Deer Homer Helps Padres Win

Rob Deer hit his first major league home run since 1993 and Tim Worrell pitched six strong innings for the Padres, who beat San Francisco, 7-3, Saturday night in San Diego.

The Padres, winners of eight in a row against the Giants, have won four in a row overall. San Francisco, with a four-game losing streak, has lost 14 of its last 16 games.

Deer played in Japan in 1994 and was in the minor leagues last year. He was called up this week when Tony Gwynn went on the disabled list.

Worrell (6-4) struck out nine. He gave up one earned run and seven hits and ended his three-game losing streak. He also got his first hit of the season and scored his first run.

Joey Hamilton, who leads the Padres staff with 10 wins, pitched a perfect seventh inning in the second relief appearance of his career in 66 outings. San Diego wanted to give him some work before the All-Star break.

Trevor Hoffman got the last out for his 18th save.

Steven Bourgeois (1-1) gave up five runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings in his first major-league start. Bourgeois, who has made eight relief appearances, also had two hits with his first run batted in.

San Diego scored four runs in the seventh inning when Ken Caminiti hit a two-run double off Rich Delucia and Deer followed with his homer.

New York 11, Montreal 3--Rookie Alex Ochoa hit a three-run homer to help lead the Mets to their fourth consecutive victory, a win over the Expos at Montreal.

Ochoa, who hit for the cycle Wednesday in Philadelphia, broke open a tie game with his third home run of the season. He is batting .352 in 14 games since being called up from Triple-A Norfolk, Va., on June 22.

Since Ochoa’s arrival, the Mets have won nine of 14 games and moved into third place in the East Division for the first time since April 6.

Atlanta 4, Houston 2--Four pitchers combined on a seven-hitter and the Braves, led by Marquis Grissom, ended the Astros’ seven-game winning streak with a victory at Atlanta.

Atlanta starter Steve Avery left the game after the third inning because of a strained muscle in his lower left side. Avery, who was hurt while warming up before the game, said the injury is not serious and he expects to make his next start after the All-Star break.

Avery gave up one hit and one walk. He was followed by Mike Bielecki, who pitched three scoreless innings for his first win since returning this season for his third stint with the Braves.

St. Louis 9, Pittsburgh 5--John Mabry had five hits and two runs batted in and Ron Gant had a two-run double at Pittsburgh to lead the Cardinals to their sixth consecutive win over the Pirates.

The Cardinals have outscored Pittsburgh, 45-19, in the six games the teams have played against each other over the last two weekends.

Philadelphia 2, Florida 1--At Philadelphia, Mike Williams gave up four hits in eight innings as the Phillies handed the Marlins their seventh consecutive loss.

Williams struck out four. Ricky Bottalico worked the ninth inning for his 20th save, third of the series.

Kevin Brown (7-7) gave up five hits, struck out five and walked two in seven innings. In his seven losses, the Marlins have scored only seven runs.

Chicago 6, Cincinnati 2--Leo Gomez had a two-run, bases-loaded single in the eighth inning to lead the Cubs over the Reds at Chicago.

The Cubs had managed only three runs and 19 hits in their three previous games. They had 11 hits Saturday and clinched the game when Bob Patterson struck out pinch-hitter Eric Davis with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning.