NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Rockies Finally Overpower Persistent Padres

Colorado scored seven times in the first inning, but that was far from enough.

Joe Girardi and Dante Bichette each homered, however, and drove in four and three runs, respectively, as the Rockies eventually overcame the San Diego Padres, 14-12, Friday night at Denver.

Colorado Manager Don Baylor said he was “so happy Tony Gwynn was not in the lineup, or we’d still be playing.”

Bichette had four hits, extending his hitting streak to 16 games.

Larry Walker and Vinny Castilla also homered for the Rockies, and Phil Plantier hit two solo shots for the Padres, who outhit the Rockies, 20-12.

Steve Reed (2-1) got the victory and Darren Holmes pitched the ninth for his 14th save. Andres Berumen (2-3) gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning for the loss.

The Padres followed the Rockies’ first inning with a six-run third and took the lead for the first time, 11-10, with a three-run sixth, highlighted by Archi Cianfrocco’s two-run single. But Colorado countered with three runs in its half.

Atlanta 4, Montreal 3--Greg Maddux, who hadn’t given up more than two runs in 14 starts, won his career-high 10th consecutive game in the Braves’ victory at Montreal.

Maddux (12-1), who leads the National League in victories and earned-run average at 1.74, gave up three runs on seven hits in eight-plus innings, striking out nine and walking one.

Ryan Klesko and Charlie O’Brien hit back-to-back homers off Pedro Martinez (9-7) in the second inning.

Florida 7, New York 2--Jeff Conine and Kurt Abbott each drove in two runs at New York as the Marlins won their franchise-record seventh consecutive game.

John Burkett (9-10) gave up eight hits and two runs in five innings.

Houston 6-5, Pittsburgh 5-4--Derek Bell drove in three runs with a go-ahead homer, double and single at Pittsburgh as the Astros completed their second doubleheader sweep this season of the Pirates.

In the first game, pinch-hitter James Mouton hit a tie-breaking single in the ninth inning as the Astros rallied from five runs down.

Cincinnati 1, Philadelphia 0--John Smiley, weakened by a stomach virus and a groin pull, pitched six shutout innings to lead the Reds past the fading Phillies at Cincinnati.

Smiley (11-1) gave up only two hits as he won his sixth consecutive decision and remained unbeaten in nine starts since June 16. He left after the sixth inning, bothered by the pulled groin. Jeff Brantley earned his 23rd save.

Reggie Sanders’ first-inning sacrifice fly drove in the only run.

Chicago 5, St. Louis 3--Steve Trachsel (4-8) retired 12 in a row at one point and won his first game since July 6, and Ozzie Timmons hit a two-run homer in the Cubs’ victory at St. Louis.