NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Pirates’ Smith Beats Cubs Again for No. 15

Pittsburgh’s magic number for clinching the National League East is 10 and counting.

The Pirates moved a step closer to the title when Zane Smith got his 15th victory Monday night, matching his career high, 5-4 over the Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh.

The Pirates, with a 9 1/2 game lead over St. Louis, can clinch the division with any combination of 10 victories and/or Cardinal losses.

Smith (15-10) won his third consecutive start despite giving up home runs to Hector Villanueva and George Bell. Smith went 15-10 for the Atlanta Braves in 1987.

Smith, 3-0 against Chicago this season, gave up six hits in eight innings, and Roger Mason finished for his third save.

Mason, who came to the Pirates on Aug. 8, has won two games and saved three since then.

The Pirates scored three runs in the sixth against Frank Castillo (6-5). Steve Buechele started the inning with a double and scored on Jose Lind’s single. Orlando Merced then hit his 10th homer and fourth against the Cubs this season.

Bell led off the fourth with his 25th homer. With Andre Dawson’s 28 home runs, the Cubs have two outfielders with 25 or more for the first time since 1961, when George Altman hit 27 and Billy Williams had 25.

The Pirates tied the score in the second. Mike LaValliere singled with one out and Lind followed with a double. When Dawson mishandled the ball in right field for an error, LaValliere scored. Smith grounded a single up the middle to drive in the second run.

St. Louis 3, Philadelphia 0--Jose DeJesus is having so much trouble with his control that the Phillie pitcher is thinking about turning to a hypnotist.

DeJesus (10-6) walked five batters in 1 1/3 innings at Philadelphia and took the loss against the Cardinals.

Last week, DeJesus consulted Gus Hoefling, the club’s strength and flexibility instructor. Hoefling, who has dabbled in hypnotism, said he wouldn’t get involved unless management approved.

In 163 innings this season, DeJesus has walked 116.

Bob Tewksbury (10-11) gave up seven hits, struck out four and walked one before Willie Fraser relieved to start the eighth. Lee Smith got the last three outs for his major league-leading 41st save.

San Diego 6, Houston 1--Thomas Howard drove in five runs, including a three-run homer to break a scoreless tie in the seventh inning, to lead the Padres past the Astros at San Diego.

Howard spoiled the major league debut of starter Brian Williams (0-1) when he hit his fourth homer of the season, helping send the Astros to their eighth loss in nine games.

Greg Harris (6-5) gave up one run and eight hits in 7 2/3 innings for the victory and Larry Andersen finished for his 10th save.