National League Roundup : Darling Wins His First Since April 22 as Mets Defeat Braves Twice

Ron Darling and Randy Myers combined on an eight-hitter to help the New York Mets to a 5-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the second game Tuesday night for a sweep of their doubleheader at Atlanta.

The Mets also won the first game, 6-2, as unbeaten Terry Leach won his eighth consecutive game.

In the second game, Darling (3-6) won for the first time since April 22. The right-hander gave up seven hits over six innings. Myers gave up one hit over the final three innings to earn his first save.

New York took a 1-0 lead in the first off starter Randy O’Neal on Kevin McReynolds’ sacrifice fly, but Atlanta tied the score in the bottom of the inning on Ted Simmons’ run-scoring single.

New York went ahead, 2-1, in the seventh against reliever Jeff Dedmon (2-3). Howard Johnson led off with a walk, stole second and scored on Rafael Santana’s double.

The Mets added two runs in the eighth on a run-scoring single by Johnson and Barry Lyons’ sacrifice fly. New York scored its final run in the ninth when McReynolds singled to score Mookie Wilson.

In the opener, Leach allowed six hits over six innings to set a club record for most consecutive victories by a pitcher to start a season. Jesse Orosco and Roger McDowell finished up for the Mets.

“Eight-and-0 is nice. It’ll be good to have for a week,” Leach said. “Everybody sneaks in sometime on something. I guess it’s my year for it. This game can humble you in a hurry. I was not on. Fortunately, I made a few pitches when I needed them and I got the double plays.”

Leach said the heat bothered him, especially since he warmed up wearing a long-sleeved shirt.

“I went out and tried to pitch with (the long sleeves) on, thinking the temperature would drop a little bit and the moisture in the sleeves would keep me cool,” Leach said. “That didn’t work. In the first two innings, it made me feel like I’d thrown five.”

Trailing 1-0, New York scored three times in the seventh off Rick Mahler (5-9) on a two-run single by Santana and Wally Backman’s run-scoring single.

Philadelphia 10, Cincinnati 8--Luis Aguayo broke an 8-8 tie with a 10th-inning double as the Phillies rallied to beat the Reds at Cincinnati.

The Phillies, trailing, 8-1, scored four runs in the sixth inning.

John Franco (5-3) relieved Frank Williams in the eighth inning and surrendered a home run to Ron Roenicke that tied the game, 8-8. Franco then retired six straight batters until the 10th inning, when Chris James led off with a single and scored on Aguayo’s double to left. The Phillies added one more run on Von Hayes’ RBI single.

Kent Tekulve (3-3) pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief, and Steve Bedrosian recorded his 23rd save.

Earlier, Bo Diaz had a grand slam and six runs batted for the Reds, and Eric Davis hit his 25th homer, his seventh against the Phillies this season.

Pittsburgh 6, San Francisco 4--Jim Morrison hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 12th inning as the Pirates beat the Giants at Pittsburgh, ending a three-game losing streak.

Giants reliever Joe Price (1-1) retired the first two batters he faced before Sid Bream singled up the middle off the glove of Giants second baseman Robby Thompson. Morrison then hit his eighth homer.

Rookie Brett Gideon (1-0) worked a scoreless 12th inning for his first major league victory. Barry Jones had pitched three innings of one-hit relief before Gideon entered the game.

Montreal 2, Houston 0--Bob Sebra pitched a five-hitter and drove in the winning run to lead the Expos at Houston.

Sebra (5-9) allowed only one baserunner after the third inning, retiring the last 18 batters. He struck out six and walked none.

Bob Knepper (3-9) allowed six hits in eight innings and lost for the seventh time in his last eight decisions.

The second-inning RBI was Sebra’s first in 58 major league at-bats. Reid Nichols led off with a double and, two outs later, Sebra singled to left.