Perez Provides the Spark for Rockies

Neifi Perez had two hits, drove in one run and raced home from second on an infield hit, sparking the Colorado Rockies over the San Francisco Giants, 7-6, Thursday night at Denver.

Perez, starting his fourth game since his recall from triple-A Colorado Springs, also helped turn five double plays as the Rockies pulled within 3 1/2 games of the West-leading Giants.

Colorado’s Larry Walker, the top hitter in the majors, went one for three and his average dipped to .408.

Barry Bonds had three singles for the Giants, extending his hitting streak to 10 games.

Colorado took the lead for good with four runs off three relievers in the sixth.

Pinch-hitter John Vander Wal doubled off Keith Foulke (1-2) and Perez hit an RBI single to tie the score, 4-4. With two outs, Eric Young reached on a bunt single, and Perez scored from second on Ellis Burks’ infield single. Rich Rodriguez then walked Walker and Andres Galarraga, forcing in a run. Julian Tavarez’s wild pitch scored another.

Reliever Mike DeJean (3-0) pitched two innings for the win. Curtis Leskanic got five outs for his first save since April 23, 1996.

Atlanta 5, Philadelphia 4--Denny Neagle beat Philadelphia for the first time in 15 appearances, and Tony Graffanino hit a go-ahead homer in the fifth inning at Atlanta.

Neagle (11-1) gave up three runs and seven hits in eight innings, struck out six and walked one, sending the Phillies to their 11th loss in 12 games. Neagle had been 0-3 with a 5.88 earned-run average against the Phillies.

Mark Wohlers gave up a run in the ninth on pinch-hitter Ruben Amaro’s sacrifice fly before getting his 16th save in 17 chances.

Montreal 5, Florida 2--Jeff Juden pitched a four-hitter, had two hits and drove in two runs at Miami to beat the Marlins for the second time in a week.

Juden (9-2), who didn’t give up a hit until Gary Sheffield’s fifth-inning homer, struck out six and walked two.

Marlin starter Pat Rapp (4-5) gave up all five runs and nine hits in five-plus innings with six strikeouts and three walks.

Henry Rodriguez of the Expos struck out four times, giving him 82 in 75 games this season.

St. Louis 5, Cincinnati 3--Dennis Eckersley took over second place on the career saves list at Cincinnati.

Delino DeShields had two of St. Louis’ three sacrifice flies. DeShields’ second sacrifice fly broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning. Scott Livingstone had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Eckersley got the final three outs for his 368th career save, moving him ahead of Jeff Reardon for second place. Montreal’s Lee Smith is 110 saves ahead of Eckersley.

Houston 7, Chicago 6--Jeff Bagwell’s run-scoring single in the 10th inning at Chicago gave the Astros their fourth consecutive win over the Cubs.

With one out in the 10th, Thomas Howard, Craig Biggio and Chuck Carr singled to load the bases against Terry Adams (1-4). Bagwell singled to left, scoring Howard. Left fielder Doug Glanville’s throw home got Biggio, who crashed into catcher Scott Servais, who held onto the ball. While on the ground, Servais then threw out Carr at third for a double play.

“Fortunately,� Servais said, “I didn’t break anything.�

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Craig Biggio Houston 3 for 4, homer, 2 RBIs, 2 runs Win Neifi Perez Colorado 2 for 4, triple, two runs Win Eduardo Perez Cincinnati 3 for 4, double, RBI Loss

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance D. Eckersley St. Louis Moves into second on all-time saves list Denny Neagle Atlanta 8 innings, 7 strikeouts, finally beats Phillies Jeff Juden Montreal 9 innings, four hits, two runs

Player Team’s Result D. Eckersley Win Denny Neagle Win Jeff Juden Win

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