Rockies Extend Winning Streak to Eight

Vinny Castilla and Eric Young had run-scoring hits in the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday as the Colorado Rockies extended their winning streak to eight games, a club record, by beating the San Francisco Giants, 4-3.

Rookies Jamey Wright and Osvaldo Fernandez staged a rare pitching duel at Coors Field, with Fernandez carrying a 2-1 lead into the seventh before the Rockies scored twice.

Jeff Reed led off with a double. Pinch-runner Quinton McCracken, who was sacrificed to third by Jason Bates, scored on Castilla’s pinch-hit single. Young followed with a triple to left-center field, giving Wright his first major league victory.

Wright, making his third career start, pitched seven innings, giving up two runs and four hits. Bruce Ruffin got three outs for his 15th save.

Wright said earning his first-major league win “wasn’t my main concern today. I just wanted to keep the team in the game and keep this winning streak going.”

The Rockies, 7-0 since the all-star break, completed the first unbeaten homestand involving more than one opponent in their history. They earlier swept four games from San Diego.

The Giants, who were playing without five regulars in their starting lineup because of injuries, have lost 20 of their last 24 games.

Florida 11, Houston 2--Kurt Abbott, batting leadoff for the only second time in his career, hit a three-run triple and three-run homer to lead the Marlins at Miami.

Al Leiter (10-8), who had lost five of his previous six decisions, gave up only two hits over six innings with six strikeouts and six walks.

Marlin rookie Edgar Renteria had three hits, including two doubles. Jeff Conine had two hits and two RBIs as the Marlins totaled seven extra-base hits, tying a season high.

“I don’t remember the last time I had six RBIs, in high school or my life,” Abbott said. “I feel great, I can’t remember a better night.”

Since the Marlins changed managers and hitting coaches at the all-star break, Abbott has led off twice and has driven in eight runs in 13 at-bats, doubling his first-half output.

St. Louis 6, Cincinnati 4--John Mabry hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Brian Jordan also homered at Cincinnati as the Cardinals won their sixth in a row.

Andy Benes (8-8) yielded eight hits and gave up all four runs in eight innings. He struck out three and walked one. Dennis Eckersley finished for his 16th save.

St. Louis has 15 homers and 49 runs during its winning streak.

Mark Portugal (6-6) gave up five runs--four earned--and five hits in seven innings for the Reds. Lenny Harris and Barry Larkin homered for Cincinnati.

St. Louis loaded the bases in the first on singles by Ozzie Smith and Willie McGee, and a walk to Ron Gant. Jordan hit a sacrifice fly and Mabry’s ninth homer of the season made it 4-0.

Portugal then retired 14 consecutive batters. St. Louis added an unearned run in the seventh, and Jordan hit his 13th homer off Scott Service.

New York 3, Philadelphia 2--Butch Huskey hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth at New York to give the Mets their fourth consecutive victory.

“We can’t afford a setback,” Huskey said. “Especially not in these next four games. We all know that the Expos are our next stop in reaching the .500 mark.”

The Mets are two games under .500 (46-48) for the first time since May 4 (13-15) and have won 14 of their last 18 at home.

Pinch-hitter Chris Jones singled off Steve Frey (0-1) to open the ninth and was sacrificed to second by Lance Johnson. Right fielder J.R. Phillips then dropped Jose Vizcaino’s fly ball for a two-base error, allowing Johnson to move to third.

After Bernard Gilkey was walked intentionally, Toby Borland was brought in to face Huskey. Huskey’s fly ball to deep right was caught by Phillips, but Jones scored without a play at the plate.