NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Viola Can’t Help Himself, Mets in 4-3 Setback

More than winning his 20th game, Frank Viola knew the importance of a victory in Monday’s game for the New York Mets.

Viola was close to accomplishing both before Ryne Sandberg hit a home run that sparked the Chicago Cubs to three runs in the sixth inning and a 4-3 victory at Chicago.

The setback dropped the second-place Mets three games behind Pittsburgh in the NL East and lowered the Pirates’ magic number to seven.

“It doesn’t look good, but we still have time,” Viola said.

After Sandberg’s homer made it 3-2, the Cubs got consecutive singles from Mark Grace, Andre Dawson and Luis Salazar. Shawon Dunston hit into a double play, but Doug Dascenzo singled home Dawson with the winning run.

Viola (19-11) was trying to join Doug Drabek of the Pirates, who is the league’s only 20-game winner. He seemed well on his way until Sandberg homered for the third time in five games.

“Sandberg’s home run is the one pitch I wish I could take back,” Viola said of the changeup, which wound up in the left-field seats for Sandberg’s 38th homer.

Paul Assenmacher (7-2) finished with 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits. He got into trouble with two out in the ninth when Dave Magadan reached first base on a wild pitch after striking out and Gregg Jefferies singled. But Darryl Strawberry flied to left for the final out.

The Mets stranded 10 runners, seven in the last four innings.

Kevin McReynolds, who has 24 home runs, hit two homers for the Mets, and Howard Johnson added his 23rd.

Philadelphia 3, Montreal 0--Pat Combs pitched a four-hitter and singled in a run as the Phillies all but eliminated the Expos in the East with a four-game sweep at Philadelphia.

The Expos are seven games back with nine remaining.

San Francisco 3, San Diego 1-- Kelly Downs gave up one run in six innings and Will Clark hit his 19th homer at San Francisco as the Giants handed the Padres their sixth consecutive defeat.