NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Bagwell Breaks Hand in Astros’ Victory

Jeff Bagwell broke a bone in his left hand, but Steve Finley homered and Darryl Kile pitched six strong innings Wednesday night to help Houston defeat San Diego, 3-1, at Houston.

Bagwell, the major league leader with 116 runs batted in, was removed in the fifth inning after being hit on the left hand by a pitch from Andy Benes in the third inning.

He was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which revealed a fracture in the fourth metacarpal of his left hand. Bagwell is expected to need three to five weeks to recover.

Bagwell also had his hitting streak stopped at 18 games.

Kile (9-6) did not allow a runner past first base after the third inning but was removed after hitting Craig Shipley with a pitch with one out in the seventh. Todd Jones pitched 2 2/3 innings for his fifth save.

Tony Gwynn went one for four with a single for San Diego and is batting .391.

Benes (6-14), who has lost five decisions in his last seven starts, struck out nine, extending his NL strikeout lead to 189.

Montreal 4, Pittsburgh 0--Pedro Martinez (11-5) beat the Pirates quickly and quietly, pitching six-hit ball over 8 2/3 innings as the streaking Expos scored their 20th victory in 22 games.

Marquis Grissom homered to start a three-run third inning as the Expos set a franchise record with their ninth consecutive road victory. Montreal’s 42-19 road record is the best in the majors.

John Wetteland got the final out for his third save in as many nights and his 25th this season.

San Francisco 5, Chicago 2--Matt Williams, his chase of Roger Maris’ home run record jeopardized by the impending strike, hit No. 43 and added a two-run double as the Giants beat the Cubs in Chicago.

In the third, after two walks and a single loaded the bases, Williams doubled for a 3-0 lead, giving him 96 RBIs.

William VanLandingham (8-2) got the decision.

Rod Beck finished for his 28th save and his 40th in a row dating to last Aug. 15.

Colorado 1, Atlanta 0--Kevin Ritz and Steve Reed combined to shut out Atlanta through six innings and the Rockies earned their first home victory over the Braves in a game called after six innings because of rain in Denver.

Dante Bichette’s double brought in the only run in the game, which was called after a 1-hour, 25-minute rain delay.

The victory was the first for the Rockies over Atlanta at Mile High Stadium, after 11 consecutive losses. Atlanta leads the all-time series, 20-2.

Ritz (5-6) blanked Atlanta for 5 2/3 innings, giving up six hits with five walks and six strikeouts. Loser Tom Glavine (13-9) gave up only four hits.

St. Louis 12, Florida 4--Omar Olivares pitched seven innings and hit his third career homer, helping the Cardinals win in Miami.

Tom Pagnozzi hit a two-run homer and Olivares (3-4) followed with a solo homer in the sixth to knock out Dave Weathers (8-12), who lost his fifth in a row.

New York 6, Philadelphia 2--Joe Orsulak singled in the go-ahead run in a three-run, eighth-inning rally that sent Bret Saberhagen and the Mets to a victory over the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Saberhagen (14-4) gave up one run and six hits in 7 1/3 innings. John Franco earned his NL-leading 30th save.