National League Roundup : Murphy Returns to Power in Braves’ Win

It was just a few years ago that Dale Murphy was generally recognized as the best player in the National League.

He was winning most of the awards, hitting the most home runs and driving in runs in bunches.

When he hit his first slump in 1986, when he tailed off in most offensive categories, it wasconsidered a fluke. But Murphy and nobody else could explain what happened last year when he suffered a power outage.

The Braves tried to trade him this spring, but nobody wanted to take a chance on the 33-year-old outfielder.

He has continued to struggle this season. He went long spells without an extra-base hit.

Lately, though, there have been a few occasions when the power is back.

It happened Wednesday night at Atlanta when Murphy hit a three-run home run and drove in the winning run with a long sacrifice fly as the Braves beat the San Francisco Giants, 5-4.

The home run, Murphy’s ninth, sailed well over the fence in left and wiped out a three-run deficit. Before he hit the home run, Murphy was only two for 30 lifetime against Scott Garrelts of the Giants.

“I’m just trying to get more of a line-drive swing the last week or so,” said Murphy, who is hitting .240. “If I hit a home run, that’s fine, but I really haven’t been hitting any so rather than try for them I figured I’d try to hit line drives and see what happens.”

With the Houston Astros beating the Dodgers, the Giants’ lead in the National League West dropped to two games. Even after Murphy’s home run, the Giants went into the eighth with a 4-3 lead and sent bullpen ace Steve Bedrosian to the mound.

Bedrosian started by walking Jody Davis. A passed ball and a bunt single put runners on first and third. Jeff Treadway singled in the tying run, and Murphy hit the long fly to send in the decisive run.

Pittsburgh 3, New York 2--While the Mets may be trying to make a deal for pitcher Frank Viola of the Minnesota Twins, they are trying to stay within striking distance of first place.

But the fifth-place Pirates aren’t making it easy. Pittsburgh starter John Smiley gave up only three hits and drove in a run at New York to improve his lifetime record against the Mets to 6-1. Two of the hits were home runs by Kevin Elster and Mark Carreon. Carreon’s was his third pinch home run of the season.

The Met fans took out their anger on catcher Gary Carter, booing him in his first appearance in the starting lineup since he went on the disabled list May 12. Carter was 0 for 3.

San Diego 5, Cincinnati 3--The Reds’ longest losing streak since 1966 reached 10 when an infield hit by Luis Salazar in the eighth inning at Cincinnati broke a 3-3 tie.

In 1966, the Reds lost 11 in a row.

The Reds, bothered by injuries and playing without their entire starting outfield, aren’t getting the bounces, either. Just before Salazar broke the tie, Mike Pagliarulo hit a bloop single to put runners on first and third.

Dennis Rasmussen allowed three hits over 6 1/3 innings before yielding to Mark Grant (4-1), who got the victory, pitching 1 2/3 innings.

The Reds had tied the score, 3-3, in the seventh by loading the bases against Rasmussen on Scotti Madison’s double, a fielder’s choice and a walk with one out. Mariano Duncan grounded to third, but Pagliarulo’s throw home failed to get Duncan.

Philadelphia 4, Montreal 3--The Expos were in an ideal position to improve their lead in the East to 4 1/2 games at Montreal.

They had a 3-2 lead behind Zane Smith, who had pitched well in relief, and needed to get only three more outs.

It was the beginning of the end to the six-game winning streak when third baseman Tim Wallach fumbled Bob Dernier’s grounder. Von Hayes doubled to put runners on second and third and bring bullpen ace Tim Burke to the rescue. Burke had been successful on 21 of his 27 opportunities for a save.

Not this time. He retired two batters, but with a two-strike count and two out, Randy Ready lashed a two-run single and the Phillies ended their six-game losing streak.

St. Louis 2, Chicago 0--Vince Coleman, out several days because of a sore leg, came back withall his speed in this game at St. Louis.

Coleman drove in both Cardinal runs and stole three bases to keep the Cubs from closing in on Montreal. He has 50 steals and has not been thrown out all year.

Jose DeLeon limited the Cubs to two hits in eight innings, then Ken Dayley and Todd Worrell closed out the Cubs in the ninth.

Rick Sutcliffe (10-9) did manage to end Jose Oquendo’s hitting streak at 23 games.