Clark Continues to ‘Struggle’ as Cardinals Win

ST. LOUIS —  For good reason, St. Louis Manager Whitey Herzog keeps scoffing at Jack Clark’s claim that he’s not hitting so well.

“It reminds me of (former St. Louis catcher) Darrell Porter,” Herzog said after Clark continued his hot hitting in May with two homers Thursday to pace the Cardinals’ 11-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

“One time we were in New York. Darrell had a home run, a single and a double. I looked up the next day, and he was taking extra batting practice. I said, ‘What’s going on?’ He said, ‘I’m not feeling right.’ ”

Clark’s homers, giving him 15 for the year, headed an 18-hit St. Louis offense and boosted his major league-leading RBI total to 48.

“I’m still trying to work at it,” Clark said of his hitting. “One time it’s on, the next time it’s not. I can tell by the way the ball leaves the bat.”

Despite his misgivings, Clark boosted his batting average to .344--tied for the third in the National League--and increased his RBI total for the month to 35 in 23 games.

“You have to give Jack Clark credit--he’s paid to hit home runs and that’s what he’s doing,” Atlanta pitcher Rick Mahler said.

“The first time he hit a fastball. The second time he hit a curve. This is not the easiest park to hit home runs in.”

The Braves, after jumping in front 1-0 with the aid of an error, watched Clark send St. Louis ahead with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning.

Tommy Herr’s single, Curt Ford’s double and Tony Pena’s grounder gave the Cardinals a 3-1 lead in the second. Atlanta regained the lead on Rafael Ramirez’ run-scoring double and Gary Roenicke’s two-run single at 4-3, but the Cardinals tied it in the third and scored another in the fourth to take the lead for good, 5-4.

Clark’s first home run sailed 416 feet into the center-field bleachers, and his second traveled 366 feet to start St. Louis’ three-run fifth.

“I’m using a closed stance, just because of the way I feel,” said Clark, who also singled. “They don’t want to pitch me in. That’s why I hit the ball to center.”

Bill Dawley, who had lost 11 straight decisions since Oct. 2, 1985, picked up the victory for St. Louis in relief and contributed two singles to the Cardinals’ highest hit total of the year. Mahler (2-6) took the loss.