National League Roundup : Kennedy Gets to Davis, Gives Padres a Victory

Afterward, Terry Kennedy said he would have settled for a sacrifice.

Instead, he drilled a two-run double off San Francisco reliever Mark Davis in the eighth inning to lift the Padres to a 6-5 victory Thursday afternoon at San Diego.

“I had a little confidence because of the home run earlier,� said Kennedy, who hit a two-run shot off starter Mike Krukow in the fourth inning.

“It’s the first hit I’ve ever got against Davis. I’m happy I could get something to reach and put the bat on.�

Krukow walked pinch-hitter Al Bumbry to open the eighth with the Giants leading, 5-3. He was relieved by Davis, who issued a walk to Jerry Royster. After fouling off a bunt, Tony Gwynn singled to center to score Bumbry and move Royster to third. Kennedy drove in both runners with his drive into the gap past right fielder Chili Davis.

“I wasn’t thinking about driving Tony in from first, I was just looking for something up that I could hit to the outfield to drive in the tying run,� Kennedy said.

Kennedy’s hit gave LaMarr Hoyt (9-4) his seventh straight victory. Hoyt allowed nine hits, including two home runs to Jeff Leonard, walked one and struck out six in eight innings. Rich Gossage pitched the ninth for his 16th save.

Pittsburgh 2, Montreal 1--Rick Rhoden gave up only three hits and drove in the winning run with a double as the last-place Pirates edged the first-place Expos at Montreal in a battle of the best and worst of the NL East.

Rhoden (5-7) went seven innings, striking out five and walking two, and snapped a personal three-game losing streak. Al Holland allowed two hits over the final two innings to record his fifth save.

Rhoden, who had two hits, drove in the winning run as Pittsburgh rallied to score a pair of runs against Expo starter Dan Schatzeder (2-3) in the fifth inning.

New York 5, Chicago 3--George Foster hit his 12th career grand slam and Sid Fernandez struck out a career-high 10 to lead the Mets past the Cubs at New York.

It was Chicago’s ninth straight loss.

Fernandez (2-4) pitched the first six innings, allowing five hits and two walks. Roger McDowell pitched the last three innings for his fourth save.

Loser Ray Fontenot (1-3) lasted four innings.

Houston 2, Atlanta 0--Phil Garner’s two-run homer in the eighth inning snapped a scoreless pitching duel between the Astros’ Bob Knepper and the Braves’ Rick Mahler, giving Houston the win at Atlanta.

Alan Ashby led off the eighth with a walk, becoming only the fourth Astro baserunner allowed by Mahler (10-6). Garner then hit a drive over the center-field fence for his fourth home run of the season.

Knepper (7-3) scattered six hits over 8 innings. He struck out two and walked four. Dave Smith got the final out for his 12th save.

St. Louis 5, Philadelphia 0--Danny Cox ran his scoreless string to 23 inings, and Tommy Herr doubled twice and drove in a run as the Cardinals shut out the Phillies at Busch Stadium.

Cox (9-2) last allowed a run June 10 against Pittsburgh and has yielded just one run in his last 27 innings. Thursday’s win tied the right-hander’s career-high for victories. Cox has pitched complete games in five of his last six starts and has gone the distance six times this season. He struck out seven and walked two while allowing the Phillies nine hits.

Tommy Herr’s two doubles helped him maintain his lead in the National League batting race, raising his average to .353. He has led the NL since May 8. Willie McGee, who had two hits, remained in second place at .350.

Kevin Gross (5-7) took the loss.