National League Roundup : Murphy’s Two Home Runs Keep Reds Reeling

Dale Murphy hit two home runs, driving in five runs, as he led the Atlanta Braves to a 10-5 victory Thursday at Cincinnati. It was the Reds’ 10th loss in their last 11 games.

Murphy, who has a cut hand, hit a pinch home run April 30 off the New York Mets’ Dwight Gooden but had not hit a homer in May until connecting for his sixth and seventh of the season.

Atlanta relief pitcher Craig McMurtry (1-1), who replaced starter Rick Mahler after 4 innings, picked up his first victory, with relief help from Paul Assenmacher. McMurtry blanked the Reds until he left after walking two batters in the eighth. Assenmacher gained his first save with two hitless innings of relief.

Murphy hit a three-run, first-inning homer, and Bob Horner followed with his fifth home run of the season as the Braves built a 4-0 lead. Both homers came off John Denny (1-4).

St. Louis 13, San Diego 3--Besides pitching a five-hitter, Tim Conroy drove in four runs with his first two major league hits as the Cardinals routed the Padres at St. Louis.

Willie McGee chipped in with four hits, and Jose Oquendo scored four runs to pace a 20-hit attack.

Conroy (2-1) walked five and struck out two in becoming the first Cardinal pitcher to go the distance since opening day.

Pittsburgh 8, San Francisco 2--Rookie Mike Bielecki (3-0) allowed four hits in seven innings, and first baseman Sid Bream drove in three runs with a double and a single as the Pirates snapped the Giants’ four-game winning streak at Pittsburgh.