BASEBALL ROUNDUP : It’s a First: Reds Are Swept by the Giants

The San Francisco Giants appear to be swinging back into the form that made them National League champions last season.

The Giants became the first team to sweep a series against the Cincinnati Reds when Kevin Mitchell hit a home run off Rob Dibble with two out in the 11th inning Wednesday at San Francisco to give them a 3-2 victory.

The Giants extended their winning streak to six games by sweeping the three-game series from the Reds, whose 33-15 record is the best in the majors.

“I just took a step back and tried to see the ball better coming out of his hand,” said Mitchell, who has 15 homers. “He threw me two sliders away and I knew he didn’t want to get behind on me. I thought I’d see a fastball and I hit it pretty good. I was lucky to get ahold of it.”

Will Clark’s 10th homer, a solo shot in the ninth off Randy Myers, tied the score, 2-2. Mitchell’s homer off Rob Dibble (3-1) marked the first time in 29 games that the Reds lost when leading after eight innings.

The Reds, who have an 11-game lead over the fourth-place Giants in the West, took a 2-0 lead in the first on Paul O’Neill’s seventh home run.

Don Robinson, making his third start since coming off the disabled list on May 24, held the Reds to eight hits in eight innings. Jeff Brantley (2-1) earned the victory, retiring Ron Oester on a grounder with runners on first and second to end the Reds’ 11th.

Danny Jackson limited the Giants to one run and four hits in 7 1/3 innings, his longest outing of the season.

San Diego 3, Houston 2--Garry Templeton capped a three-run ninth inning with a two-out single at San Diego as the Padres handed the Astros’ their sixth consecutive loss.

Joe Carter’s ninth homer, a two-run shot off Mark Portugal (1-6), tied the game, 2-2.

Benito Santiago then singled and Dan Schatzeder walked Mike Pagliarulo. The runners executed a double steal as Larry Andersen struck out pinch-hitter Jack Clark, setting the stage for Templeton’s game-winning hit.

Glenn Davis supplied all of Astro runs with his 17th homer, his seventh in six games.

Craig Lefferts (3-1) pitched the ninth inning to earn the victory.

Minnesota 15, Toronto 5--Kirby Puckett went 5 for 5 for the second time this season and the Twins equalled a season-high with 19 hits at Toronto.

Puckett, who is batting .342, had a double, four singles and also scored three runs.

“I’m just trying to go up the middle,” said Puckett, whose other five-hit game came May 14 against Oakland. “That’s my game plan all season. If I get 600 at-bats, I’m trying to go up the middle in every one.”

Fred Manrique had a double and three singles and drove in three runs for the Twins. Greg Gagne had three hits, including a two-run homer.

The Twins, who lead the league in hitting, also had 19 hits on April 24 against Detroit and on May 25 against Boston.

John Candelaria (7-1) pitched three innings in relief to earn the victory.

Kelly Gruber hit his 15th homer for the Blue Jays.