Jones Keeps On Rolling With 12th Win

L.A. Times Archives

June 21, 1997 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

Bobby Jones hasn’t had to bounce back from many poor outings this season. On Friday night, he showed why.

Jones became the first 12-game winner in the major leagues, leading the Mets over the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-0, at New York.

“I always try to have a good game after a bad game and I never look back,” he said.

Jones (12-3) was coming off his shortest stint of the season, giving up five runs in four innings against the Boston Red Sox. He gave up six hits in 8 2/3 innings against the Pirates, struck out eight and walked two.

“I looked at the film after the Boston game and I saw what got me in trouble,” he said. “It was bad location of my pitches. I was giving them more of the plate than i usually do.”

The 12 victories match Jones’ career high, set in 1994 (12-7) and matched is 1996 (12-8).

“He had a good curve and fastball and he never had any cushion,” New York Manager Bobby Valentine said.

Jones also impressed Pittsburgh Manager Gene Lamont.

“To me, right now he’s the hot pitcher and he’s got good stuff. Nobody’s better,” Lamont said.

Butch Huskey led off the sixth inning with a double and advanced on Alex Ochoa’s groundout. Jason Hardtke followed with a run-scoring single for the game’s only run.

Cincinnati 4, St. Louis 2--Aaron Boone drove in the go-ahead run then was ejected from his major league debut as the Reds beat the slumping Cardinals at St. Louis.

Boone, recalled earlier in the day from triple-A Indianapolis to fill his brother Bret’s spot on the roster, singled and had a steal in three at-bats.

He was ejected in the sixth inning by home plate umpire Gary Darling for throwing his helmet after being tagged out on a close play at the plate.

“That’s probably a first,” Cincinnati Manager Ray Knight said. “First big-league game, first RBI, first ejection, first stolen base, and the highest helmet toss after ricocheting it off the ground.”

Kent Mercker (5-5) won his fourth consecutive decision as the Cardinals lost their fifth in a row. Mercker limited the Cardinals to six hits in six innings. In his last five starts, Mercker is 4-0 with a 1.35 earned-run average.

Jeff Shaw pitched a scoreless ninth for his 13th save and Deion Sanders and Pokey Reese each homered for the Reds.

Houston 7, Chicago 3--Luis Gonzalez tied an Astro record by extending his hitting streak to 23 games, and Derek Bell and Jeff Bagwell homered in a victory at Houston.

“It’s been strange, my wife and I go places to eat and people see me and mention the streak,” Gonzalez said. “Even my outs feel like I’m hitting the ball good right now.”

Gonzalez singled during a four-run third inning, tying the Houston hitting streak record set by Art Howe from May 1-24, 1981. Gonzalez has the longest hitting streak in the NL this season.

“I think it’s kind of like a guy pitching a no-hitter or trying to hit for the cycle,” Houston Manager Larry Dierker said. “Everybody knows about it, but no one wants to say much. Once you get to 15 games any hitting streak is impressive.”

Darryl Kile (8-3) won for the seventh time in eight decisions, giving up three runs and nine hits in seven innings with seven strikeouts and four walks. Steve Trachsel (4-6) was the loser.

Atlanta 4, Philadelphia 1--Tom Glavine pitched a seven-hitter and Andruw Jones hit a two-run double for the Braves at Philadelphia, as the Phillies lost their sixth consecutive game.

Glavine struck out four and walked one for his third complete game this season. He had a shutout until Darren Daulton’s sacrifice fly in the ninth.

“His record should be a lot better, because he’s having a super year,” Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox said about Glavine, who improved to 7-4. “That was a typical game for Tommy Glavine. It was just like he’s been pitching all season.”

Atlanta scored four unearned runs in the sixth off Mark Leiter (4-8) as the Phillies, who at 22-47 have the worst record in the majors, lost for the 16th time in 19 games.

Florida 2, Montreal 1--Alex Fernandez pitched a three-hitter to outduel Pedro Martinez, and Charles Johnson drove in both runs to lead the Marlins at Montreal.

Fernandez (7-6) retired the final 16 in pitching his third complete game this season. He walked three and struck out seven.

“I like a challenge. “ Fernandez said. “You hear Pedro! Pedro! Pedro! all the time. He’s a very good pitcher and he showed it tonight.”

Martinez (9-3) gave up five hits in his sixth complete game of the year. He gave up two runs, raising his major league-leading ERA to 1.64, and had 12 strikeouts..

“It was a good battle, the guy pitched well and he won,” Martinez said. “They got some batters who caught up to me. That was the key. Key hits at key times.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Deion Sanders

Team: Cincinnati

Performance: 2 for 5, home run, double, stolen base

Team’s Result: Win

Player: Luis Gonzalez

Team: Houston

Performance: 1 for 4, extended hitting streak to 23 games

Team’s Result: Win

PITCHING