A Noticeable Difference in Villone This Time

Cincinnati pitcher Ron Villone, told by Manager Jack McKeon Wednesday night that he was going to pitch Thursday, didn’t give up a hit until Tony Eusebio singled with one out in the seventh inning as the Reds beat the Astros, 3-0, on a combined one-hitter at Houston.

“It’s the same if I get five days’ notice or one hour’s notice,” Villone said.

Villone (2-2) retired only one batter Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, giving up six earned runs and three hits.

“I didn’t have too much time to think about it, but I just want the ball,” he said.

This time, Villone pitched seven innings, walking five and striking out six. Danny Graves pitched the final two innings for his 10th save in 13 chances.

The Astros and the Cleveland Indians had entered the day as the only major league teams not to be shut out this year. The Indians lost, 3-0, at Toronto.

Houston Manager Larry Dierker made his first appearance in the Astrodome since suffering a seizure in the dugout on June 13 that led to brain surgery. He received a standing ovation when recognized in the middle of the first inning. Dierker isn’t expected to resume managing until after the All-Star break on July 15.

Chicago 12, Colorado 10--Sammy Sosa hit a pair of two-run home runs at Denver to increase his National League-leading total to 26.

Kevin Tapani (6-3) improved to 5-0 in five career starts against the Rockies.

Colorado’s Larry Walker didn’t hit a home run for the first time in six games, but he went three for five for his sixth consecutive multihit game.

Teams have reached double digits in runs at Coors Field 23 times this season, including seven games in which both teams did it.

Philadelphia 7, Pittsburgh 5--Curt Schilling (10-4) struck out nine in seven innings at Philadelphia to move past Grover Cleveland Alexander into fourth place on the Phillies’ career strikeout list at 1,410. He gave up seven hits and three runs.

Scott Rolen had three doubles for the Phillies, who had six consecutive hits in a five-run sixth inning.

New York 3, Florida 2--Robin Ventura broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single off Livan Hernandez (3-7) in the eighth inning at New York as the Mets won for the 14th time in 17 games. The Marlins have lost nine in a row.

Dennis Cook (6-1) struck out three of six batters, and John Franco pitched a perfect ninth for his league-leading 19th save.

Atlanta 3, Montreal 2--Brian Jordan drove in the winning run with a one-out single against Guillermo Mota (1-2) in the 11th inning at Atlanta.

The Braves were within one out of losing in the ninth when Otis Nixon scored from third on Chris Widger’s passed ball.

Arizona 8, St. Louis 7--A two-run double by Hanley Frias with one out in the ninth inning allowed the West-leading Diamondbacks to come from behind at Phoenix and end their losing streak at four games.

Mark McGwire hit his 23rd home run in the first inning.