National League Roundup : Bedrosian, Picking His Spot, Ties Major League Record as Phillies Win

Philadelphia reliever Steve Bedrosian said no twice to keep his save streak going. But he said yes Friday night and tied the major league record of 11 saves in 11 consecutive appearances.

Sparky Lyle set the record in 1973 with the New York Yankees.

Bedrosian worked 2 innings, allowing 2 hits and no runs as he saved his 18th game of the season in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 5-2 victory over the New York Mets at Philadelphia.

“To be honest, I elected not to pitch twice to keep the streak going,” Bedrosian said.

He made it clear that on both occasions he was offered a chance to get in some work in games that appeared lost, once in Montreal and one in New York.

“I knew I had a shot at the record and I wanted to go for it,” said Bedrosian, who gave up 2 hits, struck out 3 and walked 1. “It’s a pleasure to be in that kind of company (with Lyle), but I’m just happy we won the game.”

It was Bedrosian’s first appearance since he saved a game Tuesday night against the Cardinals. Bedrosian flew home to Atlanta on Thursday to be with his wife, who gave birth to their second son.

Lance Parrish hit a two-run homer, and starting pitcher Kevin Gross singled in two runs for the Phillies.

Gross (5-7) gave up 8 hits in 6 innings while walking 1 and striking out 4.

Montreal 5, St. Louis 1--Bob Sebra pitched a six-hitter, and Hubie Brooks drove in three runs as the Expos beat the Cardinals at Montreal.

The victory was the Expos’ fifth in six games this season against the Cardinals, leaders in the East by 4 1/2 games over Montreal.

Sebra (4-8) struck out a career-high 10 batters and walked none in his second complete game of the season.

St. Louis rookie Joe Magrane (5-1) allowed eight hits in 6 innings in his first loss in the major leagues.

Pittsburgh 5, Chicago 2--Andy Van Slyke drove in three runs with a bases-empty home run and a two-run single as the Pirates beat the Cubs at Pittsburgh.

Bobby Bonilla’s one-out, pinch RBI double triggered a three-run Pittsburgh seventh inning, and the Pirates beat the Cubs for the fifth time in seven meetings this season.

Barry Jones (1-1), the third Pirates pitcher, retired the only batter he faced to earn the victory. Don Robinson pitched the final two innings for his 10th save.

With the score tied at 2-2, Jim Morrison led off the Pirate seventh with a single down the right-field line and moved to third when Andre Dawson’s throw missed the cutoff man and sailed into the Cub dugout.

After Cub starter Greg Maddux (4-7) walked Mike LaValliere and retired Al Pedrique on a fly to short center, Bonilla doubled over the head of center fielder Bob Dernier, scoring Morrison. Van Slyke then drove in LaValliere and Bonilla with a single to center.

San Diego 5, Atlanta 1--Eric Show beat the Braves for the eighth straight time with a five-hitter over 7 innings at San Diego.

Show (3-9) improved his career record against the Braves to 10-1. He has not lost to Atlanta since Oct. 1, 1982. Rich Gossage pitched the final 1 innings for his sixth save.

Houston 9, San Francisco 6--Craig Reynolds hit two home runs for the first time in his 11-year major league career to lead the Astros to victory over the Giants at San Francisco. Reynolds hit a two-run homer in the second and a three-run shot in the sixth.