BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES

Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets had to leave after five innings of Thursday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals at New York because of tightness in the back of his right shoulder.

Gooden gave up three hits and five walks and left with the Mets leading, 2-0.

The Mets said Gooden’s shoulder problem is not believed to be serious, and he was taken out of the game for precautionary reasons.

Gooden entered the game with a 12-7 record and lowered his earned-run average to 3.60 with the five scoreless innings. He struck out fanned five to raise he total to 150.