NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Expos Beat Pirates, Pull Within Half-Game

Few expected the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Montreal Expos to be battling for first place in the National League East in late June, but there they were Friday night, playing each other in a style worthy of the division’s 1-2 teams.

Mike Aldrete doubled home Andres Galarraga from first base in the eighth inning at Montreal to give the Expos a 4-3 victory.

The Expos, who had trailed, 3-1, are only a half-game behind the slumping Pirates. However, bearing down on both are the division favorites, the New York Mets. The Mets, who were 9 1/2 games behind June 7, are only three back.

Barry Bonds gave the Pirates their early lead by hitting a two-run single in the third. With runners in scoring position, Bonds is 25 for 49 (.510) and has driven in 38 runs.

He also singled, stole second and scored the Pirates’ other run on Mike LaValliere’s single in the sixth.

Meanwhile, the Pirates’ Walt Terrell went into the seventh inning with a two-hitter, one of the hits a home run to center field by Larry Walker.

But, with one out, the Expos’ Tom Foley , who had struck out twice, singled. Pinch-hitter Otis Nixon then doubled down the left-field line to score Foley. Nixon stole third and scored the tying run on Dave Martinez’s fly to medium right field.

The Expos are in contention despite having lost lost three top pitchers--Mark Langston, Bryn Smith and Pascual Perez--and outfielder Hubie Brooks to free agency.

“We took a lot of heat when we let those fellows get away,” Manager Buck Rodgers said. “We decided to go with younger, inexperienced players. We weren’t surprised when we split the first 36 games. It was expected.

“But this team has shown tenacity. We have an ability to come from behind. We also have a knack for winning close games. I’m proud of these kids.”

New York 5, Philadelphia 1--The Mets have found a way to take the pressure off their pitchers.

For the 10th game in a row, the Mets scored in the first two innings. For the ninth time, the early lead paid off.

In this game at New York, Frank Viola had five runs before he went out to pitch the third inning and he easily became the league’s first 10-game winner.

The Mets, finally playing up to their potential, chased former Dodger Ken Howell (8-4), who had won six in a row, before the second inning was over.

Dave Magadan, whose hitting has sparked the Mets’ drive into contention and put Mike Marshall on the bench, drove in two runs in the inning and extended his hitting streak to 11 games. He is 22 for 43 (.512) during the stretch.

“I made up my mind I wouldn’t lose this lead,” said Viola (10-3). “Last Saturday they gave me a four-run lead and I blew it.”

Viola gave up eight hits, struck out eight and walked only one in eight innings.

“I was really fighting myself at the start,” Viola said. “There’s no good feeling when you walk the first batter on four pitches. I knew I had to go to work.”

San Francisco 4, Houston 3--The Giants resumed their pursuit of the Cincinnati Reds in this game at Houston.

After losing two in a row, the Giants took a 3-0 lead and held on for their 17th victory in 20 games this month.

Scott Garrelts (5-6) won his fourth consecutive decision. He left after eight innings with a 4-2 lead, but relief pitcher Steve Bedrosian opened the ninth by giving up a home run to Eric Anthony. Finally, with the potential tying run on second, Jeff Brantley got the last two outs.

The Giants’ Robby Thompson hit his eighth home run of the season in the second inning.

St. Louis 7, Chicago 0--Most pitchers aren’t too fond of Wrigley Field. Except on the few occasions when the wind is blowing in, the ballpark is a hitter’s paradise.

It isn’t for the Cubs when Cardinal left-hander Joe Magrane pitches there. Magrane pitched a three-hitter and struck out a career-high 11 in getting his third shutout in four starts at Wrigley. One was a one-hitter.

“I have not had a good season,” Magrane (4-9) said. “Today was one of those days when I had it.

“But the park had nothing to do with it. When I’m right I have a good sinker. It’s tough on guys trying to hit it into the seats.”

The Cardinals’ Pedro Guerrero and Todd Zeille hit home runs and teammate Willie McGee had three hits and drove in two runs. It was only the Cardinals’ fourth victory in their last 14 games.