National League Roundup : Hernandez’s First-Inning Error Helps Expos Close Within 4 1/2 of Mets

If the New York Mets have not dominated the National League East race as they thought they would, they’ve had an excuse.

When their leader, first baseman Keith Hernandez, went out June 24 with a severe hamstring injury, the Mets kept saying, “Wait till we get Keith back.”

Indeed, in his first game after missing 52 with the injury, Hernandez hit a two-run home run Aug. 5 to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Mets led the Pittsburgh Pirates by 5 games and the Montreal Expos by 6 1/2.

But the Mets have not blown away any challengers. Now the speedy Expos, surprisingly similar to the St. Louis Cardinals team that won the pennant last season, are making a big run at them.

Hernandez, perennial Gold Glove winner, fumbled a ground ball in the first inning that led to four unearned runs and sent the Expos on their way to a 7-4 victory over the Mets Saturday at New York.

The Expos’ second win in a row put them just 4 1/2 games behind the Mets.

In the games he has played since coming off the disabled list, the Mets are 3-5. Hernandez is 7 for 29 and has failed to drive in a run since he hit the home run in his first game back.

Montreal, which has won five in a row from New York, had a big first inning with only two hits. Three steals, two walks, a balk, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly also contributed to the scoring.

The Expos, who have stolen 39 bases in 20 games, have won 18 of their last 22 games on the road.

“We came here to win 3 out of 4 and get into the race,” Expo Manager Bob Rodgers said. “It would be much better if we sweep the doubleheader tomorrow. The Mets can be had.”

Most of the Mets’ offense against Pascual Perez (9-6) was provided by Howard Johnson, who didn’t enter the game until the fifth, when the Mets trailed, 5-0. Johnson hit a pinch two-run home run.

Met Manager Davey Johnson admitted that he has had just about enough. “It’s been hard to keep my low-key attitude. This has been eating me up,” he said. “My patience is wearing thin. Usually in August and September good teams come to the front.”

Tim Wallach drove in three runs for the Expos, two with his 11th home run in the eighth inning to put away the game.

Chicago 5, St. Louis 1--Cub starter Jamie Moyer (6-11) pitched a 6-hitter to end his 7-game losing streak at Wrigley Field, and Ryne Sandberg hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to win the game.

Bob Forsch (6-4) was the loser. In the previous five games, Cardinal pitching gave up only six runs.

Houston 1, San Diego 0--When Mike Scott is pitching against the Padres at the Astrodome, it seems as if it’s an automatic Astro victory.

Ed Whitson proved a worthy foe, limiting the Astros to one hit in six innings, but two hits and Terry Puhl’s sacrifice fly provided the only run needed in the seventh.

Scott (13-3) is 12-0 in his career against the Padres at the Astrodome. He pitched a four-hitter. Against Scott in the Astrodome, the Padres have scored only 18 earned runs in 107 innings, an ERA of 1.51.

Pittsburgh 10, Philadelphia 4--The Pirates needed a lift after losing a doubleheader at Philadelphia Friday night. Barry Bonds provided it.

Bonds opened the game with a home run, then hit a two-run shot, his 21st home run, in the sixth and finished with a career-high five RBIs.

Jeff Robinson (9-2) pitched five shutout innings of relief to keep the Pirates in a tie for second place, 4 1/2 games behind the Mets in the East.

Bonds’ sixth leadoff home run came shortly after his father, Bobby Bonds, hit a home run in an old-timers’ game.

Cincinnati 3, Atlanta 1--Danny Jackson, the left-handed ace of the Reds, pitched a four-hitter at Cincinnati to win his sixth in a row and improve his record to 16-5.

Jackson, who has had no trouble adjusting after coming from the American League, beat the Braves for the third time. His ERA against Atlanta is 0.76.

Jackson finished strong, retiring the last 10 batters to register his league-leading 10th complete game.

“He broke off the bats of all three hitters he faced in the eighth inning,” Red Manager Pete Rose said. “Louisville Slugger must like him for his effect on their stock.”