Maddux Makes Quick Work Of Cubs

National League

Greg Maddux allowed three hits in eight innings, speeding the Atlanta Braves past the Chicago Cubs 4-0 Sunday in just 1 hour, 47 minutes - the fastest major league game in five years.

Earlier, the Braves beat the Cubs 11-5 in the completion of the game suspended by rain on Saturday night.

Chicago, which made four errors in the regular game, dropped to 0-6, worst start for the Cubs since they lost their first seven games in 1962.

Maddux (1-1), who allowed 10 hits and four runs when he lost his first start of the season, put on a dominating performance against his former team. He didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning, didn’t walk a batter in the game and 14 of his outs came on grounders. He threw 91 pitches before Mark Wohlers came on to pitch the ninth.

It was the fastest nine-inning game in the majors since Houston and Los Angeles played a 1:44 game on Oct. 4, 1992.

Astros 3, Cardinals 2 Houston

N.L. Central champion St. Louis stumbled to its worst start in 106 seasons, losing to Houston on pinch-hitter Jeff Bagwell’s two-run double in the eighth inning.

The Cardinals sank to 0-6. They and the Cubs are the only winless teams in the majors. St. Louis had lost its first five games in four previous seasons.

Marlins 3, Reds 2 Miami

Pitcher Kevin Brown drove in two runs and Florida took advantage of nine walks, two with the bases loaded, to beat Cincinnati.

Florida went ahead when reliever Scott Service walked Jeff Conine on a 3-2 pitch with two out and the bases loaded in the seventh. Service replaced John Smiley (1-1), who had walked the bases full.

Rockies 6, Expos 2 Montreal

Vinny Castilla homered for the second straight game and Colorado completed its first-ever sweep at Olympic Stadium.

Montreal reliever Lee Smith pitched in his 1,000th major league game, joining Hoyt Wilhelm (1,070), Kent Tekulve (1,050) and Goose Gossage (1,002) at that level. Smith, the career saves leader at 474, worked a perfect ninth inning.

Mets 4, Giants 2 San Francisco

Brian Bohanon, starting in place of Pete Harnisch, who has been suffering from insomnia, pitched seven strong innings for his first National League victory as New York beat San Francisco.

Bohanon walked Rick Wilkins to start the eighth inning and Greg McMichael relieved. Pinch-hitter Damon Berryhill hit an RBI double, but overran second base and was tagged out by third baseman Butch Huskey.

Phillies 3, Padres 2 San Diego

Curt Schilling picked up his second win of the season, and Philadelphia avoided a three-game sweep.

Schilling allowed two runs in the first two innings, including Quilvio Veras’ leadoff homer, then shut out San Diego the rest of the way retiring 16 of the last 18 batters.

Dodgers 6, Pirates 3 Los Angeles

Eric Karros and Todd Zeile drove in two runs each and Mike Piazza singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning as Los Angeles rallied to beat Pittsburgh.

Clearing the bases

Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin left the game in the fifth inning with tenderness in his left heel… . Craig Biggio has hit safely in all six Houston games… . Ex-University of Portland receiver Tom Lampkin of St. Louis has caught 70 straight games without a passed ball… . The Giants have yet to turn a double play and the Mets have yet to hit into one.