NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Benjamin’s Record-Breaker Is a Winner

Who is this guy? Mike Benjamin is a stand-in, a backup, a utility infielder and a role player. And now, he’s a major league record holder.

“I’ve been around some great hitters--Aaron, Cepeda, Ralph Garr, Rico Carty, Steve Garvey, Reggie Smith--but I’ve never seen a finer three days than Benjamin has had,” San Francisco Giant Manager Dusty Baker said.

Benjamin, filling in for injured Matt Williams and Steve Scarsone, went six for seven and drove in the winning run in the 13th inning as the Giants defeated the Cubs, 4-3, at Chicago Wednesday.

Benjamin set a major league mark with 14 hits in three consecutive games, having had four hits each on Sunday and Tuesday. His 14-for-18 performance has raised his average from .150 to .447. Benjamin also hit a three-run homer Saturday before his streak started.

The previous record of 13 hits in three games was set by Joe Cronin of Washington in 1933 and matched by Walt Dropo of Detroit in 1952 and Tim Salmon of the Angels in 1994.

“I’m not going to pinch myself for another three months,” Benjamin said. “It’s hard to believe with the role that I’m in. You don’t think a whole lot of records are realistic. The guys who play every day have the best chance of accomplishing them.”

Steve Mintz (1-1) pitched one inning for his first major league win.

Colorado 10, Cincinnati 4--Vinny Castilla had four hits, including a two home runs, to lead the Rockies over the Reds at Denver.

Castilla, who drove in three runs with his 11th and 12th home runs, has three two-homer games this season.

Dante Bichette, hitless in his first four at-bats, managed an infield single in the eighth that extended his hitting streak to 20 games, the longest in the majors this year.

Joe Grahe (2-1) pitched six innings as the Rockies climbed eight games over .500 (27-19) for the first time in their history.

Houston 9, Philadelphia 5--Brian Hunter, promoted from the minors a day earlier, hit a tiebreaking, two-run triple in the eighth inning that sent the Astros over the Phillies at Philadelphia.

Craig Biggio had four hits, including two doubles, and tied a Houston record by scoring four runs.

San Diego 3, St. Louis 0--Joey Hamilton pitched a two-hitter and Tony Gwynn’s two-run homer in the ninth inning broke up a scoreless game at St. Louis.

Steve Finley walked with one out in the ninth before Gwynn hit his third home run.

Florida 4, New York 0--Chris Hammond tied a career high with eight strikeouts in pitching the Marlins’ first complete game and shutout of the season at New York.

Hammond, who also scored twice, gave up seven hits, but only two after the fourth inning.

Atlanta 7, Montreal 3--John Smoltz settled down from a shaky start to pitch his first complete game of the season, helping the Braves end the Expos’ four-game winning streak at Montreal.

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THE HIT PARADE The Giants’ Mike Benjamin got six hits Wednesday, giving him a record 14 in a three-game span. Others with at least 12 hits in three games:

Hits Player (Team) Date, Year 14 Mike Benjamin June 11, 13-14 (San Francisco) 1995 13 Tim Salmon May 10-11, 13 (Angels) 1994 13 Joe Cronin June 19, 21-22 (Washington) 1933 13 Walt Dropo July 14-15 (Detroit) 1952 12 Wee Willie Keeler June 19-21 (Brooklyn) 1901 12 Milton Stock June 30 (Brooklyn) July 1-2, 1925 12 Stan Musial Aug. 11-12, 14 (St. Louis) 1946 12 Rennie Stennett Sept. 16-18 (Pittsburgh) 1975