National League Roundup : Rhoden Helps Astros Keep Pace With Giants

Rick Rhoden finally earned a victory for the Astros.

The 36-year-old right-hander was obtained from the New York Yankees to help take up the slack caused by the loss of Nolan Ryan.

After losing his first two decisions, Rhoden was sidelined because of a shoulder injury. He didn’t return until July 25, when he went 5 2/3 innings against the Dodgers and lost again.

In this game he went only five innings, giving up seven hits, but scored a 5-0 victory over the Reds Tuesday night at Cincinnati. The win kept the Astros one game behind San Francisco in the National League West.

“I wasn’t happy with the way I pitched,” Rhoden said, “but I liked the way the game came out.

“I felt good and the velocity was there, but I kept getting behind the batters. I’m not that type of pitcher.”

But Astro Manager Art Howe was elated. “He’s a great pitcher,” he said. “Any time you can get another starting pitcher, you’re delighted. He can only get better.”

Ken Caminiti had three hits and drove in two runs to lead the Astros. Glenn Davis added his 23rd home run of the season.

“I used two different bats,” Caminiti said. “One was a cheap one, the other was a good bat.”

Former Dodger Tim Leary (7-9) worked 6 1/3 innings, giving up four runs and seven hits.

The defeat dropped the Reds, a co-favorite to win the West, 13 1/2 games behind the Giants.

Montreal 5, Pittsburgh 4--The Expos keep scratching for runs and winning the tough ones.

Catcher Nelson Santovenia hit a two-run double in the 11th inning at Pittsburgh to give the Expos the lead and they held on to win for the ninth time in their last 13 games.

Although Santovenia hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning the night before to beat them, the Pirates chose to walk Tim Wallach and have Doug Bair (0-2) pitch to Santovenia.

Santovenia’s drive bounced away from left fielder Barry Bonds. Otis Nixon, who was on second, and Wallach scored.

“Nelson is one of the best-kept secrets in the league,” Montreal Manager Buck Rodgers said. “Pretty soon they will stop saying, ‘Let’s pitch to that kid catcher.’ ”

Winner Tim Burke (6-1) gave up a home run to Bobby Bonilla in the bottom of the 11th.

Chicago 4, Philadelphia 1--Manager Don Zimmer keeps making the right moves and the Cubs are keeping the pressure on the Expos in the East.

Zimmer, wanting to give his starters an extra day of rest, gave left-hander Steve Wilson his second start in this game at Philadelphia.

Wilson (4-0) responded by holding the Phillies to four hits in five innings. Les Lancaster and Mitch Williams finished up, with Williams getting his 27th save.

“That Wilson kid has got a lot of important outs this season,” Zimmer said. “With the doubleheader last night, I needed an extra starter. He gave us five strong innings.”

Jerome Walton hit a two-run triple in the third inning.

New York 11, St. Louis 0--There are times the Mets look so good, you wonder how they ever lose.

In this game at St. Louis, their most dependable pitcher, Sid Fernandez (9-3), had a four-hitter to end the Mets’ seven-game losing streak.

Kevin McReynolds, a disappointment most of the season, hit for the cycle and drove in six runs. McReynolds was the first Met in 13 years to get a single, double, triple and home run in the same game.

Only Met Darryl Strawberry failed to join in. He was hitless in four at-bats and is now four for 38. Howard Johnson came out of his slump, however, getting three hits and scoring three runs.

San Diego 5, Atlanta 2--Padre pinch-hitter Carmelo Martinez hit a bases-loaded triple in the 11th inning at Atlanta.

The Padres rallied to tie in the eighth against Joe Boever, who had saved victories in his previous 13 chances. Roberto Alomar’s single scored Tim Flannery from second with the tying run.