Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 22

22 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Monday, August 29, 1988 BASEBALL Major League standings Rational League Division Thrift shop stocking veterans for stretch run I Pet oe outfielder Tommy Gregg, who injured his back in a game with Buffalo last Wednesday night in Nashville. The Braves also gave the Pirates cash. Speculation is that the sum is $400,000 which will pay over half of Oberkfell's guaranteed $700,000 salary for next season. Oberkfell is the fourth veteran player Syd Thrift has acquired since the All-Star break. It began with Glenn Wilson coming from Seattle for Darnell Coles July 21.

Dave LaPoint came from the Chicago White Sox Aug. 13 for Barry Jones. On Aug. 19, the Pirates traded Mike Diaz to the White Sox for Gary Redus. And now Oberkfell.

"Syd Thrift has done an unbelievable job," Jim Leyland said yesterday. "He's worked his butt off, 24 hours a day. Other managers I talk to don't see how he does it. I'm proud of him." So is Oberkfell. For that matter, he's pretty happy with Atlanta General Manager Bobby Cox, too.

"I couldn't get out of there Atlanta fast enough," Oberkfell said. "When Bobby Cox called me in after Satur Oberkfell has been a regular for 10 years, but his role with the Pirates will change. He'll spot start at third base and second base and pinch-hit. "It's been a long time since I've been in a pennant race," Oberkfell said. "My career was over in Atlanta.

This is like a brand new start. I've got a chance to go out a winner. I'm just really happy to be a Pittsburgh Pirate." Oberkfell, a left-handed hitter, start, ed at second base yesterday. Leyland said he'll rest Bobby Bonilla tonight in Cincinnati and use Oberkfell at. third base.

Oberkfell has a career batting average of .282. He has 26 home runs and 391 RBI in 1,314 games. A contact hitter, he has struck out only 310 times in 4,350 at-bats, including 28 in 422 with Atlanta this season. Of the four veterans acquired by Thrift since the All-Star break, only Oberkfell has a contract for next season. To make room for Oberkfell, first baseman Orestes Destrade was sent to the Pirates' Class AAA affiliate in Buffalo.

day's game and told me, I wanted to go hug and kiss the guy." Oberkfell, who was traded to Atlanta from. St Louis for left-hander Ken Dayley and first baseman Mike Jorgen-sen June IS, 1984, had wanted out of Atlanta for the last two years, he said. "I was happy when I first got to Atlanta," Oberkfell said, "but I saw the direction they were going, and I knew I didn't fit in. They say they're committed to youth, but it's going to take some time." The Pirates also seem committed to youth, but they've obviously tried to complement their youth with veteran players in the last several weeks. "I like this ballclub," Oberkfell said.

"It's a good club that's got a chance to win now, and I think I can help with my i experience down the stretch. "Plus, I'd heard so many good things about Jim Leyland. I'm sure Jimmy will give me plenty of playing time. I'm just happy to be here and do all I can to help." "We've come a long way," Leyland said. "It used to be nobody wanted to be here.

Now guys want to come here." By Paul Meyer Post-Gazette Sports Writer HOUSTON If success really does breed success, then the Pirates should still have a shot at winning the National League East. With the acquisition of infielder. Ken Oberkfell from Atlanta Saturday, the Pirates have seven players on their roster who spent time in the St. Louis organization. Throw in first base coach Tommy Sandt, who played with Oberkfell in 1977 when the Cardinals had their Class AAA farm team in New Orleans, and the Pirates have eight people from the system that's produced three of the past six National League pennant winners.

Big deal? "It doesn't matter where you come from, as long as you can play," Andy Van Slyke said. "And those seven can play." Oberkfell, 32, is a 10-year major league veteran whom the Pirates obtained for a minor-league prospect to be named on or before Sept. 15. That prospect is strongly believed to be tiowVorn 76 S3 .589 5-5 Lot 1 40-22 36-31 iff 70 60 .538 4-6 Won 1 37-31 33-29 Montreal 66 63 .512 10 3-7 Lot 1 33-28 33-35 triicago 64 64 .500 11Vi 6-4 Lotl 1 33-31 31-33 t. Loon 59 71 .454 17' 6-4 Won 1 33-35 26-36 Philadelphia 52 77 .403 24 1-9 Lost 5 30-32 22-45 I Waal Diviaion I I Pet OB 1.

