National League Roundup : Cubs Blow Past Phillies for 9-7 Win at Wrigley

Several surveys taken over the years indicate that the wind favors the pitchers more than the hitters at Wrigley Field in Chicago. It just seems as if the wind blows out more often than not.

A survey is not needed to know that the wind has been favoring the hitters in the past three days. The runs have come in bunches.

Shawon Dunston took advantage of the wind Saturday to drive in six runs and lead the Cubs to a 9-7 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Dunston hit a three-run double in a five-run first inning and a three-run home run in the third inning as the Cubs built a 9-3 lead. But the National League East leaders barely held on to win.

In fact, the game ended when reliever Mitch Williams got Steve Jeltz, who had homered in the eighth, to ground out with the bases loaded. Williams picked up his 30th save.

The Cubs have outscored the Phillies, 31-25, in the last three games, winning two of them. In the one they lost, they scored 13.

Dunston, a shortstop with a lifetime .250 average, was a hot hitter even before the wind started blowing out. He has 34 hits in his last 85 at-bats and has raised his average from .225 to .279.

“This is a memorable date anyhow,” Dunston said. “Five years ago today, the Cubs brought me up to the big leagues. And, Andre Dawson’s wife gave birth today.”

Jerome Walton, who went two for five, extended his hitting streak to 23 games. The center fielder matched Jose Oquendo of the St. Louis Cardinals for the longest hitting streak in the major leagues this season.

Ryne Sandberg, who had hit home runs in five consecutive games, did not play. Sandberg, who has had trouble hitting pitcher Ken Howell, was given the day off.

Houston 6, Cincinnati 5--When the Astros call on Dave Smith or the Reds summon John Franco, a save is usually the result. In this game at Houston, neither took advantage of the opportunity.

The Astros brought in Smith, trying for his 23rd save in 26 appearances, to protect a 4-2 lead in the ninth.

With one out, Smith gave up three infield hits. After striking out Eric Davis, who had six home runs in the previous eight games, Smith gave up a three-run triple to Rolando Roomes.

Then Franco was given a chance for his 26th save in 29 opportunities.

He gave up a run-scoring single to Glenn Davis, which tied the score. An error and a wild pitch by Franco enabled Davis to score the winning run.

New York 3, St. Louis 1--David Cone is helping to keep the Mets in the East race.

Cone (10-5) improved his record at home to 7-0 but needed a break to survive the eighth inning.

The Cardinals’ Denny Walling doubled, and Vince Coleman singled him home. Randy Myers replaced Cone and Ozzie Smith hit a high fly to the wall in left. The ball popped out of Mark Carreon’s glove, but as it was about to go over the fence Carreon grabbed it with his bare hand.

Cone also went three for three, scored a run and drove in another, raising his average to .264.

Montreal 5, Pittsburgh 2--The Expos kept pace with the Cubs, picking on the light-hitting Pirates at Montreal.

Kevin Gross (9-8) ended a four-game slump by holding the Pirates to four hits in eight innings.

Tim Raines hit his eighth home run in the fifth inning to give the Expos a 4-2 lead.

Atlanta 5, San Diego 4--Tom Glavine lost his no-hitter when San Diego’s Chris James homered with one out in the seventh inning at San Diego. Glavine then nearly lost his 11th victory in 17 decisions, too.

A two-run homer by Luis Salazar made it close, and the Padres had the tying run on in the ninth before Jim Acker got the last out.