NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Smoltz Makes Strong Return for Braves

John Smoltz returned from an eight-game suspension Wednesday and gave up three hits over eight innings and added a homer as the Atlanta Braves ended a four-game losing streak with a 6-2 victory over the Expos at Montreal.

“I used the time off wisely,” said Smoltz (6-7), who was suspended for hitting John Cangelosi of the New York Mets on May 14. “I worked diligently but didn’t overwork myself.

“I was in a good mind-set, knowing I’d only have one start in 10 games. I didn’t have to worry about the Phillies, didn’t have to worry about the Mets. I just concentrated on Montreal. Pitchers don’t usually have that luxury.”

Bill Pecota drove in three runs as the Braves regained a 1 1/2-game lead over the Expos in the National League East.

Smoltz had not pitched since losing to the Cincinnati Reds, 12-4, on June 19, one day before the suspension began. He gave up four home runs in the first inning of that game.

This time, he was nearly unhittable, giving up only a leadoff single to Marquis Grissom in the first, pitcher Butch Henry’s one-out single in the fifth and Sean Berry’s pinch-double in the eighth.

“I haven’t felt this good with my fastball in a long time,” said Smoltz, who gave up an unearned run, struck out seven and walked two.

Chicago 6, Pittsburgh 5--Glenallen Hill’s two-run double with two out in the ninth inning lifted the Cubs at Chicago.

The Cubs loaded the bases in the ninth against reliever Ravelo Manzanillo (2-2). Rey Sanchez doubled and advanced to third on Jose Hernandez’s sacrifice. Manzanillo walked Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace to load the bases. Mark Dewey replaced Manzanillo and struck out Sammy Sosa before Hill, who had homered earlier in the game, doubled into the left-center field gap on a 2-2 pitch.

Chuck Crim (3-1), who pitched the ninth, got the victory.

Houston 3, Cincinnati 1--Kevin Bass and Jeff Bagwell homered in a three-run eighth inning for the Astros at Houston.

Bagwell hit his 25th home run with one out. One pitch before the homer, Craig Biggio had been caught trying to steal second. Ken Caminiti then singled to center and Bass followed with his third home run, giving the Astros a 3-1 lead.

Houston reliever Dave Veres (3-3) was the winner, getting the final two outs of the eighth. Rookie John Hudek got the final three outs for his 12th save in 12 opportunities.

San Diego 10, Colorado 4--Pinch-hitters Billy Bean and Craig Shipley delivered run-scoring hits in the seventh inning as the Padres rallied at Denver.

With the Padres trailing, 3-1, Bean tied the score with a pinch-hit triple against Willie Blair (0-4), and Shipley followed one out later with a tiebreaking single.

Colorado left fielder Eric Young was injured in the ninth inning when he slammed into the outfield wall chasing down a double by Luis Lopez. Young hit his head on the wall and lay on the ground for several moments while Manager Don Baylor and a team trainer attended to him. He was carried off on a flat board by four teammates to the team clubhouse.

X-rays were negative and Young will be re-examined today.

Philadelphia 5, Florida 2--Danny Jackson gave up four hits in eight innings for his 10th victory and Doug Jones gained his league-leading 20th save at Philadelphia.

Jackson (10-2), who struck out seven and walked none, didn’t allow a baserunner until Gary Sheffield singled with two out in the fourth inning.