National League Roundup : Dawson’s Ninth-Inning Homer Saves Expos; Mets Win Seventh Straight

Andre Dawson has regained his home run swing and the Montreal Expos feel they are ready to challenge for supremacy in the East.

Dawson hit a dramatic three-run home run with one out in the ninth inning Sunday at Montreal to give the Expos a 6-5 victory over the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates. It was the fourth home run the center fielder has hit in his last five games and enabled the Expos to remain five games behind the New York Mets.

With the departure of Gary Carter between seasons, Dawson, just recovering from knee problems, went into the season as just about the Expos only power hitter.

In mid-June, Dawson, who had nine home runs, suddenly lost his power stroke. He went six weeks without hitting a homer, ending the slump July 28 when he hit one to spark a victory. Last Monday, the day before the brief strike, he hit another one and Saturday night he hit two more.

“I just wanted one more shot at Cecilio Guante,” Dawson told the Associated Press. “I was hoping he would try and come in on me. Fortunately, that’s just what he did and I hit it.

“The three previous times up I swung at bad pitches. Mostly, though, I’ve been in a groove and I feel very good at the plate. I think we’re ready to challenge for the pennant.”

Dawson’s 14th home run saved Bill Laskey’s Expo starting debut from being a disaster and enabled rookie Tim Burke to improve his record to 7-0.

Laskey, expected to provide the extra pitching the Expos need for the stretch drive, gave up six hits and five runs in six innings and left, trailing, 5-3.

New York 6, Chicago 2--Some of his former teammates may be happy that Gary Carter is no longer an Expo, but the Mets are glad he belongs to them.

The talented catcher hit two incredible pregame home runs to wow early arrivals at Shea Stadium in New York, but saved two real home runs for the game, both coming with a man on base.

Carter’s slugging helped Ed Lynch (10-5) win his sixth in a row, the Mets their seventh in a row, and enabled them to take sole possession of first place.

“I felt so good when I hit those two in batting practice that I stopped,” Carter told UPI. “I was in a groove. It is really nice going up to the plate and feeling that way.”

It was the seventh loss in a row for the Cubs and they fell 11 1/2 games behind the Mets.

Houston 7, San Diego 2--Mark Bailey and Bill Doran homered in the eighth at San Diego and the Astros dropped the Padres seven games behind the Dodgers in the West.

It was a 2-2 game when Bailey led off the eighth against Andy Hawkins (14-4) with his eighth home run of the season. One out later, Doran hit his 11th deep into the right-field seats.

Bob Knepper gave up seven hits and improved his record to 10-9. He shut down the Padres after Tony Gwynn’s single and Terry Kennedy’s double tied the score in the fourth.

Philadelphia 4, St. Louis 1--The Cardinals would be happy if they didn’t have to face left-hander Shane Rawley. Last Monday, in the final game before the strike, Rawley pitched a five-hitter at St. Louis and beat them, 9-1.

The Cardinals won their first four after the strike before running into Rawley again at Philadelphia. This time, the Cardinals managed six hits, but still only one run as they dropped out of a first-place tie.

Ozzie Virgil and Mike Schmidt hit home runs off Bob Forsch (4-5). For Schmidt, it was the ninth he has hit off Forsch. He also has hit nine off Dodger Jerry Reuss.

The Cardinals scored off Rawley in the first. Rookie Vince Coleman singled then stole his 78th base and scored when Willie McGee singled for his eighth hit in his last 11 at-bats.

Atlanta 7, San Francisco 4--Dale Murphy hit his 30th home run and rookie Joe Johnson gained his first major league victory.

It took a three-run eighth, after the Braves batted for Johnson, to give the rookie his victory. Rick Cerone brought home what proved to be the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly.

Johnson gave up four runs and six hits, but two of the host Giants’ runs were unearned because of an error by right fielder Brad Komminsk, who earlier hit his first home run of the season.

Bruce Sutter pitched two scoreless innings for his 19th save.