Bell Helps Mets Ring One Up

Derek Bell backed up a good defensive play with some offensive insurance.

Pinch-hitter Joe McEwing delivered a two-run single and scored on Bell’s single as the New York Mets rallied in the eighth inning to beat the Montreal Expos, 5-3, Wednesday night at Montreal.

Trailing, 2-1, New York’s Lenny Harris hit a run-scoring triple in the seventh to tie it.

Vladimir Guerrero had an RBI double that put the Expos ahead, 3-2, in the bottom half. Bell prevented Montreal from scoring again in the inning, catching Lee Stevens’ fly ball to right field and throwing out Jose Vidro at the plate.

“That was obviously a key play,” Met catcher Mike Piazza said. “I was fortunate the ball stayed in my glove. I [was] trying to stretch for the runner[when] I got the tag.”

The Mets won their third in a row. Montreal has lost four in a row and eight of nine.

Pat Mahomes (4-1) won in relief. Armando Benitez pitched the ninth for his 22nd save in 26 chances.

Steve Kline (1-3) was the loser.

San Diego 4, San Francisco 3--Ryan Klesko drove in three runs, including the game-winner in the 10th inning, and the Padres defeated the Giants at San Francisco.

Eric Owens led off the 10th with a double against Alan Embree (1-3) and was sacrificed to third. Klesko then drove a single to right against a drawn-in infield.

Barry Bonds hit career home run No. 476 and his 31st this season in the fourth, moving into sole possession of 18th place on the all-time list. Bonds ended the game with a 410-foot fly ball that was caught at the wall.

Donne Wall (4-2) pitched out of a jam in the ninth to get the victory.

Chicago 5, Philadelphia 4--Sammy Sosa tied the game with an eighth-inning homer and Brant Brown won it in the ninth by scoring on a wild pitch by reliever Mark Holzemer (0-1) as the Cubs defeated the Phillies at Chicago.

Felix Heredia (4-3) got the win.

Sosa’s homer, his 29th, tied the game at 3-3. Damon Buford, who went four for four, followed two outs later with his 13th homer to put Chicago up, 4-3.

Ron Gant tied the game off Cub closer Rick Aguilera with a leadoff homer in the ninth.

Cincinnati 4, Houston 0--Pete Harnisch pitched a four-hitter for his second consecutive complete game, leading the Reds over the Astros at Houston.

Barry Larkin, the topic of trade rumors, hit a solo homer to fuel a three-run sixth inning, then tripled in the seventh and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ken Griffey Jr.

Harnisch (3-5) struck out four in his 11th career shutout.

Chris Holt (4-11) fell to 1-5 in eight starts against the Reds.

Milwaukee 6, Pittsburgh 0--Jeff D’Amico pitched a five-hitter for his first shutout in three years, winning his fourth start in a row as the Brewers won at Milwaukee.

In his last four starts, D’Amico (6-4) has allowed only one run in 30 2/3 innings.

Kris Benson (8-8) matched his career high with 11 strikeouts, but still lost as the Pirates lost for the sixth time in seven games since the All-Star break.

Atlanta at Florida, ppd., rain--The Marlins’ Ricky Bones took a two-run lead into the fifth inning against the Braves but couldn’t get the three outs needed to make the game official before the rainfall.

It will be replayed in its entirety today, with a second game--Atlanta’s last in Miami this season--to follow.