NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Brooks Hits Two Homers to Launch Mets

Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium is known as the “Launching Pad” because of the conditions that make it a home run hitter’s haven.

Thursday night, the stadium lived up to its name as the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves combined for eight home runs during the Mets’ 9-7 victory.

Hubie Brooks of the Mets drove in four runs with two homers and a run-scoring double.

“It’s warm here and the humidity is high, but that still doesn’t tell me why the ball jumps out,” said Brooks, who has driven in 22 runs and hit eight homers in his last 22 games.

Brooks, acquired from the Dodgers in December to take Darryl Strawberry’s place in right field, has out-homered Strawberry, 13-7.

Howard Johnson, who had three hits, added a two-run double in a four-run fifth inning against John Smoltz (2-9).

Dwight Gooden (7-5), who hit a home run in the eighth inning, gave up eight hits, including two homers to Terry Pendleton and one to Greg Olson. Gooden struck out three and walked one in eight innings.

Pete Schourek relieved in the ninth and gave up a two-run pinch homer to Brian Hunter. Alejandro Pena finished for his third save.

Gregg Jefferies also homered for the Mets.

Montreal 1, Cincinnati 0--Marquis Grissom singled home the winning run in the 11th inning at Cincinnati, giving the Expos their seventh consecutive victory.

Dennis Martinez gave up two hits over the first eight innings, Barry Jones (3-4) gave up one in the next two, and Scott Ruskin pitched the 11th for his fifth save, making the Expos 7-2 in extra-inning games.

Spike Owen led off the 11th with the Expos’ sixth hit against Don Carman (0-1), the fourth Cincinnati pitcher. Bret Barberie sacrificed him to second, and Grissom lined a single to right.

Martinez, whose earned-run average dropped to 1.87, retired the first 17 batters he faced before Jose Rijo singled up the middle with two out in the sixth. The right-hander allowed only one more hit, a soft single in the eighth by Todd Benzinger, as he extended his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 24.

Rijo faced the minimum 18 batters through six innings, giving up a walk and two singles by Dave Martinez, but erasing them with two double plays and a pick-off.

After his single, Rijo caught his cleats and broke his right ankle while sliding into second base on a steal attempt in the sixth inning. X-rays at Christ Hospital found a chip fracture on the inside of the right ankle.

Rijo (6-2), who had won his past five decisions and had given up three earned runs or fewer in 12 of his past 13 starts, is expected to be out four to six weeks.

Philadelphia 7, Houston 3--Rookie Wes Chamberlain had four hits and John Kruk drove in three runs to lead the Phillies at Philadelphia.

Chamberlain is 10 for 24 in six games since being recalled on June 15.

Danny Cox (2-1), who came off the disabled list June 17, gave up two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. Roger McDowell pitched two innings and Mitch Williams got the last three outs.

Steve Finley hit his fifth homer for the Astros.

Jimmy Jones (4-3) took the loss.

San Francisco 4, Chicago 3--Robby Thompson and Will Clark had run-scoring singles and another run scored on a wild pitch in the seventh to give the Giants the victory at San Francisco.

Shawon Dunston hit a two-run homer for the Cubs, who have lost six in a row.

Francisco Oliveras (3-2) worked two innings in relief of rookie Mike Remlinger to get the victory. Dave Righetti got the last three outs for his eighth save.