NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : For Expos’ Perez, It’s Showtime in Shutout

Carlos Perez was exactly what the Montreal Expos needed.

The animated rookie pitched a six-hitter, Montreal’s first complete game of the season, and drove in two runs Saturday at Montreal as the Expos beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-0, to end a six-game losing streak.

“That was my best outing for now, but maybe next time, I’ll pitch a no-hitter,” said Perez (7-1), who struck out six, walked none and lowered his earned-run average to 2.30 in his longest outing in nine major-league starts.

The left-hander was coming off his worst start, in which he lasted 1 2/3 innings and gave up five runs on four hits against Cincinnati on June 20.

David Segui, who is hitting .321 in 13 games since joining the Expos in a trade with the New York Mets, said playing behind Perez is always entertaining.

“He keeps you interested to see what happens next,” Segui said. “He’s having so much fun it rubs off on you. He’s not trying to show anybody up, he’s just having fun.”

San Diego 2, Colorado 0--Joey Hamilton pitched a four-hitter and his second consecutive shutout as the Padres defeated the Rockies at San Diego in the fastest game in the majors this season--one hour 55 minutes.

Roberto Petagine singled home one run and scored the other as the Padres pulled to within half a game of first place in the NL West, the closest they have been to the top this late in the season since 1986.

Hamilton (3-2), who walked two and struck out five, has given up only four earned runs in 53 1/3 innings in his last seven games.

Atlanta 5, New York 4--Right fielder David Justice threw out Jose Vizcaino at the plate to end the game and preserve the victory at Atlanta that ended the Braves’ three-game losing streak.

With two outs, Vizcaino reached second base when his infield hit was thrown away by shortstop Jeff Blauser for an error. Edgardo Alfonzo followed with a single to right field. Justice made a strong throw that reached home on the fly, and catcher Javier Lopez blocked the plate and tagged out the sliding Vizcaino.

John Smoltz (7-3) won his fourth consecutive start and surpassed his victory total from last year. Ryan Klesko hit his sixth home run in 13 games for Atlanta in a five-run third inning that broke a scoreless tie.

Cincinnati 5, Florida 2--Barry Larkin and Ron Gant hit consecutive homers off Chris Hammond in the seventh inning to power the Reds at Cincinnati.

Larkin’s two-run homer, only his second hit in 25 at-bats, and Gant’s 14th homer of the season broke a 2-2 tie. The Marlins managed only four hits in seven innings off Pete Schourek (5-4). Hector Carrasco gave up one hit over two innings for his fifth save.

Florida’s Jeff Conine hit his 10th homer in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to six games.

Philadelphia 10, St. Louis 9--Mickey Morandini had a career-high five hits and drove in three runs as the Phillies took an eight-run lead and then held on for a victory at St. Louis.

The Phillies took a 9-1 lead by scoring in each of the first six innings with every run coming with two outs. Philadelphia then needed Heathcliff Slocumb to pitch a scoreless ninth for his league-leading 18th save.

Morandini had three singles and two doubles as the Phillies had 17 hits. Jim Eisenreich had four hits and Charlie Hayes added three.

St. Louis was led by Ray Lankford, who hit a three-run homer and a sacrifice fly.

Chicago 5, Houston 2--Mark Grace continued his hot hitting with three runs batted in and Astro starter Darryl Kile committed two costly throwing errors that led to four runs as the Cubs defeated the Astros at Houston.

Chicago starter Kevin Foster (5-4) gave up four hits and one run over 6 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts and five walks. Randy Myers pitched the ninth inning for his 16th save.