National League Roundup : Smith Keeps the Cardinals Hot, Leads 9-2 Victory Over Houston

The St. Louis Cardinals had won three in a row, and Ozzie Smith had a simple formula for continued success.

“If we play the way we have in the last three games, we have a chance,” he said. “If we don’t, we don’t have a chance.”

Smith matched his career high with four hits as the Cardinals beat the Astros 9-2 Monday night at Houston. St. Louis left 17 runners on base, one shy of the National League record held by nine teams.

“Our ballclub has started to hit better the last couple of weeks,” said Smith, who also had two RBIs. “It’s one of those things that had to turn around when guys are giving 100%.”

The Cardinals had 14 hits and 10 walks, both being the most allowed by Houston pitchers this season.

Left-hander John Tudor (5-3) pitched a four-hitter, with seven strikeouts and one walk. “Basically we’re starting to do the things we did last year to win,” Tudor said. “We’re getting our running game going and we’re getting our bunts down.”

Mike Madden (1-2) lasted only 5 innings, having allowed four runs on nine hits and three wild pitches.

Tudor retired the Astros in order until the fifth inning, when he gave up consecutive home runs to Glenn Davis and Kevin Bass.

Pittsburgh 9, Atlanta 2-- Rick Reuschel gave up three hits in 5 innings and drove in two runs with one of his two hits as the Pirates routed the Braves at Atlanta.

Reuschel (4-4) has not lost to Atlanta since April, 1979, winning seven straight decisions. R.J. Reynolds had two hits in four at-bats, walked once, stole two bases, scored three runs and drove in another.

Chicago 8, Cincinnati 6--Ryne Sandberg hit a three-run homer and Rick Sutcliffe scattered five hits over 6 innings as the Cubs beat the Reds at Cincinnati.

Sutcliffe had a streak of 22 scoreless innings snapped in the sixth when Nick Esasky led off with a double and Buddy Bell hit his second homer of the season.

Sutcliffe (4-6) allowed just five hits in 6 innings but hurt himself with five walks, two wild pitches and one hit batsman. The right-hander shut out the Reds on four hits in his previous start last Wednesday at Wrigley Field, and is 8-1 lifetime against Cincinnati.