National League Roundup : Things Don’t Go Perfectly for Ryan in 2-1 Loss to Pirates

Nolan Ryan is the all-time strikeout king, he has thrown more pitches than any major leaguer in history and has thrown 5 no-hitters, 9 one-hitters and 18 two-hitters.

Yet, there are many who believe he should not be elected to the Hall of Fame after he retires. They cite the fact he has a record just a little better than .500.

The hard-throwing right-hander has pitched well enough to reach the 300-victory mark. There is only one major problem--invariably, one mistake will turn a potential gem into a defeat.

It was almost a typical Ryan performance Saturday at Pittsburgh. The Houston Astros’ 41-year-old retired the first 17 Pirates. But he began his own downfall when he walked pitcher John Smiley, a .091 hitter, with two out in the sixth inning.

The next batter, Barry Bonds, singled to break up Ryan’s bid for a sixth no-hitter. The next batter, Jose Lind, helped make Ryan a 2-1 loser and enabled the Pirates to pull within 3 1/2 games of first place in the National League East.

The same play sidelined Ryan with a twisted back. The back was injured when Ryan backed up the plate as both runners scored on Lind’s single.

This turn of events left Ryan 9-11 this season and 270-253 in a career that began in 1966 with the New York Mets.

“I thought I had the flu and was going to throw up while warming up,” Ryan said. “When my back went out, I said, ‘That’s it, I’ve had it.’ ”

Smiley (10-8) had not won in six weeks. He did more than just pitch a strong seven innings and break up the perfect game. He also set up the two runs with his baserunning.

On Bonds’ single up the middle, Smiley kept on going for third. Third baseman Buddy Bell decoyed Smiley, acting as if there was no throw. Smiley, with a desperate slide, barely made it. Bonds reached second and was in position to score on Lind’s hit.

“I knew it was a gamble,” Smiley said, “but I wanted to get something going. I didn’t think it would be that close until I saw (third base coach) Gene Lamont on his knees pounding the ground.”

San Francisco 4, Philadelphia 3--Don Robinson held the Phillies to a run and four hits through eight innings at San Francisco, and when he faltered, Scott Garrelts barely saved him.

Robinson (5-3) has pitched well since the Giants, because of injuries, were forced to use him as a starter. He had a perfect game for 5 innings. An error by catcher Bob Brenly on Jackie Gutierrez’s drag bunt ended the perfect game. Phil Bradley’s run-scoring double ended the no-hitter and the shutout shortly thereafter.

It was the fourth win in a row for the Giants and put them into a tie for second in the West with the Astros.

Cincinnati 6, St. Louis 2--Tom Browning gave up five hits in seven innings at St. Louis to improve his record to 12-4, but it was Greg Mathews, the loser, who was more excited about his performance.

Mathews, in his first outing since May 10, gave up five hits and three runs in six innings. His record fell to 2-3.

“I pitched pain-free, so I’m really excited,” said Mathews, who returned from shoulder surgery. “I feel the more I pitch, the better I’ll feel.”

Chicago 5, Atlanta 4--Gary Varsho scored the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning at Chicago when he stole third and then went home when catcher Ted Simmons’ throw to third sailed into left field.

The Cubs built a 4-0 lead for Calvin Schiraldi, just off the disabled list, but he gave up three runs in the sixth, and the bullpen allowed the Braves to tie it.

Gerald Perry went 3 for 3 for the Braves and regained the batting lead over Tony Gwynn, .327 to 322.