Steve Buechele's addition to the Pittsburgh lineup makes the "Killer B's" a little deadlier.
Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds and Jay Bell have supplied most of the Bucs offense this season, but Buechele, who is known more for his defense than offense, is attempting to make his mark in a dangerous lineup.Aquired from the Texas Rangers in a trade last Friday, Buechele cracked a two-run home run and added an RBI single Wednesday to power Pittsburgh to an 8-3 win and a three-game sweep over the San Francisco Giants.
Since coming to the National League, Buechele has gone 6 for 21 for a .286 average with five RBI's.
He recorded his first NL home run and provided the game winning hit, a two-run single, in Tuesday night's 5-3 10th inning win over the Giants.
John Smiley, 17-8, who joined Atlanta's Tom Glavine as the NL's only two 17 game-winners said that Buechele playing third gives Bonilla peace of mind about what position he'll play. Bonilla has split time between third base and the outfield.
Astros 8, Mets 3
At New York, Jeff Bagwell clubbed a three-run home run and Craig Biggio and Andy Mota added two-run shots to power Houston. Howard Johnson hit two homers for the Mets to run his National League-leading total to 31.
Reds 5, Phillies 1
At Philadelphia, Paul O'Neill drove in two runs and Randy Myers limited Philadelphia to four hits over eight innings to lead Cincinnati.
Expos 8, Braves 4
At Montreal, Marquis Grissom's two-run single snapped a seventh inning tie to propel Montreal. Atlanta has lostfour of its last five. Spike Owen went 4 for 5 for Montreal.
Padres 5, Cubs 1
At San Diego, Dennis Rasmussen allowed six hits over seven innings and Darrin Jackson went 3 for 3 to lead San Diego.
Dodgers 8, Cardinals 3
At Los Angeles, Mike Sharperson singled home Tom Goodwin with the go-ahead run, sparking a five-run eighth to lift Los Angeles. Coupled with Atlanta's loss, Los Angeles took sole possession of first.
American League
Blue Jays 3, Orioles 1
Bob Milacki had his best stuff but Todd Stottlemyre's was better.
Stottlemyre and reliever Duane Ward combined on a four-hitter to outduel Milacki Wednesday night, lifting the Toronto Blue Jays to victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Stottlemyre, 13-6, gave up all four Baltimore hits over seven innnings, striking out one and walking two. The right-hander gave up 12 runs and 15 hits in just nine innings in two consecutive outings against the New York Yankees. Ward, who struck out three, got the final six outs to pick up his 18th save.
Red Sox 2, Angels 0
At Boston, Wade Boggs homered and Tom Brunansky had an RBI single to send the Red Sox to their sixth win in eight tries. Joe Hesketh, 10-3, combined with three relievers on a seven-hit shutout. Hesketh pitched 5 2-3 innings, giving up six hits and striking out six. Jeff Reardon earned his 34th save. Kirk McCaskill dropped to 10-18.
White Sox 4, Royals 1
At Chicago, Alex Fernandez hurled a two-hitter over seven-plus innings to end a personal four-game losing streak, pacing the White Sox. Lance Johnson hit a two-run single, and Robin Ventura and Sammy Sosa each drove in a run.Fernandez, 7-12, retired 19 of the next 21 during one stretch. Bobby Thigpen earned his 28th save. Mike Boddicker dropped to 11-10.
Brewers 2, Oakland 0
At Milwaukee, Bill Wegman allowed four hits over eight innings to earn his career-high fifth straight win and Greg Vaughn collected three hits to lift the Brewers. Wegman, 11-6, struck out a career-high 10 and walked two, extending his scoreless inning streak this season against Oakland to 17. Doug Henry earned the ninth for his sixth save. Ron Darling dropped to 3-2.
Yankees 3, Rangers 2
At Texas, Steve Sax, who tied the game in the third with a homer, doubled home the go-ahead run in the seventh to help end the Yankees' 15-game losing streak at Arlington Stadium. Sax went 4 for 5 and scored twice to help make a winner out of Greg Cadaret, 7-5, who got the win in relief. Steve Farr earned his 18th save. Brian Bohanon dropped to 3-2.
Indians 8, Twins 4
At Minneapolis, Albert Belle homered, doubled and drove in a career-high five runs and Willie Blair pitched eight strong innings to lead Cleveland. Blair, 2-2, who gave up eight hits and three runs, retired 13 of 15 batters during one stretch. Shawn Hillegas picked up his seventh save. David West dropped to 4-4.