Tucker a Big Hit for Victorious Braves

Once again, Michael Tucker found a flock of reporters waiting for him at his locker after the game.

“I see you guys all the time now,” Tucker said with a big grin.

Largely unknown at the beginning of the season, Tucker has quickly become a key member of the Atlanta Braves. He hit a run-scoring single with one out in the ninth inning to give the Braves a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday at Atlanta.

“It’s nice to be noticed and have everybody know who you are,” Tucker said.

In the ninth, Kenny Lofton walked against Doug Henry (2-1) and stole second. Tucker then pulled a liner over the glove of first baseman J.T. Snow into the corner to drive in Lofton.

Mark Wohlers (2-0) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win, which ended the Giants’ three-game winning streak.

“I’m just trying to contribute a little bit,” said Tucker, who is batting .326 and has relegated Ryan Klesko and Andruw Jones to platoon duty. “The team is doing well, so you get caught up in the way things are going.”

In his second start after signing a four-year, $34-million contract extension, Tom Glavine gave up only three hits in seven innings but didn’t get a decision.

“I threw well enough to win. It didn’t happen,” said Glavine, who walked five and threw 132 pitches before he came out for a pinch-hitter. “Even with all the money, I have a fear. The biggest fear is embarrassing myself.”

The Braves lost catcher Javy Lopez in the third when he took a foul tip off his right hand and had to be taken to the hospital, where X-rays showed no break. His status is listed as day to day.

Eddie Perez, who came on after Lopez was hurt, went three for three to tie his career high for hits in a game, set twice before.

Florida 4, Colorado 3--Bobby Bonilla singled home the winning run with one out in the 12th inning and the Marlins overcame a three-run deficit at Miami.

Devon White, activated from the disabled list before the game, led off the 12th with a double against Jerry Dipoto (1-1). Gary Sheffield walked, Moises Alou grounded into a forceout at second, and Bonilla hit a high hopper past first baseman Andres Galarraga.

The Marlins trailed, 3-0, before scoring twice in the eighth against Roger Bailey. They tied the score in the ninth on Jeff Conine’s leadoff home run against Steve Reed, who blew a save for the fourth time in 10 chances.

Mark Hutton (3-1) pitched a perfect 12th for the win for the Marlins, who have won nine games in their final at-bat.

New York 7, Philadelphia 3--Carl Everett, Todd Hundley and Butch Huskey each hit solo home runs at New York and Dave Mlicki won his first game as a starter since 1995.

Mlicki (1-4) earned his first victory as a starter since Sept. 19, 1995--a span of 14 starts--by giving up six hits in 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander, making his 11th start this year, was used primarily as a middle reliever in 1996.

“I didn’t believe it when someone told me how long it was since I won as a starter,” said Mlicki. “It’s a big relief to finally get a victory. I knew it would come sooner or later and there were times that I hurt myself by pressing too much.”

Everett also added a run-scoring triple and Hundley had an RBI single for the Mets, who won for the eighth time in 11 games.

Pittsburgh 10, Montreal 2--Kevin Young hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the usually slow-starting Pirates opened a quick five-run lead to win at Pittsburgh.

The Pirates had been outscored, 33-19, in the first inning until Young followed Adrian Brown’s walk and Midre Cummings’ single by hitting a drive into the left-field seats off Jeff Juden (5-1).

Young also had a triple and finished with four RBIs. He has three homers, two triples and 12 RBIs in six consecutive starts since moving into the lineup after injuries to Kevin Elster, Jermaine Allensworth and Al Martin. Young had a grand slam in Pittsburgh’s 8-6 victory Sunday at Montreal.

Juden, who beat Pittsburgh, 7-3, Saturday, was ejected in a two-run Pirate second inning after becoming enraged because first base umpire Gary Darling ruled Brown safe on a slow grounder. Replays appeared to show Brown was out.

Cincinnati 5, Chicago 1--Barry Larkin homered and doubled, and Mike Kelly and Jeff Branson each hit RBI triples for the Reds at Chicago.

Pete Schourek (4-4) pitched seven innings, giving up four hits and one walk. The only run he gave up came on Shawon Dunston’s homer in the seventh.

Larkin reached base four times. He hit his second home run of the season, walked and was hit by a pitch.

Since moving into the cleanup slot eight games ago, Larkin is batting .583.

It was the Reds’ sixth victory in eight games.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Tony Gwynn San Diego 2 for 3, 2 RBIs, batting .408 Win Kevin Young Pittsburgh 2 for 5, 4 RBIs, triple, home run Win Bobby Bonilla Florida 2 for 5, double, game-winning RBI Win Todd Hundley New York 2 for 2, 2 RBIs, home run, 2 walks Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Tom Glavine Atlanta 7 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs, 6 strikeouts ND Pete Schourek Cincinnati 7 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 2 strikeouts Win

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