National League Roundup : Ryan Blanks Phillies, 2-0, for 55th Career Shutout

Nolan Ryan pitched a three-hitter and struck out nine for his 55th career shutout Thursday night as the Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-0, at Houston.

The victory was the Astros’ fourth straight and moved them within five games of the first-place Dodgers in the West.

Ryan (7-7) walked four and did not allow a hit after Darren Daulton’s leadoff single in the fifth. Ryan increased his season strikeout total to 142, tops in the league, and his career total to 4,689, the all-time high.

The shutout tied Ryan with Bert Blyleven of the Minnesota Twins for second place in career shutouts by active pitchers. Don Sutton of the Dodgers is first with 61.

St. Louis 6, San Francisco 4--Terry Pendleton’s three-run double highlighted a four-run seventh inning as the Cardinals won their third straight game by beating the Giants at St. Louis. The loss kept San Francisco six games behind the Dodgers in the West.

With two out in the seventh and the score tied, 2-2, Vince Coleman bunted for a single off Joe Price (0-4). Ozzie Smith walked, and Willie McGee lined a single up the middle to score Coleman and give St. Louis a 3-2 lead.

Scott Garrelts relieved and threw a wild pitch, allowing Smith and McGee to advance. Tom Brunansky walked to load the bases before Pendleton followed with his double to the right-field wall.

San Diego 3, Chicago 1--Ed Whitson extended his winning streak to six games as the Padres beat the Cubs for the first time in Chicago since July 23, 1986. It was Chicago’s 12th loss in 14 games.

Whitson (9-5) allowed eight hits in eight innings. Lance McCullers got the final three outs. Montreal 3, Cincinnati 2--Dennis Martinez (11-7) scattered seven hits in seven innings, and Tom Foley’s RBI single capped a three-run sixth inning as the Expos snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the Reds at Cincinnati.