Pirates Top Rockies Again

Roundup

Kevin Elster and Al Martin awakened Pittsburgh’s offense with sixth-inning homers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied past the Colorado Rockies for the second night in a row, winning 4-3 Thursday at Pittsburgh.

The victory was costly as the Pirates lost starting center fielder Jermaine Allensworth, their No. 2 hitter, for 4-6 weeks with a broken bone in his left hand. He was hit with a Roger Bailey fastball while batting in the third inning, but didn’t leave until the seventh.

The Pirates are 4-0 against the Rockies, their first four-game winning streak against Colorado since it joined the N.L. in 1993.

The game was a contrast to the teams’ first three games, which saw the Pirates outscore Colorado 39-21.

Dodgers 2, Reds 1

Cincinnati

Ismael Valdes scattered three hits over seven innings to get his first win since April 2 and Los Angeles extended Cincinnati’s misery.

The Reds reached new depths with their fifth consecutive loss. At 11-27, they’re off to their worst start since 1950.

Cubs 8, Padres 2

Chicago

Frank Castillo pitched seven strong innings for his first victory in three weeks and Chicago hit four triples - three in the same inning - to beat San Diego.

Expos 8, Giants 7

Montreal

Rondell White’s two-run single broke an eighth-inning tie and lifted Montreal to victory over San Francisco.

American League

Yankees 8, Rangers 2

Arlington, Texas

Cecil Fielder hit a three-run homer and Kenny Rogers settled down from a shaky first inning as New York beat Texas for its season-high fifth consecutive victory.

Rogers (3-1), who had been involved in three straight no-decisions, survived a two-run first inning. He lasted 6-1/3 innings and gave up nine hits.

Royals 10, Tigers 9

Kansas City, Mo.

Pinch-hitter Johnny Damon homered to lead off the ninth inning, then Mike Sweeney hit a two-run homer that lifted Kansas City over Detroit.

Angels 3, Orioles 2

Anaheim, Calif.

Rookie Jason Dickson combined with four relievers on a three-hitter and received a lot of help from his defense as Anaheim beat Baltimore.

Athletics 6, Brewers 5

Oakland, Calif.

George Williams had three hits, including an eighth-inning single that drove in the go-ahead run, as Oakland beat Milwaukee.

Clearing the bases

The New York Yankees’ protest of last week’s 7-5 loss to Kansas City was denied Thursday by American League president Gene Budig. … The Minnesota Twins put pitcher Bob Tewksbury on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 5. He cut his right middle finger when he caught it in the bathroom door on a bus during a road trip last week.

The Toronto Blue Jays reacquired right-handed pitcher Mike Gordon when they claimed him off waivers from Cleveland. … Mike Greenwell, former Boston outfielder, retired from baseball on Wednesday, giving up after fouling a ball off his foot and breaking it while playing for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan.