Hayes Is Answer for Giants

Charlie Hayes hit a two-out, three-run homer in the eighth inning and Livan Hernandez won his first game for San Francisco on Tuesday night as the Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-1, at Phoenix.

With the Giants’ victory, the top two teams in the NL West have split the first two games of their three-game series. Arizona’s lead is now back to 2 1/2 games.

Hernandez (6-10), in his second start since coming to the Giants in a trade from Florida, left the game for a pinch-hitter in the eighth with Arizona leading, 1-0, on an unearned run in the first inning.

Hernandez gave up two hits--a bunt single by pitcher Omar Daal and a double by Luis Gonzalez. He struck out five and walked five.

Robb Nen pitched the ninth for his 24th save in 30 opportunities.

Daal (10-6), who gave up only two hits in the first seven innings, took the loss.

St. Louis 6, San Diego 0--Darren Oliver (7-7) pitched a four-hitter and Mark McGwire’s drive for 500 homers cooled as the Cardinals won at St. Louis.

Oliver also kept the Padres’ Tony Gwynn stuck at 2,995 hits; Gwynn went 0 for 4 with two groundouts and two flyouts.

McGwire, who singled and scored twice, has 498 homers.

Craig Paquette, acquired before Saturday’s trade deadline, went two for four with a homer, double and three RBIs in his Cardinal debut.

Pittsburgh 7, Atlanta 1--Kris Benson (9-8) pitched four-hit ball over eight innings at Pittsburgh, and all four Pirate hits off Atlanta starter Kevin Millwood (12-6) were solo homers in the Pirates’ victory.

Montreal 9, Chicago 4--Vladimir Guerrero, Shane Andrews and Chris Widger hit solo home runs at Chicago as the Expos won their fourth straight. The Cubs have lost nine of their last 11.

Micah Bowie (0-2), acquired Saturday from Atlanta, lost his first career start.

Cincinnati 2, Colorado 1--Aaron Boone hit a tiebreaking single with the bases loaded in the bottom of ninth inning in the Reds’ victory at Cincinnati. Scott Williamson (10-4) was the winner.

Philadelphia 6, Florida 5--Rico Brogna and Mike Lieberthal hit back-to-back solo home runs in the eighth inning to lift the Phillies over the Marlins at Miami.