Mazzilli Pays Dividends Earlier Than Expected; Mets Win, 9-1

When Lee Mazzilli was signed by the New York Mets to a minor league contract last month, general manager Frank Cashen said he was supposed to help the club next year.

But a week after his Aug. 1 signing he was with the major league club and now next year has become this year. When Kevin Mitchell came to the ballpark Tuesday with a virus, Mazzilli filled in driving in three runs with a single and a double leading the Mets to a 9-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

“Six months ago I thought I might be with the Mets because of all the talk going on in spring training,” explained Mazzilli, who started his major league career with New York and is hitting .250 since returning.

“Four months ago I would have said there was no way I would be here. When the (Pittsburgh) Pirates released me, I jumped at the opportunity to sign with the New York organization once again. I was willing to take my chances at getting back.”

That opportunity came when the Mets released George Foster.

“I spent the first two weeks jumping up and down because I was so happy,” continued Mazzilli. “That’s done with. Now my goal is to be ready for the playoffs. I know what I have to do. . . . pinch hit, come of the bench, or even be a starter.

“It’s an opportunity I never expected, but as I said, I want to make a contribution. Today I did and this has to help me get ready for Houston. I’m fortunate that I was able to come back home.”

Ray Knight, Keith Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry each homered for New York. Bob Ojeda and Jesse Orosco combined on a four-hitter giving the Mets their 99 victory, the second most in their history and bettering last year’s 98-64 record. New York’s best record was the 1969 world championship club with a 100-62 mark.

Steve Lake hit his second homer of the season with one out in the third for the Cardinals’ only run.

Ojeda, 17-5 after his fifth victory in six decisions, allowed three hits, struck out five and walked none over six innings. Orosco got his 19th save with three innings of one-hit relief.

Knight opened the Mets’ four-run second inning with his 10th homer of Greg Mathews, 10-8. Mazzilli’s double drove in two runs an infield out by Hernandez knocked in another to make it 4-0.

Hernandez hit his 13th homer of the season to right field on a 0-2 pitch with two outs in the fourth inning. Strawberry led off the fifth with his 23rd homer to right field on the first pitch.

Montreal 10, Chicago 5--Dennis Martinez and Jim Wohlford hit two-run doubles and Andres Galarraga and Andre Dawson added two-run singles s part of a 18-hit attack, pacing the Expos to a victory over the Cubs at Chicago.

Randy St. Claire, 2-0, got the victory with three innings of middle relief. Andy McGaffigan pitched the final three innings to earn his second save.

Martinez, who haad a 6-0 lead, left the game in the fourth inning after allowing five consecutive hits.