NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Pirates Give Up 13 Hits, but No Runs, and Win

The San Diego Padres produced 13 hits Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a total that usually results in at least a few runs.

But with Doug Drabek regaining his winning ways and Don Slaught and Andy Van Slyke providing outstanding defense, the Pirates emerged with a 1-0 victory at Pittsburgh.

“I’m glad the Padres had 13 instead of 14, because the 14th might have been the big one,” said Drabek (4-7), who gave up 10 hits in seven innings.

Bruce Hurst (6-3) yielded the Pirate run in the second inning when Barry Bonds walked, moved up on a wild pitch and scored on Slaught’s single up the middle.

Slaught threw out two runners attempting to steal, nearly picked another off second base and teamed with Van Slyke to stop a potential rally in the seventh by throwing out Tim Teufel on a rundown play.

Van Slyke preserved the shutout in the ninth, leaping into the padded outfield wall to catch Teufel’s long drive leading off the inning. Van Slyke ended the game by running down Thomas Howard’s fly ball about three feet in front of the wall.

“I’m going to add it up someday, but this defense probably saves more runs than any in baseball,” Van Slyke said. “I don’t think anybody does it better than us. For them to get 13 hits and not score . . . that’s amazing.”

The Pirates won for the 11th time in 13 games.

Drabek (4-7), whose 2-7 start was the worst by any returning Cy Young winner in the last 25 years, has won his last two decisions and has pitched well in three consecutive starts. He has a 1.61 earned-run average in his last 39 innings, and has improved his ERA to a season-low 2.94.

Bob Patterson and Stan Belinda worked an inning-plus before Bill Landrum came on with one out in the ninth for his 10th save in as many opportunities.

Hurst gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out two before being replaced for a pinch-hitter in the seventh.

Philadelphia 5, Cincinnati 4--Dale Murphy’s solo homer and tiebreaking single at Cincinnati helped Tommy Greene stay unbeaten.

Greene (5-0), who allowed only two runs and 10 hits overall in four previous starts--including a no-hitter May 23 at Montreal--gave up 10 hits and four runs in seven innings against the Reds.

Roger McDowell gave up a single in the eighth and Mitch Williams walked two in the ninth before getting his 10th save, preserving only the second victory for the Phillies in six games.

Dickie Thon homered for the Phillies and Paul O’Neill hit a three-run homer for the Reds.

San Francisco 5, St. Louis 2--Kevin Bass’ two-out, sixth-inning single off Omar Olivares broke a 2-2 tie and Matt Williams added a two-run homer in the eighth at St. Louis.

Don Robinson (3-4) gave up two runs, scattered seven hits in eight innings and also drove in a run. He is 6-0 against the Cardinals since joining the Giants in 1987. Dave Righetti worked the ninth for his fifth save.

The Cardinals ended a streak of 20 consecutive scoreless innings by getting two runs in the third.

New York 6, Houston 3--Kevin McReynolds’ ninth-inning double was the key hit for the Mets during a six-run rally at Houston.

Until the ninth-inning collapse, the Mets had been held to five hits by Jim Deshaies, who was replaced by Curt Schilling (2-4). Along with McReynolds’ double, the Mets scored on a wild pitch, a single by Kevin Elster, bases-loaded walks to Tommy Herr and Rick Cerone and a ground ball by Vince Coleman.

Met starter Ron Darling gave up two runs and six hits over seven innings. Doug Simons (2-2) pitched the eighth and Alejandro Pena the ninth.

Ken Caminiti homered for the Astros.

Montreal 11, Atlanta 2--Marquis Grissom had five hits, three RBIs and three stolen bases to lead the Expos at Atlanta.

Grissom scored in the first inning when he singled, stole second and third and came home on a wild pitch by Steve Avery (6-4) as the Expos improved to 3-1 under Manager Tom Runnells.

Oil Can Boyd (3-6), who missed his last start because of upper back spasms, improved to 3-0 lifetime against Atlanta.

Boyd struck out six and walked two in 7 2/3 innings before being relieved by Scott Ruskin.