National League Roundup : Reds’ 2-0 Victory in 13 Innings Spoils DeLeon’s 11-Inning Effort

The Cincinnati Reds, held to one hit in 12 innings Wednesday night at St. Louis, put together two hits in the 13th and handed the Cardinals a 2-0 defeat.

The loss ruined Cardinals’ chance to cut the Chicago Cubs’ lead to 1 1/2 games in the National League East.

Jose DeLeon, having a big year for the Cardinals, was magnificent, but had nothing to show for it. He pitched 11 innings, giving up only a single to Luis Quinones with one out in the fourth. Quinones was erased by a double play, so DeLeon faced only the minimum of 33 batters.

He did not walk a batter and struck out eight, retiring the last 22 in a row.

But the Reds got to bullpen ace Todd Worrell in the 13th after he retired them in order in the 12th.

Quinones doubled with one out in the 13th. Eric Davis was given an intentional walk. Dave Collins delivered a pinch single to get the first run home. Davis stole third and rookie catcher Todd Zeile made a wild throw, Davis scoring the extra run.

The Cardinals had numerous opportunities, getting 12 hits, but left 15 runners.

Ozzie Smith, who had four of the hits, singled with one out in the 10th, but was out stealing. Milt Thompson then tripled. Pedro Guerrero and Denny Walling were walked intentionally, but Tom Brunansky lined to first.

Ron Dibble (8-4) was the winner, striking out five batters. He struck out two of them after the Cardinals loaded the bases with one out in the 12th.

“I guess our luck ran out,” Manager Whitey Herzog said. “We were lucky to win last night, but I’ll tell you, it’s a shame the way DeLeon pitched he didn’t get his 15th.”

Rick Mahler, who had lost five in a row, went the first 10 for the Reds, giving up nine hits and working out of several jams.

Houston 8, Chicago 4--In his fifth attempt, Mike Scott finally won his 18th, giving the Cubs only four hits at Chicago.

This is the third time in five years that Scott has won 18 games. With at least six more starts, he has a good chance of exceeding 18 victories for the first time.

The Astros, who blew a 9-0 lead Tuesday and lost, remained four games behind the San Francisco Giants in the West. With the Cardinals losing, the Cubs remained 2 1/2 games in front in the East.

Scott became the third pitcher in the majors to win 18. Dave Stewart of Oakland did it Monday and Joe Magrane of St. Louis did it Tuesday.

Gerald Young led the Astros’ 13-hit attack that handed Rick Sutcliffe (13-11) his third consecutive defeat. Young had four hits, drove in three runs and scored a run.

Montreal 5, San Diego 1--Dennis Martinez (15-4) pitched a six-hitter and struck out eight at San Diego to stop the Padres’ winning streak at six games. With the Giants winning, the Padres fell to seven games behind in the West.

Spike Owen led the assault on Ed Whitson (15-10). He singled twice, driving in a run and scoring twice to give Martinez all the support he needed.

The victory moved the Expos to within three games of first place in the East.

Jack Clark’s sacrifice fly in the first inning produced the only San Diego run.

San Francisco 3, Philadelphia 2--The Giants needed a lift and they got one from Kelly Downs, one of their many pitchers who has spent much of the season on the disabled list.

Downs, in his fourth start since coming back from a shoulder injury, pitched a strong six innings at San Francisco to help the Giants end a three-game losing streak.

The Giants scored all their runs in the fifth inning. Two scored on Will Clark’s double. Then, when shortstop Dickie Thon’s relay went into the dugout, Clark also scored.

Pittsburgh 7, Atlanta 5--Billy Hatcher’s pinch single in the eighth inning at Pittsburgh snapped a 5-5 tie and led the Pirates to victory.

Hatcher took second on the throw home that failed to catch Gary Redus. Hatcher went to third on an infield out and scored the extra run on a wild pitch by Joe Boever (4-6).

Although Randy Kramer (5-7) gave up two runs in the eighth to get the Braves even, he was the winner. Bill Landrum pitched the ninth for his 20th save.