Mets Ace Blanks Expos For 9th Win

Bobby Jones outdueled previously unbeaten Pedro Martinez to become the N.L.’s first nine-game winner as the New York Mets beat the Montreal Expos 7-0 Wednesday night in Montreal.

Jones (9-2) pitched a four-hitter for his fourth career shutout. He matched a season high with seven strikeouts and walked two as the Mets won for the 12th time in 17 games.

Carlos Baerga homered for the first time this season and drove in four runs for the Mets, who moved a half-game ahead of Montreal into third place in the East.

Martinez (8-1) lost for the first time in 15 appearances against New York.

Reds 2, Phillies 0

Cincinnati

Kent Mercker ended his 0-for-7 slump as a starting pitcher and Barry Larkin scored twice as Cincinnati beat Philadelphia.

Pirates 4, Cubs 1

Pittsburgh

Emil Brown, one of four Pittsburgh rookie starters, hit his first major-league homer and Joe Randa drove in three doubles and two RBIs to lead the Pirates past Chicago.

Clearing the bases

Philadelphia’s Mickey Morandini had three hits Wednesday. He has doubled in each of the last five games and gone 27 for 54 (.500) over his last 15 games, raising his average from .232 to .309… . The Reds gave Deion Sanders permission to miss the game to deal with a personal matter… . The Cubs failed for the ninth time this season to stretch a winning streak to three.