NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Maddux (15-2) Carries Braves

Greg Maddux posted his 13th victory in his last 14 decisions and became the National League’s top winner as the Braves defeated the Houston Astros, 5-2, Thursday at Atlanta.

Maddux (15-2 with a 1.86 earned-run average) checked the Astros on six hits as he pitched his third complete game in a row and his major league-leading ninth. Maddux, who had four strikeouts and one intentional walk, got 21 of the 27 outs on ground balls.

Chipper Jones homered and Dwight Smith delivered a sacrifice fly off Doug Drabek (7-8) in support of Maddux, who has given up three runs in his last 25 innings. The Braves ended a three-game losing streak in beating Houston for the first time in six games in Atlanta and reduced their magic number for winning the East title to 15.

Philadelphia 6, San Francisco 0--Sid Fernandez and two relievers held the Giants to five hits, and Gregg Jefferies and Mark Whiten hit consecutive solo home runs to break open a 1-0 game in the eighth inning at San Francisco.

Fernandez (6-1), who has won his last six decisions, gave up three hits in 6 2/3 innings before leaving with stiffness in his upper back. Ricky Bottalico got four outs and Heathcliff Slocumb pitched the ninth.

Fernandez, who was 0-4 before being released by the Baltimore Orioles in early July and signed by the Phillies as a free agent, struck out six and walked three. He has not lost since July 16, his first start for the Phillies.

Pittsburgh 6, Cincinnati 4--Jeff King hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning, his fourth hit of the game, as the Pirates rallied against closer Jeff Brantley for a victory at Cincinnati.

Brantley (3-2) failed to hold a 4-3 lead in the ninth, only his third blown save in 28 chances. Midre Cummings and Nelson Liriano had pinch singles and Jacob Brumfield hit a sacrifice fly.

Brantley walked Orlando Merced to open the 10th before King hit his 16th homer. Dan Plesac (4-3) retired the four batters he faced to get the win, and Dan Miceli got the last two outs for his 18th save.

Montreal 5, San Diego 4--Darrin Fletcher hit a solo home run with two out in the top of the 10th inning to give the Expos a victory over the Padres at San Diego.

After rookie reliever Ron Villone (1-1) retired the first two batters, Fletcher hit his 10th homer of the season. Reliever Willie Fraser (1-1) pitched one inning, and Mel Rojas pitched the 10th to earn his 24th save.

Chicago 12, Florida 3--Jose Hernandez hit a grand slam and a solo home run to lead the Cubs at Miami.

Steve Traschel (6-10) gave up five hits and one run while striking out two and walking five over six innings in the game, which was delayed 71 minutes by rain.

Hernandez’s solo homer in the fourth made it 3-0, but the six-run fifth sparked by his grand slam put the game away.