NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Justice Serves Braves Well in Win Over Giants

It was David Justice’s turn to be the star.

He drove in a career-high five runs with two home runs and a single, and John Smoltz won his 10th game since the All-Star break as the Atlanta Braves defeated the San Francisco Giants, 8-3, at Atlanta Monday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

The Braves remain half a game behind the Dodgers in the National League West.

The two homers brought Justice’s total to four in three games.

Justice, who missed 47 games while on the disabled list with a strained back, has seven home runs and 21 RBIs in 21 games since being activated on Aug. 20.

“Tonight was my turn,” Justice said. “Yesterday it was Brian Hunter, and the day before it was Jeff Treadway with three hits.

“It’s a different guy each and every day. That’s what makes a good team, and we have a good team,” he said.

Smoltz (12-13) won his fourth game in a row and is 10-2 since July 12 after going 2-11 the first half of the season. He pitched seven innings and gave up one run and five hits.

Smoltz left after suffering a small blister on his middle finger of his throwing hand.

Atlanta scored four runs in the first inning off Bud Black (10-15), who lost for the sixth time in seven decisions.

Pittsburgh 12, Chicago 10--The Pirates jump to an early 6-0 lead at Chicago but still needed a three-run homer by pinch-hitter Orlando Merced in the ninth inning to turn back the Cubs.

Don Slaught drew a one-out walk in the ninth off loser Dave Smith (0-6). Jose Lind followed with a single, sending Slaught to third. Merced, batting for Stan Belinda, hit his eighth homer, over the right-field bleachers, giving the Pirates an 11-10 lead.

Three batters later, Bobby Bonilla hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly against Les Lancaster for the Pirates’ final run.

Belinda (5-5) got the victory, working 1 2/3 innings, giving up two hits and two runs. Rosario Rodriguez pitched the ninth inning.

St. Louis 4, Philadelphia 2--Omar Olivares gave up two runs and six hits in 8 2/3 innings at St. Louis as the Cardinals ended a five-game losing streak.

Olivares (8-5) outpitched rookie Andy Ashby (0-3), who gave up five hits in 4 2/3 innings. The Phillies spoiled Olivares’ bid for his first major league shutout when Charlie Hayes hit a two-run homer with two out in the ninth. Lee Smith finished for his 38th save.

Montreal 4, New York 3--Mike Fitzgerald drove in two runs with a single at New York as the Expos won their fifth game in a row and ended a nine-game losing streak to the Mets.

Brian Barnes (4-6) pitched five innings for the victory. The left-hander, 1-3 with four no decisions in his previous eight starts, gave up two runs and three hits. Bill Sampen pitched 2 2/3 innings and Jeff Fassero finished for his seventh save, getting a double play to end the game with runners on first and third.

David Cone (12-12), 4-6 in his past 10 decisions, gave up four runs and eight hits.

San Diego 3, Houston 0--Andy Benes gave up five hits in 7 1/3 innings at Houston to win his eighth consecutive decision as the Padres won their sixth in a row.

Benes’ winning streak matches the longest in the National League this season, with Tom Glavine and Kelly Downs also winning eight decisions in a row. Benes (12-10) hasn’t lost since July 15 and in his last five starts has given up only 23 hits and three runs in 39 2/3 innings.

Craig Lefferts struck out three in 1 2/3 innings for his 20th save.