Eck’s Milestone Turns Back Reds

Dennis Eckersley took over second place on the career saves list as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 on Thursday night.

Delino DeShields had two of St. Louis’ three sacrifice flies. Deshields’ second sacrifice fly snapped a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning, putting the Cardinals in line for their third consecutive win.

Eckersley got the final three outs for his 368th career save, moving him ahead of Jeff Reardon for second place. Montreal’s Lee Smith is 110 saves ahead of Eckersley.

Reds third baseman Terry Pendleton was reinstated from the disabled list by the National League after the players’ association questioned the move. Pendleton was upset that the Reds put him on the disabled list.

Padres 9, Dodgers 7

Los Angeles

Tony Gwynn broke a seventh-inning tie with the major league’s first inside-the-park grand slam in six years, leading San Diego over Los Angeles.

With the score 4-4 and the bases loaded Gwynn sliced a liner down the left-field line.

Brett Butler, making his first start in left since 1983 with Atlanta, made a futile dive for the ball as it bounced to the fence.

Butler remained face down and motionless as Gwynn circled the bases while center fielder Roger Cedeno chased the ball.

Butler left the game with a strained right shoulder and neck.

Expos 5, Marlins 2

Miami

Jeff Juden pitched a four-hitter, had two hits and drove in two runs to beat Florida for the second time in a week.

Juden (9-2), who didn’t allow a hit until Gary Sheffield’s fifth-inning homer, struck out six and walked two.

Braves 5, Phillies 4

Atlanta

Denny Neagle beat Philadelphia for the first time in 15 career appearances, and Tony Graffanino hit a go-ahead homer in the fifth inning to spark Atlanta.

Astros 7, Cubs 6 (10)

Chicago

Jeff Bagwell’s RBI single in the 10th inning gave Houston its fourth consecutive win over Chicago.

With one out in the 10th, Thomas Howard, Craig Biggio and Chuck Carr each singled to load the bases against Terry Adams (1-4). Bagwell singled to left, scoring Howard.

Rockies 7, Giants 6

Denver

Neifi Perez had two hits, drove in one run and raced home from second on an infield hit, sparking Colorado over San Francisco.

Colorado’s Larry Walker went 1 for 3 and his average dipped to .408.

Barry Bonds extended his hitting streak to 10 games for the Giants.

Marlins up for sale

Less than a year after spending $89 million on free agents, and less than five years after the expansion team started play, H. Wayne Huizenga said he is putting the Florida Marlins up for sale.

Huizenga, who also owns the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and the NHL’s Florida Panthers, pledged he will sell the Marlins only to an owner or ownership group that would keep them in South Florida. He said he has spent $200 million on the franchise since the team was awarded to him in June 1991.