National League Roundup : Astros Cook Cubs’ Goose in 10th Inning, 9-7

Craig Biggio hit his first major league home run to trigger a three-run 10th inning Monday night at Chicago and give the Houston Astros a 9-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

The rookie catcher’s solo home run came off Cub reliever Rich Gossage, who also gave up two runs in the ninth, allowing the Astros to tie the score, 6-6.

“I’m not a power hitter, that’s for sure,” said Biggio, 22, who had a .188 batting average and only one run batted in since coming up from triple-A Tucson in June. “That has to be one of the highlights of my career.”

The Cubs’ own rookie catcher, Damon Berryhill, also had a big night. Berryhill hit two home runs and drove in five runs. He gave the Cubs a 6-4 lead in the eighth inning with a three-run homer.

Juan Agosto (10-0) balked in a run in the 10th, but he still got the win, giving him the longest winning streak in Astro history.

Gossage was booed lustily by the crowd of 30,417 at the second official night game at Wrigley Field.

Cincinnati 2, Pittsburgh 0--Danny Jackson threw a five-hit shutout to become the National League’s first 18-game winner in the Reds’ victory at Pittsburgh.

Jackson (18-5) also singled in the seventh inning and scored on an error by Pittsburgh third baseman Bobby Bonilla, who committed two of the Pirates’ four errors.

Jackson walked two and struck out seven in winning his eighth straight decision and notching his league-leading 12th complete game. The left-hander has five shutouts this season.

Pittsburgh starter Doug Drabek (12-6) had his seven-game winning streak snapped as he gave up both runs (one unearned), walked two and struck out two over eight innings.

San Francisco 3, Montreal 2--Ernest Riles hit a pinch-hit, three-run home run in the seventh inning at San Francisco to give the Giants their sixth consecutive victory.

The Expos’ loss extended their losing streak to nine games, their longest since 1977.

Rick Reuschel (17-6) pitched a five-hitter, struck out a season-high eight and walked none. Atlanta 5, St. Louis 3--Ron Gant had three hits and scored three runs as the Braves capitalized on two Cardinal errors with four unearned runs at St. Louis.

With the score tied, 3-3, in the third, Gant led off with his 15th home run to put Atlanta ahead for good.

Atlanta starter Tom Glavine (5-14) gave up three runs in the first, but he allowed allowed only three hits in the next six innings. Jose Alvarez relieved in the eighth and earned his second save.

Philadelphia 6, San Diego 5--Steve Jeltz singled home the tying run, and the Phillies took advantage of two San Diego errors during a five-run seventh inning to end their eight-game losing streak at San Diego.