Expos Get Free Pass Against Astros, 7-6

Jerry Goff never dreamed he would enter the major-league record books for his performance behind the plate. Not like this, anyway.

Goff, the Houston Astros’ backup catcher, was credited with a record-tying six passed balls against the Montreal Expos, who scored five unearned runs en route to a 7-6 victory Sunday at Montreal.

“I don’t have an answer,” said Goff, who had four career passed balls in 69 games entering Sunday’s. “After the first one got by, I got a little tentative. It just snowballed from there. It was ugly. I’m not making excuses. I just wish I had an answer.”

Mark Grudzielanek went five for five and scored three runs. Henry Rodriguez and F.P. Santangelo added two-run doubles as Montreal improved its major-league best home record to 16-4.

Ugueth Urbina (1-0), recalled from triple-A Ottawa on Saturday, pitched 5 2/3 innings, striking out six, to win his first start this season.

Goff matched the record shared by Harry Vickers of the Cincinnati Reds, who had six passed balls in a 1902 game; and Geno Petralli of the Texas Rangers, who mishandled six pitches in a game on Aug. 30, 1987.

Philadelphia 6, Atlanta 0--Undefeated rookie Mike Grace outdueled Greg Maddux, pitching a four-hitter as the Phillies ended the Braves’ seven-game winning streak with the victory at Philadelphia.

Grace (6-0) struck out five and walked one while retiring the final 17 batters in his first career shutout.

Maddux (4-3) lost consecutively for the first time since June 22 and 27, 1994.

Chicago 3, New York 0--Jim Bullinger pitched a two-hitter and Ryne Sandberg and Sammy Sosa hit home runs as the Cubs broke a five-game losing streak with the victory at New York.

Bullinger (2-3) struck out four and did not give up a walk in his first shutout and complete game since July 30, 1995 against Philadelphia. Jeff Kent had both hits for the Mets.

San Francisco 7, Pittsburgh 2--Allen Watson gave up six hits in eight innings and drove in four runs as the Giants won at Pittsburgh.

Watson (4-3), who struck out seven and walked one, pitched his first shutout in 64 starts.

Glenallen Hill, who was four for five, hit the Giants’ league-leading 56th homer as they posted their first series sweep this season.

Florida 7, Colorado 5--Charles Johnson hit a two-out homer in the bottom of the ninth at Miami to give the Marlins their seventh consecutive victory.

Johnson, who entered the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth, connected off Curtis Leskanic (2-2) for his seventh homer. It scored Jeff Conine, who had walked with one out, to give Colorado its seventh consecutive loss.

Rob Nen (2-0) got the victory by striking out three of the seven batters he faced.

San Diego 5, Cincinnati 0--Brian Johnson drove in two runs as San Diego ended Cincinnati’s seven-game winning streak.

Bob Tewksbury (5-1), pitching on three days of rest for the first time this season, gave up four hits and one walk over five innings.

Johnson went three for three off starter Dave Burba (0-4).