National League Roundup : Cardinals Win 7th Straight on Forsch’s 3-Hitter

Bob Forsch pitched a three-hitter, and National League batting leader Willie McGee had a double and two singles Wednesday night as the East Division-leading St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-0, at Philadelphia for their seventh straight victory.

It was the 17th shutout of Forsch’s 11-year career and his first since Sept. 26, 1983, when he beat Montreal with his second no-hitter.

Still, Forsch remained unimpressed by anything but the final result.

“The only thing that matters now is winning,” he said. “The shutout is not significant. I never get excited with a shutout or complete game. I’m satisfied with just winning.”

Forsch (8-6) struck out four and walked three in his third complete game of the season. He said he had had problems at the start of the season because of poor control.

“I’m now hitting the corners,” he said. “I don’t have Dwight Gooden’s fastball or curve. I have to spot my pitches. I don’t get by throwing down the middle of the plate. So, if I have my stuff I expect to win.”

Forsch said the Cardinals are excited about the divisional race, but never get too high or too low.

“Sure, we’re pumped up. If you can’t get pumped up now you might be dead,” he said. “We get dressed and go home whether we’ve won or lost. It’s a sign of the maturity of our ball club, an important aspect of the club.”

McGee, hitting .361, drove in one run, scored another and stole a base. Tommy Herr batted in three runs to boost his season total to 99, while Vince Coleman stole his league-leading 99th base.

The loss ended a three-game winning streak for John Denny (11-12).

New York 4, Chicago 2--Ray Knight doubled home two runs during a three-run fourth inning, and Rick Aguilera and Roger McDowell combined on a six-hitter to lead the Mets past the Cubs at New York.

The victory enabled the Mets to remain two games behind the Cardinals in the NL East.

“Ray’s had his ups and downs,” New York Manager Dave Johnson said of Knight. “He’s a .280 lifetime hitter, and you don’t do that without being able to hit. The fans get on him a little, and I think this was just the right thing for him tonight.”

Knight said he did not know “if I won them (the fans) over--maybe for one at-bat. I’ve had so many negative thoughts in my head this year.”

Cub Manager Jim Frey, meanwhile, also was wrestling with some negative thoughts. The loss was the sixth in seven games for Chicago.

“Getting beat night after night is not easy,” Frey said. “You never get used to losing. It’s never happened to me before.”

Cincinnati 7, Atlanta 3--Nick Esasky drove in four runs, two of them in a four-run first inning and another on a home run in the eighth, to lead the Reds over the Braves at Atlanta.

Right-hander Ron Robinson (6-6) threw a five-hitter, giving up a pair of home runs. One of those was Dale Murphy’s career-high 37th of the season. Murphy sent a drive over the right-field fence in the first inning, giving him his 100th RBI of the season, the fourth year in a row he has reached that plateau.

Bo Diaz had four hits, two of them doubles, and batted in one run for the Reds, who won their fourth straight.

Pittsburgh 10, Montreal 6--Tony Pena’s second home run of the night, a three-run shot in the 11th inning, helped the Pirates upend the Expos at Montreal.

Pena, who drove in four runs, lined his 10th homer on the first pitch from Bert Roberge (3-2). The Pirates had gone ahead in their half of the 11th on Sid Bream’s double, then Pena broke it open.

Don Robinson (5-11) worked four innings for the victory.

Hubie Brooks paced the Montreal attack with five RBIs on three doubles.