10 tr Horn Away lot Angeles 75 54 .581 7-3 Won 3 36-31 39-23 Houston 70 60 .538 S'i 5-5 Lost 1 38-25 32-35 an Francisco 69 61 .63 1 6 6-4 Won 1 40-28 29-33 Cincinnati 66 63 .512 9 5-6 Lost 1 34-30 32-33 fean Diego 64 66 .496 11 8-2 Won 1 39-28 25-37 Atlanta 45 85 .346 30' 4-6 Won 1 22-40 23-45 American League Eaat Division Pet OB L10 Str It Home Away Detroit 74 55 .574 5-5 Lost 2 42-23 32-32 Boston 73 56 .566 1 6-4 Won 1 45-23 28-33 New Yorl 68 60 .531 SVs 3-7 Lost 4 37-30 31-30 Milwaukee 67 66 .504 9 6-4 Won 2 39-29 28-37 Toronto 64 66 .492 10Vt 3-7 Won 1 31-33 33-33 Cleveland 63 67 .485 11' 6-4 Won 1 35-30 26-37 Baltimore 45 84 .349 29 5-6 Won 1 29-37 16-47 West Division Pet OB L10 Btr It Hows Away Oakland 81 50 .618 5-5 Lost 1 40-23 41-27 Minnesota 72 57 .558 8 4-6 Lost 3 37-27 35-30 Kansas City 68 61 .527 12 7-3 Won 3 36-28 32-33 California 66 64 .508 14' 5-6 Won 4 29-32 37-32 Texas 59 69 .461 20' 7-3 Lost 1 32-33 27-36 Chicago 56 74 .431 24' 2-8 Lost 1 32-34 24-40 Seattle 52 79 .397 29 5-5 Lost 1 27-35 25-44 Revamped Pirates burn Astros, 4-3 National League Sunday's results Pirates 4 Houston 3 San Diego 5 Montreal 3 San Francisco 7 New York 4 Los Angeles 5 Philadelphia 0 Atlanta 4 Chicago 2 St. Louis 5 Cincinnati 3 Tuesday's schedule Pirates at Cincinnati, 7:35 p.m. Los Angeles at Montreal, 7:35 p.m. San Diego at New York, 7:35 p.m. San Francisco at Philadelphia, 7:35 p.m.

St. Louis at Atlanta, 7:40 p.m. Chicago at Houston, 8:35 p.m. Saturday's result Houston 3 Pirates 1 Chicago 5 Atlanta 0 New York 2 San Francisco 1 Montreal 4 San Diego 0 Los Angeles 4 Philadelphia 2 -Cincinnati 3 St. Louis 2 -14 innings.

past 12 starts. NOTES Vice-president George Bush attended the game for the first 2 innings and spent some time in the Pirates' clubhouse before the game. The Pirates also have played before former President Richard Nixon and Democratic Presidental candidate Michael Dukakis this season Pirate shortstops Belliard and Al Pe-drique have one hit in their past 40 at-bats Bonds' game-opening home run was his seventh leading off the first inning this season and the 15th of his career. Agricultural report: Buffalo (69-67) dropped a 6-3 decision at Indianapolis Saturday. Dave Johnson (14-12) took the loss.

Third baseman Denny Gonzalez had a bases-loaded triple to account for the Bisons' runs. Harrisburg (64-71) lost at Pitts-field, 12-2. Second baseman Kevin Burdick had two hits. Salem (73-62) lost at Hagerstown, 10-2. Augusta (78-60) beat Myrtle Beach, 4-1, in the completion of a suspended game and lost the regularly scheduled game, 2-1.

Watertown (33-35) lost at One-onta, 3-2. Third baseman John Wehner, of Carrick, had two hits and two RBI. Princeton (33-36) beat Bluefield, 7-2. Second baseman Glenn McNabb went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Bradenton (26-36) lost to the 2-0, Augusta, Prince- ana Bradenton 'all to'end their1 seasons yesterday.

First baseman Eddie Hartman, from Seton-La-Salle, has been promoted from Augusta to Salem. Salem outfielder Tony Chance separated his right shoulder Friday night and is through for the season. FROM PAGE 19 Davis, leading off the second, and Billy Hatcher with one out in the sixth. In the eighth, Leyland went to his beefed-up bench. John Cangelosi batted for Rafael Belliard and walked.

Gary Redus batted for Drabek, and, before he could try to bunt Cangelosi to second, he was hit in his left side by a Danny Darwin pitch. "Darwin's riot the guy you 5 want to square around on because he comes from the side," Redus said. "He threw a curve-ball that got away, and it just followed me." With left-hander Juan Agosto on in relief of Darwin, Bonds popped out on a bunt. Then Lind batted for Oberkfell, a left-handed hitter. "I won't do it all the time," Leyland said, referring to batting for Oberkfell, "but the game was on the line." Lind worked the count to 2-and-2, then drove a ground ball up the middle to score Cangelosi, making it 2-2.

