National League Roundup : Suddenly, All Is Not Well for Mets in Dream Season

It has been a dream season for the New York Mets. Most of their players have lived up to or exceeded expectations. They long ago wrapped up the championship of the National League East.

The pitching staff was being touted as one of the best in major league history. Last week, the Mets were talking about their chances of breaking the 1954 Cleveland Indians modern record of 111 victories in a season. At least they figured to top the league record (since the 162-game schedule) of 108 won by the Cincinnati Reds in 1975.

Suddenly, all is not wonderful in dreamland.

One of the problems is the collapse of Sid Fernandez. The former Dodger left-hander went into the All-Star game with the best record on the staff (12-2). But in his four starts since the break, he has been terrible.

Although he was not around for Jerry Mumphrey’s three-run pinch homer in the eighth inning that gave the Cubs an 8-5 victory Tuesday at Chicago, he had another bad outing.

Fernandez was knocked out with one out in the sixth. He gave up eight hits and five runs, walked three and struck out four.

In 20 innings in his last four starts, he has struck out 26 batters. But, he has given up 26 hits and 17 runs, all earned. His record has slipped to 12-4, and the club has lost all four games.

They have a 69-34 record, which means they must finish with a 42-19 mark to tie the Indians, who won 111 while losing only 43.

Fernandez isn’t the only problem. Some of the players are grumbling about George Foster. The veteran slugger, who is batting only .230 and is playing part time, is showing his displeasure by showing up late for practice. Some players think he is trying to get himself traded.

Then there is Ray Knight. The third baseman is having a big year. However, there are reports that Knight, 34, will not be offered a contract for next season.

And, finally, Roger McDowell, who had a staple in the bullpen, is having his problems. After winning his first seven decisions for a Mets’ mark, he has lost six of his last eight.

McDowell (9-6) served up the pitch that Mumphrey hit to give the Cubs their second in a row over the Mets. In the last 11 games, the Mets are 6-5.

St. Louis 7, Philadelphia 4--If trade rumors are true, the Houston Astros are going to get a hot pitcher--and a hot hitter--in Bob Forsch.

Forsch (11-6) held the Phillies to four hits and two runs until he tired in the ninth inning at St. Louis. He also had two hits and scored two runs.

The 36-year-old right-hander, who has been with the Cardinals since 1974, admitted he had heard the rumors that he would be traded to the Astros.

“Nobody’s talked to me,” said Forsch, who, as a 10-year man, would have to approve a trade. “I just pitch when they give me the ball.”

Atlanta 3, San Diego 2--After 13 years in the minors, Cliff Speck made his first start in the majors a winning one at San Diego.

Speck, a onetime first-round draft choice of the Mets, gave up five hits and a run in 5 innings as a replacement for injured Zane Smith.

Ed Olwine replaced Speck and retired nine in a row until Carmelo Martinez hit a home run in the ninth.

Montreal 3, Pittsburgh 0--Dennis Martinez finally pitched in this game at Pittsburgh the way the Expos expected him to when they acquired him from Baltimore June 16.

Martinez pitched a four-hitter in his fifth start for the Expos and won his first game in the National League after three defeats.

Cincinnati 11, San Francisco 6--Dave Parker and Bo Diaz each drove in three runs to spoil a milestone for the Giants’ Steve Carlton at San Francisco.

Carlton (5-11) struck out Eric Davis in the third inning for the 4,000th strikeout of his career. Carlton received a prolonged ovation, but he left the game with two out in the fourth, having given up seven runs on seven hits, three walks, a wild pitch and a balk.

The 41-year-old left-hander became the second pitcher in major league history to reach the 4,000 mark. The record of 4,209 is held by Houston’s Nolan Ryan. Carlton became the first left-hander to reach 4,000 and the only one to record all of his strikeouts in the National League.