NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Kruk Perfect as Phillies Defeat Cardinals

John Kruk stated the obvious Tuesday night after the Phillies opened a key series against the St. Louis Cardinals with a 10-7 victory at Philadelphia.

“We didn’t pitch too good. But we scored more runs, so we win,” Kruk said.

What was also obvious to anyone watching was that Kruk played a key role in the victory, going five for five and driving in three runs.

Dave Hollins added a two-run homer as the Phillies expanded their lead over the Cardinals to five games in the National League East.

Each of Kruk’s five hits were off different pitchers.

Reliever Roger Mason (2-7) earned the victory with 2 2/3 innings of work. Mitch Williams got the last three outs for his 27th save.

Kruk said the Phillies weren’t seeking revenge for the beating they took in losing three of four to the Cardinals in St. Louis at the end of June.

“There is no change (in us). We still talk trash and listen to the same music,” he said.

Tommy Greene started for the Phillies but had to leave after 2 2/3 innings when he strained his groin.

St. Louis starter Joe Magrane (8-9) lasted only one inning plus, giving up five hits and five runs. The right-hander has given up 22 hits, including five home runs, and 17 runs for a 21.86 earned-run average in seven innings in his last three games.

Atlanta 10, Colorado 5--Fred McGriff hit two home runs, including an inside-the-park shot, and drove in four runs at Colorado as the Braves improved to 9-0 against the Rockies.

John Smoltz (9-8) gave up four hits over eight innings for the victory as the Braves won for the seventh time in eight games since McGriff’s arrival from San Diego. Since then, Atlanta has scored 81 runs.

Rockie starter Armando Reynoso (7-6) pitched 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs and eight hits.

In the sixth inning, McGriff hit first inside-the-park homer of his career into the right-field corner. McGriff hit his 24th homer in the seventh inning.

Houston 6, Cincinnati 5--Kevin Bass’ three-run homer powered the Astros at Houston.

Tom Browning (7-6) was the losing pitcher, going only 2 2/3 innings and giving up six runs on eight hits.

Brian Williams (4-3) gave up five runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Doug Jones got the final three outs for his 21st save.

Montreal 8, Pittsburgh 6--Pinch-hitter Lou Frazier singled in the tiebreaking run in a two-run eighth inning as the Expos beat the Pirates at Pittsburgh.

Trailing, 6-5, the Expos tied the score against Joel Johnston (0-1) on consecutive doubles by Larry Walker and Moises Alou. After an intentional walk and a fly out, Frazier grounded a single up the middle for his ninth pinch-hit in 26 at-bats (.346).

The runs were the first given up by Johnston in 11 2/3 innings over seven games since he was recalled from the minors on July 7.

Tim Scott (3-1) got the victory with two scoreless relief innings.

New York 4, Florida 3--Jeff Kent’s second home run of the game, leading off the seventh inning, gave the Mets a victory at New York.

Kent, who has 12 home runs, also hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning off loser Pat Rapp (1-3).

Dwight Gooden (10-10) pitched seven innings for the victory.

San Diego 8, Chicago 0--The only two stars the Padres have left were all they needed to beat the Cubs.

Andy Benes pitched a five-hitter and Tony Gwynn had five hits and drove in three runs, leading the team at Chicago.

Gwynn and Benes are the only players making more than $1 million left on the Padres after Kurt Stillwell ($1.75 million) was waived before the game.

It was the second shutout and fourth complete game of the season for Benes (11-7), who struck out eight and walked none.