Rogers Is Doing Well in Old Neighborhood

Kenny Rogers struggled the last time he was a member of a major league team in New York.

He was impressive, however, in the first game of his second stint.

Rogers gave up one hit in six innings before leaving because of a slightly pulled right hamstring and the Mets rallied with seven runs in the eighth inning to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-2, Wednesday at New York.

“This team was good before I got here and I don’t want to disrupt that,” said Rogers, who last week was traded to the Mets from Oakland. “I just want to contribute.”

Rogers spent two tumultuous years with the New York Yankees before he was traded to Oakland after the 1997 season.

Rogers lost a chance for the victory when Dennis Cook (9-2) gave up a solo homer to pinch-hitter John Wehner in the eighth inning.

Edgardo Alfonzo went three for four with a home run and three runs batted in and Robin Ventura also homered for the Mets, who have won 11 of 14 games since the All-Star break.

Montreal 8, Chicago 2--The Expos overcame Sammy Sosa’s 37th homer behind Javier Vazquez, who pitched a three-hitter at Montreal.

Vazquez (4-5) retired the first 13 batters to face him before Glenallen Hill hit a one-out double in the fifth.

He gave up a run-scoring single in the fifth to Tyler Houston and a two-out homer in the ninth to Sosa, who tied Mark McGwire for the major league lead.

St. Louis 6, San Francisco 3--Livan Hernandez was defeated in his Giants’ debut, McGwire got ejected in the fourth inning for disputing a strikeout and the Cardinals avoided a sweep at San Francisco.

Fernando Tatis had a three-run triple, J.D. Drew a solo homer and Alberto Castillo a run-scoring single for the Cardinals.

Hernandez (5-10), obtained by the Giants last Saturday from the Florida Marlins for two minor leaguers, gave up six runs and seven hits in seven innings.

Houston 16, Colorado 8--Jeff Bagwell hit a grand slam at Denver and Mike Hampton (14-3) joined teammate Jose Lima, Kent Bottenfield and Curt Schilling as the top winners in the National League.

Hampton gave up five runs and 13 hits in seven innings and matched his career high for victories. He also had three of the Astros’ season-high 21 hits and drove in two runs with his third triple of the season.

Philadelphia 9, Florida 4--Steve Schrenk (1-1), pressed into service because Schilling had tendinitis in his right biceps, pitched six scoreless innings at Philadelphia for his first major league victory.

Schrenk gave up four hits, walked none and struck out two.

Mike Lieberthal homered and drove in two runs for the Phillies.

Milwaukee 10, Atlanta 4--Geoff Jenkins drove in four runs and Jeff Cirillo homered and scored four runs at Atlanta as the Brewers ended their five-game losing streak.

Chipper Jones went four for four, including his 25th homer, and drove in two runs for the Braves.