NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Braves’ Nixon Returns, but Astros Prevail

Otis Nixon, rejoining the Atlanta Braves after serving a 60-day suspension for using cocaine, was hoping to provide a spark for his team Friday night at Atlanta.

Although Nixon scored a run and stole a base, he didn’t change the Braves’ momentum.

The Houston Astros, playing their first road game of the season, rode Luis Gonzalez’s three-run home run to a 4-2 victory. The Astros lead the National League West with a 10-6 record, while the Braves, who have won only two of their last 11, are 6-11 and last in the division.

Darryl Kile (2-1) outpitched John Smoltz, and Doug Jones, once the bullpen ace of the Cleveland Indians, continued his sharp comeback. Jones pitched a scoreless ninth, picked up his sixth save and lowered his earned-run average to 1.15.

Nixon--who had missed the last three weeks of last season, the playoffs and the World Series--received a standing ovation from the 40,666 fans. He went 0 for 4, but scored the Braves’ first run after reaching on an error in the third inning.

“Seeing how the team has been playing, I was hoping to provide a spark,” Nixon said. “A spark could trigger this club. I’m just happy to be back. I’ve worked hard to get back to the point I’m at.

“It seems like forever since I played. I made a mistake. It seems I’ve made many mistakes.”

In his absence, football star Deion Sanders played center field and batted .388. With Nixon in center, Sanders was in right and Ron Gant in left.

Gonzalez hit the first regular-season home run off Smoltz since last July 31.

Philadelphia 4, New York 3--The Phillies celebrated the return of Lenny Dykstra by pushing over a run in the ninth inning at Philadelphia to end the Mets’ four-game winning streak.

With one out in the ninth after the Mets overcame a 3-0 deficit, Jim Lindeman and Dykstra drew walks. Mariano Duncan extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a bloop single over short to fill the bases.

With the infield drawn in, Dave Hollins singled between Bobby Bonilla and first base to end it.

Bonilla had shifted to first when the Mets sent in a runner for Eddie Murray after the former Dodger doubled in two runs in the eighth to get the Mets even.

Pittsburgh 3, Chicago 2--When Cub Manager Jim Lefebvre decided to go for a double play instead of a play at the plate in the eighth inning at Chicago, he had no idea it would cost him the game.

But, with no outs in a 2-2 tie and runners on first and third, the Cubs went for the double play with Jose Lind at bat. While the double play was executed, Gary Redus scored. That was all the Pirates needed.

Relievers Roger Mason and Stan Belinda shut down the Cubs after they tied it, 2-2, in the seventh and the Pirates won for the 10th time in the last 11 games. Their 13-3 record is the best in the majors.

The Pirates seem to have somebody new come through in every game. In addition to the two relievers, catcher Don Slaught’s single in the eighth put the go-ahead run on third. Slaught also cut down Jerome Walton trying to steal second to end the game.

“This is a team game and if everybody does his part, then everything will take care of itself,” Manager Jim Leyland said.

St. Louis 4, Montreal 3--Ray Lankford doubled home the tying run with two out in the ninth inning at St. Louis and Ozzie Smith followed with a single to drive home the winning run.

Omar Olivares, who settled down after giving up three runs during the first two innings, pitched an eight-hitter to improve his record to 2-2.