Giant Hitters Carry Big Sticks in 17-1 Win

The San Francisco Giants had almost too much offense for pitcher Chris Brock.

As the Giants were obliterating their previous season high for runs and homering four times in a 17-1 victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday night at St. Louis, Brock had a lot of time to kill in the dugout.

After San Francisco sent 10 batters to the plate in a seven-run fifth, Brock felt tightness in his right shoulder, and he called it a night after one more inning.

“When you’re sitting for a long time, sometimes it stiffens up, and it got a little tight in the back,” Brock said. “No need to go out and push it.”

Brock said the injury was nothing serious, and that he’d “definitely” make his next start.

Bill Mueller, who entered the game with one RBI in seven games, had a grand slam in the fifth inning. Jeff Kent and Ellis Burks also homered as the NL West leaders won for the fourth time in five games. J.T. Snow also connected for the Giants.

Mark McGwire homered for the fifth time in six games, hitting his 13th for St. Louis in the fourth.

“That was a missile,” Giant Manager Dusty Baker said. “They told me he was heating up and it looked like it.”

Cardinal starter Jose Jimenez (2-5) lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up seven runs and six hits. The rookie was 2-0 with a 2.95 earned-run average in his first three starts but is 0-5 with a 9.49 ERA his last five.

Arizona 4, San Diego 0--Randy Johnson struck out 12 in a six-hitter and even had an RBI double at Phoenix.

Johnson (5-2) had at least two fastballs clocked at 100 mph. He pitched his 24th shutout and 60th complete game.

Arizona tied a 68-year-old major league record with three double plays started by a catcher. All began with a strikeout by Johnson, then catcher Damian Miller threw out runners twice at third and once at second.

Travis Lee drove in two runs with a solo homer and an RBI single as Arizona improved to 16-5 at home, best in the majors.

New York 8, Pittsburgh 3--Brian McRae hit a three-run homer and Mike Piazza added a solo shot estimated at 443 feet during a four-run fourth inning at Pittsburgh.

Piazza was three for five with a double and three RBIs and Matt Franco hit a two-run pinch-hit homer as the Mets won their fifth in seven games. New York stopped the Pirates’ three-game winning streak.

Masato Yoshii (5-3) gave up Al Martin’s leadoff homer in the first, then settled down to win his fourth in a row, giving up two runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Montreal 4, Philadelphia 2--Manny Martinez’s two-run homer with two out in the 11th inning gave the Expos the victory at Philadelphia.

Martinez hit a 2-and-2 pitch from Steve Montgomery (0-1) to end the Phillie bullpen’s streak of eight scoreless innings.

Florida 6, Chicago 3--Preston Wilson hit two home runs at Chicago.

Wilson hit a solo home run in the fourth inning off Steve Trachsel (2-5). Wilson hit his team-leading 10th homer, a two-run drive in the eighth off Rodney Myers, for his first two-homer game in the majors.

Houston 2, Colorado 1--Carl Everett singled under third baseman Lenny Harris’ glove with one out in the 12th inning, giving the Astros a victory at Houston.