Quote: "It was the team I grew up watching, and I saw a lot of their games. I knew everybody was watching back home tonight."

-- Pirates' Kris Benson, a Georgia native, after limiting the Braves to four hits in eight innings It's a fact: The Astros are only team in the majors undefeated when leading after eight innings. They are 56-0.

Who's hot: The Cardinals' Alberto Castillo is 12-for-23 his last six starts.

Who's not: The Padres, who earlier this year won 14 in a row, have lost 11 of 12.

On deck: Tony Gwynn has flown a large entourage of family members to St. Louis, and they'll all head to Montreal if he doesn't get hit No. 3,000 at Busch Stadium.

Pub Date: 8/04/99