Hampton, Astros Sink Giants Again

Mike Hampton’s new sinker brought the Houston Astros back above the .500 mark.

Hampton pitched a four-hitter to win his third consecutive decision Wednesday night, leading the Astros to an 8-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Houston.

The Giants, who have lost five of their last seven since the All-Star break, remained three games ahead of the Dodgers, who lost to the Florida Marlins.

The Astros have won five of seven since the All-Star break and seven of their last nine.

Hampton (6-7) has won four of five with one no-decision in his last six starts. The left-hander went the distance for the third time in his last four starts, struck out six and walked none.

Off-season shoulder surgery has the 24-year-old feeling better than he has in a long time.

“I haven’t felt this good since I was in high school,” Hampton said. “My arm feels real good.”

That isn’t the only thing that has lifted his spirits. Hampton started working on a sinker to go with his favorite pitch, a cutter, and the new pitch has been effective.

“It has been quite a world of difference for him,” Manager Larry Dierker said. “We told him he had to take a step back to take two steps forward and fortunately, he has hung in there with it (the sinker). Now it’s starting to pay off.”

“Telling me I’d have to take a step back to go two forward just meant I had to learn another pitch,” Hampton said. “I lost command of the inside of the plate for a while. But now I can change things up and work in and out a lot.”

Hampton started out 2-6 this season before the sinker began to raise his record.

“I probably threw 65 sinkers in 110 pitches tonight,” Hampton said. “I still throw my cutter as my out pitch, but this gives me another one when I need it.”

The Astros (48-47) have a winning record for the first time since May 25.

The Giants acquired catcher Brian Johnson from Detroit in exchange for catcher Marcus Jensen before the game. Johnson was in uniform for the game.

Cincinnati 7, Pittsburgh 3--Jon Nunnally homered and drove in three runs in his first NL start and Dave Burba remained unbeaten in Pittsburgh as the Reds ended the Pirates’ four-game winning streak.

Burba (6-9) improved to 5-0 in Three Rivers Stadium, including 2-0 this season. He gave up three runs and eight hits in his second complete game, and the Reds’ second this season.

Burba, who struck out 10 and walked two, is 6-2 against the Pirates, including four consecutive victories. He is 2-0 against Pittsburgh and 4-9 against the rest of the league this season.

Nunnally, acquired Tuesday in a four-player trade with Kansas City, and Willie Greene hit consecutive homers in the fifth off starter Esteban Loaiza (6-7) as the Reds scored all of their runs with two outs.

Philadelphia 6, Montreal 0--Curt Schilling pitched a four-hitter for his first shutout this season and Scott Rolen homered and drove in two runs as the Phillies beat the Expos at Philadelphia.

Schilling (11-8), involved in trade rumors with several teams, struck out seven and did not walk a batter in his fourth complete game. The right-hander, who leads the NL with 176 strikeouts, didn’t allow a runner to reach third in pitching the Phillies’ first shutout of 1997.

Chicago 6, New York 5--Right fielder Sammy Sosa made a running catch with the bases loaded to end the seventh inning and catcher Scott Servais had a key pickoff in the eighth, as the Cubs won at New York.

The Cubs stopped their four-game losing streak and sent the Mets to their third consecutive loss.

Rookie Jeremi Gonzalez (7-2) lasted just long enough to get the victory, giving up five runs in five innings. John Olerud hit a three-run homer and Todd Hundley had a two-run double for the Mets.

Trailing, 6-5, the Mets loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh. Terry Adams relieved, and Bernard Gilkey lined his first pitch deep into the gap in right-center.

Sosa turned his back to the infield, raced back into the alley and back-handed the ball at the edge of the warning track. Sosa brushed the wall to break his momentum, and was met by a half-dozen Cubs outside the dugout when he returned.

The Mets threatened in the eighth when Carl Everett led off with a double, but Chicago’s defense again did the job. Rey Ordonez bluffed a bunt, and Servais’ throw to shortstop Shawon Dunston nailed the stumbling Everett at second base.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Craig Biggio Houston 2 for 3, scored two runs stole base Win Jon Nunnally Pittsburgh one run three RBIs Win John Olerud New York three-run home run loss

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Kevin Brown Florida 1-hitter, 8 strikeouts, 1 walk Win Curt Schilling Philadelphia 4-hit shutout, 7 strikeouts Win Mike Hampton Houston 4-hitter, 1-run, 6 strikeouts Win

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