NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Rockies End Losing Streak at 13

The Colorado Rockies got seven strong innings from Mo Sanford and ended a 13-game losing streak--the longest in the major leagues this season--with a 5-2 victory over the Padres in San Diego on Sunday.

Sanford (1-0) was making his second start and third appearance since his contract was bought from Colorado Springs on July 29. He gave up one earned run on five hits, struck out five and walked five. Darren Holmes pitched the ninth for his 11th save.

“I was telling the guys that I haven’t shaken any hands after the games since I’ve been here,” Sanford said. “I wanted to win really bad. I’m not going to say I took it on myself to win, but I just wanted to keep the team real close so we’d have a chance to win.”

The Rockies’ last previous victory was on July 24, over the St. Louis Cardinals in Denver, 9-8. Sanford’s contract was bought five days later.

Except for the five walks, Sanford thought he kept the Padres off balance.

“I’m walking too many people,” Sanford said. “So far they haven’t hurt me, but the law of percentages is going to catch up with me.”

Vinny Castilla had a two-run triple, Danny Sheaffer drove in two runs and Charlie Hayes doubled twice and scored two runs for Colorado.

Atlanta 3, Montreal 2--Ron Gant had a two-run homer and drove in all the Braves’ runs in support of Steve Avery to end a three-game losing streak at Atlanta.

Gant’s 27th home run--his second in two games--broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning against Jeff Fassero (7-2), ending the left-hander’s six-game winning streak. Larry Walker homered and drove in both Montreal runs.

Avery (12-4) gave up five hits, walked none and struck out four in seven innings. Greg McMichael got the final three outs for his fifth save.

Florida 6, Philadelphia 5--Chuck Carr’s speed, Charlie Hough’s finesse and a team-record three home runs helped the Marlins at Miami.

Benito Santiago, Henry Cotto and Bret Barberie homered for the Marlins against Terry Mulholland (11-9). Carr kept the Marlins’ four-run second inning alive and drove in a run by beating out a bunt with two out.

Hough (7-11) overcame home runs by Pete Incaviglia and Mariano Duncan for his first victory over the Phillies since May 7, 1976.

Houston 4, San Francisco 1--Mark Portugal continued his dominance of the Giants and earned his fifth consecutive victory at San Francisco.

The Astros--getting home runs from Jeff Bagwell, Scott Servais and Steve Finley after also hitting three on Saturday--beat the Giants for the second day in a row to win the three-game series. The loss cut first-place San Francisco’s National League West lead to 8 1/2 games over Atlanta.

Portugal (11-4), who has had more success against San Francisco than against any other team, gave up only a single to Robby Thompson in the first four innings. Portugal’s career record against San Francisco is 10-3.

Chicago 2, St. Louis 1--Winning pitcher Greg Hibbard’s first major league hit drove in the winning run, and he combined with Randy Myers on an eight-hitter to lead the Cubs at St. Louis.

Hibbard was hitless in 37 at-bats over three years before doubling over right fielder Mark Whiten’s head to break a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning. Hibbard (9-8) gave up seven hits in 7 2/3 innings, and Myers pitched out of a jam in the ninth for his 35th save.

Pittsburgh 3, New York 2--Zane Smith gave up five hits, and Jeff King drove in the decisive run with the Pirates’ fourth consecutive hit of the fifth inning at New York.

Smith (2-4) had a season-high nine strikeouts and walked one in his first complete game since July 1, 1992. The left-hander, who outpitched Frank Tanana (5-12), had lost four consecutive decisions since coming off the disabled list on June 16.