Newfield Is Producing Along With the Padres

With Rickey Henderson sidelined because of a strained rib cage, Marc Newfield continued to be a superb replacement for San Diego as he had four hits and batted in four runs to lead the Padres to an 11-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies Wednesday at Denver.

“I feel like I just needed an opportunity to get more at-bats,” said Newfield, who has eight hits in 13 at-bats in three games subbing for Henderson. “It’s tough to break in with this outfield [Henderson, Tony Gwynn and Steve Finley]. I know I’m not going to play much even if they are healthy. I’ve got to accept being a spot starter and pinch-hitter.”

“[Newfield] can flat-out hit,” San Diego Manager Bruce Bochy said. “I’d like to see him get 200 to 300 at-bats. But where is he going to get them?”

Asked if Newfield might crack the starting lineup even when Henderson and Gwynn are healthy, Bochy said, “That will be a tough decision. I’ll put that off until I have to make it.”

Atlanta 4, Florida 2--Chipper Jones doubled in two runs during a four-run eighth inning to send Greg Maddux and the Braves to a comeback at Atlanta.

The Braves’ rally gave the victory to an uncommonly wild Maddux, who gave up six hits, walked three and struck out five in eight innings.

St. Louis 6, Pittsburgh 1--Donovan Osborne retired 16 consecutive batters and Ray Lankford hit a 468-foot home run and doubled with the bases loaded to lead the Cardinals at St. Louis.

Cory Bailey, Rick Honeycutt and Dennis Eckersley completed the three-hitter, the Cardinals’ fifth win in seven games.

Chicago 8, Cincinnati 6--Sammy Sosa’s two-run home run, his second of the game, in the 10th inning gave the Cubs a victory over the Reds at Chicago.

Sosa’s fourth homer of the season came off Johnny Ruffin, who walked Mark Grace to open the inning. Turk Wendell pitched two hitless innings of relief for the win.

Houston 7, New York 5--Jeff Bagwell hit a three-run homer and an RBI double, and Derek Bell had a solo home run as the Astros swept a two-game series at New York.

Philadelphia 9, Montreal 3--Lenny Dykstra had four hits, including two triples, and Terry Mulholland pitched well enough to lead the Phillies at Montreal.

Dykstra drove in two runs, scored twice and raised his batting average to .391. He tripled to lead off the game and hit an RBI triple in the seventh to give the Phillies a 6-1 lead.