National League Roundup : Giants Trounce Slumping Mets, 10-3

Kevin Mitchell and Will Clark, the National League’s most productive hitters, hit three-run homers as the San Francisco Giants beat the slumping New York Mets, 10-3, Tuesday night at San Francisco for their fifth straight victory.

Ernest Riles also hit a three-run homer in the Giants’ 14-hit attack, including seven for extra bases. The Mets lost their fourth consecutive game and dropped to 24-24.

Mitchell, who leads the majors with 15 homers and 47 runs batted in, connected in the third inning off David Cone (3-4). Clark’s 10th of the season came off Sid Fernandez in the sixth and gave him 42 RBIs while raising his league-leading average to .368.

Mike Krukow (4-2) ran his career record against New York to 22-7, giving up six hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings. Atlee Hammaker pitched 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief and Mike LaCoss finished up.

Houston 8, St. Louis 4--Ken Caminiti homered and drove in a career-high five runs as the Astros beat the Cardinals at St. Louis for their fifth straight victory.

The Astros won their ninth consecutive game on the road, a club record.

Caminiti’s two-run homer broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning. He hit a two-run double in the second and added a run-scoring single in the eighth.

“I’m happy, real happy,” Caminiti said after hitting a two-run homer, a two-run double and a run-scoring single to pace the Astros’ 14-hit attack.

“Last year I was a mental mess because if I went 0 for 4 I knew I might not be playing the next day,” he said. “I owe a lot to (Manager) Art Howe because he puts me out there every day. It’s helped me play with more confidence.”

Danny Darwin (4-1) pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up two runs for the victory.

San Diego 9, Philadelphia 3--Ed Whitson won his sixth consecutive decision and Jack Clark hit a two-run double at San Diego as the Padres handed the Phillies’ their seventh straight loss.

The Padres got a season-high 14 hits in their highest-scoring game of the year. Bip Roberts scored four times for San Diego.

Whitson (8-2) is off to the best start in his major-league career. He went eight innings and gave up two runs on eight hits.

Don Carman (1-8) lost his eighth consecutive decision. He gave up five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Chicago 3, Atlanta 2-- Mark Grace singled home the go-ahead run in the fifth inning as the Cubs beat the Braves at Atlanta.

Greg Maddux (4-5) got the victory and Mitch Williams went 1 2/3 innings for his 13th save. The Cubs won for the 11th time in the last 14 games.

Chicago broke a 2-2 tie with an unearned run against Pete Smith (1-7) in the fifth. Doug Dascenzo was safe on second baseman Jeff Treadway’s fielding error and went to second on Gary Varsho’s grounder. After Ryne Sandberg walked, Grace singled to center.

Maddux gave up five hits and four walks while striking out two. Williams ended the game by striking out Gerald Perry with two runners on base, Perry’s 115th consecutive at-bat without driving in a run.

Pittsburgh 2, Cincinnati 0--Doug Drabek gave up six hits in 8 1/3 innings at Pittsburgh and the Pirates extended the Reds’ losing streak to a season-high four games.

The Reds have been shut out eight times this season, most in the majors.

Drabek (3-5) won for the second time after five consecutive losses.