National League Roundup : Johnson Sets NL Record as Mets Win

Howard Johnson hit a record-setting grand slam and Darryl Strawberry stole two bases to join Johnson in the exclusive 30-30 club Monday as the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs, 7-1, at Chicago.

Johnson’s eighth-inning homer off Cub reliever Ed Lynch was his 36th of the season, setting a National League record for most homers in a season by a switch-hitter. The record was set in 1934 by Rip Collins of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Strawberry’s two steals made the Mets the first team in major league history to have two players with at least 30 steals and 30 homers in the same season. Strawberry has 38 homers and 30 steals, and Johnson has 31 steals and 36 homers.

The Cubs were managed by Coach Johnny Oates, who was filling in for suspended Manager Frank Lucchesi.

St. Louis 3, Philadelphia 1--David Green and Vince Coleman homered as the Cardinals got all three of their hits in the fifth inning and went on to beat the Phillies at St. Louis.

John Tudor (8-2) pitched 7 innings for the victory as the first-place Cardinals stayed 2 1/2 games ahead of the New York Mets and pushed four in front of Montreal in the National League East race. Todd Worrell got the last five outs for his 31st save.

Pittsburgh 5, Montreal 2--Doug Drabek pitched a five-hitter for seven innings, and Barry Bonds had two hits and scored twice at Montreal as the Pirates beat the Expos.

The Pirates won for the 12th time in 15 games, including five of eight against the top contenders in the NL East.

Drabek (9-12) struck out eight and walked one before being replaced at the beginning of the eighth by Jeff Robinson, who recorded his 12th save with two innings of hitless relief. Montreal starter Bob Sebra (6-15) gave up 9 hits and 4 runs in 3 innings.