NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Strike Coming at Wrong Time for Expos

Marquis Grissom stopped a slump by going four for five with two runs batted in as the Montreal Expos streaked to their 19th victory in 21 games, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-3, on Tuesday night at Pittsburgh.

The Expos (73-39) have lost only twice in three weeks and are 34 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history.

“With everything so uncertain because of the strike, at least that’s something,” Expo Manager Felipe Alou said.

Said Kirk Rueter, who combined with Mel Rojas and John Wetteland on a five-hitter: “I feel like I’m getting in a groove. Unfortunately, I think the strike is going to take care of that.”

Grissom, fighting through a two-for-25 slump, singled and scored on Walker’s groundout in the first before singling in runs in the fifth and seventh against Jon Lieber (6-7). Lieber lasted seven innings, giving up nine hits and four runs, three earned.

San Francisco 3, Chicago 2--Darren Lewis hit a two-run, bases-loaded single against Randy Myers with two out in the top of the ninth at Chicago.

Myers relieved in the ninth after Steve Trachsel gave up five hits over eight innings. Todd Benzinger singled with one out for his third hit. One out later, Myers (1-5) walked pinch-hitters Darryl Strawberry and Steve Scarsone.

Lewis, who struck out with the bases loaded in the seventh, singled to center to score pinch-runners Mike Benjamin and Bill Swift.

Atlanta 7, Colorado 4--Fred McGriff hit a two-run homer and had three RBIs for the Braves at Denver.

McGriff’s third two-run homer in the last two games helped the Braves improve to 11-0 against the Rockies at Mile High Stadium. Overall, Atlanta has lost only once in 21 games against the Rockies.

Philadelphia 5, New York 1--Curt Schilling won at Philadelphia for the first time since last year’s World Series, pitching a five-hitter.

Mariano Duncan hit a two-run homer as the Phillies ended a five-game losing streak. Lenny Dykstra, four for his last 28, went three for four.

Schilling (2-8) struck out five, walked one and retired 19 of the last 20 batters. It was his first complete game since he shut out Toronto in Game 5 of the World Series last October.

San Diego 4, Houston 3--Andy Ashby pitched a strong game and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning at Houston.

Ashby (6-11) gave up six hits while striking out seven and walking one in eight innings.

Ashby singled to start the eighth against Shane Reynolds (8-5), who then left the game after hitting Bip Roberts with a pitch. Derek’s Bell’s infield hit against Mike Hampton later in the inning scored Ashby from third.

Florida 5, St. Louis 3--Chuck Carr’s two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning at Miami was the first game-ending homer for the second-year Marlins.

Kurt Abbott led off the inning with a double against Vicente Palacios (3-8). After a sacrifice bunt, Carr homered to right field.