National League Roundup : Schmidt’s 22nd Homer Helps End Astro Streak

Without much fanfare on a team going no place, Mike Schmidt is having another outstanding season.

The third baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies hit his 22nd home run Friday night at Philadelphia to lead the Phillies to a 4-2 victory that ended Houston’s seven-game winning streak.

Schmidt moved into a tie with Dave Parker of Cincinnati for the home run lead in the National League and increased his league-leading RBI total to 74. He also helped Charles Hudson (6-9) win his second in a row after a prolonged losing streak.

Hudson held the hot Astros to five hits and an unearned run in six innings before giving way to Dan Schatzeder, just acquired from Montreal. Schatzeder gave up another unearned run and then Steve Bedrosian went the last two innings for his 13th save.

The 22 home runs, 74 RBIs and a .290 batting average constitute a normal season for the Phillies’ veteran, who is virtually unnoticed when he is going well.

But, at the start of last season he was noticed. Moving defensively between first and third base, Schmidt was off to the worst start of his career. Seven weeks into the season, he was batting only .195 with 5 home runs and 15 RBIs. It was wondered if Schmidt, at age 35, was heading downhill.

When he finished with a typical season (33 home runs, 93 RBIs and a .277 average), he was once again forgotten--or maybe just taken for granted.

The home run off Houston reliever Larry Andersen was the 480th of his career. Schmidt, who has hit at least 31 home runs in each of the last seven seasons, could become the fourth player to hit 600 in a career.

Phillie Manager John Felske said Schmidt told him in spring training he expected to have a big year.

“I don’t ever expect to have a bad year if I’m healthy,” Schmidt said. “Compared to 10 years ago, the only part of my game that is lacking is my aggressiveness on the bases. I don’t steal bases the way I did then.”

It helps Schmidt that Von Hayes, who follows him in the order, is a hot hitter. Hayes was 2 for 4. In the last nine games, he is 16 for 37 for a .432 average. With Hayes hitting, Schmidt sees more good pitches.

Cincinnati 9, Montreal 2--There are those around the National League who will tell you that Eric Davis, the youngster from Fremont High School, is going to be a superstar.

At the moment, Davis is trying to convince Manager Pete Rose that he should be in the lineup every day.

He took another step toward making his point in this game at Cincinnati. Davis hit his 15th home run, a double and a single and scored three runs.

“My goal this season was first to just make the club,” said Davis, who is hitting .314. “I’ve achieved that goal and now I want to be in there every day. I’ve missed 19 games.”

John Denny, who also had the benefit of home runs by Buddy Bell and Eddie Milner, gave up only five hits and pitched a complete game to improve his record to 7-9.

Tim Wallach’s two-run home run in the second inning gave Dennis Martinez (0-3) the early lead, but the Reds bombed the former Baltimore pitcher out in the fifth.

St. Louis 3, San Diego 2--Bob Forsch, who has become the Cardinals’ big winner this season, improved his record to 9-6 in this game at St. Louis.

Forsch, who won only nine all last season, pitched a strong seven innings. Todd Worrell, bidding for rookie honors, took over with one out in the eighth and earned his 19th save.

San Francisco 7, Pittsburgh 3--Dan Gladden, out almost two months with a thumb injury, returned to halt the Giants’ skid at Pittsburgh.

Gladden went 2 for 4, scoring a run and driving in two others as the Giants ended a three-game losing streak and moved to within 2 1/2 games of first in the West.

Pirate first baseman Sid Bream made two run-scoring errors in a four-run third inning that enabled Roger Mason (3-4) gain the victory.

Barry Bonds, who had only one hit in his previous 34 at-bats, hit a home run for the Pirates.