National League Roundup : Cubs Land Big Blows in Victory Over Mets

After winning the World Series in 1986, the New York Mets proclaimed that they were going to repeat as champions. But they succeeded only in angering the rest of the National League.

This season, the Mets are leading the National League East, but they aren’t winning over the opposition.

The feisty Mets tangled with the Cubs Saturday. After the Cubs’ Rafael Palmeiro hit a sixth-inning home run to tie the game at Chicago, Bob Ojeda hit Andre Dawson on the arm with the next pitch.

Dawson pointed his bat toward the Met pitcher, both benches emptied and Met catcher Gary Carter put a bear-hug on Dawson to keep him from going after Ojeda.

The aroused Cubs, with Ryne Sandberg delivering the tiebreaking single to trigger a three-run eighth, went on to win, 5-2. Les Lancaster (4-4), in relief of Jamie Moyer, allowed one hit over the final two innings and picked up the win.

Met pitcher Ron Darling, who had been scheduled to start today’s game, injured his thumb while restraining Ojeda and will miss at least one turn.

Dawson, who struck out and grounded out before being hit, said that despite Ojeda’s denial, he was convinced Ojeda was throwing at his head.

“I’m upset when a guy throws a ball up around my head,” Dawson said. “I’m just protecting myself. There’s times you get hit and it’s part of the game. But he (Ojeda) doesn’t throw up and in, and I wasn’t on top of the plate. He got me out today with everything away. Then he throws up and in after the home run.”

Met Manager Davey Johnson, who said he would not have used Rick Aguilera (0-3) in relief if he had known Darling was hurt, blamed Dawson for the incident.

“I think he reacted out of frustration for not being able to hit Bobby,” Johnson said.

Pittsburgh 5, Montreal 1--The Pirates are not ready to concede the East. John Smiley (8-4) pitched a five-hitter and yielded an unearned run at Montreal to pull the Pirates within 5 1/2 games of the Mets.

Brian Holman, called up to replace suspended Floyd Youmans, lost his major league debut. The 23-year-old right-hander gave up 5 hits and 4 runs in 3 innings.

Andy Van Slyke tripled in a run and scored another in the four-run fourth that beat Holman.

San Francisco 4, Houston 1--Mike Krukow pitched a three-hitter as the Giants scored their second straight complete-game victory at Houston.

Krukow (6-4) struck out four and walked one as he went the distance for the first time since July 29, 1987, at Dodger Stadium. After giving up a run-scoring triple to Rafael Ramirez with one out in the fifth, Krukow retired 14 of the last 15 batters.

Kelly Downs had shut out the Astros, 11-0, Friday night.

St. Louis 4, Philadelphia 1--Jose DeLeon pitched a four-hitter, and Luis Alicea and Willie McGee each had three hits as the Cardinals beat the Phillies at St. Louis.

DeLeon (5-5) retired 17 of the final 18 batters. DeLeon, who leads Cardinal pitchers in victories, struck out seven and walked two.

Chris James opened the Phillies’ fourth with his 11th home run before DeLeon retired the next 17 batters. James ended the streak with a two-out walk in the ninth.

Atlanta 8, San Diego 4--At Atlanta, the Braves won their third straight game, equaling a season best.

Charlie Puleo (1-3) allowed 4 hits, struck out 4 and walked 2 in 4 innings of relief.

The Braves are 14-17 under Manager Russ Nixon, who took over when Chuck Tanner was fired. The Padres have lost three in a row.