NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Shinn Can’t Save Giants From Gooden, Mets, 4-1

Dwight Gooden, ignoring the circus atmosphere created by the presence of potential San Francisco Giants’ buyer George Shinn, pitched seven strong innings and hit a two-run homer as the New York Mets beat the Giants, 4-1, Monday night at San Francisco.

While Gooden was hitting and pitching the Mets to victory, Shinn wandered around Candlestick Park with an entourage headed by San Francisco Mayor Frank Jordan, shaking hands with fans who cheered his every move and chanted, “George! George!” throughout the game.

Shinn, owner of the NBA Charlotte Hornets, is in San Francisco meeting with Jordan and potential investors in hopes of forming an offer to buy the team and keep it from moving to St. Petersburg, Fla.

Gooden (7-11) won his first game since July 4. He was 0-4 in five starts since then, two losses coming before he went on the disabled list July 18 with inflammation of his right shoulder. Gooden allowed seven hits and one run in seven innings, with two walks and four strikeouts.

Daryl Boston led off the game with a home run against Giant starter Bill Swift.

The Giants tied it on Will Clark’s RBI double in the third.

Swift left after three innings with a mild strain of his right triceps muscle, and the Mets greeted Bryan Hickerson (5-3) with three runs in the fourth.

Kevin Bass led off with a single, and two outs later, Gooden hit the fifth home run of his career.

Boston and Dick Schofield followed with consecutive doubles.

Chicago 6, San Diego 3--Frank Castillo recorded his first victory since June 28 and Derrick May hit a three-run homer to cap a six-run third inning as the Chicago Cubs won their fifth consecutive game by beating the Padres at San Diego.

Castillo (7-10), who had four defeats and no decisions five times in his last nine starts, gave up two runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three. Bob Scanlan, the fourth Cub pitcher, worked one inning for his 10th save.

Greg Harris (2-5), making his first start for San Diego since suffering a broken finger June 22 on an attempted bunt, gave up six runs and seven hits in five innings.

Fred McGriff hit his 28th homer for the Padres.

Cincinnati 8, Philadelphia 5--Barry Larkin and Bip Roberts each homered and had three hits as the Reds downed the Phillies at Cincinnati.

The Reds moved to within 5 1/2 games of idle Atlanta in the West.

Roberts doubled twice and added a solo homer to help send the Phillies to their fourth consecutive setback.

Darren Daulton hit his 23rd homer for the Phillies.