NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Schott Back in Stands, Reds Rout Cubs

The Cincinnati Reds’ biggest inning in three years had more to do with Tony Perez’s yelling than Marge Schott’s cheering.

Schott, back in a front-row seat for the first time since she was given a one-year suspension, cheered and blew kisses while the Reds scored eight runs in the third inning to beat the Chicago Cubs, 9-4, Saturday at Cincinnati.

“She yelled, ‘Rijo, I love you,’ ” said Jose Rijo (3-1), who gave up eight hits and four runs in seven innings. “I yelled, ‘I love you too, honey.’ ”

But the Reds’ owner was merely a sideshow. The Reds’ primary motivator was their usually soft-spoken manager, who called a meeting before the game and raised his voice. The Reds (9-13) are off to their worst start in seven years.

The talk inspired Bip Roberts, who led off the third with a single and ended up singling twice, scoring twice and driving in two runs in the inning.

The Reds sent 12 batters to the plate in the third against Mike Harkey (3-1) and Jose Bautista. Barry Larkin also singled twice and drove in two runs in the Reds’ first eight-run inning since June 23, 1990, against the Dodgers.

It was their first inning with Schott back in the stands. As part of her suspension, she had to watch games played in April from an executive booth. Schott walked down to her front-row seat behind the Reds’ dugout in the top of the third with the score tied, 1-1.

St. Louis 10, Atlanta 3--Todd Zeile ended a two-for-20 slump with a tiebreaking, bases-loaded double in the sixth inning as the Cardinals routed the Braves at Atlanta.

St. Louis broke the game open with a five-run seventh inning that included a three-run double by Mark Whiten and a two-run double by Tom Pagnozzi.

John Smoltz (2-3) gave up four runs and six hits in six innings as the Braves lost for the sixth time in seven games.

Joe Magrane (2-2) gave up two runs and four hits in seven innings, struck out four and walked one as St. Louis increased its record in day games to 6-1.

With the score tied, 1-1, in the sixth inning, Ozzie Smith and Ray Lankford singled, and Whiten walked, loading the bases. Zeile then doubled to right.

Houston 7, Pittsburgh 3--Doug Drabek beat his former team for his first victory at home with the Astros in a fight-interrupted game.

The benches emptied in the fifth inning after Houston’s Eric Anthony was knocked down by a pitch from Randy Tomlin. Anthony charged the mound and grabbed Tomlin, and a five-minute fight ensued.

Anthony was ejected. Houston’s Craig Biggio left the field with a bloody cut over his left eye but stayed in the game.

Drabek (3-3) settled down after giving up two runs in the first inning. He pitched seven innings and gave up three runs on seven hits. Tomlin (1-2) gave up five runs on seven hits in six innings.

San Francisco 7, Montreal 3--Darren Lewis hit a two-run home run, highlighting a six-run first inning at San Francisco and leading the Giants to their fifth consecutive victory.

Jeff Brantley (2-1) pitched six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. Jimmy Jones (4-1) gave up seven hits and got only one out before leaving.

There were some tense moments in the fourth when both teams came onto the field after Brantley threw over the head of Frank Bolick. Only words were exchanged, however.

Montreal reliever Jeff Shaw had thrown over Matt Williams’ head in the second inning and hit Robby Thompson in the back in the third.

Florida 7, Colorado 6--Rich Renteria fouled off seven pitches with two strikes, then singled home the winning run with two outs in the 12th inning, giving the Marlins a victory at Miami.

Jeff Conine, who earlier hit a grand slam for his first major league home run, singled with one out in the 12th against Steve Reed (1-1). After a walk and a groundout, Renteria lined a single to left.

Bryan Harvey (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings for his first victory since July 18, 1991.

San Diego 5, New York 3--Gary Sheffield hit a two-run home run off Mike Maddux in the eighth inning at San Diego as the Mets lost their seventh in a row.

Sheffield had four of the Padres’ season-high 16 hits. Tony Gwynn started the eighth inning with a bunt single, his fourth hit of the game and ninth in 10 at-bats in the last two games.

Gene Harris, who gave up a game-tying single to Dave Gallagher in the top of the eighth, picked up the victory.