National League Roundup : McReynolds Slams Door on Cubs

Gary Carter, who waited nearly three months for his 300th homer, finally hit it Thursday at Chicago, but it took Kevin McReynolds’ two-out grand slam in the ninth inning to rally the New York Mets for a 9-6 come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Carter, whose last homer came 225 at-bats ago on May 16, hit his ninth of the year off Al Nipper leading off the second inning. On a day when slumping Dwight Gooden struggled, the Mets needed McReynolds’ 17th home run of the year to end their three-game losing streak.

“We needed something to wake us up. We were in a daze out there,” McReynolds said. “Did I try for a homer. Heck no, it just turned out that way.”

New York Manager Davey Johnson said that until McReynolds’ slam, he’d planned to have a team meeting after the game.

“I wanted to go over a few things with the players,” Johnson said. “One thing that concerned me was their concentration. Maybe they were thinking too much and their minds were not on the game.”

Terry Leach (5-1) pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Gooden, who was rocked for six runs and nine hits in five innings. Roger McDowell got the final out for his 12th save.

San Francisco 6, Houston 0--Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell hit consecutive solo home runs off Nolan Ryan, and Atlee Hammaker pitched a five-hitter as the Giants blanked the Astros for the second straight game at Houston.

Hammaker (6-4), struck out two and walked three in recording his first shutout since June 17, 1985. It was his second complete game of the year, both against Houston.

Ryan (8-10), allowed 5 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings. Four of Ryan’s 10 losses have been to the Giants.

Pittsburgh 6, Montreal 1--Doug Drabek allowed five hits in seven scoreless innings for his sixth consecutive victory to keep the second-place Pirates 5 games behind the East-leading Mets, while third-place Montreal fell 6 1/2 back.

Drabek (11-5), whose last defeat was on June 21 against Chicago, struck out five and walked two before Jim Gott pitched the last two innings to earn his 20th save at Pittsburgh.

Atlanta 2, San Diego 1--Terry Blocker tripled home Dion James with two out in the seventh inning for his first major league RBI, and Pete Smith pitched a seven-hitter for the Braves at Atlanta.

With one out in the seventh, James doubled off Jimmy Jones (7-10). One out later, Blocker tripled to left-center to score James and give Atlanta the lead.

Smith (5-11) struck out a career-high eight and did not walk a batter while pitching his second complete game.

Philadelphia 1, St. Louis 0--Ricky Jordan’s one-out double in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Chris James with the only run at Philadelphia, and the Phillies snapped the Cardinals’ three-game winning streak.

Steve Bedrosian (2-5) pitched one scoreless inning for the victory after Mike Maddux shut out the Cardinals on three hits for the first eight. John Costello (3-1) took the loss.

Costello, who pitched three scoreless innings after relieving starter Scott Terry, retired Lance Parrish leading off the ninth but walked James on a 3-and-2 pitch before Jordan lined the first pitch to left center, scoring James.