National League Roundup : Garvey Ejected for First Time--After Triple Play

What next? Steve Garvey, for the first time in his 16-year career, was ejected from a game Thursday night for arguing with an umpire.

In the third inning of the Atlanta Braves’ 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres at San Diego, the Braves executed a triple play, which led to Garvey’s ejection.

With Bip Roberts on third base and Tony Gwynn on first, Kevin McReynolds hit a grounder to Atlanta pitcher Zane Smith.

Smith threw to second baseman Glenn Hubbard for a force-out, and Hubbard threw back to first baseman Bob Horner for the second out. During the relay, Roberts broke for home, and Horner threw to catcher Ozzie Virgil.

Roberts slid under Virgil and, on TV replays, appeared to tag the plate with his right hand. But plate umpire Charlie Williams made no call, so Roberts, who slid past the plate, tried to get back but was tagged out.

Garvey, the on-deck batter, and San Diego Manager Steve Boros both strongly argued the call. Garvey was then ejected from the game by Williams.

Garvey thought it was Boros who was ejected until Williams informed him differently when he went to his first-base position in the bottom of the inning.

It was Atlanta’s first triple play since July 15, 1978, when the Braves turned one against Philadelphia.

Smith (5-5), who gave up six hits and won for the first time since May 18, was also credited with the game-winning RBI on a run-scoring single in the second inning.

New York 7, Pittsburgh 0--George Foster hit a home run for the sixth time in 10 games, and Bob Ojeda pitched a five-hitter as the Mets won at Pittsburgh.

Foster’s two-run shot to left field in the second inning was his 10th homer of the season. Foster has hit all of his home runs since May 6, a span in which 10 of his 17 hits have been homers.

“I don’t remember if I’ve ever had a streak like this,” said Foster, who had 52 homers for the Cincinnati Reds in 1977. “I can’t remember a streak where I’ve had so many homers in ratio to base hits.”

Ojeda (7-2) struck out three and walked three in pitching his first National League shutout and his second complete game of the season.

Philadelphia 7, Montreal 3--Darren Daulton hit a three-run homer to trigger a five-run first inning at Montreal as the Phillies won for the ninth time in 10 games. The Expos have lost five straight.

Charles Hudson (4-3) scattered six hits in six innings, and Glenn Wilson contributed a two-run homer for the Phillies, who banged out 10 hits.

St. Louis 4, Chicago 3--Andy Van Slyke hit a two-run triple, and Ozzie Smith hit a two-run double as the Cardinals won at St. Louis.

Bob Forsch (5-3) tied Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean for fifth place on St. Louis’ all-time victory list with his 134th victory. Forsch raised his career record against Chicago to 18-8.