NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Rijo Grand Again as Reds Move Closer With 4-0 Win

It has been a struggle almost every game for the Cincinnati Reds lately, except when Jose Rijo pitches.

Rijo pitched a two-hitter and struck out 12 Monday night to pitch the Reds closer to the National League West title with a 4-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati.

“He’s gotten sharper and sharper, just when we needed it most,” Manager Lou Piniella said.

“You can’t pitch any better than that. That’s two great games in a row he’s pitched. He had outstanding stuff. I’ll tell you, he was overpowering.”

Kevin Bass was the only Giant to figure out Rijo (12-7), hitting a double in the first inning and a single in the ninth.

Cincinnati maintained its 5 1/2-game lead over the Dodgers and reduced its magic number for clinching the West title to 11, while the defending NL champion Giants lost their fourth consecutive game and fell eight games back.

Rijo beat San Francisco for the first time in six decisions. One pitch was clocked at 97 m.p.h.

“The way they were missing the ball, he must have been throwing his breaking ball real well,” said outfielder Paul O’Neill, who had a two-run homer.

Rijo has given up three earned runs or fewer in 22 of his 26 starts, and has five complete games in his last 11 starts.

Since coming off the disabled list July 21 from a sore shoulder, Rijo has gotten stronger.

“Every time I start, I feel better and better,” he said. “I’ve got my rhythm and I feel no pain.”

Hal Morris hit a two-out, two-run single in the second inning off Scott Garrelts (12-11) and O’Neill hit his two-run homer in the third.

San Diego 5, Houston 0--Bruce Hurst pitched his second consecutive shutout, extending his consecutive scoreless-innings streak to 27, with a six-hitter, and the Padres beat the Astros at Houston.

The Padres announced before the game that four-time NL batting champion Tony Gwynn will miss the rest of the season because of a hand injury.