Gant Draws Walk To Beat Braves In 14th

National League

Ron Gant drew a bases-loaded walk in the 14th inning Friday night to send St. Louis to a 5-4 win over host Atlanta.

With one out in the 14th, loser Mike Bielecki walked John Mabry, who moved up on a fielder’s choice. Royce Clayton was walked intentionally and pinch hitter Ozzie Smith got an infield hit to load the bases. Gant, who homered earlier, was walked on four pitches.

Reds 6, Phillies 5 (10)

Philadelphia

Barry Larkin homered one pitch after being brushed back to lead off the 10th, sending Cincinnati to the victory over Philadelphia.

Phillies reliever Toby Borland threw a high, inside pitch to Larkin, backing the 1995 National League MVP out of the batter’s box. Larkin drove the next pitch over the left-field fence for his second homer. Pinch hitter Eric Owens’s RBI single gave the Reds a 6-4 lead.

Expos 6, Rockies 4

Montreal

Montreal rallied for three runs in the sixth against a shaky Colorado bullpen to win its home opener.

Trailing 4-3, the Expos bunched a bloop single by pinch hitter Sherman Obando, a fielder’s choice and infield singles by Mark Grudzielanek and Rondell White to win their third straight.

Pirates 7, Mets 5

New York

Al Martin homered twice and Zane Smith earned a victory in his return to the Pirates rotation as Pittsburgh defeated New York.

Giants 7, Marlins 1

Miami

Cuban defector Osvaldo Fernandez won his major league debut with eight strong innings, leading San Francisco over Florida.

Padres 10, Astros 4

Houston

Tony Gwynn kept up his quick start with three more hits, including a two-run double, as San Diego beat Houston.

Cubs 11, Dodgers 1

Chicago Jim Bullinger allowed five hits over eight innings and had two RBIs as Chicago scored seven unearned runs and beat Los Angeles, sending the Dodgers to their fourth straight loss.

Clearing the bases

John McSherry, the major league umpire who died of a heart attack during the first inning of the season opener in Cincinnati last Monday, was eulogized at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Roman Catholic Church in New York… . Bill Pulsipher of the New York Mets received a second recommendation that he have surgery on his injured left elbow.