Bill Spiers

A 23-year-old male spectator ran onto the field Friday night at County Stadium and attacked Houston Astro right fielder Bill Spiers during the Astros' 9-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Astros had taken the field to begin the bottom of the sixth inning when the fan jumped onto the field in the right-field corner and ran up behind an unsuspecting Spiers. The fan jumped on the back of Spiers, who was unable to shake him off.

A 23-year-old male spectator ran onto the field Friday night at County Stadium and attacked Houston Astro right fielder Bill Spiers during the Astros' 9-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Astros had taken the field to begin the bottom of the sixth inning when the fan jumped onto the field in the right-field corner and ran up behind an unsuspecting Spiers. The fan jumped on the back of Spiers, who was unable to shake him off.

Infielder Juan Castro played in left field in the ninth inning of Sunday's victory over the Astros after pinch-hitting in the eighth inning. It was the first time in his professional career that he has played the outfield. Castro, who had played third, shortstop and second base, caught two fly balls in the ninth inning. "The last time I played the outfield was when I was in little league," Castro said. "But most of the time in batting practice I'm in the outfield and it helps."

Tony Gwynn would say that he couldn't remember a game "this tight or this dramatic." It was a game the Houston Astros would win, 5-4, in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday on a single by Bill Spiers that came moments after Jim Leyritz hit a two-out, two-run homer in the top of that inning to tie it for the San Diego Padres. A quick and painful twist, thought the reflective Gwynn.

Shane Reynolds pitched a three-hitter and added a two-run double in a six-run third inning as the Houston Astros defeated the Montreal Expos, 10-2, on Wednesday night. It was a big night for Expo reliever Dustin Hermanson too. The right-hander hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat, becoming the first pitcher in five years to hit a homer in his first major-league at-bat and first player since Atlanta's Jermaine Dye did it May 17, 1996.

Houston's reserves beat the Cardinals again. Bill Spiers, who had struck out in his first three at-bats as a pinch-hitter, came off the bench in the 10th inning and doubled in two runs off Dennis Eckersley, leading the Astros to a 4-2 win at St. Louis on Monday. "He's one of the best closers in the game, and today I was lucky to get him," Spiers said. "Any time you face him, it's going to be a battle."

Tony Gwynn would say that he couldn't remember a game "this tight or this dramatic." It was a game the Houston Astros would win, 5-4, in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday on a single by Bill Spiers that came moments after Jim Leyritz hit a two-out, two-run homer in the top of that inning to tie it for the San Diego Padres. A quick and painful twist, thought the reflective Gwynn.

As baseball brawls go, this is almost sure to be a costly one. There were no injuries after Saturday night's battle between the Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers, in which eight players were ejected, but fines from the American League this week are expected to be sizable. And there could even be a few suspensions. The brawl occurred in the eighth inning when, with the Mariners ahead, 6-2, the Brewers' Bob Sebra intentionally hit Tracy Jones with a pitch.

The crowd of 41,913 was larger than Game 1, but still the second-smallest in Atlanta postseason history. . . . The Braves broke a four-game home losing streak in the playoffs. . . . Only once in the 1990s have the Braves won a postseason series after losing the first game--in 1991, Atlanta defeated Pittsburgh, 4-3, in the NL championship series after losing Game 1. Since then, the Braves are 0-4 when they've lost the opener. . . .

Hall of Fame third baseman Eddie Mathews, 68, hospitalized in La Jolla for the past month because of a heart problem, has improved enough to be moved out of intensive care . . . Minnesota Manager Tom Kelly has agreed to a one-year contract extension to return for a 15th season with the Twins. Kelly has the longest tenure of any major league manager, even though the Twins have eight consecutive losing seasons. . . .

Shane Reynolds pitched a three-hitter and added a two-run double in a six-run third inning as the Houston Astros defeated the Montreal Expos, 10-2, on Wednesday night. It was a big night for Expo reliever Dustin Hermanson too. The right-hander hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat, becoming the first pitcher in five years to hit a homer in his first major-league at-bat and first player since Atlanta's Jermaine Dye did it May 17, 1996.

Houston's reserves beat the Cardinals again. Bill Spiers, who had struck out in his first three at-bats as a pinch-hitter, came off the bench in the 10th inning and doubled in two runs off Dennis Eckersley, leading the Astros to a 4-2 win at St. Louis on Monday. "He's one of the best closers in the game, and today I was lucky to get him," Spiers said. "Any time you face him, it's going to be a battle."

Infielder Juan Castro played in left field in the ninth inning of Sunday's victory over the Astros after pinch-hitting in the eighth inning. It was the first time in his professional career that he has played the outfield. Castro, who had played third, shortstop and second base, caught two fly balls in the ninth inning. "The last time I played the outfield was when I was in little league," Castro said. "But most of the time in batting practice I'm in the outfield and it helps."

Bill Spiers hit a three-run homer and Derek Bell added a two-run shot Tuesday night, leading the Houston Astros to only their third win in 12 games, a 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Bell drove in three runs as the Astros increased their lead in the NL Central to 3 1/2 games over second-place Pittsburgh. Mike Hampton (13-9) gave up eight hits in 7 2/3 innings and won for the 10th time in his last 12 decisions. Russ Springer got two outs for his third save.