National League Roundup : It Seems Impossible, but Giants Unwilling to Give Up

The San Francisco Giants are an optimistic bunch.

In second place, 10 games behind the Houston Astros in the National League West with 15 games to play, the Giants haven’t dismissed the thought of winning the division.

Maybe they should.

The Giants, who beat the Atlanta Braves, 4-0, Friday night at Atlanta, failed to gain any ground on the Astros, who edged the San Diego Padres, 5-4.

“Our guys still think they can win it,” Giant Manager Roger Craig said. “That’s how dumb they are. But realistically, we’ll end up second.”

Bob Brenly hit his 15th home run of the season for his 15th RBI in his last 16 games to lead the Giants.

Rookie Kelly Downs (3-4), who combined with Mark Davis and Jeff Robinson for the shutout, gave up four hits while striking out three and walking one in 5 innings.

Houston 5, San Diego 4--Kevin Bass drove in the winning run with his third hit of the game to highlight a two-run seventh inning that rallied the Astros over the Padres at Houston.

Charlie Kerfeld (11-2) pitched the final three innings to set a club record for wins by a rookie.

Philadelphia 4, New York 3--The Mets ran away with the National League East this season, but the Phillies haven’t been impressed. They beat the Mets for the sixth straight time in this game at New York.

For the season, the Phillies are 9-7 against the Mets. No other team has a winning record against the Mets.

Kevin Gross (11-11), who shut out the Mets on six hits last Sunday, this time took a two-hitter and 4-1 lead into the ninth inning. But four singles produced two runs and finished Gross with one out to go.

Then, with runners on first and third, pinch-hitter Darryl Strawberry lined Steve Bedrosian’s first pitch at right fielder Glenn Wilson for the final out.

Chicago 8, Pittsburgh 2--The Cubs scored six runs in the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie at Chicago and snap a three-game losing streak. Leon Durham drew a bases-loaded walk, Bob Dernier followed with an RBI single and then Manny Trillo double to make it 6-2. Shawon Dunston completed the scoring with a two-run single.

Montreal 3, St. Louis 2--Casey Candaele’s bases-loaded single with none out in the 11th inning scored Tom Foley with the winning run for the Expos at Montreal.