National League Roundup : Leonard Ends Padre Streak, 4-1

The San Diego Padres’ string of one-run games came to an end Thursday at San Francisco as Jeff Leonard outguessed Andy Hawkins.

With two out and the bases loaded in the third inning, Leonard hit Hawkins’ slider for a three-run double, and the Giants went on to gain a 4-1 victory. The Padres had played 10 consecutive one-run games, the last four of which they won on their final turn at bat.

“We thought he’d be looking for a fastball, and that’s why I threw him the breaking pitch,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins, holding a 1-0 lead at the time, had thrown eight consecutive balls, but Giant Manager Roger Craig, figuring Leonard would get a good pitch, gave the hit sign.

“I was looking for something I could drive,” Leonard told the Associated Press, “and I was pretty confident he’d throw it in the strike zone.”

The first-pitch double gave Leonard nine runs batted in this season in nine games.

Mike Krukow pitched a five-hitter for the Giants as the Padres fell one game short of tying the record for consecutive one-run games. The Dodgers have a shot at equaling the record tonight at Atlanta.

Chicago 7, Montreal 6--After two losing efforts, hard-throwing reliever Lee Smith made amends at Montreal.

Smith gave up only one hit in three innings and became the winner when Shawon Dunston hit a home run in the 13th inning off Montreal’s best reliever, Jeff Reardon.

It was only the Cubs’ second victory in seven games and came after they blew a 6-1 lead. The Cubs have played all seven on the road. Their home opener is today.