National League Roundup : Gooden Hurls Two-Hitter and Supplies Key Hit in 4-0 Win

Dwight Gooden, in addition to being the best pitcher in baseball, is also a magnificent hitter.

Gooden’s bat was the difference Tuesday night at New York when he hooked up with the National League’s other hot pitcher, Houston’s Bob Knepper.

With two on in the seventh and the Mets’ leading, 1-0, Gooden drilled a two-run triple over right fielder Terry Puhl’s head and the Mets went on to win, 4-0.

In improving his record to 5-0, Gooden gave up just two hits, an infield single in the fifth to Glenn Davis and a ground-ball single through the infield by Craig Reynolds in the ninth.

“Yes,” Gooden said, “I knew I was going for the no-hitter. I was a little off balance on the ball Davis hit, but I could have made the play. It was one of my better performances this year.”

It was Gooden’s sixth start and second shutout. In no start has he given up more than two runs or two walks. Four times he has gone the distance. In the other two he pitched eight innings. In 52 innings he has given up only six earned runs for an earned-run average of 1.04. His last defeat was Aug. 31, 1985.

If the 21-year-old right-hander has a weakness it’s that he is a little less effective in the daytime. This victory gave him a 33-5 record at night. He lost five of his first six decisions in day games and now is 13-8.

“Day games,” he said, “don’t feel like real games. It’s like spring training. It’s like they don’t count.

“I like it best at night at Shea Stadium. Especially Friday night when the crowd is bigger and noisier. This crowd (41,722) was more like Friday. I enjoyed myself.”

The only run Gooden needed to backup his masterpiece was George Foster’s first home run of the season. It came in the fifth and was only the second hit off Knepper.

The Mets, who have won 10 of their last 11, are 6-1 at home.

Cincinnati 2, Atlanta 0--It was such a relief to end the nine-game losing streak that the Reds’ broke out the champagne after their first win at Cincinnati since Opening Day.

Dave Parker hit a home run and Bill Gullickson pitched seven shutout innings, giving up just four hits. John Franco finished up to get his third save.

“I hope it’s just a beginning,” Manager Pete Rose, who had two hits, said as champagne dripped from his hair. “I’ve got a lot of faith in these guys. I hope tonight is the start of a good playing streak.”

It was only the Reds’ second victory in the last 15 games, and they are eight games out of first place.

San Diego 3, St. Louis 2--Pinch-hitter Jerry Royster doubled in Leon Roberts from first base with two out in the ninth inning at St. Louis.

The Cardinals drew even in the sixth when Jack Clark hammered his fourth home run of the season. Tony Gwynn’s two-out home run in the third inning had given the Padres a 2-1 lead.

Gene Walter gained the victory in relief. He entered in the eighth with two on and two out and struck out Clint Hurdle.

San Francisco 7, Pittsburgh 2--Roger Craig’s Giants continue to be the surprise team in the National League, its answer to the Cleveland Indians.

Mike Krukow pitched a seven-hitter to improve his record to 4-2 and put the Giants just half a game out of first place in the West.

Krukow said he found his fastball in the third inning and from then on he was brilliant.

Former Dodger Candy Maldonado and Chris Brown each hit two-run home runs to beat Rick Reuschel.

The Giants are 16-11, their best start in 13 years.

Montreal 8, Philadelphia 0--Andy McGaffigan pitched an eight-hitter at Philadelphia for his first career shutout and only his third complete game in 40 starts.

Vance Law and Andre Dawson each hit two-run home runs as the Expos pounded Steve Carlton (1-5) for six runs and six hits in five innings.

It was the fifth loss in the last six games for the Phillies and was the third time in a row Carlton, trying to come back from a rotator cuff injury, failed to get past the fifth inning.