NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Cubs Make Up for Lost Time, Falling, 3-2

During the first week of the season, every team except the Chicago Cubs made an error.

When the Cubs finally fumbled the ball Tuesday night at Pittsburgh, it started an epidemic.

They committed four errors in six innings and helped the Pirates, without home-run help from Barry Bonds, to gain a 3-2 victory.

Tom Prince doubled in two of the Pirates’ runs after an error in the sixth inning and that was all Bob Walk needed to improve his record against the Cubs to 12-3. Walk gave up three hits in seven innings and Roger Mason finished up for his second save. The Pirates (5-2) lead the East.

“Until I heard it on TV, I didn’t know we didn’t commit an error in the first six games,” said outfielder Dwight Smith, whose error preceded Prince’s double.

Danny Jackson (0-2), who hasn’t won since last June 14, still has only one victory since signing a $10-million contract with the Cubs.

New York 8, Philadelphia 5--The Mets finally got their first home victory after four consecutive defeats.

Dave Gallagher, a replacement for injured Howard Johnson, hit a two-run double to break a 5-5 tie during the seventh inning.

Eddie Murray, who doubled in two runs when the Mets took a 4-0 lead during the first inning, doubled in another run in the seventh.

Cincinnati 5, Atlanta 4--Many expect the Braves and Reds to battle for the division title in the West. The Reds are starting off with a slight edge over the league champions.

Paul O’Neill led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run against relief pitcher Marvin Freeman to give the Reds their second 5-4 victory in the series.

Red rookie infielder Freddie Benavides hit a two-run home run aganst Steve Avery during the fifth--his first home run in 66 at-bats in the majors--and drove in a run with a squeeze bunt in the seventh.

St. Louis 3, Montreal 1--Pinch-hitter Rex Hudler broke a 1-1 tie with a home run during the eighth inning at Montreal to give rookie Don Osborne his first major league victory.

Osborne, who suffered an ankle injury on the first play in his debut last week and lasted only two innings, gave up six hits and and struck out three in seven innings.

Hudler batted for him and hit a two-and-one pitch against Chris Nabholz (1-1). Lee Smith retired the last four Expos for his second save.

San Diego 4, San Francisco 0--Andy Benes (2-0) gave up three hits in 7 1/3 innings at San Francisco and Gary Sheffield hit a two-run home run.