National League Roundup : Squib Hits Play a Key Role in Reds’ 9-2 Victory

Even though they scored a lopsided 9-2 victory in 11 innings, it would be inaccurate to say that the visiting Cincinnati Reds powered their way past the Atlanta Braves Thursday night.

In truth, the Reds squibbed their way to a victory. They had one hit in the first eight innings off rookie Steve Shields--a two-run homer by Dave Parker--and only one other hit before the 11th.

But then Dave Concepcion led of the inning with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice and scored when Eddie Milner lined a single to center, a shot that proved to be the last hard-hit ball of the inning. Five more singles and six runs followed to turn the close game into a rout. Two of the singles never left the infield, and a third was a blooper.

But as Milner pointed out, the style wasn’t as important as the result.

“They all count,” he said matter-of-factly.

Cincinnati Manager Pete Rose went 0 for 4 to remain 48 hits short of breaking Ty Cobb’s all-time hit record of 4,191.

St. Louis 2, Pittsburgh 1--First baseman Jack Clark, a malcontent in San Francisco, continues to be a bright spot for the resurgent Cardinals, who edged the Pirates at Pittsburgh.

Clark, whose running verbal battles with Giant management often overshadowed his ability, has responded positively to the change of environment.

His homer in the second inning off loser Larry McWilliams (3-5) gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. Tito Landrum delivered an RBI double--the Cardinals’ second and last hit--in the top of the seventh, and John Tudor (4-7) and Jeff Lahti made it stand up.

For Clark, the blast into the left-field seats was his 13th of the season after 57 games. Last season, Clark played only 57 games before being sidelined with an injury. He hit 11 home runs.

Montreal 9, Chicago 7--The Expos earned a split of their four-game series with the division-leading Cubs at Montreal.

Andre Dawson, Terry Francona and Hubie Brooks each drove in two runs, and Tim Raines added three hits and scored to runs to help the Expos move within two games of the Cubs in the East. The victory, coupled with the Mets’ defeat in Philadelphia, also jumped the Expos into second place.

Philadelphia 5, New York 4--At Philadelphia, the Mets’ usually reliable reliever, Jesse Orosco, chose the wrong moment to surrender his first home run this season.

The appearance began ominously for Orosco (1-3), who came on in relief with one out in the eighth and proceeded to walk Von Hayes. He regained a brief edge by striking out Mike Schmidt, but then he ran into red-hot Glenn Wilson, who homered to center, his seventh of the season. The two RBI gave Wilson 14 in his last five games. It was also his third game-winning RBI this week.

San Diego 3, San Francisco 0--The Padres turned four double plays to help Dave Dravecky and Goose Gossage shut out the Giants at San Francisco.

Dravecky (5-4) also started a two-run rally in the third inning with a leadoff single off Bill Laskey.

The umpiring crew had an unusual look because their uniforms were in luggage that remained in Houston. Charlie Williams worked behind the plate in a Giant uniform and jacket, while the other umps wore Giant jackets over street clothes.