Jordan A Big Hitter In Clutch For Cards

National League

Brian Jordan, the league’s leading hitter with runners in scoring position, singled four times and drove in two runs as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-6 Sunday at Chicago.

After losing the series opener 6-0, St. Louis outscored Chicago 30-14 in winning three straight to move into first place in the N.L. Central. And Jordan was the catalyst, going 10 for 12 with 11 RBIs in the three games.

Jordan is batting .443 with runners in scoring position. Including a single that sparked a four-run sixth inning, he is 9 for 12 with the bases loaded. His two RBIs give him 32 in his last 18 games.

Ray Lankford homered and had two RBIs for the Cardinals, helping Alan Benes (9-5) win despite allowing four runs in five shaky innings.

Giants 6, Dodgers 0

Los Angeles

William VanLandingham, who had a 6.22 ERA, took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before allowing consecutive singles in San Francisco’s victory over Los Angeles.

Former Lewis-Clark State College outfielder Marvin Benard belted his second home run in four days to start a four-run sixth inning against loser Chan Ho Park (5-3), who started in place of ailing Tom Candiotti.

Rockies 8, Padres 4

Denver

Ellis Burks homered and stole home and Vinny Castilla hit his fourth homer in four games as Colorado blended speed and power to defeat San Diego.

The Rockies, who trailed in each of their last four games, earned their fifth straight victory and earned the first four-game sweep in the history of the rivalry.

Astros 7-3, Mets 5-10

New York

Pete Harnisch won his first game since June 1, and Edgardo Alfonzo drove in three runs as New York beat Houston to gain a split of their doubleheader.

Jeff Bagwell hit a go-ahead home run in the 11th inning to give the Astros the first-game win.

Harnisch (5-6), who allowed three runs and seven hits in 6-2/3 innings, had three losses and four no-decisions since beating Los Angeles 4-3.

Reds 7, Pirates 6

Cincinnati

Reggie Sanders hit two home runs and pitcher Dave Burba homered for the first time in his career, powering Cincinnati past Pittsburgh.

Eduardo Perez, son of former Reds star Tony Perez, hit his first N.L. home run as Cincinnati won for the third time in the four-game series.

Braves 15, Marlins 10

Atlanta

Slumping Ryan Klesko hit a pair of homers and drove in six runs, and Atlanta scored five times in the eighth inning to beat Florida.

Expos 5, Phillies 2

Montreal

Sherman Obando hit two homers for the first time in his career and Montreal avoided a four-game sweep.

Clearing the bases

San Diego’s Steve Finley extended his hitting streak to 21 games. … Rondell White, out of the Montreal lineup since April 27 with a bruised spleen and bruised kidney, may return to action tonight. … Another Expos outfielder, Moises Alou, missed his fourth straight game with a pulled hamstring.