National League Roundup : Bosley Is Right Man in the Pinch for Cubs as They Edge Montreal

It took a player who has been with six major league clubs in eight years to break the Chicago Cubs’ seven-game losing streak Monday.

Thad Bosley, the leading pinch-hitter in the major leagues this year, hit two homers and added five RBIs as the Cubs defeated the Montreal Expos, 8-7, at Chicago.

It was the first two-home run game ever for Bosley, who also played with six minor league clubs.

Bosley hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the sixth and delivered a two-run shot in the eighth off Montreal reliever Jeff Reardon.

“I was looking to drive the ball both times,” said Bosley, who stayed in the game after pinch-hitting in the sixth. “He threw me a pitch over the plate, and I wasn’t sure whether the wind would hold it up.”

But, Bosley, who first came up with the Angels in 1977 and played every day, doesn’t like the idea of being strictly a pinch-hitter.

“I won’t accept my role as a pinch-hitter, and that is why I’ve been successful,” said Bosley, who has 13 pinch-hits, tops in the majors this season.

The Cubs are changing their infield alignment. They released Larry Bowa, who has the highest fielding percentage at shortstop in major league history, and recalled Shawon Dunston from their Triple-A affiliate at Iowa. Dunston began the season at shortstop for the Cubs.

The wind, blowing out at 13 m.p.h. at Wrigley Field, helped along seven home runs, including four by Montreal. Tim Wallach had two homers for the Expos.

Montreal, which had won three straight, had a 5-0 lead. The Expos led, 6-3, in the sixth inning, but Bosley hit the three-run homer to tie it.

Reliever Dave Gumpert got his first victory of the season.

Lee Smith pitched the ninth inning to earn his 29th save.

New York 4, Philadelphia 3--It seems that every time Sid Fernandez has a no-hitter or a one-hitter heading into the latter innings, he gives up some key hits and sometimes even loses the game.

But, Fernandez, with some relief help in the ninth inning, got the win at New York and helped the Mets win their eighth straight game.

Fernandez had a career-high 13 strikeouts and a one-hitter going into the top of the ninth with a 4-0 lead. When the first two Phillies got hits, he was removed in favor of reliever Roger McDowell, who gave a up a three-run homer to Glenn Wilson. Jesse Orosco came on to record his 12th save and the Mets held on to give Fernandez (4-6) the win.

Keith Hernandez drove in three runs including his 19th game-winning hit. Wally Backman had three hits and scored three runs.

The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the first inning off loser John Denny (7-9), when Backman reached on a force play and scored on a double by Hernandez. The Mets added two runs in the third on a single by Len Dykstra, an RBI double by Backman and a single by Hernandez.

In the sixth inning, Backman bunted for a single, moved to third on a wild pitch by Denny and scored on Hernandez’s sacrifice fly.

San Diego 2, Cincinnati 0--The Padres won the battle of the Dodger-chasers at Jack Murphy Stadium as Mark Thurmond and rookie Lance McCullers combined on an eight-hitter. The Padres are seven games behind the Dodgers; the Reds are eight back.

Steve Garvey doubled in Garry Templeton and Tony Gwynn for the only two runs of the game. Thurmond, making his first start since July 11, left the game in the seventh inning with a pulled muscle in his left hip. McCullers, making his major league debut after being called up from Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League, got the save.

Mario Soto (10-13) took the loss for Cincinnati as the Reds lost their fourth game in a row.

St. Louis 8, Pittsburgh 1--The Cardinals remained one game behind the Mets as Darrell Porter hit a three-run homer at St. Louis.

John Tudor pitched a five-hitter over eight innings and won his 14th game in his last 15 starts. Rookie Vince Coleman had two hits for the Cardinals and stole three bases, giving him a major league leading 81 for the season.