NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Valenzuela Impressive in Return to Majors

Fernando Valenzuela surprised everyone but himself with an impressive return to the major leagues Tuesday night.

“A lot of us didn’t think he could throw that hard,” said Benito Santiago of the Florida Marlins after the Marlins defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-1, at Philadelphia on Jerry Browne’s ninth-inning sacrifice fly.

Valenzuela, who was with Jalisco of the Mexican League before signing with the Phillies on Friday, left after six innings. He gave up six hits and one unearned run, walked two and struck out one in six innings.

Valenzuela, who is scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Dodgers, said he knew he could still pitch in the big leagues.

“I had all my stuff working good,” he said, singling out his slider, which handcuffed many right-handed batters inside.

He said he felt “a little excited” when he first took the mound, but otherwise, “It was a normal game for me. I don’t think it’s anything new to me. I have been doing this for many years.”

Valenzuela’s first start at Philadelphia since August 29, 1990, a Dodger victory, triggered an outbreak of Fernandomania. Walkup sales of 10,000 boosted attendance to 47,027.

Florida scored its only run against Valenzuela after Chuck Carr reached on an error by first baseman John Kruk in the third. Kruk dropped Mariano Duncan’s throw on a ground ball to third.

Carr stole second, moved to third on Gary Sheffield’s single and scored on Jeff Conine’s sacrifice fly.

Colorado 10-3, San Diego 9-11--The Padres salvaged a split of a doubleheader at Denver, winning the nightcap in 11 innings after squandering an 8-0 lead in the opener.

Melvin Nieves hit a pinch run-scoring single and Tony Gwynn a two-run single in the Padres’ nine-run 11th inning. A wild pitch and hit batsman allowed two more runs, and three more came home when pitcher Darren Holmes and shortstop Walt Weiss made errors on Brad Ausmus’ bases-loaded bouncer up the middle.

San Diego’s nine runs were the most ever in the 11th inning of a National League game.

In the opener, the Rockies’ comeback included a pinch-hit grand slam by Howard Johnson.

Montreal 8, Atlanta 7--Wil Cordero’s run-scoring single finished a two-run rally in the ninth inning at Montreal, sending the Braves to their fourth consecutive loss.

Rondell White opened the ninth against Steve Bedrosian (0-1) with a single. After Moises Alou walked, Larry Walker singled for one run, and Cordero followed with his single, Montreal’s 16th hit.

Pittsburgh 6, Chicago 5--Brian Hunter hit his first career grand slam and Don Slaught also homered for the Pirates at Chicago.

The Pirates got what proved to be the winning run in the seventh as Orlando Merced greeted reliever Dave Otto with a single that scored Jay Bell, who had doubled with two outs.

St. Louis 8, New York 6--Ozzie Smith broke a tie with a two-out run-scoring double in the seventh and the Cardinals added four runs in the eighth at New York.

Bob Tewksbury (9-7) ended his losing streak at six. He went six innings, giving up three runs and six hits and striking out three and walking none.

Cincinnati 5, Houston 3--Reggie Sanders had a home run and two doubles and Bret Boone added two hits and two runs batted in for the Reds at Houston.

John Smiley (7-8) recorded his fourth consecutive victory, giving up three runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. Jeff Brantley got the final three outs for his eighth save.