NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Dykstra Is Exception to His Rule

Len Dykstra says there is no way anyone is ever going to hit .400 again, but the Phillies’ center fielder had three more hits Saturday night to increase his batting average to .405 as Philadelphia defeated the New York Mets, 5-4, at Philadelphia to end a five-game losing streak.

Dykstra has hit in 15 consecutive games, the longest streak in the National League this season.

“No one is going to do that (bat .400) in today’s game,” Dykstra said. “With all the good pitching, good relief pitching and traveling, it just won’t ever happen again.

“One thing, though, it’s a great feeling to step in the box and know I’m going to hit the ball hard,” Dykstra said. “I’ve just been trying to get on base and I’m in a real good groove.”

Dykstra insists he gets no special thrill in beating his former team.

“It’s nothing real special, but it’s nice to beat them,” he said. “We’ve got to play them 16 more times, so the main thing is to establish that we can play with them.”

Phillie starter Ken Howell (6-3) gave up three runs, struck out seven and walked three in seven innings. Roger McDowell relieved Howell after a walk to Darryl Strawberry to open the eighth, and recorded his National League-leading 13th save.

Met starter Dwight Gooden (3-5) gave up four runs and nine hits in six innings, walking three and striking out two.

San Francisco 5, Houston 4--Mike Kingery’s run-scoring single, his second of the game and National League career, with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning won it for the Giants at San Francisco.

Kingery, who played last season in Seattle, also had an RBI single as the Giants overcame a 3-0 deficit in a three-run ninth.

The Astros had taken the lead in the top of the inning on Franklin Stubbs’ run-scoring double off Steve Bedrosian (2-3) before the Giants rallied against Danny Darwin (1-1).

Kevin Mitchell started the 10th with a walk and took third on Terry Kennedy’s one-out single. Robby Thompson lofted a bunt over first baseman Stubbs’ head, scoring Mitchell to tie the game. Pitcher Scott Garrelts pinch ran for Kennedy at second base and scored on Kingery’s hit to center.

San Diego 9, Atlanta 0--Ed Whitson pitched his fourth complete game and second shutout, and Tony Gwynn and Roberto Alomar led a 14-hit Padre attack at San Diego.

Gwynn had three hits, including two doubles and three RBIs. Alomar scored four times for San Diego and got three hits, including his second homer.

Whitson (5-3) pitched a five-hitter to tie Mike Morgan of the Dodgers for most complete games in the National League. The Braves only had one runner reach second base.

Pittsburgh 4, Montreal 3-- R.J. Reynolds tied the score in the eighth inning, then doubled home Jay Bell to win it in the 10th at Pittsburgh as the Pirates ended the Expos’ four-game winning streak.

Chicago 7, St. Louis 6--The Cubs’ Dwight Smith hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to score Shawon Dunston at St. Louis in a battle to escape last place.