Jones Breezes to No. 8

Bobby Jones not only became the National League’s first eight-game winner Thursday night, he also raised his batting average 105 points.

The Mets’ right-hander gave up three runs in seven innings for his fifth consecutive win as New York beat the Phillies, 10-3, at Philadelphia.

Jones doubled twice, singled and drove in two runs.

“I’m throwing the ball as well as I ever have and I have very good location,” Jones (8-2) said. “It’s definitely not something I expected, to have this many wins so soon, but it certainly feels good.”

The Mets jumped on losing pitcher Curt Schilling (6-4) for eight runs in the third inning, including a three-run double by John Olerud and Jones’ two-run double.

Pittsburgh 9, Montreal 3--Rookie Adrian Brown’s first home run--a three-run shot in the seventh inning--lifted the Pirates at Montreal.

Pittsburgh added two runs in the eighth inning on Kevin Young’s run-scoring triple and Kevin Polcovich’s RBI single.

Joe Randa added a solo homer for the Pirates, who won their second in a row following a four-game losing streak.

San Francisco 7, Colorado 2--Mark Gardner pitched six strong innings to win his fifth consecutive game as the Giants handed the Rockies a loss at San Francisco.

Colorado matched its worst trip in franchise history, 3-10.

Gardner (6-1) gave up four hits, two of them homers by Ellis Burks and Jeff Reed.

NL Notes

The Reds have suspended Derrel Thomas, a former Dodger who was to manage their Rookie League team in Billings, Mont., after a Cincinnati newspaper reported that he is on two years’ probation for pleading no contest to conspiring to purchase 20 pounds of cocaine from undercover agents. A Los Angeles County deputy district attorney also said that Thomas had been arrested again January 30 and faces probation violation charges after being stopped for speeding by a police officer who reportedly found cocaine in a sock in the car. . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates put outfielder Al Martin on the 15-day disabled list because of an injury to his right hand. . . . Florida Marlin second baseman Luis Castillo, who leads the team in stolen bases with 12, was activated from the 15-day disabled list. . . . Montreal pitcher Rheal Cormier underwent transplant surgery on his left elbow and will be out nine months to a year.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Joe Randa

Team: Pittsburgh

Performance: 2 for 4, 2 runs, home run, stolen base

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Jon Olerud

Team: New York

Performance: 3 for 4, 4 RBIs, double, home run

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Mike Lansing

Team: Montreal

Performance: 3 for 4, 2 runs, double, home run

Team’s Result: Loss

PITCHING

Player: Bobby Jones

Team: New York

Performance: 7 innings, 3 runs, 3 for 4 batting

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Jon Lieber

Team: Pittsburgh

Performance: 6 innings, 3 runs, 6 hits, 7 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Mike Gardner

Team: San Francisco

Performance: 6 innings, 2 runs, 3 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win