National League Roundup : Cone Strikes Out 10 Cubs En Route to 17th Win

David Cone improved his record to 17-3 this season, but with the New York Mets he’s not a star, just another member of probably the best pitching staff in baseball.

Cone won Thursday for the eighth time in his last nine decisions as the Mets beat the Chicago Cubs, 4-1, behind Kevin McReynolds’ two-run homer and Len Dykstra’s two-run double at New York.

Cone struck out 10--his sixth double-digit strikeout game of the season--and allowed five hits in seven innings. Some observers are beginning to consider him a longshot behind the Reds’ Danny Jackson and the Dodgers’ Orel Hershiser for the National League Cy Young Award.

“It’s hard to go against the stats of Danny Jackson. And you can put up a case for Orel Hershiser,” Cone said. “I’m just happy to be mentioned in the same breath with those guys.

“It’s just like the Oscars. It’s honor enough to be nominated.”

Cone lowered his major leagues-leading earned-run average to 2.18. The Mets’ staff has allowed just 41 earned runs in the last 23 games, propelling New York to a 17-6 record in that stretch and an 11-game lead in the National League East. The Mets have won seven of their last eight games. Coupled with Pittsburgh’s 9-4 loss at Montreal, the Mets reduced their magic number for clinching the East title to seven.

Cone beat Chicago for the third time this year. Terry Leach finished, allowing one hit in recording his third save.

Cone had a no-hitter going until the fifth inning.

After Cone struck out leadoff batter Damon Berryhill to open the fifth, Shawon Dunston hit a check-swing grounder back at Cone. The ball had some topspin, and it short-hopped past Cone. Official scorer Bill Shannon ruled it a hit.

“I was upset,” Cone said. “It’s an easy play. I would have wanted to pitch a one-hitter to put heat on the call.”

Montreal 9, Pittsburgh 4--Andres Galarraga drove in three runs with a two-run homer and a triple at Montreal as the Expos defeated the Pirates.

Left-hander Randy Johnson, a former USC standout, was a winner in his major league debut with relief help. Andy McGaffigan pitched 2 innings of 1-hit relief for his fourth save.

Johnson became the tallest player ever to appear in a big league game. The 6-foot 10-inch Johnson is one inch taller than Johnny Gee, who pitched with the Pirates and the New York Giants in the 1940s.

St. Louis 3, Philadelphia 1-- Vince Coleman went 3 for 3 with two of St. Louis’ seven doubles, and Scott Terry won for his seventh straight start as the Cardinals ended a three-game losing streak by beating the Phillies at Philadelphia.

Terry (9-3), who has seven victories and a no-decision since entering the St. Louis rotation Aug. 11, gave up five hits, struck out six and walked one in eight innings. Todd Worrell struck out two in the ninth and got his 30th save of the season.

Cincinnati 7, Houston 5--Norm Charlton earned his second major league victory, and Eric Davis knocked in his league-high 21st game-winning run as the Reds beat the Astros at Cincinnati.

The loss dropped the second-place Astros to seven games behind the Dodgers in the West.

Charlton (2-4) got his second victory in seven major league starts despite allowing 5 runs and 9 hits in 5 innings.