Franco’s Slam Fuels Braves’ Rally

It’s hard to say who was more responsible for the latest Atlanta victory--Matt Franco or the Braves’ bullpen.

Either way, the Braves are turning the National League East into a race for second place.

Franco hit his first career grand slam, and five relief pitchers held the Montreal Expos to one run over six innings to lead Atlanta past Montreal, 7-5, Monday night at Atlanta.

The Braves trailed, 4-1, after three innings but won for the 11th time in 12 games to push their lead in the NL East to nine games over the Expos, who lost their third in a row.

Kerry Ligtenberg (2-3) pitched two scoreless innings for the victory. He replaced Tom Glavine, who left the game in the third inning with a blister on his index finger. Glavine wasn’t sure if he would make his next start.

Glavine gave up four runs and seven hits, including homers by Vladimir Guerrero and Fernando Tatis. In his 16th season, he said he has never had blisters before this year.

Relievers Darren Holmes, Tim Spooneybarger and Chris Hammond held Montreal in check until the ninth, when John Smoltz came in to get his 28th save in 31 chances.

Jose Vidro homered against Smoltz to start the ninth. Orlando Cabrera, who had four hits, lined out to center field with two runners on to end it.

The Braves’ bullpen has a major league-leading 2.32 earned-run average.

Cincinnati 7, Houston 5--Winning pitcher Jimmy Haynes went 3 for 3 with two runs batted in and pitched six strong innings to spark the Reds at Cincinnati. The Reds won for the fifth time in six games.

Both teams wore old-style jerseys to commemorate Riverfront Stadium’s opening June 30, 1970. But there was one glitch: The Reds’ uniforms were off by two years.

The Astros wore gray uniforms that matched their 1970 road outfit, but the Reds suited up in the predominantly white uniforms worn by the Big Red Machine. Those weren’t introduced until 1972.

San Francisco 8, Colorado 6--Jeff Kent hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning, and the Giants rallied at Denver. Colorado led, 6-5, after eight innings, but closer Jose Jimenez (2-5) hit leadoff hitter David Bell and Ramon Martinez followed with a single. Kent then hit Jimenez’s first pitch to left field for his 14th homer.

Kent had three hits and is 13-for-24 with 15 RBIs since moving five days ago from cleanup to the third spot in the lineup.

St. Louis 7, San Diego 3--Woody Williams hit his second career home run and won for the fourth time in five starts to lead the host Cardinals. Jim Edmonds, Miguel Cairo and Albert Pujols also homered against rookie Oliver Perez, 20, the youngest player in the major leagues. The Cardinals remained tied for the NL Central lead with Cincinnati.

Florida 11, Chicago 1--Michael Tejera gave up one run over seven innings and drove in two runs for the Marlins at Miami. Tejera (4-1) won his third consecutive start, striking out a career-high nine.

Philadelphia 6, New York 3--Brandon Duckworth pitched 7 1/3 strong innings and Travis Lee homered and drove in four runs at Philadelphia. Jose Mesa closed out the game for his 21st save in 25 chances.