Cubs Sweep Series To Close On Astros

National League

Luis Gonzalez doubled with two outs in the 12th inning and scored on second baseman Mark Lemke’s throwing error as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Atlanta Braves 2-1 Sunday in Chicago.

The Cubs, who took three of four games for their first winning home series against Atlanta in five years, moved within 4 games of Houston in the N.L. Central. The Braves lead Montreal by 10 games in the East.

After Gonzalez doubled off Joe Borowski (2-2) for only Chicago’s fourth hit of the game, Dave Magadan was intentionally walked. Ryne Sandberg then chopped the ball to Lemke, whose hurried throw sailed past first baseman Fred McGriff as Gonzalez came around to score.

Mike Campbell (3-0) got the victory with an inning of relief.

Marlins 6, Reds 1

Cincinnati

Gary Sheffield hit a two-run homer, helping Florida complete its most successful road trip of the season with a victory over Cincinnati.

The Marlins won five of six on their road trip, including two of three at Riverfront Stadium. Florida is one of the National League’s worst road teams at 24-45.

Expos 7, Padres 6

Montreal

Cliff Floyd, who entered the game when Henry Rodriguez became ill, homered and drove in three runs and Montreal held on for a victory over San Diego.

Floyd entered the game as a pinch hitter in the first when Rodriguez left with an upset stomach. He led off the fourth with a homer off Astros starter Andy Ashby (8-3), doubled in another run during Montreal’s five-run sixth, and had a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Cardinals 15, Rockies 6

St. Louis

Gary Gaetti drove in the go-ahead run during a six-run rally in the seventh inning, and St. Louis went on to rout Colorado.

Trailing 6-2, the Cardinals scored three runs in the fifth and then broke it open in the seventh.

Pirates 9, Astros 5

Pittsburgh

Jermaine Allensworth’s go-ahead two-run single keyed Pittsburgh’s six-run seventh inning and the Pirates rallied past Houston and ex-teammate Danny Darwin.

Jeff King, Carlos Garcia and Al Martin hit solo homers off Darwin (9-11), who couldn’t hold a 4-3 lead and remained winless in three starts since he was traded by the Pirates on July 23.

Mets 6, Giants 5 (10)

New York

Pitcher John Franco, after being ejected for arguing at the end of the ninth, still picked up the win when New York rallied for two runs in the 10th to beat San Francisco.

Phillies 6, Dodgers 3

Philadelphia

Pinch-hitter Ruben Amaro’s three-run double highlighted a five-run eighth inning that gave Philadelphia a victory over Los Angeles.