Triple-A Indianapolis and purchased the contract of catcher Joe Oliver. Both have been sidelined since spring training with injuries. … Giants outfielder Stan Javier left the team Monday and returned to the Dominican Republic following the death of his mother Inez, who had stomach cancer.