NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Avery Is Braves’ Stopper

Steve Avery once again helped the Atlanta Braves rebound from a tough loss Saturday, pitching a six-hitter as the Braves defeated the Chicago Cubs, 5-1, at Atlanta.

The game marked the 10th time this season that Avery (15-4) has won after an Atlanta loss. Derrick May had rallied the Cubs to a 9-7 victory Friday night with a grand slam in the seventh inning.

Saturday’s victory, the Braves’ 15th in 18 games, moved them within four games of first-place San Francisco in the National League West. That is the closest the Braves have been to the Giants since May 29. The Braves were four games out at that point, too.

The Giants were idle Saturday because of an NFL preseason game at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami.

Avery, winning for the fourth consecutive time, struck out three and walked none in getting his third complete game of the season.

“He was tough. Everything was working for him--fastball, breaking ball, changeup, everything,” Chicago Manager Jim Lefebvre said. “He’s on a roll.”

The Braves are 21-2 in Avery’s last 23 starts and 23-5 overall this season when the left-hander starts.

“Hopefully, this will put a little pressure on (the Giants),” said the 23-year-old Avery, who lowered his earned-run average to 2.85.

Jeff Blauser and Mark Lemke each had three hits to lead Atlanta’s 10-hit attack.

Cincinnati 9, Philadelphia 5--Thomas Howard’s three-run homer sparked a five-run sixth inning for the Reds at Philadelphia.

Jeff Branson doubled with one out in the sixth and pinch-hitter Jack Daugherty walked against Bobby Thigpen (2-1). Howard, acquired from Cleveland on Aug. 20, followed with his second home run since coming to the Reds.

After Jacob Brumfield and Hal Morris singled, Mike Williams relieved and gave up a two-run double to Joe Oliver.

The Phillies had taken a 5-4 lead in the fifth when Pete Incaviglia hit a two-run homer, his second of the night and 23rd homer of the season, after a 1-hour 5-minute rain delay.

Montreal 7, Houston 3--Rookie Kirk Rueter pitched five innings and remained unbeaten with the help of three home runs at Montreal.

Rueter (5-0) gave up five hits in winning his third consecutive start. The left-hander, in his 10th major league start, struck out three and walked two in five innings before leaving with a 4-3 lead. Mel Rojas worked three scoreless innings to earn his ninth save.

Astro starter Darryl Kile (14-5), who had won his three previous starts, gave up four runs in the first two innings.

He gave up three consecutive hits to open the first inning, but yielded only Larry Walker’s sacrifice fly as the Astros threw out two baserunners.

Kile’s troubles continued in the second. Darrin Fletcher hit his seventh home run and second in two nights leading off, and Kile walked the next two batters. Sean Berry scored on a wild pitch, and Marquis Grissom’s RBI single made the score 4-0.

San Diego 5, Pittsburgh 3--Scott Sanders gave up six hits over 8 1/3 innings in his third major league start as the Padres scored their fifth consecutive victory, at Pittsburgh.

Sanders (2-0) gave up three runs, walked two and struck out six.

He gave up an unearned run in the first inning on Jay Bell’s run-scoring single. He then yielded one hit for the next six innings before Al Martin hit his 11th homer in the eighth.

The Pirates have lost four of five. They are 0-2 under interim manager Milt May, who is filling in while Jim Leyland serves a six-game suspension imposed by the National League.

Colorado 7, New York 5--Colorado starter Armando Reynoso helped himself with a three-run homer, his second of the season, in a four-run sixth inning as the Rockies ended a four-game losing streak, at New York.

Reynoso (9-9), who had lost three of his previous four decisions, gave up five runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. Darren Holmes pitched the ninth for his 19th save.