Bonilla’s Hit Puts Braves Into First

Pinch-hitter Bobby Bonilla hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros, 8-6, Saturday night at Houston.

The win put the Braves back into first place in the NL East by half a game.

Greg Maddux (15-8) gave up five runs in the first inning, but settled down and lasted 7 1/3 innings. He gave up six runs and 10 hits, struck out eight and walked only one.

Bonilla came up with Brian Jordan at third and George Lombard at second, and hit a single to right center off reliever Octavio Dotel.

It was Dotel’s third blown save in 14 opportunities.

John Rocker pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save in 20 chances.

Atlanta’s Rafael Furcal hit his first major league home run leading off the ninth against Jose Cabrera for the final run.

Moises Alou hit a career-high three doubles, drove in two runs and scored twice for Houston.

Milwaukee 8, Colorado 3--Richie Sexson went three for four with three RBIs, Jeff D’Amico allowed three runs in six innings and the Brewers scored four runs in the ninth in the victory at Denver.

Todd Helton drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, but his major league-leading average dropped to .391. Helton walked, flied out and grounded out twice.

Montreal 9, Cincinnati 5--Trailing 4-3, the Expos scored three times in the sixth on an RBI single by pinch-hitter Wilton Guerrero and a two-run single by Milton Bradley at Cincinnati.

Felipe Lira (4-5) earned the win with 2 2/3 innings of relief, allowing two runs on two hits, with one strikeout.

St. Louis 2, New York 1--Darryl Kile threw a five-hitter and retired the final 18 batters to outduel Mike Hampton, as the Cardinals won for the second straight game in their final at-bat at St. Louis.

Fernando Vina got the game-winner with an opposite-field RBI single off Armando Benitez with two out in the ninth inning.

Florida 10, Arizona 1--Preston Wilson homered twice and Ryan Dempster pitched eight strong innings to lead the Marlins at Phoenix.

Wilson hit a solo home run off Curt Schilling (10-10) in the sixth inning and a three-run homer off Darren Holmes in the ninth for his third career multi-homer game. Schilling allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings to lose his third straight start.

The Diamondbacks have lost five straight at home and eight of 11 overall. They have dropped five games behind first-place San Francisco in the NL West.

Pittsburgh 6, San Diego 3--Abraham Nunez had an RBI infield single in the fourth inning and added a two-run single to cap a three-run seventh as the Pirates took advantage of Matt Clement’s wildness at San Diego.

Clement (12-13) allowed three runs and four hits, and walked a career-high eight.