National League Roundup : Dawson Still Taking His Cut, Goes 5 for 5

There were two thoughts foremost in the mind of Andre Dawson when he offered to sign a contract with the Chicago Cubs and let them fill in the figure.

First, he felt the Montreal Expos had treated him shabbily when he became a free agent after 10 years as a star with the Expos. Then, too, he wanted to play in Wrigley Field on natural turf that he thought would benefit his tender knees.

So, for considerably less money than the $1 million offered by the Expos, Dawson signed with the Cubs. Dawson said he felt that his production for the Cubs would enable him to make more money in 1988 and later.

It may already be time for the Cubs to tear up the contract and give their new right fielder a new one for more money.

Since the Cubs went into Montreal for a weekend series, Dawson has been on a hitting spree.

Dawson went 5 for 5, hitting for the cycle for the first time in his career, to lead the Cubs to an 8-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants Wednesday at Chicago.

In his last five games, Dawson is 12 for 21 (.571), has hit 3 home runs and driven in 9 runs.

He homered in the first inning, doubled in the third, singled in the fourth, tripled in the sixth and started a new cycle with a single in the eighth.

“I didn’t know I had never hit for the cycle, but this is a game I won’t forget,� he told the Associated Press. “It came with a new club after playing 10 years with another club. It was one of those days. That’s the way it happens when you’re seeing the ball good and swinging the bat well.�

Hitting for the cycle was only one of Dawson’s unusual feats. Giant pitcher Roger Mason hit what appeared to be a single to right in the second inning, but Dawson hustled after the ball and his throw reached first baseman Leon Durham before the shocked Mason arrived.

Otherwise, it was a tough day for fielders. Battling a bright sun and strong wind, the Giants committed four errors, the Cubs one.

It was particularly difficult for Giant center fielder Chili Davis. With one on in the fourth and the score tied, Davis dropped Shawon Dunston’s fly for an error. Then, he broke in on Dave Martinez’ drive and it sailed over his head for a two-run triple.

The Giants even had trouble before the game. A throw by Candy Maldonado from right field struck Chris Brown below the right eye during infield practice, and the third baseman missed the game.

Atlanta 5, Cincinnati 2--Ken Griffey continues to show the Braves how happy he is they decided to make a deal with the New York Yankees last summer for him.

Griffey leaves no doubt how glad he was to get out of New York. In the 80 games he played for the Braves last season, the veteran outfielder hit 12 home runs and batted .308.

He’s doing even better this year, raising his average to .351. He homered and singled at Cincinnati and drove in two runs as the Braves beat Bill Gullickson (3-1).

Philadelphia 5, Montreal 0--Shane Rawley pitched a six-hitter at Philadelphia and became the first Phillies’ pitcher to go the distance this season.

Glenn Wilson and Luis Aguayo hit home runs to give Rawley the offense he needed to go nine innings for the first time since last June.

New York 2, Houston 1--Keith Hernandez continued his career success against Mike Scott, hitting a home run and a run-scoring single at New York to beat the Cy Young Award winner.

Hernandez is .393 lifetime against Scott, who is 3-1 this year.

Sid Fernandez pitched seven scoreless innings to improve his record to 4-0.

St. Louis 10, San Diego 6--After the Padres scored four runs in the top of the eighth at St. Louis to take a 6-5 lead, the Cardinals came right back with five in the bottom to win it. Curt Ford drove in the go-ahead run.