If the Atlanta Braves intend to catch the San Francisco Giants, they can't afford to lose too many more like this one.
Atlanta's nine-game winning streak ended Thursday night as Tom Glavine (14-5) allowed four runs in the first inning of a 7-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Still the Braves came back with a run in the ninth and had runners on second and third with one out before Jim Gott shut them down."It was frustrating for me personally, because I didn't give the guys a chance to win," Glavine said after Atlanta dropped 71/2 games behind first-place San Francisco in the NL West. "If I had done my job for a couple of innings, we might have won."
Ron Gant, Fred McGriff and David Justice singled off Gott in the ninth, scoring one run. Terry Pendleton sacrificed, Damon Berryhill struck out and Mark Lemke was intentionally walked, loading the bases. But Javier Lopez, batting for the second time since being called up from Triple-A Richmond, grounded out to third base on the first pitch, giving Gott his 23rd save.
Giants 6, Pirates 3
Willie McGee and Todd Benzinger homered, and Bryan Hickerson (6-4) pitched five-hit ball over seven-plus innings for visiting San Francisco, winning for the first time since July 21.
Cardinals 3, Padres 2
Mark Whiten hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly off Mark Davis (1-4) as St. Louis swept a three-game series and send visiting San Diego to its fifth consecutive loss.
Mike Perez (5-2) pitched a perfect eighth and Lee Smith finished for his major-league leading 41st save.
Rockies 6, Phillies 5
Freddie Benavides hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off Roger Mason (4-9) as Colorado rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning at Mile High Stadium.
Marcus Moore (2-0) pitched two innings, allowing an eighth-inning sacrifice fly to Milt Thompson, and Darren Holmes pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 18 chances.
Astros 8, Marlins 3
Kevin Bass homered, doubled twice and drove in five runs as Houston completed a three-game sweep over the visiting Marlins.
Expos 10, Cubs 2
Jeff Fassero (8-3) pitched a six-hitter for the first complete game of his career, striking out nine and walking three at Wrigley Field. Montreal scored six unearned runs in the seventh inning.