NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Pirates Win, Clinch at Least a Tie for Title

Ten days ago the Pittsburgh Pirates set a goal: clinch the National League East championship before the final three-game series against the New York Mets.

That goal is definitely in sight.

Bob Walk (7-5) pitched a four-hitter and doubled in a run Saturday at St. Louis to lead the Pirates to an 8-0 victory over the Cardinals and clinch a tie for their first division title since 1979.

Today the Pirates, needing one more victory or a Met defeat, will send the winningest pitcher in the league, Doug Drabek (21-6), against the last-place Cardinals.

It was the sixth victory in a row for the Pirates, who appear to be reaching a peak for the playoffs.

“We’re excited about where we are,� said Jay Bell, whose three-run homer was a key Friday night, “but at the same time we know what we have to do. We want to clinch it before we jump for joy.�

In most of the Pirates’ 93 victories, one or more of the trio of Andy Van Slyke, Bobby Bonilla and Barry Bonds has led the attack. In this one, they were a combined one for 15.

But Sid Bream hit his 14th home run, Bell, Mike LaValliere and Jose Lind each had two hits and Walk came through with a key sacrifice besides his double.

Since Sept. 20, when Montreal swept a doubleheader against the Mets to give the Pirates a 2 1/2-game lead, the Pirates have lost once. They lead by four with four to play.

In two previous starts against the Cardinals, Walk was 0-2 with an earned-run average of 5.17.

But working on eight days of rest, Walk--bothered by a back problem much of the season--needed only 103 pitches. He was never in serious trouble.

“After today, I’ll be able to go into wintertime with a little bit better thoughts when I’m sitting around the fireplace,� Walk said. “It’s my best outing in two years.�

The Cardinals will finish last for the first time since 1918.

Chicago 3, New York 2--Once again playing without injured sluggers Darryl Strawberry and Kevin McReynolds, the Mets reached the edge of elimination at New York.

Although they had Frank Viola going for his 20th victory, the Mets couldn’t handle Cub pitchers Les Lancaster (9-5) and Paul Assenmacher. Lancaster held the Mets hitless until Dave Magadan homered with one out in the fourth. The Mets had only six other hits, with the left-handed Assenmacher working four shutout innings for his ninth save.

Doug Dascenzo’s two-out, two-run single capped the three-run second inning that beat Viola (19-12).

“It’s not the way we wanted to play these games,� Met Manager Bud Harrelson said. “We need Darryl and Kevin. There’s not a whole lot to say. It’s an emotional letdown.�

Strawberry has a sore back and McReynolds has an infected toe. Between them they have 61 home runs and 190 runs batted in.

Apparently, about all that’s left for the Mets is Magadan’s drive for the batting title. His sixth home run was his only hit in three at-bats. Magadan is at .330, while Willie McGee--now with the Oakland Athletics--is at .335.

With four games left, Magadan, by going eight for 16, could win the title.

Houston 9, Atlanta 0--Glenn Davis doubled twice, drove in three runs, scored three and was involved in a bench-clearing incident at Atlanta.

Davis, hit by a pitch in the fifth, was almost hit in the sixth by Dwayne Henry. Davis argued with catcher Kelly Mann and both dugouts emptied.

Montreal 5, Philadelphia 1--Brian Barnes pitched a three-hitter for his first major league victory and the Expos ended their eight-game losing streak by defeating the Phillies at Montreal.