National League Roundup : Gwynn Foils No-Hit Bid by Browning in 9th

When San Diego’s Tony Gwynn stepped to the plate in the ninth inning of Monday night’s game with Cincinnati, Tom Browning of the Reds needed just two outs to record the National League’s first no-hitter since 1986.

Gwynn worked Browning to a full count before grounding a single into left field between shortstop and third base for the only Padres’ hit in a 12-0 rout by the Reds. It was the second one-hitter of Browning’s career. He one-hit the Cubs on June 4, 1986.

“I got lucky,” Gwynn said. “I was just lucky out there. I stuck my bat out and found a hole.”

Browning, who lost his last three decisions, walked three and did not allow a baserunner after the fourth inning until Gwynn got his hit. He struck out three and was helped by a spectacular diving catch by center fielder Eric Davis in the fifth inning.

Davis robbed Shane Mack by fully extending himself as he ran toward left field and making a sensational catch.

“When (Gwynn) came up in the ninth inning, I sure as heck had no intention of walking him,” Browning said. “I didn’t mean to fall behind 3-and-0. Once I got behind in the count, he fouled off about four pitches out of the strike zone, so he gave me every opportunity to get him out.

“He’s one of my biggest batters, one of my toughest outs. He hits me real well. I’m glad that he got the base hit if anybody got the base hit.”

The last NL no-hitter was on Sept. 25, 1986, by Houston’s Mike Scott against the San Francisco Giants in a game that clinched the West title for the Astros.

The Milwaukee Brewers’ Juan Nieves pitched the only no-hitter in the major leagues last season, beating the Baltimore Orioles, 7-0, on April 15.

Browning, who in 1985 became the first rookie to win 20 games since Bob Grim in 1954, also doubled home two runs in the ninth inning after getting a big ovation from those left in the crowd of 8,053.

New York 6, St. Louis 2--Darryl Strawberry drove in four runs with a home run and a single at St. Louis, leading the Mets to their sixth victory in seven games this season against the Cardinals.

Sid Fernandez (3-5), who lost four of his previous five starts, allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked none in seven innings. Randy Myers worked two innings to earn his ninth save.

The Mets’ first baseman, Keith Hernandez, left the game with a cramp in his right hamstring after collapsing between second and third base in the eighth inning.

Philadelphia 5, Montreal 4--Lance Parrish and Mike Schmidt had two hits and two RBIs apiece to lead the Phillies past the Expos in Montreal.

Kevin Gross (6-2), who allowed eight hits, struck out three and walked one, took a 5-1 lead into the eighth, but gave up an RBI single to Herm Winningham and a run-scoring grounder to Andres Galarraga before giving way to Steve Bedrosian with two out.

Bedrosian allowed an RBI single to Tim Wallach--his 1,000th career hit--but pitched 1 innings to earn his fifth save. Gross raised his career record against Montreal to 11-3.