Piazza’s 3 Hrs Lift Dodgers

National League

Mike Piazza hit three home runs, including a grand slam, and the Los Angeles Dodgers won their first game under interim manager Bill Russell, holding off a late Colorado rally for a 13-10 win Saturday night over the Rockies in Denver. Piazza had six RBIs as the Dodgers ended a four-game losing streak under Russell, who is filling in while manager Tommy Lasorda recovers from surgery following a heart attack.

Marlins 5, Braves 3 Miami

Florida chased Atlanta starter John Smoltz after four innings, handing him his second loss this week, and then survived a ninth-inning rally.

Jeff Conine’s two-run homer in the first inning helped Florida jump to a 5-0 lead after three innings against Smoltz (14-3), who had won 14 straight before losing to St. Louis on June 24.

Astros 9, Mets 1 Houston

Shane Reynolds came within one strike of his second shutout of the season, settling for an eight-hitter as Houston beat New York.

Reds 9, Cubs 5 Cincinnati

Eric Davis and Joe Oliver hit bases-loaded doubles in a five-run fifth inning that swept Cincinnati to its seventh straight victory, a decision over Chicago.

The Reds matched their season-best winning streak and improved to two games under .500 (36-38) for the first time since May 12.

Expos 1, Phillies 0 Philadelphia

Jeff Fassero pitched a two-hitter for his first career shutout and Mike Lansing drove in the game’s only run with his third double as Montreal beat Philadelphia.

Cardinals 6, Pirates 5 St. Louis

Brian Jordan’s tie-breaking single with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning gave St. Louis a victory over Pittsburgh.

The victory was the Cardinals’ seventh straight at home, and 11th in 12 games at Busch Stadium.

Padres 7, Giants 6 San Francisco

Chris Gomez’s solo home run broke a ninth-inning tie, and San Diego rallied from a six-run deficit to beat San Francisco and hand the Giants their ninth straight loss.

Clearing the bases

San Diego’s Steve Finley has 12 hits in his last at-bats 26 (.462) with two doubles, four home runs and eight RBIs… . Mark Portugal of Cincinnati was 4-1 in five June starts with a 2.93 ERA. He had just four hits in 29 at-bats going into the fifth inning. He singled twice as the Reds sent 11 batters to the plate… . Brian Jordan of St. Louis is 11 for 22 (.500) with two homers, 10 RBIs and five stolen bases in his last six games.