NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Rash of Injuries Chills Met Victory Over Cubs

When the New York Mets hired Jeff Torborg as manager last winter, they also added enough talent to give him a potentially powerful team.

The acquisitions of Eddie Murray, Bobby Bonilla and Bret Saberhagen made the Mets the favorites to win the National League East.

But because of injuries, Torborg, the former Dodger catcher, has not had much of a chance to manage that team.

The crushing blow came during the weekend. Already without his best pitcher, Dwight Gooden, Torborg lost Saberhagen, Bonilla and Howard Johnson.

Saberhagen suffered re-injury of a right finger Saturday, then Sunday Bonilla suffered a broken rib diving for a fly ball. Finally, it was discovered that Johnson had a broken bone in his right wrist.

Surprisingly, the Mets have managed to stay within range of the division-leading Pittsburgh Pirates.

A big reason is David Cone. The right-hander went eight innings in the Mets’ 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

It was Cone’s eighth victory in a row, improved his record to 13-4 and kept the Mets 5 1/2 games behind the Pirates. Murray hit a home run, his 408th, with a man on during the third to give the Mets a 3-1 lead.

Saberhagen might sit out only one turn, but Bonilla and Johnson will go on the disabled list.

Gooden might return in a couple of weeks, but by that time it could be too late. In their crippled state, the Mets must play the Pirates five times in nine days, beginning Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.

Atlanta 3-8, San Francisco 0-5--Pete Smith, the prize prospect in the Atlanta organization several years ago, gave the Braves a lift in their drive to the title in the West.

Smith, in his first start of the season, pitched a strong eight innings in the opener at San Francisco to set up the sweep that gave the Braves a one-game lead over Cincinnati.

In the nightcap, Terry Pendleton and Greg Olson had the key hits during a six-run sixth-inning rally that brought the Braves from behind.

Smith, brought up from triple-A Richmond to replace injured Mike Bielecki, held the Giants to five hits and struck out six. Alejandro Pena got the last three outs for his 13th save.

Bill Swift (8-3) gave up only four hits in eight innings, but Pendleton’s sacrifice fly got the Braves a run. Against Mike Jackson during the ninth, Sid Bream doubled in a run and the other scored when Jackson walked Ron Gant with the bases loaded.

Kevin Bass hit a home run from each side of the plate and the Giants led, 4-2, in the sixth inning of the second game. But Otis Nixon and Jeff Blauser each singled in a run to tie the score and Pendleton’s double put the Braves ahead.

Pittsburgh 2, St. Louis 1--Even Lee Smith can’t save the slumping Cardinals. Smith, trying for his 25th save, gave up two-out, run-scoring singles to Jeff King and Don Slaught during the ninth inning at Pittsburgh.

The Pirates swept the four-game series and sent the Cardinals reeling toward the cellar, 8 1/2 games behind the Pirates in the East.

The Pirates remain two games ahead of Montreal.

Montreal 1, Philadelphia 0--Chris Nabholz and John Wetteland held the Phillies to four hits at Montreal.

Delino DeShields walked against Ben Rivera (0-2) to open the sixth. After stealing second and third, DeShields scored when right fielder Wes Chamberlain misplayed Larry Walker’s drive into a double.

Nabholz (7-7) gave up three hits in eight innings for the win, and Wetteland pitched the ninth for his 23rd save.

Houston 5, Cincinnati 4--The first week of the Astros’ monthlong trip ended on a happy note at Cincinnati when rookie catcher Eddie Taubensee hit a two-run home run.

Taubensee’s second home run came during the seventh and made a loser of Jose Rijo (8-8).