NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Smiley Helps Own Cause With Four Hits

John Smiley went four for four with three runs batted in and pitched an eight-hitter Monday night at Montreal, leading the Cincinnati Reds past the Montreal Expos, 12-3.

“I was just trying to make contact,” said Smiley, who has struggled on the mound this season after signing as a free agent. “It’s just that I found some holes. I don’t pay too much emphasis to my hitting. I like the wins more.”

Smiley (3-7) had a run-scoring single in the second inning and a two-run single in the fifth to give him five RBIs this season, best among Cincinnati pitchers. He also had singles in the eighth and ninth.

Smiley is the first Cincinnati pitcher to get four hits in a game since Danny Jackson did it Sept. 4, 1988, at Chicago.

“The scouting report on the Expos is that they are very aggressive on fastballs inside so I tried to move the ball around on them,” Smiley said. “They’re free swingers.”

The Reds had 18 hits against four pitchers. Bip Roberts also had four hits for Cincinnati.

“Well, with that number of hits, there’s more chance for errors,” Expo Manager Felipe Alou said. “Many of those balls were hard hit, too.”

New York 7, Chicago 2--Dwight Gooden ran his lifetime record against Chicago to 26-4 with a seven-hitter, and the Mets scored six runs in the second inning at New York.

Gooden (7-4) has five of the Mets’ 10 victories at home this season. His career record against the Cubs at Shea Stadium is 15-1.

The right-hander gave up solo homers to Rick Wilkins and Mark Grace. It was Gooden’s fourth complete game of the season and the 64th of his career.

The Mets had seven hits in their big second inning. After Bobby Bonilla and Joe Orsulak opened the second with consecutive singles off Frank Castillo (1-4), Howard Johnson, Jeff Kent and Todd Hundley followed with run-scoring singles to make it 3-0.

Philadelphia 7, Houston 5--Mariano Duncan extended his hitting streak to 12 games with two triples and a single, driving in three runs at Philadelphia.

The Astros had a four-game winning streak ended, while the Phillies won for the 11th time in their last 14 games.

Danny Jackson (5-2) pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up six hits and one run for the victory.

Loser Greg Swindell (5-5) worked six innings before leaving for a pinch-hitter. He gave up three runs and eight hits.

Mitch Williams finished for his 17th save.

The Phillies took a 3-1 lead in the sixth, Duncan driving in one run with a triple and scoring on Darren Daulton’s double. Pete Incaviglia singled home another run.

Including Saturday night, Duncan is nine for 12 including three triples and a home run in three games. During his hitting streak, he has raised his average from .212 to .263.

The Astros trailed, 7-1, before scoring four runs in the ninth against reliever David West. Williams came in to get the final out.

Atlanta 4, San Diego 0--Steve Avery pitched a four-hitter at San Diego for his first shutout of the season as the Braves sent the Padres to their fourth consecutive loss.

Padre left fielder Phil Clark dropped a fly ball in the third inning, leading to four unearned runs. The Padres have lost 12 of their last 15 games.

Avery (7-2) won his sixth decision in a row. He also had two hits, including a double to spark the third inning.

Andy Benes (7-5) should have escaped a bases-loaded jam with two outs in the third, but Clark made his second error in two games on a fly ball to shallow left field by David Justice, and two runs scored. Ron Gant then hit a two-run double.

Avery started the rally with a one-out double, and after he held at second on a grounder, Benes walked one batter and hit another with a pitch to load the bases.