National League Roundup : Aldrete Helps Keep Giants on Top in West, 5-3

Manager Roger Craig says some off-the-field moves have helped put his San Francisco Giants into first place in the National League West.

There is no denying that Kevin Mitchell, Don Robinson, Dave Dravecky and others have made significant contributions to the Giants’ surge, but Mike Aldrete has also played a big part.

When Candy Maldonado, the club’s best hitter, broke a finger in late June, the Giants were 4 1/2 games back and had to turn to Aldrete, a part-time outfielder-first baseman.

As a rookie last year, Aldrete, a former Stanford star, batted 216 times and hit only .250. But he took over left field from Maldonado and a big share of the Giants’ offense, as well. Instead of losing ground, the Giants moved within three games of first place. When Maldonado returned two weeks ago, Aldrete was the club’s leading hitter.

Craig hasn’t forgotten Aldrete. The left-handed hitter now plays at first base or in the outfield whenever a right-hander starts against the Giants.

Aldrete gave first baseman Will Clark a rest Sunday at Montreal and came through with the big hits as the Giants beat the Expos, 5-3, to remain atop the West.

Aldrete, batting .330, hit his seventh home run in the first inning, then singled to start a four-run seventh-inning rally that enabled Kelly Downs (10-8) to win in his first relief appearance. Robinson pitched the last three innings for his 16th save.

“I don’t expect to be in there every day,” Aldrete said. “I’m just ready to contribute when they need me. I’m becoming comfortable with my situation. I’ve gotten to the point where I feel I belong and know I can help the club.”

Downs pitched one inning. “If they are all that easy,” he said, “I’ll do this the rest of my life.”

Houston 4, Chicago 2--Billy Hatcher has been to the playoffs, but he wants to find out what the World Series is like.

Hatcher hit a two-out, two-run triple to break a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning at Chicago, keeping the Astros, who won the West last season, just a half-game behind the Giants.

“Things are happening, and I hope they keep happening,” Hatcher said. “This is the time of year you have to go all out. I want to get to the World Series this time.”

Hatcher, the Astro left fielder, is doing his part. He is batting .317 and has 143 hits, 82 runs and 42 stolen bases.

Astro starter Nolan Ryan pitched two-hit ball and had a 2-0 lead when he had to leave in the sixth inning with a blister on his finger.

New York 9, San Diego 2--For a change, Dwight Gooden enjoyed his day in the sun at New York.

Gooden, who often struggles when he pitches in daylight, held the Padres to 7 hits and 2 runs in 6 innings and improved his record to 11-4.

He also figured in a bizarre baserunning play. In the fifth inning, with the score tied, 2-2, Gooden sliced a single to right. He rounded the bag, and when right fielder Tony Gwynn threw behind him, Gooden took second. He went to third base when Marvell Wynne, backing up second, missed first baseman Carmelo Martinez’s throw. Gooden scored the go-ahead run on Mookie Wilson’s grounder.

“We had him out twice there,” Padre Manager Larry Bowa said. “That was the key play.”

St. Louis 12, Cincinnati 6--Manager Pete Rose conducted a 25-minute postgame meeting at Cincinnati after it took the Cardinals only three minutes to start beating his Reds.

Vince Coleman singled on the game’s first pitch, stole his 82nd base on the second pitch and scored on Ozzie Smith’s single on the third pitch. The Cardinals had 15 more hits to complete a three-game series sweep.

Although the Cardinals headed home, where they play 26 of their last 39 games, with a 4 1/2-game lead, Manager Whitey Herzog wasn’t happy.

Herzog didn’t like the performances of Danny Cox (9-4), who was given a 9-1 lead but barely lasted five innings, and his middle relievers, who couldn’t shut down the Reds.

Atlanta 6, Pittsburgh 2--David Palmer held the Pirates to four hits in seven innings at Atlanta, doubled and scored the go-ahead run as the Braves handed the Pirates their fourth loss in a row.

Palmer (7-10) opened the third with a double and scored on Ken Oberkfell’s single.