National League Roundup : It’s a Wild One, but Danny Jackson Manages to Gain His 19th Victory

Danny Jackson hit the opposing pitcher and walked in a run, but he still managed to become the National League’s first 19-game winner.

The Cincinnati Reds scored six runs in the first inning Tuesday night at Cincinnati to give Jackson (19-6) a nice cushion, and John Franco came in to get the last out as the Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-4.

The Pirates, who fell 7 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the East, had good pitching--after the first inning. But Brian Fisher, the starter, got only one batter out before the Reds scored six times. In the last 7 innings, the Reds had only one hit.

Bob Kipper, who went 5 innings, was hit by Jackson, triggering a four-run Pittsburgh third inning. But the Pirates never mounted another serious threat.

Jackson, 9-18 last season with the Kansas City Royals, tied Frank Viola of the Minnesota Twins for the most victories in the major leagues.

“I got 19 and have 7 more starts. If I don’t get 20 I’m in real trouble,� Jackson said.

New York 1, San Diego 0--The Mets needed a superb pitching performance in this game at New York because they were facing the hottest pitcher in the league, Dennis Rasmussen.

With the help of Kevin McReynolds’ throwing arm, Bob Ojeda (9-12) picked up his first victory in a month. Rasmussen (12-8), who gave up six hits in seven innings, had won 10 of 11 decisions since coming to the Padres from Cincinnati June 8.

McReynolds threw out two baserunners, including Randy Ready at the plate in sixth, and also scored the only run. He hit a double to open the seventh and scored on Gary Carter’s single.

The Mets lead the majors with 19 shutouts. It was also the third 1-0 victory for Ojeda, who said early in the season he enjoyed 1-0 games.

In the two games with the Mets, the Padres have no runs and seven hits, managing only one against David Cone on Monday night.

Houston 7, Chicago 4--Joaquin Andujar, pressed into a starting role because Bob Knepper was ailing, kept the Astros 6 1/2 games behind the Dodgers.

Andujar gave up three runs in three innings, then settled down to pitch three shutout innings and win for the first time since July 18.

Dennis Walling, batting for Andujar singled home the tiebreaking run in the sixth.

Philadelphia 7, San Francisco 5--When the Dodgers swept three games in Philadelphia over the weekend, it was pointed out how weak the Phillies are.

Tell that to the Giants. The Phillies have beaten the Giants twice in a row.

Rookie Ron Jones delivered a two-run single with two out in the eighth inning to bring the Phillies from behind.

Kent Tekulve pitched an inning for the Phillies in his 1,000th appearance. Only Hoyt Wilhelm (1,070) has appeared in more games as a pitcher.

Tekulve relieved starter David Palmer in the seventh and gave up a hit. Catcher Lance Parrish asked him if he was nervous.

“Nah,� was the answer. “Heck, I’ve had 999 times to prepare for this. The first batter I faced was Bob Bailey of Montreal. He hit the ball right back to me. I was nervous then.�

Philadelphia rookie Ricky Jordan had his hitting streak stopped at 18 games.

St. Louis 9, Atlanta 1--Obviously, the Dodgers are happy with John Tudor, but, also obviously, the Cardinals are happy with Pedro Guerrero.

Since being shut out in Guerrero’s first game with them, the Cardinals have come up with a robust attack. Jose Oquendo’s three-run home run and Guerrero’s two RBIs led this romp at Atlanta.

The Cardinals have 60 runs in the last 13 games.

Greg Mathews, in his third appearance after missing three months because of an inflamed shoulder, held the Braves--the first team eliminated from the division race--to no runs and four hits in eight innings for his first win since May 4.