Tewksbury Stymies Rockies

Bob Tewksbury and Trevor Hoffman combined on a five-hitter and John Flaherty had a run-scoring single to extend the longest hitting streak in the National League as the San Diego Padres blanked the Colorado Rockies, 2-0, at San Diego.

Tewksbury (9-5) gave up five hits, walked one and struck out a season-high eight over eight innings for his fourth straight win.

“I had nothing left,” said Tewksbury when asked if he could have finished the game. “When I strike out eight batters, I throw a lot of pitches. I was able to make the pitches I had to and work my way out of jams. We came up with a plan and made some adjustments. He who adjusts first generally wins. The big thing was getting the first pitch over for a strike. You can expand the zone because they’re a free-swinging bunch generally.”

Hoffman struck out one in a perfect ninth for his 21st save as the Padres remained one game ahead of the Dodgers for the lead in the West. San Diego has won five of its last six games. Flaherty is batting .357 (35 for 98) with six home runs and 20 RBIs in his career-high 23-game hitting streak, which ties him with Marty Cordova of the Minnesota Twins for the longest in the majors this season.

Pittsburgh 6, Cincinnati 4--Denny Neagle won his 12th game and Al Martin hit a two-run homer as the Pirates held off the Reds at Pittsburgh.

Neagle (12-4) gave up only five hits over 7 2/3 innings to win his fourth consecutive start.

It was the third time this season Neagle has defeated the Reds, and each time the losing pitcher has been John Smiley (8-9), winless in his last four starts. Neagle and Smiley were traded for each other in 1992.

Houston 4, Atlanta 3--Derek Bell defeated the Braves for the second day in a row with a clutch hit, scoring James Mouton from third with a bases-loaded, infield single at Houston.

With one out, Mouton drew a walk off loser Greg McMichael (4-2). Craig Biggio followed with a single and Brad Clontz replaced McMichael. Jeff Bagwell walked to load the bases, and Bell stroked a high chopper to third to win it.

Philadelphia 12, Florida 3--Benito Santiago hit a grand slam, and Todd Zeile and Kevin Stocker homered at Miami as the Phillies stopped a season-high seven-game losing streak.

Santiago, formerly of the Marlins, highlighted a six-run ninth with his slam off Jay Powell. Zeile drew a bases-loaded walk from David Weathers, Jim Eisenreich had a run-scoring single off Yorkis Perez and Santiago hit his 16th home run.

St. Louis 6, Chicago 5--Tom Pagnozzi homered with one out in the 10th inning to lift the Cardinals past the Cubs at St. Louis.

Pagnozzi hit an 0-2 pitch off Turk Wendell (4-3) to give the Cardinals a split of the four-game weekend series. Reliever Mark Petkovsek (6-1) pitched a scoreless 10th for the victory. Pagnozzi’s home run was his seventh of the season.

Brian McRae hit his fifth home run with one out in the ninth off Cardinal reliever Dennis Eckersley to tie the score, 5-5. For Eckersley, seeking his 17th save, it was the third blown save in 19 chances this season.

Montreal 4, New York 3--Mike Lansing, Cliff Floyd and Shane Andrews each hit home runs and the Expos held off the Mets at New York.

Left-hander Jeff Fassero (9-7) pitched six innings for the victory, giving up one run on seven hits. He struck out nine and walked two.

Reliever Mike Dyer gave up a two-run homer to Butch Huskey in his only inning of relief. Mel Rojas pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for his 15th save.

Lansing hit his seventh homer of the season with two outs in the third and Floyd followed with his fourth, giving the Expos a 3-0 lead.

Andrews opened the fourth with his 12th homer on the first pitch off Mark Clark (10-7).