NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Deshaies Pitches Giants to Victory

The San Francisco Giants didn’t know what to expect from Jim Deshaies.

But the National League West leaders got more than they could have hoped for as Deshaies allowed only four hits in six innings in a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night at St. Louis.

The Giants stopped a skid in which they lost five of six to second-place Atlanta in a span of nine games, and held onto their 3 1/2-game lead over the Braves, who defeated the San Diego Pardes, 7-3.

Deshaies was 11-13 with the Minnesota Twins, losing his last six starts, before being acquired by San Francisco last Saturday. After Ozzie Smith’s one-out single in the first, he retired 13 batters in a row before Brian Jordan hit a 451-foot home run with two out in the fifth.

Deshaies, who spent most of his career in Houston, was surprised after making a successful return to the National League at the perfect time for the Giants.

“You can expect all kinds of things, but whether they happen or not is a different story,” said Deshaies. “Things worked out really well.”

Atlanta 7, San Diego 3--Tom Glavine coasted to his 17th victory and Terry Pendleton homered and drove in three runs as the Braves defeated the Padres at Atlanta.

Glavine (17-5) gave up three runs, seven hits, struck out seven and walked none in eight-plus innings. The left-hander has won seven of his last eight decisions.

Philadelphia 14, Cincinnati 2--The Phillies scored eight runs in one inning at Cincinnati, hit three homers and tied an NL record for avoiding shutouts.

The NL East leaders made it 150 consecutive games without being shut out, matching the modern-day league record. The Pittsburgh Pirates also scored in 150 straight in 1924-25.

Chicago 4, New York 3--Glenallen Hill hit a two-run homer in support of Greg Hibbard as the Cubs ended a three-game losing streak by beating the Mets at New York.

Hibbard (11-11) snapped a personal two-game losing streak. He allowed seven hits, three walks and struck out four and got two hits.

Montreal 3, Houston 0--Unbeaten rookie Kirk Rueter pitched three-hit ball over seven innings to lead the Expos to their eighth straight victory at Montreal.

It’s Montreal’s longest winning streak since July 1988. The Expos have won 11 of their last 12, including six in a row on the road.

Colorado 7, Pittsburgh 6--Danny Sheaffer’s two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Rockies a win over the Pirates at Denver.