Astros’ Bell Chimes In With Winning Hit

When Derek Bell of the Houston Astros fell behind 0-2 in the count to San Francisco closer Robb Nen with the bases loaded in the 12th inning Sunday at Houston, he knew exactly what to look for.

“I knew Nen wasn’t going to throw one in the dirt with the winning run on third,” Bell said. “I figured he’d try to get me to chase one. He gave me a fastball away, but it was up a little bit and I got the bat on it and punched it through.”

Bell singled home Bill Spiers with one out, giving the Astros a 4-3 victory and sending the Giants to their fourth consecutive loss and eighth defeat in their last nine games. The Giants’ 1-8 mark is their worst for a nine-game road trip since 1992.

Spiers doubled with one out in the 12th against Nen (6-2) and Craig Biggio was intentionally walked before Ricky Gutierrez walked. Bell, hitless in four at-bats, lined a single up the middle.

“That was a tough pitch to hit against one of the toughest relievers in the game,” Astro Manager Larry Dierker said. “It’s a little surprising. You don’t often do that off someone like Nen.”

Nen declined comment.

The Giants held Houston scoreless for 10 consecutive innings after the first, but San Francisco hitters were 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

“We had opportunities in almost every inning,” Giant Manager Dusty Baker said. “We just couldn’t get that two-out hit. That’s the way this road trip has gone. Hopefully now that it’s over that will be the end of it.”

Pittsburgh 6, Montreal 1--Chris Peters pitched seven strong innings, Tony Womack got three hits and stole his league-leading 36th base and the Pirates won at Montreal for their third victory in a row.

The Pirates stole a season-high five bases, with Jason Kendall scoring from third on the back end of a double steal.

Atlanta 11, Milwaukee 6--The Braves scored in each of the first six innings, getting homers from Tony Graffanino and Curtis Pride, and cruised to a victory at Atlanta.

John Smoltz (8-2) gave up two earned runs in seven innings as the Brewers lost for the seventh time in their last eight road games.

Philadelphia 7, New York 6--Mike Lieberthal singled for his fourth hit and scored on Ruben Amaro’s double in the 10th inning, lifting the Phillies at New York.

The Phillies, shut out the previous two days by the Mets, won for the ninth time in 13 games. Mark Leiter (3-2) struck out Mike Piazza with runners on first and third to end the game.

Chicago 7, Florida 6--The Cubs took advantage of Marlin pitcher Rob Stanifer’s throwing error to score three runs in the top of the 12th at Miami and then held on for the victory.

The Marlins scored twice in the 12th against Rod Beck on RBI singles by John Cangelosi and Cliff Floyd. But Beck got his 26th save, striking out Craig Counsell and Gregg Zaun with runners on first and second to end the game.

Arizona 6, Colorado 4--Rookie Travis Lee had a triple and an RBI single at Phoenix as the Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies to match their longest winning streak of the season at four games.

The Diamondbacks swept a three-game series for the second time.