NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : McGriff’s 34th Homer Buoys the Padres’ Hopes

The San Diego Padres might be seven games out of first place in the NL West, but they are still watching the scoreboard with hopes of making a run at the division championship.

Fred McGriff continued to keep the Padres’ hopes alive by hitting his league-leading 34th homer as the Padres completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs with a 3-1 victory Sunday at Wrigley Field.

It was the Padres’ first sweep at Wrigley Field since 1982.

McGriff’s homer with two out in the fourth against Jim Bullinger (2-4) gave the Padres a 1-0 lead. Oscar Azocar’s pinch sacrifice fly with one out in the eighth inning broke a 1-1 tie.

The Padres scored their final run during the ninth on a ground ball out by McGriff after Tony Gwynn doubled and Gary Sheffield singled.

Andy Benes (11-12) gave up one run and five hits in seven innings for the Padres. Tim Scott pitched one-plus innings and Randy Myers got the last three outs for his 32nd save.

“We just have to keep winning and not worry about what the Braves are doing,” Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said.

Bullinger (2-4), who pitched a one-hitter against San Francisco last week, gave up two runs and three hits in eight innings against the Padres.

St. Louis 5, San Francisco 3--Bob Tewksbury earned his 15th victory, and Felix Jose drove in two runs with a homer and a double at St. Louis.

Tewksbury gave up three runs and three hits before leaving the game after five innings because of a stiff lower back.

Tewksbury’s league-leading earned-run average rose from 2.01 to 2.05. He has walked only 17 in 206 innings. Todd Worrell, the Cardinals third reliever, pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.

Larry Carter (0-1), making his major league debut, gave up five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings for the Giants, who have lost 11 of 12 and 15 of 19.

Todd Zeile homered for the Cardinals, his first since July 10.

Atlanta 4, Philadelphia 3--Otis Nixon hit a bases-loaded single with none out in the ninth inning to lift the Braves at Atlanta.

Jeff Reardon (2-0) earned the victory despite giving up the tying run in the top of the ninth.

Terry Pendleton gave the Braves a 3-2 lead during the fifth with his 19th homer, a solo shot against Kyle Abbott.

Dave Hollins of the Phillies had made the score 2-2 with his 22nd homer during the fifth against starter Pete Smith.

Cincinnati 6, New York 1--Tim Pugh pitched six innings for his first major league victory and Reggie Sanders drove in three runs with a homer and a double at Cincinnati.

Pugh (1-1) gave up seven hits and pitched out of a bases-loaded jam during the sixth.

Norm Charlton struck out three in the seventh, and Rob Dibble struck out four in the last two innings for his 18th save.

Houston 3, Montreal 1--Butch Henry gave up one run in 5 1/3 innings and hit a two-run single to lead the Astros at Montreal.

Doug Jones got the last three outs for his 31st save in 35 opportunities.