NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Jefferies Returns With Hot Bat

It’s a good thing Gregg Jefferies didn’t need any speed.

Jefferies returned to the lineup after a six-game absence with two home runs and three runs batted in, despite an injured heel as the Cardinals defeated the Colorado Rockies, 11-4, Friday at St. Louis.

“I was hoping those balls would go out so I wouldn’t have to run,” said Jefferies, who hadn’t started since getting spiked in his right heel June 22. “It was sore, without question.”

The injury required six stitches. Four were removed on Thursday but two were left in, and trainers customized his shoe by removing the back and replacing it with a plastic plate to relieve pressure.

Florida 4, Atlanta 3--Kurt Abbott drove home Greg Colbrunn with a run-scoring single in the 11th inning to give the Marlins a victory at Miami.

The victory was only the third in 12 games for the Marlins, who got strong pitching from starter Mark Gardner and relievers Yorkis Perez, Robb Nen and John Johnstone (1-0), who pitched two innings for the victory.

Steve Avery, who hasn’t won in his last eight starts for Atlanta, gave up three runs, struck out four and walked none through eight innings.

Chicago 3, Houston 2--Rookie Steve Trachsel allowed six hits in 8 1/3 innings and kept his perfect road record intact thanks to Sammy Sosa’s 17th home run for the Cubs at Houston.

Trachsel (7-5) improved his road record to 6-0, striking out six and walking two. Doug Drabek (10-5) failed in his second consecutive attempt to win 11 games.

Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 2--John Roper remained unbeaten this season, stopping the Pirates’ eight-game home winning streak by repeatedly pitching out of trouble for the Reds.

Roper (5-0) pitched out of jams in the first two innings, then settled down to allow only solo homers by Orlando Merced and Andy Van Slyke as the Reds won for the ninth time in his 10 starts.

New York 10, San Diego 7--Bobby Bonilla, Kelly Stinnett and Jim Lindeman each hit two-run home runs to lead the Mets at San Diego.

Bobby Jones (8-7) pitched six-plus innings, allowing three runs and three hits. He tied a season high with seven strikeouts and walked four. Bill Krueger (0-1), the 13th pitcher to start for the Padres this season, allowed five runs and six hits in two innings.

San Francisco 14, Montreal 7--Matt Williams hit his 30th home run and had five RBIs as the Giants took advantage of a seven-run second inning at San Francisco.

Williams did his damage in the first six innings before leaving because of a strained left hip, an injury not believed to be serious. John Patterson had a career-high four hits with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored for the Giants, who scored a season high in runs.