Rodriguez Has Expos Hoping

Henry Rodriguez boosted Montreal’s wild-card hopes with one grand swing.

Rodriguez’s sixth-inning grand slam powered the Expos to a 5-2 victory over the Phillies at Philadelphia on Thursday night, cutting San Diego’s lead over Montreal in the wild-card race to one game.

Rodriguez, who had been stuck at 99 runs batted in for nine games, went over the 100-mark for the first time with his homer off Curt Schilling (9-10).

Florida 7, Atlanta 1--Andre Dawson, playing in his hometown for the final time and making his final start in the majors, went three for four and drove in a run as the Marlins extended their winning streak to six games by defeating the Braves at Miami.

Al Leiter (16-12) pitched a six-hitter, striking out eight and walking three.

Cincinnati 12, Chicago 4--Hal Morris increased his hitting streak to 26 games and Willie Greene hit his fifth homer in three days, leading the Reds to a three-game sweep of the Cubs at Cincinnati.

Morris singled in the second inning, preserving the third-longest hitting streak this season.

Houston 6, New York 2--Derek Bell’s single in the seventh inning drove in two runs, helping the Astros win at Houston. Doug Drabek (7-9) pitched seven innings, giving up two runs and seven hits.

Lance Johnson went three for four and has an NL-leading 225 hits.