NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Maddux ERA Falls to 1.71

The St. Louis Cardinals are already convinced that Greg Maddux will win a third consecutive Cy Young Award.

“If he doesn’t win it, I’d like the see the guy who does,” Gregg Jefferies said after Maddux threw a five-hitter as the Atlanta Braves won, 6-1, to split a doubleheader Thursday at St. Louis. “He’s obviously the best pitcher in both leagues.”

Maddux (13-5) has three consecutive complete games and leads the major leagues with eight complete games. He lowered his earned-run average to 1.71--more than a point lower than any other starter--and tied Ken Hill of Montreal for the league lead in victories.

Omar Olivares pitched a three-hitter and Jefferies went three for four with three runs batted in as the Cardinals won the first game, 6-3.

The rare six-game series continues with another doubleheader tonight and single games Saturday and Sunday.

Maddux struck out eight and walked none.

The Braves knocked out John Frascatore, making his major league debut, in 3 1/3 innings. Tony Tarasco hit a run-scoring double and Fred McGriff followed with his 26th home run in a three-run first. Javier Lopez hit a three-run home run, his 12th, in the fourth.

Frascatore (0-1), who was called up before the game from triple-A Louisville, gave up all six runs and seven hits. He was optioned back to Louisville after the game to make room for Tom Urbani, who will start the first game today.

In the first game, Olivares (2-2) gave up all three hits and three runs in the first two innings, and the only Atlanta baserunners in the next five innings came on a pair of walks.

Olivares retired the final 16 batters to win for the first time in eight starts. He walked five and struck out two.

Jefferies had a run-scoring double in the first and RBI singles in the second and fourth off John Smoltz (6-10), who worked six innings and gave up six runs on 11 hits in his 200th career start.

“I threw a lot of pitches that were in a bad location,” Smoltz said. “Three runs should have been enough for me. I’m as frustrated as anyone else.”

Houston 13, Pittsburgh 6--Ken Caminiti drove in four runs and Andujar Cedeno hit a three-run homer to help Pete Harnisch win his fifth consecutive start as the Astros won at Houston.

Harnisch (7-4) is unbeaten since returning from the 15-day disabled list on June 30. He gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings.

Houston built a 7-0 lead after three innings against Zane Smith (9-8), who gave up nine runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.