Glavine Dealt Pair Of Blows

National League

When rookie left-hander Tony Saunders hit his hero with a pitch, it nearly spoiled his best night in baseball.

But Tom Glavine wasn’t seriously hurt, so Saunders could enjoy the first home run and victory of his major league career. He led the Florida Marlins past the Atlanta Braves 5-1 Thursday.

Glavine (4-2) was hit on his pitching hand while attempting to bunt and left the game in the fifth inning, but X-rays were negative and he isn’t expected to miss a start.

“I consider myself lucky,” Glavine said. “I guess I got out of the way just enough that it didn’t hit me square. It’s sore and we’ll see what happens. Thank God it’s not broken.”

Astros 4, Mets 2

Houston

Derek Bell had a home run and a double and drove in two runs as Houston beat New York.

Mike Hampton (2-3) matched his longest outing of the season, scattering seven hits over seven innings. He struck out five and walked only one.

Pirates 10, Rockies 8

Denver

Jason Kendall’s three-run double keyed an eight-run fourth inning, and Pittsburgh continued to pound Colorado pitching.

The Pirates, who collected 14 hits while winning their third straight game, reached Colorado pitchers for 24 runs on 31 hits in their two-game sweep at Coors Field. In its previous eight games, Pittsburgh totaled only 17 runs.

Cardinals 6, Phillies 2

St. Louis

Gary Gaetti had a three-run double and Andy Benes pitched a five-hitter as St. Louis beat Philadelphia.

Ray Lankford also continued a hot start with a hit and two RBIs for the Cardinals, who scored 20 runs in the two games against the Phillies. St. Louis has won nine of the last 12 to climb to a game below .500 at 16-17 after a franchise-worst 0-6 start.

Cubs 6, Padres 2

San Diego

Sammy Sosa went 4 for 5 and Brian McRae was 3 for 5 with a homer as Chicago had a season-high 16 hits in its win over San Diego.

McRae, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games, and Sosa each scored twice.

Clearing the bases

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Beech sprained his right ankle running the bases against St. Louis, and had to be helped off the field. … Spokane’s Kevin Stocker had been 0 for 19 for his career against St. Louis’ Andy Benes before he singled and scored.