Giants Boost Lead With Win In 12th

J.T. Snow hit a tie-breaking, two-run single in the 12th inning Sunday, sending the visiting San Francisco Giants past the Montreal Expos 6-3.

“It’s just good to come through like that,” said Snow. “The whole key in those situations is to stay as relaxed as you can and if you get a good pitch do something with it.”

The Giants finished a 10-game road trip at 7-3 and increased their lead in the N.L. West to 2-1/2 games over Los Angeles.

With the score tied at 3, pinch-hitter Stan Javier hit a leadoff double in the Giants 12th and Barry Bonds was intentionally walked. After Javier took third on a passed ball, Jeff Kent walked to load the bases.

The infield played in, and Snow hit a 2-0 pitch from Marc Valdes (3-3) up the middle for a 5-3 lead. Rich Aurilia followed with an RBI single.

Bonds went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. He was 0 for 11 in the series with five strikeouts, and is hitless in 17 at-bats.

Reds 8, Dodgers 1 Cincinnati

Mike Remlinger pitched a four-hitter for his second career complete game and Chris Stynes went 4 for 4 with a homer.

Eduardo Perez drove in three runs with a pair of doubles and Reggie Sanders added a two-run homer.

The second-place Dodgers lost two of three in the series.

Marlins 4, Braves 2 (10) Atlanta

Edgar Renteria and Gary Sheffield hit RBI singles with two outs in the 10th inning and Florida beat Atlanta for the eighth time in 11 games.

The Marlins cut Atlanta’s lead in the N.L. East to 4-1/2 games. The teams meet for the final time tonight.

Rockies 8, Pirates 7 Denver

Rookie Neifi Perez singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Colorado completed a three-game sweep.

Pinch-hitter Eric Young singled to start the eighth. After a sacrifice bunt by Quinton McCracken, Perez had an RBI single for his third hit of the game.

Colorado’s Andres Galarraga drove in two runs, giving him an major league-leading leading 109 RBIs. Larry Walker was 0 for 5, dropping his average to .384.

Padres 4, Cubs 3 Chicago

Greg Vaughn led off the ninth inning with a home run over the left-center field bleachers onto Waveland Avenue.

Vaughn connected off Kent Bottenfield (2-3) for his 12th home run. It was Vaughn’s first homer since July 22, a pinch-hit shot against Pittsburgh.

Astros 11, Mets 8 New York

Darryl Kile won his ninth straight decision despite allowing two home runs to John Olerud.

The Astros gave Kile (16-3) a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Kile gave up eight runs and 10 hits in seven innings, striking out eight.

Phillies 8, Cardinals 0 St. Louis

Scott Rolen homered and had three RBIs and Curt Schilling threw a three-hitter.

The Phillies have won 10 of 13. The return of Brian Jordan, out since June 26 because of back problems, didn’t help the Cardinals avoid losing for the ninth time in 11 games. They have only six hits the last two games and have scored two or fewer runs in 48 of their 117 games.

Schilling (12-10) didn’t allow a runner past first base in pitching his second shutout and fifth complete game, striking out eight.

Clearing the bases

San Diego’s Rickey Henderson’s single-game stolen-base high is five set July 29, 1989, against Seattle. … Kile’s last loss was June 14 against Minnesota, 6-1. His last loss against an N.L. team was April 30 against Montreal. … Cardinals’ Dennis Eckersley worked the ninth for his 1,003th career appearance, passing Rich Gossage for fourth on the career list. … Atlanta’s Kenny Lofton’s recorded his 1,000th career hit.