National League Roundup : Forsch Clears Decks; Pirates Fall, 5-4

The Houston Astros want Bob Forsch for his pitching, but the 36-year-old right-hander is somewhat of a hitter, too.

On his way to a career-high sixth victory in a row, Forsch hit a grand slam Sunday at St. Louis in the Cardinals’ 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It was the ninth major league home run for Forsch. It was the 35th this season for the Cardinals, who would have to hit 27 more in 53 games to hit more than Roger Maris did when he broke Babe Ruth’s record in 1961.

Forsch, who improved his record to 12-6, is in his 13th season, all with the Cardinals. He had a no-hitter through five innings and a two-hitter until he tired in the eighth. After allowing two singles, a sacrifice fly and a walk in the eighth, Forsch was removed.

Todd Worrell got the last five outs to earn his 24th save, a major league record for a rookie.

Although Forsch was the main show, as he produced the first Cardinal home run in the last 12 games, Vince Coleman was the sideshow. The speedy outfielder stole four bases for the third time this season and now has 82 steals. He is 12 games ahead of Lou Brock’s pace when he set the National League record of 118 steals in 1974.

The Astros, partly because of the tenderness in Nolan Ryan’s pitching arm, have offered the Cardinals a deal for Forsch. As a 13-year member of the Cardinals, Forsch can refuse a trade. Reportedly, he has made a counter offer. He will, he said, go to the Astros on a “loan,” if the Cardinals will agree to sign him when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.

“I love St. Louis and I want to finish my career here,” he said when the rumor first surfaced.

Forsch said he knew what to expect when he faced Mike Bielecki with the bases loaded in the fifth and the Cardinals leading, 1-0.

“I looked so terrible striking out on three breaking balls the first time up, I was sure he’d throw me another one,” Forsch said. “I was ready for it and I made a good connection.

“I didn’t want to come out of the dugout after the home run. I think it makes the other team think you’re trying to show them up. But the fans insisted and I had to come out.”

Forsch, who missed most of last season after undergoing elbow surgery, has been one of the few bright spots of a dismal year for the Cardinals. Although they have been playing well lately, they are still three games below .500 after posting the best record in the majors last season.

“He has pitched better this season than I have seen him pitch,” Cardinal Manager Whitey Herzog said of Forsch. “He’s even better than he was in 1982, when he won 15 games to help us win the pennant.”

San Francisco 4, Atlanta 3--Just about the time it appears the Giants are beginning to falter, they come battling back.

With late-inning rallies in two games in a row within 14 hours, the Giants have moved to within four games of the Houston Astros.

In this one at Atlanta, the Giants trailed, 3-2, with the bases loaded and two out in the ninth. Harry Spilman lined a single to right off Gene Garber, two runs scored and the Giants pulled it out.

Early Sunday morning, Mike Aldrete hit a home run in the ninth to tie the long game, and the Giants scored twice in the 10th to win it. Bob Horner flied out with the bases loaded to end the game. Horner had given the Braves the lead with a home run in the fourth inning.

San Diego 5, Houston 3--Steve Garvey has beaten many teams with his bat. Almost never has he beaten them with his arm, but he has with his glove.

Garvey’s bat and glove slowed the Astros’ bid to win the West in this game at Houston and ended the Padres’ five-game losing streak.

In the first inning, the former Dodger first baseman drove in two runs with a double. Then, in the third, he made a diving catch of Phil Garner’s two-out liner with runners on first and second.

“If Garner’s smash had gotten by Garvey, it would have been a different ballgame,” Padre Manager Steve Boros said.

Dave Dravecky, who has been hampered by a sore elbow, gave up six hits and a run in six innings for his first win in six weeks.

The Astros, who have developed a knack for pulling out games in the last two innings, scored twice in the ninth before Rich Gossage stopped them. Kevin McReynolds homered for the Padres, who ended the four-game winning streak of Houston pitcher Bob Knepper (14-8).

New York 7, Montreal 2--After three weak performances, Sid Fernandez pitched a solid six innings at Montreal to become the Mets’ first 13-game winner.

Fernandez gave up three hits, including a home run by Vance Law, and struck out seven to improve his record to 13-4.

With the score tied, 2-2, the Mets had two runners on in the seventh when Wally Backman hit the ball over left fielder Tim Raines’ head for a double to drive in two runs and make a loser of Dennis Martinez.

“I thought I deserved a better fate,” Martinez said. “I was surprised to see Raines playing in so close. If he’d been a little deeper, it would have been an easy out.”

Chicago 4, Philadelphia 0--With two men on in the first inning at Chicago, Gary Matthews hit the ball toward right in an effort to avoid hitting into a double play.

He got it up, and the 13-m.p.h. wind did the rest, carrying it into the right-field seats for his 15th home run.

Ed Lynch, who pitched a six-hitter, didn’t need any more help and improved his record with the Cubs to 3-1. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter.