Dodgers Pitcher Ends Long Drought
National League
Pedro Astacio figured he would beat the Atlanta Braves eventually. He just didn’t figure it would take six years.
Astacio allowed three hits in 7-1/3 innings Saturday to defeat Atlanta for the first time, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-1 win over the Braves.
Astacio (6-7) had been 0-9 with a 4.55 ERA in 11 previous appearances - nine starts - against the Braves. His performance helped the Dodgers snap a three-game losing streak and sent Atlanta to its first loss in four games.
Pirates 13, Phillies 3 Philadelphia
Pittsburgh’s surprising success can be traced to guys like Dale Sveum.
Sveum homered and had three RBIs as the Pirates used a season-high 17-hit attack to snap a three-game losing streak.
Cubs 7-6, Rockies 0-5 Chicago
Chicago’s Mark Grace hit a tie-breaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning as the Cubs defeated Colorado to sweep a doubleheader and send the Rockies to their eighth consecutive loss.
The Cubs won the opener on the strength of Steve Trachsel’s seven shutout innings. It was Trachsel’s first win since June 14.
In the nightcap, the Cubs pushed across the go-ahead run with the aid of a throwing error by first baseman Andres Galarraga.
Rockies star Larry Walker was blanked in the doubleheader, going 0 for 4 in the opener and 0 for 5 in the nightcap as his average fell from .402 to .392.
Marlins 8, Padres 5 Miami
Charles Johnson hit two home runs and rookie Livan Hernandez allowed one hit in six innings to help Florida defeat San Diego.
The Marlins led 4-0 before Danny Jackson (2-8) retired a batter, and the margin was 8-0 after seven innings.
Mets 5, Reds 3 New York
Bernard Gilkey may have finally found his hitting stroke.
Gilkey’s three-run homer broke a tie in the eighth inning and gave New York a win over Cincinnati.
The Mets left fielder, who has been in a season-long slump, has 16 RBIs in his last 22 games.
Astros 8, Expos 6 Montreal
Jeff Bagwell and Tim Bogar homered and Houston stole seven bases in holding off Montreal.
Houston won for the ninth time in 12 games.
The Astros’ seven steals tied for the most in the majors this season.
Cardinals 8, Giants 7 St. Louis
Ron Gant hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, rallying St. Louis over San Francisco.
The Giants scored once in the ninth off Dennis Eckersley, but lost for the seventh time in 10 games since the All-Star break.
San Francisco’s Jose Vizcaino had four hits. J.T. Snow, who missed Friday’s game because of a scratched cornea, hit two doubles, a single and a sacrifice fly.
Clearing the bases
Marlins manager Jim Leyland was back in the dugout Saturday despite a torn ligament and severe sprain in his right ankle. Leyland slipped on a wet floor Friday night. … Bryan Harvey, an All-Star closer for the Marlins in 1993, signed a minorleague contract with the team’s Single-A team in Brevard County, Fla.