Nomo Records Historic Shutout
National League
Hideo Nomo became the first Japanese-born player to throw a shutout in the major leagues, pitching a two-hitter and striking out 13 Saturday night in leading Los Angeles past San Francisco 7-0.
Nomo (5-1) won his fifth straight start, and increased his N.L.-leading strikeout total to 96. Pitching before his first Dodger Stadium sellout crowd and the team’s third in 25 home dates this season, Nomo rewarded the 53,551 in attendance.
Phillies 10, Cardinals 9
St. Louis
Mickey Morandini had a career-high five hits and drove in three runs as Philadelphia built an eight-run lead and held on for the win.
Reds 5, Marlins 2
Cincinnati
Barry Larkin and Ron Gant hit consecutive homers off Chris Hammond in the seventh inning to power the Reds.
Larkin’s two-run homer, only his second hit in 25 atbats, snapped a 2-2 tie with two outs in the seventh.
Braves 5, Mets 4
Atlanta
Right fielder David Justice threw out Jose Vizcaino at the plate to end the game, preserving Atlanta’s win, ending the Braves’ losing streak at three.
Padres 2, Rockies 0
San Diego
Joey Hamilton pitched a four-hitter and San Diego defeated Colorado in the fastest game in the majors this season, only 1 hour, 55 minutes.
Hamilton also pitched a shutout in the previous fastest game, a 3-0 win at St. Louis in just 1:59.
Cubs 5, Astros 2
Houston
Mark Grace continued his hot hitting with three RBIs and Houston starter Darryl Kile committed two costly throwing errors as Chicago defeated Houston.
Expos 5, Pirates 0
Pittsburgh
Rookie Carlos Perez pitched a six-hitter, Montreal’s first complete game of the season, and drove in two runs as the Expos beat the Pittsburgh.
Very interim
Mike Jorgensen will return as St. Louis’ manager next season only if the Cardinals fail to attract a big name, reports the Dallas Morning News. Oakland’s Tony LaRussa and Pittsburgh’s Jim Leyland are atop the list.
Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty sent shock waves through the organization when he fired manager Joe Torre and traded cleanup hitter Todd Zeile, unhappy over his contract situation, on the same day last week. Jocketty felt significant moves had to be made to jump start a lifeless team.
Jocketty “has got to make some changes,” Torre had said. “He’s not going to let grass grow under his feet. He’s going to make some moves and see what happens.”
LaRussa can get out of his contract when Oakland’s ownership change is official, but he is unlikely to switch leagues. Leyland would be a more viable candidate.
Clearing the bases
The Phils’ Len Dykstra was activated from the disabled list before Saturday’s game.
The Padres have agreed to terms with shortstop Gabe Alvarez, their second-round pick in this month’s draft… . The Atlanta-New York game drew 46,121, Atlanta’s largest of the season… . Film director Spike Lee, who’s making a movie on Jackie Robinson’s 50th anniversary in baseball, was on the field before the Dodgers game and immediately had folks lining up ready to audition. Dodgers trainer Charlie Strasser volunteered to play the part of former trainer Doc Wendler, and Giants outfielder Barry Bonds said that he’d play Robinson… . Giants third baseman Matt Williams (broken foot) is taking batting practice and will return at the end of July.