National League Roundup : Astros Leave the Reds and Rose for Dead, 9-2

The Houston Astros beat the Cincinnati Reds, 9-2, Tuesday at Houston to sweep the two-game series and take a 10-game lead over the Reds in the NL West.

“I’m not going to quit,” Red Manager Pete Rose said. “We’re still in second, but I can’t worry about catching Houston. I’m worried about catching San Diego, the way we’re playing.”

Mike Scott (16-9) gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven in eight innings to increase his major league-leading strikeout total to 260, the third-highest mark in Astros’ history. J.R. Richard struck out 313 and 303 in 1979 and 1978, respectively.

“These were big losses for them,” Houston’s Billy Hatcher said. “They are 10 games out now, and the way we are playing, it’s going to be tough for them to come back.”

Hatcher had three straight singles, scored three runs, drove in one run and stole two bases.

Scott and Tom Browning (12-12) hooked up in a pitching duel for 5 1/2 innings, but Houston sent nine men to the plate and scored four runs in the sixth.

Montreal 9, New York 7--Andre Dawson’s two-run homer in the ninth inning lifted the Expos to their second straight win over the Mets at New York. Montreal had 19 hits, the most against the Mets this season. Despite the defeat, New York’s magic number for clinching the East title was reduced to four as second place Philadelphia lost to Chicago. The Mets lead the Phillies by 21 games.

Tim Raines led off the ninth with a single off reliever Jesse Orosco (6-6), and Dawson followed with his 18th homer of the season, making a winner of Tim Burke (9-7), the fourth Expos’ pitcher.

Jeff Reardon pitched the ninth for his 31st save.

Darryl Strawberry’s eighth-inning homer--his 21st of the season and second in two nights--gave the Mets a 7-6 lead.

Chicago 8, Philadelphia 6--Leon Durham’s two-run homer with one out in the 10th inning gave the Cubs an 8-6 victory over the Phillies at Chicago.

Durham’s 18th homer of the season came off reliever Steve Bedrosian (8-5) and followed a one-out single by Keith Moreland. The victory was the Cubs’ third straight, tying their season high set April 22-24.

Durham has five home runs in the last eight games.

Keith Moreland hit two home runs, and rookie Rafael Paliermo had a three run-blast for the Cubs.

Mike Schmidt hit his league-leading 32nd homer. He moved past Johnny Bench and into 34th place on the all-time RBI list with 1,377.

St. Louis 3, Pittsburgh 1--Andy Van Slyke had three hits and drove in a run, and Clint Hurdle hit a solo homer as the Cardinals beat the Pirates at Pittsburgh.

Van Slyke singled home Vince Coleman in the third inning after Coleman singled and stole his 92nd base. Hurdle led off the fourth with his third home run of the year and second against Rick Reuschel (8-16), giving the Cardinals their eventual winning run.

Hurdle is 6 for 11 with four RBIs against Reuschel this season. Reuschel (8-16) could become Pittsburgh’s first 20-game loser since 1952.

Rick Horton (3-3) allowed one run and seven hits over the first five innings for the victory. Todd Worrell, the fourth St. Louis pitcher, worked the final two innings for his 32nd save.

San Francisco 7, San Diego 0--Mike LaCoss pitched a seven-hitter to end a personal eight-game losing streak, and the Giants got home runs from Candy Maldonado and Bob Brenly while trouncing the Padres at San Francisco.

LaCoss (10-11) had not won since July 13, and his losing streak was the longest in the league this season. He had four strikeouts and walked none in his first shutout since 1984, when he pitched one for Houston.

Maldonado hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and Brenly hit a two-run shot in the third off LaMarr Hoyt (7-10).