Darwin’s Return to Chicago a Giant One

The Cubs knew they were in trouble, and the newest San Francisco Giants knew they were in for an inquisition Tuesday in Chicago.

Veteran Danny Darwin, acquired from the White Sox along with Wilson Alvarez and Roberto Hernandez last week, gave up three hits and two runs in six strong innings in his Giant debut, an 8-2 win over the Cubs at Chicago.

One of the hits was Shawon Dunston’s homer. Dunston, who played with the Giants last season, said the trade was a big one.

“They know what they got over there,” Dunston said. “Wilson Alvarez was one of the best left-handers in the American League, Roberto is good and Darwin knows how to pitch.”

He did Tuesday, and has decided he has had enough talking about changing addresses at midseason.

“We’re over here now and the trade is over with. We’ve got to concentrate now and do the job,” Darwin said.

He did that well enough before turning the game over to Julian Tavarez (4-3), who pitched two innings of one-hit relief and got the victory for the Giants, who remained 1 1/2 games ahead of the Dodgers in the NL West.

San Francisco has been in first place alone or shared first for 87 days this season.

The Giants had trouble with Cubs’ starter Kevin Foster but not against the Chicago bullpen. Foster gave up only four hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Bill Mueller’s bases-loaded triple in the eighth inning proved to be the game-winner.

Barry Bonds walked and Jeff Kent singled off Bob Patterson (1-5) with one out in the eighth. After J.T. Snow struck out, reliever Turk Wendell walked pinch-hitter Stan Javier to load the bases.

Mueller then hit a 1-1 pitch on a line to the alley in right-center to clear the bases.

Florida 6, Houston 5--Moises Alou’s bases-loaded two-run single with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Marlins at Miami and closed them to within 4 1/2 games of the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves.

Alou hit a 1-and-2 pitch from reliever Billy Wagner (7-4) over the second baseman’s head into right field, scoring Edgar Renteria and pinch-runner Kurt Abbott.

It was the third consecutive blown save for Wagner and kept Darryl Kile--who hasn’t lost since June 14--from getting an NL-leading 16th victory.

In the Marlin ninth, Renteria drew a leadoff walk, Gary Sheffield singled and, one out later, pinch-hitter Jeff Conine walked to load the bases before Alou delivered his game-winning hit.

Pittsburgh 5, Atlanta 4--Jason Kendall and Jose Guillen homered in a four-run fourth inning at Pittsburgh and Jason Schmidt, traded by Atlanta a year ago this month, beat his old team for the first time.

The Braves had won their previous four games against the Pirates this season--all in Three Rivers Stadium--and had outscored Pittsburgh by a combined 33-7.

Kendall and Guillen’s homers helped the Pirates to a 5-2 lead against Tom Glavine (10-6), who had missed his last scheduled start because of tendinitis in his right Achilles tendon.

It was the second subpar outing in a row for Glavine, who was roughed up for five runs in three innings by Cincinnati on July 26, then was granted a divorce from his wife of 4 1/2 years during his one-week layoff because of the tendinitis problem.

Schmidt (7-6) made the three-run lead hold up until the seventh inning, retiring 13 consecutive batters before Ryan Klesko drew a leadoff walk ahead of Javy Lopez’s homer, his 18th of the season.

Ricardo Rincon pitched a scoreless eighth and Rich Loiselle got the last three outs on strikeouts for his 18th save, the most among major league rookies.

New York 5, St. Louis 4--Edgardo Alfonzo hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th inning for the Mets, who won their seventh game in a row at home and their 34th comeback victory of the season.

It was the 10th time New York has come back to win in the eighth inning or later and its sixth consecutive extra-inning victory.

Lance Johnson singled to lead off the 10th inning against Tony Fossas (1-4), who got the final out in the ninth inning and remained in the game after a 1-hour, 35-minute rain delay.

Bernard Gilkey was safe on a bunt when catcher Mike Difelice’s throw to second pulled shortstop Royce Clayton off the bag. John Olerud had a bunt single to third base to load the bases and John Frascatore replaced Fossas.

After Alex Ochoa grounded into a fielder’s choice, Alfonzo followed with a fly ball to right field.

Colorado 4, Philadelphia 2--Eric Young’s two-out RBI double in the eighth inning capped a three-run rally for the Rockies, who won at Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 to end a three-game losing streak.

Darren Holmes (4-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the victory, and Jerry Dipoto got the final six outs for his fourth save.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Mike Piazza

Team: Dodgers

Performance: 3 for 4, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Reggie Sanders

Team: Cincinnati

Performance: 3 for 4, HR, 3 RBIs

Team’s Result: Win

PITCHING

Player: Matt Morris

Team: St. Louis

Performance: 8 1/3 innings, 3 earned runs

Team’s Result: Loss

*

Player: Danny Darwin

Team: San Francisco

Performance: 6 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Curt Schilling

Team: Philadelphia

Performance: 6 shutout innings, 12 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Loss

*

Player: Pete Harnisch

Team: New York

Performance: 6 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs in return to majors

Team’s Result: Win