NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Cubs Get the Better of Astros in No-Hit Threats

Mike Morgan of the Chicago Cubs and Jimmy Jones were matched in a no-hit duel into the sixth inning Tuesday night at Houston. Yet, neither figured in the Cubs’ 3-2 victory.

Morgan lost his bid with one out in the sixth inning when Jones beat out a slow roller to third.

Jones, who went on the disabled list last August with an elbow injury, was making his first appearance since then.

His return was brilliant. But, with one out in the eighth catcher Joe Girardi singled to spoil the gem. When the next batter, Doug Strange also singled, Jones was replaced.

Morgan also gave up a hit to the batter after Jones. Then, with the bases loaded, Eric Anthony singled home two runs.

Al Osuna could not hold Jones’ lead in the eighth, giving up a two-run single to Mark Grace that tied the score, 2-2.

The Cubs pulled it out in the ninth when Andre Dawson doubled, stopped at third on Dwight Smith’s single and scored on Luis Salazar’s sacrifice fly.

St. Louis 6, Cincinnati 4--It’s one thrill after another for St. Louis fans, but Manager Joe Torre of the Cardinals is not sure he can stand it.

For the fourth consecutive game, the Cardinals came from behind to win. Of course, the big one was last week against the Braves when they rallied from 9-0 for a victory.

In this game the Giants took a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh.

In the home half of the inning, the Cardinals scored three times. The big blow was delivered by hot-hitting Felix Jose.

Jose, who went three-for-three to raise his average to .426, hit a two-run single to break it open after Oazzie Smith’s double tied the game.

With the two-run lead, the Cardinals went to the hard-throwing big men in the bullpen. Todd Worrell struck out two Reds in the eighth and Lee Smith struck out two more in the ninth to pick up his league-leading 11th save.

San Francisco 7, Philadelphia 5--Unbeaten Bill Swift didn’t win his seventh, but didn’t lose his first, either.

Darren Lewis had three hits and scored twice at Philadelphia as the Giants rallied from a 4-1 deficit to win their third in a row.

Swift went into the game with a 6-0 record and an earned-run average of 1.39. In five innings he gave up seven hits and four runs and his ERA increased to 1.78.

Will Clark, who earlier extended his hitting streak to 13 games, scored Lewis from third with a sacrifice fly to break the 4-4 tie in the seventh to give Bryan Hickerson the victory in relief.

Atlanta 4, Pittsburgh 2--Tom Glavine was a stopper for the Braves last season and he’s back in the same role.

After blowing leads and losing three in a row at St. Louis, the Braves were a bit down.

Glavine gave up six hits in eight innings to renew their spirits and end the slump. Glavine (6-1) has an ERA of 2.09.

New York 7, San Diego 3--Dwight Gooden (3-3) ended his two-game losing streak and drove in a run at New York. Gooden gave up six hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings to improve his Shea Stadium record to 77-24.

Eddie Murray’s two-run home run in the first inning put the Mets ahead to stay.