NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Expos Power Into Contention

Larry Walker moved the Montreal Expos within striking distance of Eastern Division-leading Pittsburgh Sunday with a three-run ninth-inning home run that gave the Expos a 7-5 victory over the New York Mets at Montreal.

The victory, coupled with Pittsburgh’s loss to Philadelphia, pulled the Expos to within three games of the Pirates.

“That’s definitely was in the top four or five of the biggest home runs of my career,” Walker said. “It’s right up there as far as timing is concerned.”

Marquis Grissom and Bret Barberie started the ninth inning with singles against Anthony Young (2-12) and Ivan Calderon popped out to first before Walker hit Young’s first pitch to left for his 22nd homer.

“I was looking to drive the ball,” Walker said. “If I was trying to hit a home run, I would have pulled the ball to second and hit into a double play. It was exciting to hit a homer to win a game, knowing that the Pirates had lost.”

Young has lost his last 12 decisions. Mel Rojas (6-1) pitched a perfect ninth inning for the win. The Expos begin a seven-game trip tonight at Philadelphia.

“With the kind of club we’ve got, being down four runs is no big deal,” said outfielder Ivan Calderon, who had a run-scoring groundout in the fifth and homered in the eighth. “We’ve got power hitters, guys with speed and guys who can get on the bases.”

Met starter Dwight Gooden was in position to record his ninth victory after giving up three runs in seven-plus innings. Gooden gave up nine hits, struck out five and walked three.

Philadelphia 6, Pittsburgh 3--Rookie Todd Pratt of the Phillies hit a controversial three-run home run that broke an eighth-inning tie at Philadelphia.

On a 2-2 pitch from Bob Patterson (6-3), Pratt appeared to hit the yellow line just below the left-field foul pole. The ball bounced back onto the field but was ruled a home run. Left fielder Barry Bonds and Pirate Manager Jim Leyland argued with umpires for a few minutes that the ball was in play.

“It hit the top of the fence then I had it hitting the foul poll and coming back on the field and that’s a home run,” umpire Dana DeMuth said.

Dave Hollins started the rally with a one-out single and moved to third when John Kruk singled, his third hit of the game. Kruk moved to second on the throw to third.

Winner Terry Mulholland (13-10) pitched a six-hitter and his league-leading 11th complete game.

The Pirates tied the score, 3-3, in the eighth.

With one out, Gary Redus tripled and scored on Jay Bell’s single. The hit extended Bell’s hitting streak to 18 games.

Atlanta 9, Houston 2--The Braves extended their win streak to nine games with their 14th consecutive victory at the Astrodome. Charlie Leibrandt (12-6) pitched six innings and drove in a run for the Braves, who increased their lead over Cincinnati to 10 1/2 games.

“They are at the top of their game right now,” Astro Manager Art Howe said.

The Braves played without outfielder Deion Sanders, who played for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Washington and scored a 99-yard kickoff return.

Ron Gant of the Braves hit a three-run homer, his 13th, in the eighth against Xavier Hernandez. Francisco Cabrera hit a two-run pinch homer in the ninth.

Pete Harnisch (7-10) gave up four runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

San Diego 3, Cincinnati 1--Gary Sheffield hit his 31st home run to lead the Padres at San Diego.

Frank Seminara (8-3) gave up one run and four hits in six innings for the Padres.

The Reds, who have lost 12 of 18, fell 10 1/2 games behind Atlanta in NL West, the largest deficit of the season. The Padres trail the Braves by 11 games.

St. Louis 10, Chicago 3--Ray Lankford hit a grand slam and Felix Jose had a bases-loaded triple at St. Louis as Bob Tewksbury won his fifth consecutive decision.

The Cubs took the lead on solo homers by Rick Wilkins and Ryne Sandberg before the Cardinals made it a rout with four runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth.