NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Viola Back on Key in Mets’ 4-1 Victory

The New York Mets were getting a feeling of frustration. Their once potent pitching staff had run into problems.

In the previous three games, opponents scored 19 runs. Moreover, it was Frank Viola’s turn to pitch and the club’s leading winner was pounded in three consecutive starts.

Viola provided the big lift Wednesday at San Diego, holding the Padres to five hits in eight innings in a 4-1 victory that prevented a sweep of the three-game series.

In ending his three-game losing streak, Viola joined Pittsburgh’s Doug Drabek as the only 16-game winners in the National League.

Darryl Strawberry walked in the second inning against Calvin Schiraldi (3-6) and scored the first run for the Mets, then doubled in the second in the second.

Viola, who gave up a run in the third inning, pitched 16 1/3 innings in his previous three starts, giving up 25 hits and 16 runs, 14 of them earned.

“To get hit is part of the game, but when you pitch stupid you don’t give your team a chance,” Viola, who lost six of his previous eight starts, said. “I was pitching stupid during the slump, and that upset me. I pride myself on being a smart pitcher and that went out the window.”

It was a tight game until the ninth when an error by right fielder Tony Gwynn and two singles provided two more runs. John Franco gave up a hit and a walk in the bottom of the ninth, but earned his 29th save.

Cincinnati 4, Chicago 1--The Reds came out with renewed spirit at Cincinnati. When they went to bed Tuesday night, they thought they had a 5 1/2-game lead, then they discovered the Dodgers blew an 11-1 lead and lost to the Phillies.

Jose Rijo (9-6) pitched a five-hitter and had a shutout until one out in the ninth as the Reds won their second in a row after losing five in a row.

“I’ve finally recovered from a shoulder problem,” Rijo said. “This was the first time I had good stuff all year. Tonight it was easier--you know what you’ve got. You have a better idea of what you’re going to do.”

Hal Morris had two doubles, scored a run and drove in another, but maybe more encouraging to the Reds was Eric Davis’ 16th home run.

It was only the second home run since July 22 for the Reds’ star, who is hitting .224.

San Francisco 2, Montreal 1--The Giants are desperately trying to hold on in the West. It is time to gamble, and that’s what Manager Roger Craig did in the ninth inning at San Francisco.

With two out in a 1-1 tie, a runner on third and two strikes on Brett Butler, Craig flashed the sign for a squeeze bunt.

Butler made a perfect bunt and the Giants won, staying 7 1/2 games behind the Reds.

“I was surprised,” Butler said. “It was a gutsy call. I’ve only done it a couple of times with two strikes.”

Craig didn’t think it was that much of a gamble. “Butler’s one of the best bunters in the league, and you know he (reliever Steve Frey) isn’t going to pitch out.”

Rookie Mark Gardner had a string of 16 scoreless innings against the Giants, but Mike Kingrey’s two-out single in the seventh scored the tying run.

Pittsburgh 4, Houston 2--John Smiley gave up only three hits in seven-plus innings for his first win at Pittsburgh since May 9 to keep the Pirates three games ahead of New York.

He had a shutout until Franklin Stubbs hit a two-run home run in the eighth. It was Stubbs’ fifth home run in the last 10 games.

Bill Landrum pitched the ninth to get his 13th save and first since July 1.

Barry Bonds had a double and single and scored three runs for the Pirates, who have won nine of their last 11.

Atlanta 2, St. Louis 1--Ron Gant had three hits at St. Louis and the Braves not only ended Bob Tewksbury’s scoreless streak at 18 innings, they beat him.

Gant singled and scored on Tommy Gregg’s double in the first inning to start Tewksbury’s downfall.

Tony Castillo (4-1) went five innings in his third major league start and won his second.