"I felt strong," Lind said. "I rested all day. About the seventh inning, Milt May told me to be ready. So I got my batting glove and then waited and waited and waited." van ijiyKe touowed with a thegarrve' and of the season here. He was 0-for-19 in the Astrodome be- fore yesterday.

"I'd only had 11 hits here in my career," he said. "I don't see the ball well here. I was thinking about getting the Westh- Today's pitching formrecords as starters Saturday's game Houston 3, Pirates 1 PIRATES ab bi Bonds It 4 110 JRobnsn 0 0 0 0 Lind 2b 3 0 0 0 VanSlyk cf 4 0 0 0 Bonilla 3b 3 0 10 Bream lb 4 0 2 1 GWHsonrf 4 0 0 0 LVIIre 3 0 10 Redus ph 10 0 0 Belliard ss 2 0 0 0 Cangels ph 10 10 Pedrigu ss-i 10 0 0 Walk 2 0 0 0 RReylds 10 0 0 Totals 33 1 1 Piratea Houston HOUSTON ab bl GYoung cl 3 110 Doran 2b BHatchr I) GDavis 1b 3 110 2 0 0 1 3 0 2 1 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 10 0 0 4 0 10 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 110 10 0 0 Bell 3b Bass rf Agosto Ramirz ss Trevino Scott Meads Puhlrt Totals 30 3 2 100 000 0001 002 000 101 3 Game Winning RBI Nons. Bonilla. LOB Pirates 7, Houston 8.

2B Lavalliera. SB Bonds(15). Pirate pitching ip sr bb so Walk L.1 1-10 6 4 2 0 4 3 JRobinson 2 2 1111 Houston pitching ip 1 2 1-3 3 2 2-3 1 sr bb so 1 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 2 Scott Meads W.3-0 Agosto S.4 WP Walk 2, JRobinson 2. BK Agosto. Umpires Home.

Engel; First, West; See. ond. Runge; Third, Williams. 2:40. placed Agosto after Van Slyke's hit, faked a pickoff throw to third, and Van Slyke broke for second.

Startled, Anderson whirled and threw the ball into center field. Lind scored, and the Pirates had a 4-2 lead. The Pirates' offense has been so unproductive that their three-run rally in the eighth represented i more runs than they'd scored in a GAME since they beat Atlanta, 4-2, Aug. 16. The rally made Drabek a winner for the 13th time in 19 decisions.

The right-hander is 8-1 with a 1.48 earned run average in his live up to L10 American League Sunday! results Kansas City 12 Minnesota 3 Milwaukee 12 Detroit 10 -Cleveland 5 Chicago 4 -Baltimore 2 Oakland 1 California 13 New York 2 Boston 7 Seattle 2 -Toronto 6 Texas 5 -11 innings. Tuesday's schedule Detroit at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. Cleveland at Kansas City, 8:35 p.m. Toronto at Milwaukee, 8:35 p.m. Minnesota at Texas, 8:35 p.m.

New York at Seattle, 10:05 p.m. Baltimore at California. 10:35 p.m. Boston at Oakland, 10:35 p.m. Saturday' results California 12 New York 0 Oakland 5 Baltimore 1 Kansas City 4 Minnesota 1 Texas 5 Toronto 3 Chicago 4 Cleveland 1 Milwaukee 6 Detroit 5 Seattle 8 Boston 6 12 innings.

American League a ab 124 474 125 518 125 465 121 449 111 411 124 495 172 181 159 148 134 159 134 1 50 155 143 Avg .363 .349 .342 .330 .326 321 .321 .318 .316 .314 Boggs Ban Puckatt Mln Greenweil Bsn Winlield NY Trammell Det Molitor Mil Henderson NV 107 418 Brett KC 126 472 Franco Cks 122 490 MattinglyNY 110 456 RUNS-Boggs, Boston, 98; Canseco, Oakland, 96: RHenderson, New York. 96; Molitor, Milwaukee. 89: Puckett. Minnesota. 64.

RBI-Greenweil. Boston, 100; Canseco. Oakland. 99; Puckelt, Minnesota, 92; Brett, Kansas City, 90: Winlield. New York.

87. HITS-Puckett. Minnesota. 181: Boggs. Boston.

172; Greenweil. Boston. 159; Molitor, Milwaukee. 159; Franco. Cleveland, 155.

