Atlanta Slows Marlins’ Surge

On the rare occasion this season that the Atlanta Braves have managed to defeat the Florida Marlins, it hasn’t come easy.

Mark Wohlers made Saturday’s game at Atlanta exciting, striking out pinch-hitter Jim Eisenreich and Devon White with runners on second and third to end it, as the Braves held on for a 4-3 win that put a temporary stop to the Marlins’ surge in the East.

A day after the Marlins won the opener of the four-game series, the Braves bounced back to defeat Florida for just the third time in 10 tries.

Astros 8, Mets 3 New York

Mel Rojas, acquired a day earlier to bolster New York’s weak bullpen, gave up five runs in the ninth inning - capped by Jeff Bagwell’s second homer - for Houston’s win.

Expos 2, Giants 1 Montreal

Fourteen-game winner Pedro Martinez pitched a four-hitter for his major-league leading 11th complete game and rookie Jose Vidro won it with a pinch-hit infield single in the ninth for Montreal.

Martinez struck out eight and walked two in matching his career high for wins in a season, set in 1995.

Phillies 3, Cardinals 2 St. Louis

Reliever Ricky Bottalico and Philadelphia benefited from an interference call in the ninth inning to preserve the win over St. Louis.

Gary Gaetti drew a leadoff walk from Bottalico in the ninth.

Gaetti then apparently stole second, but batter John Mabry was called out by plate umpire Eric Gregg for interfering with catcher Mike Lieberthal.

Gaetti was sent back to first, and Bottalico got the last two outs for his 22nd save.

Padres 7, Cubs 5 Chicago

Pinch-hitter Mark Sweeney singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning to spark San Diego.

Reds 3, Dodgers 2 Cincinnati

Reggie Sanders hit a tie-breaking homer and Gabe White got his first major league victory in two years as Cincinnati defeated Los Angeles.

Rockies 8, Pirates 7 Denver

Larry Walker hit two home runs and then doubled in the ninth inning to set up Andres Galarraga’s game-winning single for Colorado.

Clearing the bases

The Mets’ Bobby Jones, who gave up three runs over six innings against Pittsburgh, has now gone nine starts since his last win on June 20… . Pittsburgh acquired first baseman Eddie Williams from Los Angeles in exchange for right-handed pitcher Hal Garrett… Chicago’s Ryne Sandberg has not committed a throwing error since June 8, 1994, a span of 241 games at second base.