Astros’ Kile Joins the No-Hitter Club : Baseball: Four days after Abbott’s feat, he strikes out nine, walks one in 7-1 victory over Mets.

A season that began with a personal loss for Darryl Kile peaked Wednesday night with the most professional of victories.

Kile pitched baseball’s second no-hitter in five days, leading the Houston Astros to a 7-1 victory over the New York Mets at Houston.

“The only thing I can think of that would be more exciting would be to win the seventh game of the World Series,” said Kile, a 24-year-old right-hander. “I thought I’d be nervous in the ninth, but I just wanted to make certain I kept doing the things that got me that far.”

Despite the jubilation, it did not take Kile long to recall the first day of spring training, when he was told his father had developed a blood clot in the brain. Five days later, David Kile died.

“It’s something I wish he could have been here to see and be a part of, and who knows, maybe he did,” Kile said.

Kile, backed by excellent plays from third baseman Ken Caminiti and shortstop Andujar Cedeno during the seventh inning, pitched Houston’s ninth no-hitter, the first since Mike Scott clinched the National League West championship with a 2-0 victory over San Francisco on Sept. 25, 1986.

Kile (15-6) struck out nine and walked one. His no-hitter came after Jim Abbott pitched a no-hitter for the New York Yankees against Cleveland on Saturday.

Seattle’s Chris Bosio pitched the other no-hitter in the majors this season, against Boston on April 22. The last National League no-hitter was by the Dodgers’ Kevin Gross on Aug. 17, 1992.

An Astrodome crowd of 15,684 stood as Kile finished the ninth by retiring Todd Hundley on a routine grounder and striking out pinch-hitters Tito Navarro and Chico Walker.

Kile retired the first 10 batters before walking Jeff McKnight with one out in the fourth. McKnight scored with two out on a bizarre play.

Kile’s pitch appeared to hit Joe Orsulak on the foot, and the ball bounced away. Catcher Scott Servais apparently thought the ball hit Orsulak and did not attempt to retrieve it, and McKnight ran to third. First baseman Jeff Bagwell recovered the ball and threw wildly to third, allowing McKnight to score.

Caminiti and Cedeno homered for the Astros.

Cincinnati 6, St. Louis 2--Joe Oliver hit two homers and drove in four runs as the Reds beat the Cardinals at Cincinnati.

Mark Whiten, who had four homers and 12 RBIs Tuesday, singled in the second inning against Bobby Ayala (6-7), ending his streak of three consecutive homers.

Montreal 6, Colorado 1--Rookie Kirk Rueter (7-0) gave up one run in 6 2/3 innings at Montreal as the Expos won for the 12th time in their last 13 games.

Chicago 8, Philadelphia 5--Kevin Roberson’s pinch-hit triple with the bases loaded capped a seven-run rally with two out in the eighth inning at Philadelphia as the Cubs won a season-high sixth consecutive game.

San Diego 3, Florida 2--Brad Ausmus singled to lead off the eighth and scored the winning run on a groundout to lift the Padres at San Diego.