NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Cardinals Steal Way to Victory Over Cubs

The St. Louis Cardinals might not have the most power in the major leagues, but they certainly can steal bases as well as any other team.

“I think we’ve got the best percentage in the league,” Manager Whitey Herzog said Sunday after the speedy but light-hitting Cardinals stole eight bases in as many tries and beat the Chicago Cubs, 7-4, at St. Louis.

“There have been too many days when we haven’t had the opportunities,” Herzog said. “We haven’t had many days like this.”

Vince Coleman had four of the eight steals, giving him a major league-leading 28 in 33 tries.

“I have high expectations from here on out throughout my career,” Coleman said. “My approach to the game right now is I know what I’m doing. I know what I have to do.”

Coleman’s stolen-base total matched his one-game career high, which he has accomplished seven times. Ozzie Smith stole three bases, also matching a career high, and Willie McGee had the other.

“There’s only one way to stop them,” Chicago Manager Don Zimmer said. “The pitchers have got to give the catcher a chance. If you’re slow getting the ball to the plate, then you’ve got no chance.”

Although not noted for their power, the Cardinals also got home runs by Tom Pagnozzi and Milt Thompson. The combination of power and speed was a rarity for the Cardinals, who entered the game tied for last in the NL in batting.

The eight stolen bases matched the single-game high in the majors this season. Houston had eight against Pittsburgh May 23. The last time the Cardinals stole eight bases was Sept. 13, 1985, also against the Cubs.

The Cardinals’ homers were their first in six games and only 20th and 21st of the year.

San Francisco 7, Houston 3-Robby Thompson hit a three-run homer and Kevin Mitchell had a two-run homer at Candlestick Park as the Giants won for the fifth time in the last six games.

Thompson hit his fifth homer of the season in the second inning and Mitchell added his 14th in the third as the Giants routed Mike Scott (2-6), scoring their seven runs in four innings.

Houston’s Glenn Davis had another productive day, driving in all three runs. He has nine RBIs in the last three games. He hit a solo homer--his fifth in seven at-bats over three games and league-leading 15th of the season--and had a two-run single.

Davis’ leadoff homer in the second inning was the Astros’ only hit off Atlee Hammaker until the sixth.

Philadelphia 8, New York 3--At Philadelphia, Von Hayes hit a home run and drove in four runs and Lenny Dykstra, the major leagues’ leading hitter, had two singles and a double in four official at-bats, extending his hitting streak to 16 games.

Dykstra, who was eight for 12 in the three-game series against his former team, raised his average to .413.

Bud Harrelson is 1-3 since replacing Dave Johnson as manager of the Mets Tuesday.

Montreal 4, Pittsburgh 3--Mike Fitzgerald doubled home the go-ahead run off rookie reliever Stan Belinda in a three-run ninth inning at Pittsburgh to give the Expos their fifth victory in six games.

Tim Raines walked to lead off the ninth, stole second and continued to third when catcher Don Slaught threw the ball into center field. Slaught had thrown out runners attempting to steal in the sixth and seventh innings.

Tim Wallach singled home Raines with the tying run and moved to second when right fielder Bobby Bonilla’s throw hit him in the leg. After pinch-hitter Wallace Johnson was walked intentionally, Fitzgerald doubled, driving in pinch-runner Spike Owen.

Atlanta 4, San Diego 2--Pinch-hitter Jeff Treadway doubled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning at San Diego.

Treadway’s double to left-center drove in Alexis Infante. Greg Olson led off with a walk against Greg Harris (3-1). Infante attempted a sacrifice bunt, but instead forced pinch-runner John Smoltz. Ron Gant’s two-out single, his third hit of the game, scored Treadway.

The game marked the first Atlanta appearance by left-hander Charlie Leibrandt, who who was obtained from Kansas City last winter. Leibrandt was activated from the disabled list Saturday after missing nearly two months with a slightly torn rotator cuff.

Leibrandt yielded seven hits, including a run-scoring single by Mark Parent in the second inning, walked one and struck out three in seven innings.