NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Daulton Wins a Rare Catcher’s Duel

Mike Scioscia of the Dodgers and Benito Santiago of San Diego are the best-known catchers in the National League. But, for the moment at least, they are not the two best catchers.

The two hot catchers, Darren Daulton, and Tom Pagnozzi, put on a show Friday night at Philadelphia.

Daulton had the edge. He hit two home runs, including a three-run shot in the eighth inning that brought the Phillies from a 5-4 deficit to a 7-5 victory.

Pagnozzi hit a two-run home run and his run-scoring double sparked a three-run rally in the seventh to give the Cardinals a 5-3 lead.

The Phillies and Cardinals were expected to battle for last place in the East, but the Cardinals have been in the fight for first place all season. The Phillies, despite losing most of their starting pitching staff, have been playing extremely well.

With two hot pitchers, Bob Tewksbury for the Cardinals and Terry Mulholland, on the mound, it figured to be a pitcher’s duel. Tewksbury had won three in a row and his earned-run average of 1.78 was the best in the league. Mulholland, after a slow start, had won five out of six.

Although he had his worst outing, giving up more than two runs for the first time this season, Tewksbury left with a 5-4 lead.

But Daulton, who has been having a big season, tagged Todd Worrell for the three-run home run.

Daulton, who thought injuries had ended his career last season, is hitting .315, with seven home runs and 39 RBIs. Pagnozzi, who won the Gold Glove last season, is batting .293, has two home runs and has driven in 18 runs.

“I’m having a good time playing,” Daulton said. “Some people thought I’d never play again after the knee injuries, but here I am. It’s really fun playing when you feel good. This is the best stroke I’ve had since I came to the majors.”

Pittsburgh 5, New York 4--Lloyd McClendon’s pinch single off bullpen ace John Franco drove in the tie-breaking run in the 10th inning at New York.

After losing 11 out of 12 and falling out of first place in the East, the Pirates have now won six of eight and lead the division by 2 1/2 games.

Met reliever Jeff Innis had retired five batters in a row before Jay Bell tripled with two out in the extra inning. Pitching carefully, Franco walked Andy Van Slyke. After going to 2-0 on Barry Bonds, he gave Bonds an intentional walk to fill the bases, but McClendon lined a shot down the left-field line.

Former Pirate Bobby Bonilla, who continued to hear the boos, had a fourth-inning double but an otherwise quiet night. He grounded out with two on in the fifth and stranded two more in the ninth after Vince Coleman’s double had enabled the Mets to tie the game.

Chicago 10-2, Montreal 4-6--After Danny Jackson won for the first time in almost a year in the opener at Montreal, Moises Alou drove in three runs in the nightcap to give the Expos a split.

As recently as 1988, Jackson was rated one of the best left-handers in baseball. He won 23 games that season for Cincinnati. In the next three seasons, trying to overcome arm trouble, he won only 13 games.

In the opener, Ryne Sandberg had three hits, drove in three runs and scored two. Jackson went six innings, giving up eight hits and three runs.

Chris Nabholz gave up 10 hits in 7 1/3 innings in the second game to improve his record to 4-4.

Atlanta 3, San Diego 2--The Padres went into the ninth leading, 2-1, at San Diego and Craig Lefferts was going for his first complete game.

But Jeff Blauser hit a home run to tie it, Lefferts was gone and the Padres blew it when Mike Maddux walked catcher Greg Olson with the bases loaded.

Lefferts, a six-game winner since coming out of the bullpen this season, pitched eight innings for the first time.

Houston 5, San Francisco 4--Jeff Bagwell hit a two-run home run with two out in the ninth inning at San Francisco to give the Astros the victory.

The Giants had taken a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning when Robby Thompson drew a walk with the bases loaded.

The Astros had a runner on second and two out when the Giants brought Jeff Brantley in to pitch to Bagwell.