National League Roundup : Cramp Crimps Schiraldi’s Style in 4-3 Win Over Mets

Calvin Schiraldi won his third straight start but was forced from the game with a leg cramp in the seventh inning as the Chicago Cubs scored a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets Thursday in New York.

Damon Berryhill drove in two runs with a single, Schiraldi had an RBI single and Shawon Dunston tripled in the final run. Schiraldi suffered the cramp while running the bases on Dunston’s triple.

Schiraldi (7-8) gave up five hits, struck out six and walked one in six innings.

Frank DiPino, the fourth Cub pitcher, got the final two outs for his fourth save.

Sid Fernandez (6-9) gave up 5 hits in 6 innings, striking out 11 and walking 2. He has struck out 10 or more in each of his last 3 games.

St. Louis 9, Philadelphia 2--Willie McGee had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run, and Jose Oquendo knocked in a career-high four runs to lead the Cardinals’ win at home.

St. Louis, trying to avoid becoming the first National League team in this century to go from first to last place in successive seasons, moved out of the cellar into fifth place in the NL East, one game ahead of Philadelphia.

Jose DeLeon (8-8) allowed four hits in six innings to win for the third time in his last four decisions.

Montreal 3, Pittsburgh 2--John Dopson and two relievers combined on a five-hitter, while Andres Galarraga, Tom Foley and Rex Hudler drove in runs to lead the Expos’ victory at Pittsburgh.

Dopson (3-6) allowed four hits and two walks in seven innings, while striking out five. Andy McGaffigan surrendered a hit in the eighth and a leadoff walk in the ninth before Tim Burke got the final three outs and the save.

The Expos have won 9 of their last 11 games, while the Pirates have lost 7 of their last 11. The loss kept the Pirates 4 games behind the Mets. The Expos are 6 1/2 games out of first place.