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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cards Cut Astros’ Streak

Associated Press

National League

The Houston Astros fell one victory short of tying the longest winning streak in team history, losing 2-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night to snap their nine-game victory string.

The Astros, comfortably in front in the N.L. Central, were unable to tie the team record of 10 straight victories accomplished five times, most recently May 26-June 4, 1989.

Todd Stottlemyre and Dennis Eckersley combined on a six-hitter for the Cardinals, and Stottlemyre drove in the eventual winning run with an eighth-inning double that raised his batting average to .279.

Stottlemyre (10-7) allowed five hits in eight innings, struck out seven and walked one.

Dodgers 4, Pirates 2

Los Angeles

Ismael Valdes, in his return from the disabled list, worked six strong innings despite a blister on his pitching thumb and Greg Gagne hit a tie-breaking, two-run homer for Los Angeles.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Dodgers and put them a season-high eight games over .500 and one game behind the idle San Francisco Giants in the N.L. West.

Braves 6, Cubs 0

Atlanta

Denny Neagle pitched a three-hitter and Fred McGriff hit a three-run homer as Atlanta sent Chicago to its fifth consecutive defeat.

Neagle (14-2) limited Chicago to three singles in tossing his third shutout of the season.

Reds 4, Marlins 0

Miami

Joe Oliver’s three-run home run broke a scoreless tie in the ninth inning and John Smiley combined with two relievers on a shutout for Cincinnati.

The Marlins lost their third in a row and fell into third place in the N.L. East. They are 8-9 since the All-Star break.

Phillies 8, Padres 4

San Diego

Rico Brogna hit a three-run homer and Ricky Otero a two-run single in the sixth for Philadelphia.

Rookie Scott Rolen hit a two-run homer in the eighth, his 13th, and Otero, Kevin Stocker and Mike Lieberthal had three hits apiece for the Phillies.

Expos 3, Rockies 2

Denver

Doug Strange hit a two-run homer and Henry Rodriguez had a tie-breaking triple to help Montreal avoid its first six-game losing streak in almost two years.

The Expos, who hadn’t lost six straight games since Aug. 19-24, 1995, also ended Colorado’s five-game winning streak.

Two rain delays lasted a total of 2 hours, 35 minutes.

Clearing the bases

The Cardinals’ Dennis Eckersley became the fifth pitcher to appear in 1,000 games. The others are Hoyt Wilhelm, Kent Tekulve, Goose Gossage and Lee Smith… . The Astros are 14-3 since the All-Star break… . Colorado outfielder Dante Bichette was selected National League player of the week after driving in 13 of the Rockies’ 26 runs in a weekend series against the Cubs… . Braves outfielder Kenny Lofton, who has played only one game in the past six weeks because of a groin injury, has returned from the DL.