NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Gant Breaks Slump, Moves Braves Closer

Ron Gant has made a habit of coming back from adversity.

Gant came out of an 0-for-10 slump with key hits Saturday at Houston as the Atlanta Braves came from behind to beat the Houston Astros, 5-4.

Their second consecutive comeback victory put the Braves one game behind the Dodgers in the National League West with seven games to play.

Rookie Jeff Juden held the Braves to four hits and led, 3-1, before walking David Justice in the seventh inning. Gant’s double scored Justice and finished Juden. Greg Olson, who had the key hit Friday night when Atlanta overcame a 2-0 deficit, doubled home Gant.

The Houston bullpen lost both games after rookies pitched well in starting roles.

In the eighth inning, Justice was walked intentionally to pitch to Gant. Gant singled in the go-ahead run and the Braves’ Jeff Blauser homered in the ninth.

The two runs batted in gave Gant 101 this season, the most for a Brave since Dale Murphy had 105 in 1987.

Gant came up as an infielder and showed promise as a rookie in 1988. But he played so poorly at third base he was sent to the minors in 1989 to learn the outfield.

He has established himself in center field and at the plate.

The Braves never seem to have an easy game, but it doesn’t seem to be taking a toll.

“We had confidence all year,” Gant said. “Every guy is in high spirits. We’re in the race and winning is contagious. We don’t have to depend on any one player.”

But is it bothering Olson, who had the key hit in the comeback Friday night?

“I can’t remember the last time we scored first in a game, and that really makes it tough,” he said. “We need to turn that around right now.”

After taking a 5-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning, new bullpen ace Alejandro Pena nearly lost it for Atlanta. Astro Manager Art Howe criticized umpire Mark Hirschbeck for calling Jeff Bagwell out on strikes to end the game with a run in and runners on first and third.

“You battle like crazy and get back in the game, and then he takes the bat right out of Bagwell’s hands,” Howe said.

“A borderline pitch is one thing. But that pitch wasn’t even close.”

St. Louis 3, Chicago 2--Ozzie Smith had three hits at St. Louis and Lee Smith tied the league record with his 45th save.

Smith pitched a perfect ninth inning to tie Bruce Sutter’s record, also set for the Cardinals in 1984.

Smith also moved past Goose Gossage into third place on the all-time save list with 309.

Smith, a contender for the Cy Young Award, helped the Cardinals clinch at least a tie for second in the East.

Ken Hill (11-10) set a career high for victories. He struck five and walked three in 6 2/3 innings.

Montreal 3, Pittsburgh 2--Chris Nabholz, finishing strong after a poor start, won his sixth in a row in this game at Pittsburgh.

Nabholz (7-8) held the Pirates to four hits and only one earned run in 7 1/3 innings.

San Diego 4, Cincinnati 2--Craig Shipley tagged Tom Browning (14-13) for his first major league home run, at Cincinnati.

Shipley’s home run gave the Padres the lead for good in the fifth inning.

Philadelphia 6, New York 2--Rookie Cliff Brantley held the Mets hitless for 5 2/3 innings at New York for his second victory.