NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Phillies Extend Streak to 11, 4-2

Manager Jim Fregosi describes his best relief pitcher, Mitch Williams, as “sitting in the bullpen like a vulture.”

The vulture has struck so often lately that the Phillies, no longer the worst team in the National League, have won 11 in a row, tying the best streak in the league this season.

Williams, an eccentric left-hander with a booming fastball, has had a hand in seven of the victories.

After Jose DeJesus (8-4) pitched a strong seven innings at Philadelphia, Williams pitched the final inning to save a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Expos.

Williams, who had four victories in five days--all in extra innings--last week, has won five and saved two as the Phillies have gone from last place, 20 1/2 games behind in the East, to 12 1/2 out. They are six games behind the third-place New York Mets.

Fregosi, who replaced Nick Leyva early in the season, had decided three weeks ago to build for next year. With the team out of the race, Fregosi went with youngsters.

He was counting on DeJesus becoming a star. It is happening sooner than expected. In his last five starts DeJesus, 26, is 3-0 with an earned-run average of 1.30.

But Williams has been the key to the spurt.

In the seven games he has been a force in, Williams has pitched 9 2/3 innings, has given up no runs and only two hits. One of them Friday night allowed the Expos to tie the score, but the Phillies won if for Williams.

“He’s our good luck charm,” Fregosi said. “We seem to know that when he comes out there, it means another victory.”

The score was 2-2 in the seventh when Lenny Dykstra’s double and an error by Expos’ outfielder Dave Martinez set up a two-run rally.

Mike Hartley, obtained from the Dodgers in the trade for Roger McDowell, pitched a scoreless eighth before Williams took over.

San Francisco also has won 11 in a row this season.

Atlanta 4, Houston 0--Although Tom Glavine, the ace of the Braves’ staff, is having trouble winning these days, the club is doing fine.

One of the reasons is the return to form of John Smoltz. Smoltz, a 14-game winner for the lowly Braves of last season, was off to a 2-11 start.

Glavine told Smoltz what he went through in 1990, when he 10-12.

“Give Tom credit,” said Smoltz, who has won six of his last seven decisions.

“He told me not to try to make up everything at once. I’m taking one game at a time.”

Smoltz gave up two hits in seven innings at Atlanta and the Braves, 9 1/2 games behind the Dodgers at the All-Star break, moved to within 2 1/2 games of first in the West.

Pittsburgh 11, St. Louis 5--The Pirates really aren’t in much danger in the East. Andy Van Slyke and Barry Bonds hit two-run home runs at Pittsburgh and the Pirates ended a three-game losing streak.

With only their third victory in 14 games, the Pirates increased their lead in the division to five games.

Injuries and poor pitching have nearly worn out the Pirate staff. They had to bring up rookie Hector Fajardo, 20, for a starting assignment.

They scored five runs in the second for Fajardo, who began the season in Class A, but the youngster couldn’t get anybody out in the third inning.

Neal Heaton (3-1) pitched 4 1/3 innings to get the victory.

Chicago 6, New York Mets 2--Everything seems to work out for the best when the Cubs play the Mets. They lost their starting pitcher, rookie Frank Castillo, after only five pitches because of a shoulder strain at Chicago, but still beat the Mets for the sixth time in a row.

The wind, which was blowing in from left field, switched directions shortly before Ryne Sandberg came up in the sixth inning with two men on base. Sandberg promptly hit his 20th home run, putting the Cubs in charge.

San Diego 1, Cincinnati 0--The Padres’ Greg Harris made it a good night for pitchers of that name. Boston’s Greg Harris pitched a four-hitter, and the Padres’ Harris gave up six hits at San Diego.

Jose Rijo (8-3) struck out the side in the third inning, but gave up three consecutive singles with two out for the run.