DOUBLE 8-Boggs. Boston. 37; Brett, Kansas City. 36; Greenweil, Boston, 34; Ray. California.

33; 4 are tied with 32. TRIPLE 8-Reynolds, Seattle, 10: Yount. Milwaukee, 10; Wilson, Kansas City. 5 are tied with 8. HOME RUNS-Canseco, Oakland.

34; McGrlff, Toronto, 30: Qaettl. Minnesota, 26; McGwire, Oakland, 25; Carter, Cleveland, 24; Hrbek. Minnesota. 24; Murray. Baltimore.

24. STOLEN BASES-RHenderson. New York, 73: Molitor, Milwaukee. 39: Pettis. Detroit, 36; Canseco, Oakland, 32; Reynolds, Seattle, 28; Wilson.

Kanaaa City. 28. PITCHING (12 deislons)-Hurst. Boston, 15-4. .789.

4.09: GDavis, Oakland. 13-4, .765, 3.31; Viola, Minnesota, 19-6. .760, 43; Gu-bicza, Kansas City, 16-7, .696, 2.70; Robinson, Detroit. 13-6, .684. 2 98.

STRIKKOUTS-Ciemens, Boston. 246: Langston. Seattle, 185: Viola. Mlnneaota, 158; Higuera, Milwaukee. 155: Hough.

Texaa. 148. SAVES-Eckersley. Oakland. 35: Reardon, Minnesota, 32; DJonea.

Cleveland. 30; 29; Thlgpen, Chicago, 27. Saturday for 23rd on the all-time list tor games played with 2,540 Milwaukee's Robin Yount got his RBI In the Brewers' 6-5 victory over Detroit Saturday Tony Fernandez made two errors in Toronto's 5-3 loss to Texas Saturday He had gone 65 consecutive games without an error, seven short of the major league record for errorless games by a shortstop held by Eddie Brinkman. SWINGS Seattle's Scott Bankhead has allowed eight home runs In 1304 innings. Last season, he yielded 35 homers in 149.

innings. NOTEBOOK By The Associated Press 1 Don Mattingly predicted that he would not finish his career with the New York Yankees because owner George Steinbrenner eventually will trade the All-Star first baseman. Mattingly said his criticism of Steinbrenner may have sparked the trade rumors that surfaced this week. "It's going to happen," Mattingly said. "He's got to do what he's got to do." Toronto General Manager Pat Gillick predicted New York will trade Mattingly, possibly before the season ends.

Bob Quinn, Yankees general manager, denied the reports. The Minnesota Twins acquired veteran Jim Dwyer from the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later. Tigers right-hander Jeff Robinson returned to Detroit Saturday to undergo tests for a circulation problem in his pitching hand. Pearl City, Hawaii, fell, 10-0, to Tai Chung, Taiwan, in the championship game of the 42nd Little League World Series in Williams-port Saturday. Philadelphia catcher Darren Daulton, angered after being called out on strikes in the ninth inning Saturday, punched a wall in the clubhouse and broke his hand.

The Phillies said he would be fined. To replace Daulton, a second-string catcher, the Phillies purchased catcher Al Pardo from Maine. Elsewhere: The Boston Red Sox activated pitcher Dennis Lamp from the 15-day DL and placed pitcher Jeff Sellers on the 15-day Dl Catcher Alan Ashby of the Houston Astros was sent to Class AAA Tucson for a rehabilitation assignment Infieldor Gregg Jeffries was called up to the New York 'Mettrfrom 'Class AAA Tidewater and second baseman Wally 8ack-: man was placed on the 15-day DL The Minnesota Twins activated pitcher Mark Portugal and placed pitcher Charlie Lea on the 21-day DL Second baseman Willie Randolph, on the DL since Aug. 3, was activated by the Yankees. They optioned infielder Randy Velarde to Class AAA Columbus.

Pirate statistics Batting National League Yr.ledets Va, ope. st sit Lesl 1 stsrts Probebia ina 11 test Team onclw(H) oft Time W-l ERA W-L ERA W-l IP ERA Pirate LaPoint(L) 7:35 2-0 0.00 2-0 14H 0 00 Cincinnati Brown (R) Pick p.m. 1-0 1.29 1-0 7 1.29 Los Angeles Martinei(R) 7:35 0-1 2.37 0-1 19 2.37 Montreal 0. Martinez (R) 5'4-6'a p.m. 15-8 2.50 1-2 20 3.48 San Fran.

