Cards Continue Surge In Central

National League

Donovan Osborne pitched seven strong innings and David Bell and Royce Clayton had rare RBIs as the St. Louis Cardinals won their fourth straight game, 3-2 over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.

The Cardinals have also won five of six, scoring first in all of the victories. They have fought back to .500 in the N.L. Central at 34-34 for the first time since April 26, when they were 12-12, and in the process sent the Phillies to their 11th loss in 12 games.

Osborne (6-3) gave up a two-run homer to Todd Zeile in the sixth, but won for the fifth time in six decisions. He allowed five hits and one walk.

Giants 9, Marlins 8 (15)

San Francisco

Pat Rapp’s wild pitch in the bottom of the 15th inning scored Marvin Benard, giving San Francisco a one-run win over Florida.

The Giants had blown an 8-3 lead with two outs in the ninth when the Marlins rallied for five runs, including Gary Sheffield’s game-tying, three-run homer off Rod Beck.

Dodgers 9-4, Cubs 6-7

Chicago

Rookie Brant Brown hit two solo home runs in the second game, giving him three for the day and three for his career, as Chicago beat Los Angeles to earn a split of its doubleheader.

Brown, who entered the game 1 for 6 since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa on June 15, collected three hits in the second game and went 4 for 6 on the afternoon.

Expos 12, Rockies 8

Denver

Mike Lansing hit two homers, including a grand slam in the eighth inning, and drove in seven runs to power Montreal past Colorado.

With the score tied 7-7 and one out in the eighth, Lenny Webster singled off Darren Holmes and pinch-hitter Darrin Fletcher doubled over third base. The Rockies intentionally walked Mark Grudzielanek, who had four singles, to load the bases, and Lansing hit a 432-foot homer to left center off Holmes (2-2).

Reds 6, Astros 4, (10)

Houston

Eric Davis homered leading off the 10th inning and Jeff Branson brought in another run with a squeeze bunt as Cincinnati beat Houston.

Davis’ homer was his 14th of the season.

Braves 5, Padres 3

Atlanta

Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning, lifting Atlanta past struggling San Diego.

It was the 14th loss in 16 games for the Padres.

Mets-Pirates, ppd.

Pittsburgh

The game was rained out. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader today.

Clearing the bases

Colorado drew 48,010 for its 88th consecutive sellout, a major-league record. … Los Angeles started a right-handed pitcher for the 500th consecutive game.