Bonds’ Hr Helps Giants Go Up By 2

Barry Bonds hit his second inside-the-park home run this season and third of his career, and Stan Javier snapped a ninth-inning tie with a two-run triple Sunday, lifting the San Francisco Giants to an 8-5 win over the San Diego Padres.

With one out in the fourth and the Giants trailing 2-0, Bonds lifted a fly ball to left. Greg Vaughn had it bounce off his right knee and roll into the Padres’ bullpen.

Bonds circled the bases at less than full speed, watching Vaughn dig out the ball and fling it to second baseman Quilvio Veras. A good relay throw by Veras could have nailed him, but the throw hit the dirt in front of the plate and skipped past catcher John Flaherty.

Rockies 10, Dodgers 5

Los Angeles

Vinny Castilla’s two-run double that center fielder Otis Nixon lost in the twilight highlighted a five-run, sixth-inning outburst for Colorado.

The Dodgers blew a 5-2 lead after five innings, and lost despite Mike Piazza’s 37th homer - a career-high and the most ever by an L.A. Dodger.

Mets 2, Marlins 1

Miami

Behind Rick Reed’s strong 8-2/3 innings, New York kept Florida from clinching at least a tie for its first playoff spot.

The game disappointed a sellout crowd of 44,176, the largest for the Marlins at home since July 3, 1994.

Cubs 11, Phillies 3

Chicago

Curt Schilling increased his strikeout total to 313, tying J.R. Richard’s 1979 N.L. record for right-handers and breaking Steve Carlton’s 1972 Philadelphia club record, but in a losing cause.

Ryne Sandberg, playing his final home game at Wrigley Field, went 2 for 3. The second baseman received a standing ovation in each at-bat from the crowd of 29,922. He left for a pinch-runner in the fifth, then stepped back onto the field and tipped his cap to the cheering crowd.

Expos 7, Braves 1

Atlanta

Rondell White hit two of Montreal’s four homers, which helped slow Atlanta’s quest for a sixth straight division title.

Hensley Meulens and David Segui each added homers for the Expos, who won for the first time in nine games in Atlanta.

Atlanta starter Denny Neagle (20-4) retired the first 12 Expos in order before Segui opened the fifth with a single to left. White then hit an 0-2 pitch into the left-field seats.

Pirates 14, Cardinals 2

Pittsburgh

Mark McGwire went hitless for St. Louis but Pittsburgh got homers from Jose Guillen and Turner Ward.

Jon Lieber (11-14) benefited from the Pirates’ 14 hits to pitch eight innings and win for the fifth time in his last seven decisions. Lieber’s 10 strikeouts matched his career high.

Astros 8, Reds 3

Cincinnati

Ricky Gutierrez doubled twice and drove in three runs to help Houston reduce its magic number to four for its first division title since 1986.

Clearing the bases

The Reds’ Pete Rose Jr.

pinch hit and struck out, so he is 2 for 11 with seven strikeouts since his Sept. 1 call-up. … Andres Galarraga joined Larry Walker and Vinny Castilla as Colorado sluggers with 40 homers this season. … Pittsburgh’s Tony Womack has 56 stolen bases, tying him with the now-idle Deion Sanders for the league lead.