Dodgers’ Magic Number Reaches 4 as Belcher Limits Astros to 6 Hits

Tim Belcher threw a 6-hitter, and Franklin Stubbs drove in 2 runs Tuesday night to lead the Dodgers to their fifth shutout in 7 games, a 6-0 victory over the Houston Astros.

The victory reduced the first-place Dodgers’ magic number to 4 in the National League West. It was the sixth straight loss for the Astros.

The shutout was Los Angeles’ major leagues-leading 23rd of the season, one more than their likely opponent in the playoffs, the NL East-leading New York Mets. It was the third straight shutout by Dodger pitchers.

Belcher (11-5) allowed 6 singles, struck out 5 and walked none in his third complete game and first shutout of the season. Belcher fired a 3-hitter in his previous start, but lost, 1-0, as Cincinnati’s Tom Browning threw a perfect game.

The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the first off starter Bob Forsch, 10-6. Steve Sax hit a 1-out single, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.

Los Angeles made it 2-0 in the second when Stubbs doubled, took third on a fly ball and scored on Rick Demspey’s single.

Los Angeles increased its lead to 3-0 in the fourth on Alfredo Griffin’s run-scoring single.

The Dodgers increased their lead to 5-0 in the fifth. Kirk Gibson and Mike Marshall hit consecutive singles and pulled off a double steal. John Shelby and Stubbs followed with sacrifice flies.

Stubbs led off the eighth with a solo homer off Brian Meyer, his seventh homer of the season.

Houston’s only threat came in the third. Cameron Drew and Rafael Ramirez led off with singles and advanced on Forsch’s sacrifice. But Gerald Young flied out to shallow center and Craig Reynolds lined out to Belcher.