National League Roundup : Expos Continue to Support Smith With Offense

Right-hander Bryn Smith, who has been backed with an average of more than six runs a game this season by his Montreal teammates, was once again the recipient of timely hitting and scoring in the Expos’ 8-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs Friday night at Montreal.

The win, the Expos’ fourth straight over Chicago this season, moved Montreal into first place in the NL East by a half-game.

Hubie Brooks and Andres Galarraga each had three hits and two runs batted in.

Smith (7-2) allowed five runs and nine hits in eight-plus innings. Tim Burke got the last three outs for his 14th save after Smith allowed singles to the first two batters in the ninth.

Brooks doubled home two runs and scored on Mike Fitzgerald’s single as Montreal scored three runs in the first inning off Paul Kilgus (5-6).

The Cubs scored twice in the fifth on an RBI single by Dwight Smith and a run-scoring double by Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg also added his 10th home run in the eighth inning.

New York 15, Philadelphia 11--The Mets squandered an eight-run first-inning lead, then outlasted the Phillies on a rainy night in Philadelphia.

Mackey Sasser put the Mets ahead, 12-11, with a two-run, pinch double in the eighth inning after the Phillies had taken an 11-10 lead in the seventh on a double by Von Hayes and a triple by Juan Samuel.

The Mets sent 13 batters to the plate in the first inning and scored eight runs on eight hits against Bruce Ruffin.

But the Phillies came back against David Cone and scored five runs in the bottom of the first.

Randy Myers (6-2) pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief for the victory. Steve Bedrosian (2-3) was the loser.

Houston 3, San Diego 1--Bill Doran and Glenn Davis hit home runs, and Jim Clancy (5-4) allowed five hits and no runs in 6 2/3 innings at San Diego.

Dave Smith pitched the ninth inning for his 13th save.

Gerald Young opened the game with a double against Ed Whitson (9-4), and one out later, Doran homered.

Davis’ 15th homer, leading off the fourth inning, was barely inside the left-field foul pole and sparked an argument that led to the ejection of Padre Manager Jack McKeon.

St. Louis 6, Pittsburgh 2--Scott Terry (5-6) allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings, and Milt Thompson drove in two runs to lead the Cardinals at St. Louis.

It was the Cardinals’ third straight win and the ninth in their last 11 games. The Pirates have lost nine of their last 13.

Pirate starter Randy Kramer (1-3) led, 2-1, going into the seventh inning, when the Cardinals scored four runs.

Reliever Neal Heaton gave up run-scoring singles to Milt Thompson and Ozzie Smith before giving way to Doug Bair. Two more runs scored on a passed ball by catcher Junior Ortiz and a wild pitch by Bair.

Cincinnati 5, San Francisco 4--Pinch-hitter Eric Davis hit reliever Goose Gossage’s first pitch for a two-run home run in the ninth inning, his 12th of the season, to cap a three-run rally and give the Reds the win at San Francisco.

Todd Benzinger started the comeback with a leadoff double off Craig Lefferts, who replaced starter Rick Reuschel. Reuschel had been seeking his 12th win.

With one out, Paul O’Neill singled to score Benzinger. It was O’Neill’s second RBI of the game and 10th of the season against the Giants.

Reliever Norm Charlton (3-0) pitched a hitless eighth inning for the win, and John Franco took over in the ninth to earn his league-leading 18th save.