Reds Ape Around During Rare Win

National League

Barry Larkin drove in three runs with a homer and a triple as the Cincinnati Reds put owner Marge Schott’s good-luck gorilla to work Tuesday night for a 4-1 victory over the visiting San Francisco Giants.

With her team off to its worst start in 25 years, Schott summoned the players to her office for a meeting before the game and presented them with Slugger, a stuffed gorilla wearing a Reds cap.

Slugger was on the field for batting practice - where it was used for target practice - and on the bench for the Reds’ fifth win in 18 games.

Larkin hit his eighth homer, off Allen Watson (5-6), to put the Reds up 2-0. Larkin has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games.

Marlins 5, Expos 0

Miami

Gary Sheffield drove in four runs and John Burkett (4-6) pitched seven strong innings as Florida beat Montreal.

Pirates 3, Dodgers 0

Los Angeles

Danny Darwin (3-6) and two relievers combined on a five-hitter as Pittsburgh beat Los Angeles and gave manager Jim Leyland his 800th victory.

Cardinals 11, Padres 5

San Diego

Gary Gaetti homered deep into the left-field seats with one out in the seventh to snap a tie as St. Louis of the Central routed San Diego of the West in a battle of divisional leaders.

Mets 12, Braves 6

Atlanta

Todd Hundley homered and drove in five runs as New York caught a rare break in Atlanta’s typical four-man pitching rotation and routed fifth starter Jason Schmidt (2-2).

Astros 16, Rockies 8

Houston

John Cangelosi and Sean Berry each hit three-run homers in the fourth to help Houston end a three-game losing streak by beating Colorado.

Phillies 12, Cubs 3

Chicago

Pete Incaviglia hit two three-run homers for the second time in a week, and Gregg Jefferies had four hits as Philadelphia beat Chicago.

Clearing the bases

San Francisco’s Shawon Dunston is in a 4-for-38 slump. … Lance Johnson on New York leads the majors with nine triples. He also leads the majors with 74 since 1991.

Montreal has rallied to win 17 games, 14 after trailing in the sixth. … Colorado leads its all-time series with Houston 20-12. … Los Angeles catcher Mike Piazza threw out a base-stealer for the first time in 24 tries.