Reds Win With Six in Ninth

Thomas Howard walked with the bases loaded to force home the go-ahead run, as the Cincinnati Reds scored six runs in the ninth inning to defeat the Colorado Rockies, 7-5, Thursday night at Denver.

The Rockies, who had won seven in a row overall and nine in a row at home, took a 5-1 lead into the ninth, but starter Marvin Freeman fell two outs short of his first career complete game. He left after giving up a two-run homer to Hal Morris, a single to Eric Davis and a walk to Eddie Taubensee.

Curtis Leskanic came in and struck out Reggie Sanders as the Reds pulled a double steal.

Leskanic gave way to Bruce Ruffin (1-1), who surrendered a game-tying single to pinch-hitter Chris Sabo.

Bret Boone followed with a single, and an error by first baseman Andres Galarraga set up Howard’s game-winning walk. The Reds added another run on a wild pitch by Steve Reed.

Hector Carrasco (1-0) worked two scoreless innings for the victory and Jeff Brantley struck out the side in the ninth for his 11th save.

San Diego 7, Philadelphia 5--Steve Finley capped his first career five-for-five game with a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Padres rallied at San Diego.

Finley hit a 1-1 pitch from Russ Springer (1-4) into the right-field seats with none out to put the Padres ahead, 6-5. Rickey Henderson walked to open the eighth and stole his 10th base this season before Finley’s homer.

Finley also had three singles and a broken-bat double.