Mcgee’s Grand Slam Fuels Cardinals’ Romp

National League

Willie McGee hit a grand slam in an 11-run eighth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals rallied to beat the San Francisco Giants 16-8 Thursday in St. Louis.

St. Louis won for the fourth time in 16 games, scoring its most runs since a 16-6 rout of Florida on Aug. 5, 1993. The 11-run eighth was one short of the team record for runs in an inning, set Sept. 13, 1926, against Philadelphia.

Jeff Parrett (2-1) pitched 1-2/3 innings for the win and Mark Dewey (1-2) was the loser.

Marlins 6, Rockies 2

Miami

Rookie Kurt Miller pitched eight strong innings in his first start since 1994, and Florida extended its winning streak to four games by beating Colorado.

Miller (1-0), who was recalled Sunday from Triple-A Charlotte, allowed five hits, walked four and hit two batters en route to his second major league victory.

Padres 7, Pirates 1

Pittsburgh

Tony Gwynn and Wally Joyner drove in two runs apiece in support of Andy Ashby as San Diego beat Pittsburgh.

Ashby (4-2) allowed one run, eight hits and no walks in seven innings.

Astros 11, Expos 4

Montreal

Sean Berry homered and drove in four runs, leading an 18-hit attack as Houston snapped Montreal’s 10-game home winning streak.

Clearing the bases

The Pirates are 8-1 this season when their leadoff hitter gets at least two hits. … Following months of rehabilitation, Rockies right-hander Bret Saberhagen finally threw off a mound Wednesday. The site was Atlanta, where he delivered his last pitch in October. Saberhagen, recovering from a shoulder injury, threw 40 pitches. … A reporter for USA Today said he was pushed by San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds. Rod Beaton said Bonds shoved him while he was waiting to interview Robby Thompson in the Giants’ clubhouse before the game. Beaton does not intend to file a complaint and the paper considers the matter closed.