NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES : New York vs. Houston : NL Playoff Notebook : Half-Step a Bad Step for Astros

It was not as blatant a missed call as the one made by first base umpire Don Denkinger in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series, when Denkinger ruled Jorge Orta of the Kansas City Royals safe in the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals self-destructed shortly thereafter.

But the controversial decision made by Fred Brocklander, the first base umpire in the New York Mets’ 2-1 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday, cost the Astros a critical run--and a possible edge in this best-of-seven series.

With Astro runners on first and third and one out in the second, Craig Reynolds grounded sharply to Met second baseman Wally Backman. Backman juggled the ball for an instant, flipped to second for a force, and shortstop Rafael Santana fired his relay to first.

Reynolds appeared to arrive at least a half-step ahead of the throw, bit Brocklander called him out, sending the normally mild-mannered Reynolds into a rage.

“I don’t think I’ve ever gotten that upset,” Reynolds said.

“When I first hit the ball I thought it would be a double play. I don’t know what happened, but I felt I beat the throw, and the umpire didn’t.

“Considering the situation, the crowd noise, everything that was going on, it was a tough call.”

Brocklander said he stood by his call.

“Depth perception is a hard thing to figure on TV,” the umpire said, alluding to TV replays that appeared to prove him wrong.

Said Met first baseman Keith Hernandez: “I didn’t see the replay, but I heard what it said.

“It was very close guys. I’m just glad it went that way.”

Scuff stuff: Chub Feeney, the president of the National League, met with Met Vice President Frank Cashen over allegations that Houston pitcher Mike Scott has been defacing baseballs.

“As far as we know, Mr. Scott is not guilty of this infraction,” Feeney said in a written statement. “A man is innocent until proven guilty.

“However, we will be watching closely the next time he (Scott) pitches and will take appropriate action if necessary.”

Darryl Strawberry has struck out 10 times in 17 playoff at-bats. The Met right fielder also has hit 2 home runs, both of which came at critical times.

Saturday, Strawberry hit a three-run homer that helped to wipe out a 4-0 Houston lead in a game the Mets won, 6-5, on Lenny Dykstra’s ninth-inning homer.

Tuesday, after Houston starter Nolan Ryan had retired the first 13 Mets, Strawberry lined a 3-and-2 pitch just inside the right-field foul pole, 338 feet away.

“I’m not having a great series, but I have had some big hits for some big RBIs,” Strawberry said. “That’s what you’ve got your big guys for. You don’t want to get cheated on your swings, even if it means strikeouts.

“We’ve been doing it all year. We don’t want to stop now.”

This was the first time Dwight Gooden has pitched more than nine innings in a big league game. Jesse Orosco, the Mets’ left-handed reliever, retired all six batters he faced to register his second win of the series.

“I said before this started that Jesse would be the key to the series,” Hernandez said. “They have a better lineup against right-handers.

“I’ve never seen Jesse throw any better. He’s come of age.”