National League Roundup : Gooden Overpowers Pirates--With a Bat

Is it possible that Dwight Gooden, instead of becoming another Cy Young or a Walter Johnson, will become another Babe Ruth?

Not likely. But Ruth, who began his career as a pitcher, won 80 games on the mound in his first four seasons before the Boston Red Sox saw the slugger in him.

The 20-year-old Gooden, who has had the best statistical start for a pitcher in major league history, hit his first big league home run Saturday, a three-run smash in the first inning at New York that helped the Mets rout the Pittsburgh Pirates, 12-1.

Gooden struck out four and gave up four hits in eight innings to improve his record to 22-4, although an unearned run in the first inning ended his string of scoreless innings at 31. It was his 16th win in the last 17 games, but all the young pitcher wanted to talk about was his hitting. In addition to the home run, Gooden had two singles, drove in four runs and lined out. His 20 hits this season, including three in a game against Fernando Valenzuela, constitute a record for a Met pitcher.

“It was real exciting. It was like I was dreaming,” Gooden told the Associated Press after his three-run homer helped the Mets take a 7-1 lead right off the bat. “When I first hit it, I said, ‘No way.’ I knew I hit it good, but I thought R.J. (Reynolds) would catch it.

“It definitely is my biggest thrill. It’s the icing on the cake for the ’85 season. It’s bigger than a two-hitter. I’ll take a homer any day. Next, I want a grand slam or a game-winner.”

All was not perfect for the Mets on this day, though. When the St. Louis Cardinals rallied to win, the Mets remained two games back in the National League East with 14 games remaining.

The Mets carried on as though they had just clinched the pennant. Although they were drubbing the team with the worst record in the majors, they were tossing around high-fives when they went ahead, 10-1. With a seven-run lead, they rubbed it in by stealing bases.

The Mets figure to start Gooden only three more times this season. Maybe, if Manager Dave Johnson had removed him after six innings, he could have started his ace four more times.

If there ever is a new Babe Ruth, he’ll have to come out of the National League, the one that allows pitchers to hit.

St. Louis 7, Montreal 6--Jack Clark was thinking home run when he came to bat in the seventh inning at St. Louis with a man on and the Cardinals trailing. He put his thoughts to action and hammered his 22nd homer to cap a Cardinal comeback.

A grand slam by Andre Dawson in the third inning helped the Expos build a 6-1 lead over Cardinal ace John Tudor, who had won 18 of his previous 19 decisions.

The Cardinals fought back for four runs in the sixth, the final run scoring on yet another clutch hit by Cesar Cedeno, who has been on a tear. Bert Roberge put out that rally, but in the next inning, Tommy Herr singled and Clark followed with his first home run since Aug. 16.

It was only Clark’s third game back from the disabled list, and his home run swing caused a flare-up of the rib-cage injury that had sidelined him since Aug. 23. He may not play today.

“I’m going up there to hit a home run,” Clark said. “That’s what I do. It’s a great feeling when it happens. It showed the national television audience that the Cardinals can fight back and win.”

Cedeno’s pinch single raised his average to .473 since Cincinnati traded him to the Cardinals at the end of August. He has a slugging percentage of .840.

Houston 9, Cincinnati 5--Utility infielder Tim Tolman slowed the Reds’ drive in the West, at least temporarily, when he broke a 5-5 tie with a three-run home run in the eighth inning at Houston.

Tolman’s second home run of the season ended the Reds’ six-game winning streak and dropped them 5 1/2 games behind the Dodgers. The Reds have 15 games remaining.

Tolman’s home run off John Franco (12-3) gave the Astros their 21st win in the last 25 games and put them 3 1/2 games behind the second-place Reds.

Player-Manager Pete Rose, who had his 4,200th hit, is probably having second thoughts about a remark Friday night in which he said he hoped the Astros stay hot because they have three games left with the Dodgers. The Astros have four games left with the Reds.

“We have come from behind many times this season,” Rose said, “but not today.”

Chicago 9, Philadelphia 2--The Cubs had seven hits in a row in an eight-run fifth inning at Philadelphia to make it easy for John Abrego to gain his first major league victory.

San Diego 1, Atlanta 0--Eric Show pitched a three-hitter at San Diego, retiring the last 17 batters to improve his record to 11-10. Tim Flannery singled in the only run in the fourth inning.