NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Maddux Relies on Finesse to Beat Phillies, 10-3

Greg Maddux is known as a power pitcher, but Monday night he needed finesse to pitch the Chicago Cubs to a 10-3 home victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

“The big thing is to get players out, not worry if you can finish up a game or have a big strikeout total,” Maddux said.

Maddux ranks second in the NL behind Pittsburgh’s Doug Drabek in victories since 1988 with 65, second behind Cincinnati’s Tom Browning in starts (138) and one behind Montreal’s Dennis Martinez in complete games with 39.

Maddux (13-10) gave up seven hits in eight innings but didn’t overpower hitters.

Maddux was backed by a 14-hit attack. Luis Salazar had a three-run homer during a five-run first, Ryne Sandberg had three hits and drove in three runs and Mark Grace had three singles as Chicago moved two games ahead of Philadelphia in their battle for fourth place in the NL East.

Houston 8, San Francisco 0--Pete Harnisch held the Giants to two hits over six innings and Jeff Bagwell had three of Astros’ 16 hits in the victory at Houston.

Harnisch (11-9) retired 17 of the first 19 batters he faced and allowed two infield singles, while striking out six and walking none.

Curt Schilling earned his eighth save with three innings of scoreless relief. He gave up three hits, while striking out three and walking one.

Trevor Wilson (11-11) was the loser, going 1 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs and eight hits. The loss was only his second in his last nine decisions.

St. Louis 10-1, Montreal 1-5--Chris Nabholz worked seven shutout innings to improve his record in September to 5-0, and Tim Wallach broke out of a slump with two RBIs at St. Louis as the Expos won the second game to gain a split of their doubleheader with the Cardinals.

Nabholz (7-7) gave up three hits, struck out six and walked two. He retired 15 in a row at one point after Felix Jose’s bunt single to lead off the second.

In the first game, Todd Zeile hit a three-run double to lead St. Louis out of a prolonged scoring slump, and Bryn Smith pitched a three-hitter in the Cardinal victory.