NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Johnson’s 30th Steal Is Stolen

A catcher didn’t prevent the New York Mets’ Howard Johnson from stealing his 30th base, which would have been the third 30-30 season of his career.

Instead, it was an official scorer who ruled it a fielder’s choice when Johnson, who has 38 home runs, took third base without a play being made on him in the third inning at Pittsburgh in a game won by the Pirates, 2-1.

Tony Krizmanich, the official scorer, cited rule 10.08-g which denies a stolen base when the runner advances through defensive indifference. Catcher Mike LaValliere did not throw the ball and third baseman Steve Buechele made no effort to cover the base.

John Smiley (19-8) pitched 4 1/3 innings in his first relief appearance of the year. He will get a chance to get his first 20-win season this weekend.

San Francisco 6, Houston 4--Matt Williams hit his 33rd home run and John Burkett pitched 6 2/3 strong innings to lead the Giants over the Astros at San Francisco.

Before the game, Giant pitching coach Norm Sherry and third base coach Bill Fahey were told by club President Al Rosen that their contracts will not be renewed after the 1991 season.

Burkett (12-11) is 3-1 in four starts after going six starts without a win. He gave up three runs and seven hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.

St. Louis 3, Montreal 1--Lee Smith set a National League record with his 46th save in the victory over the Expos at St. Louis. The Cardinal pitcher broke the mark of 45 set by the Cardinals’ Bruce Sutter in 1984. Smith became the fifth major leaguer to record at least 46 saves in a season. His previous high was 36 in 1987 with the Chicago Cubs.

Rookie Omar Olivares (11-6) gave up six hits in eight innings and Todd Zeile doubled home two runs in the first inning.

Philadelphia 6, Chicago 5--The Phillies won it in the 13th inning on John Kruk’s two-out single at Philadelphia.

Steve Lake hit a one-out double off Paul Assenmacher (7-8). After John Morris was hit by a pitch and Wes Chamberlain flied out, Kruk singled down the left-field line to make Assenmacher a loser for the second straight night.