Al Martin drove in three runs with a homer and single as the Pittsburgh Pirates won their first road game this season with a 5-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves Friday night.

Pittsburgh, which snapped a three-game losing streak, entered the game as the only team in the majors without a road win at 0-5.It was the third loss in a row for the Braves, who hadn't lost three in a row since last Aug. 5-7.

Martin, who was in the Braves organization until the Pirates got him as a minor league free agent in 1991, hit a two-run homer, his second, in the second inning off John Smoltz (2-2). Smoltz gave up seven hits in seven innings, walking four and striking out seven.

Reds 4, Marlins 2

At Cincinnati, Barry Larkin, mired in the worst batting slump of his career, stole home and scored another run on a wild pitch as the Cincinnati Reds took advantage of defensive lapses by Florida.

Larkin, who entered the game batting .122, walked and scored the go-ahead run after Marlins reliever Richie Lewis (0-1) loaded the bases in the seventh.

Cardinals 6, Astros 5

At St. Louis, Todd Zeile's two-out single brought in the winning run to cap a wild ninth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals rallied for a 6-5 victory over the Houston Astros.

Mets 3, Giants 1

At San Francisco, Bobby Jones held San Francisco to two hits in eight innings and Jeromy Burnitz and David Segui homered to hand Mark Portugal his first loss in 15 decisions.

The Giants were only able to get two singles off Jones (3-1) in eight innings. He struck out five and walked three.

Padres 6, Phillies 5

At San Diego, Phil Plantier homered off David West in the eighth inning as the Padres won their fourth game of the season.

Expos 7, Dodgers 6

At Los Angeles, Larry Walker homered and pinch-hitter Jeff Gardner hit a tie-breaking triple to lead the Expos to their fourth straight win.

Cubs 9, Rockies 2

At Denver, Derrick May drove in three runs with a pair of doubles, and Willie Banks handcuffed Colorado through eight innings as the Chicago Cubs snapped a six-game losing streak by beating the Rockies.

American League

Yankees 8, Athletics 6

At New York, Luis Polonia doubled in Bernie Williams with the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Oakland Athletics.

Red Sox 6, Angels 5

At Boston, Mo Vaughn singled with bases loaded in the ninth inning as the Boston Red Sox beat California for their seventh straight victory over the Angels at Fenway Park.

Blue Jays 8, Twins 2

At Toronto, Pat Hentgen pitched a five-hitter, and Joe Carter went 3-for-5 with a home run as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins and extended their winning streak to five.

Orioles 6, Mariners 4

At Baltimore, Lee Smith got his eighth save quicker than anyone else, and Ben McDonald became the first American League's first four-game winner as as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Seattle Mariners.

Brewers 9, Royals 8

At Milwaukee, Dave Nilsson hit a two-run double in the ninth inning as the Milwaukee Brewers rallied past Kansas City and ended the Royals' 151-game streak of holding leads after eight innings.

Wally Joyner drove in three runs for the Royals with a home run and a single.

White Sox 7, Tigers 2

View Comments

At Chicago, Robin Ventura hit a three-run homer and Frank Thomas hit his seventh homer in 10 games, leading the Chicago White Sox past the Detroit Tigers.

Chicago has 31 homers in 16 games, the most for the White Sox in April since at least 1959.

Rangers 7, Indians 3

At Arlington, Texas, Juan Gonzalez hit a bases-loaded pop that dropped for a tie-breaking two-run single the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians and stopped a four-game losing streak.

Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.