Oowns(R) E-6 7:35 13-9 3.39 0-1 7 5.14 2-0 17 3.71 Philadelphia Palmer (R) p.m. 7-9 4.46 0-1 15' 5.87 San Diego Show(R) 7:35 11-10 3.12 0-1 6 6.00 2-0 25' 1.78 NewYork Cone(R) 7-8 p.m. 11-3 2.23 1-0, 8'. 1.08 1-1 22 2.78 V'll'l Ml St Louis DeLson(R) 7:40 8-8 4.11 1-0 8' 1.08 0-0 16H 4.32 Atlanta Mahler (R) Pick p.m., 7-11 4.12--0 7 1,29 0-1 20 3.48 Chicago Maddui(R) 8:35 16- 3.07 1-0 17 4 76 Houston Ryan(R) 5'-6' p.m. 9-11 3.99 1-0 9 2.00 1-1 18 2.41 American League Vr.

teas Vs.opo.stsrt LmI 3 ttsrts Probable tan itaj tgu Teem pitcher (H Odds Tim W-l ERA M. ERA W-L IP ERA Detroit Robinson (R) 6-7 8:30 13-8 2.86 0-1 19 5.68 Chicago Lono(R) p.m. 3-7 4.85 1-2 11 9.26 Toronto Clancy (R) E-6 8:35 7-13 4.90 1-0 6'A 1.42 2-1 20 3.05 Milwaukee Filer (R) p.m. 5-8 4.04 0-2 18 Minnesota Toliver(R) 8:35 5-3 4.13 1-2 19 4.58 Texas Russell (R) Pick p.m. 9-5 3.81 2-0 24 3.00 Cleveland Yett(R) 8:35 8-4 4 30 0-0 6 8.10 3-0 21 2.95 Kansas City Saoerhgn(R) 6'-7 p.m.

12-13 3.72 0-2 22 2.82 NewYork Nielsen(R) 10:05 0-1 8.10 0-1 3 8.10 Seattle Langston(L) Pick p.m. 9-10 4.06 1.1 23 3.04 Boston Boddicker(R) 10:35 10-14 3.65 14 5 1.80 2-1 18 4 34 Oakland Welch R) 6'-7' p.m. 14-7 3.64 1-1 17 7.94 Baltimore Schmidt (R) 10:35 34 1.80 24 17 2.55 California Witt(R) 6'-7 10-12 4.31 14 9 0.00 2-1 23 3.91 Pirates calendar LZ3 Cincinnati fails to lofty expectations Pirate box scores Sunday's game Pirates 4, Houston 3 PIRATES HOUSTON sb bl sb bi Bonds II 4 111 GYoung ct 4 0 10 Oberktl 2b 3 0 0 0 Doran 2b 4 0 10 Lind 2b 1111 BHalcnr II VanSlyk cf 4 0 3 1 GDavis 1b Bonilla 3b 4 0 0 0 Bell 3b Bream lb 3 0 0 0 Bass rf RReykJs rf .4 0 0 0 Ramirz ss LVIIrec .4010 CRnldsph Belliard ss 2 0 0 0 Biggioc Cangels ph 0 10 0 Puhl ph Pedrigu ss 1 0 0 0 Darwin Drabek 2 0 0 0 Agosto Redus ph i 0 10 0,. Andersn 4 111 3 111 4 0 10 4 111 3 0 0 0 10 0 0 3 0 10 10 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 Gon 0 0 0- Walling ph Tol.ls 32 4 6 3 Totals 34 7 3 PiratM 100 OOO 0304 Houston 010 001 0013 Game Winning RBI Van Slyke (14). Andersen.

DP Houston 1. LOB Pirates 4. Houston 6. 2B Bell. Biggio.

HR Bonds (22). G.Davis (26). B. Hatcher (4). Bass (12).

SB Van Slyke 2 (24). Pirate pitching IP sr bb so Drabek W. 13-6 Gott S.25 7 2 Houston pitching ip sr bb so Darw.nL.6-11 7 4 3 3 2 7 Agosto 1-321100 Andersen 1 2-3 0 0 0 0 0 Darwin pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. HBP Redus by Darwin. Umpires Home.

West; First. Runge; Second, Williams; Third, Enget. eimer flu (named for the street in front of the team's hotel next time we come here. "But Saturday night, I was watching the Toronto-Texas game on television. Tony Fernandez the Toronto shortstop has always been a good hitter, roubiVseeing thetall et hervous about it, and Im a jumping at the plate.

Today, I just tried to be quiet and hit the ball with my hands. I think it helped." Van Slyke's single sent Lind to third. Andersen, who re SI against the Reds The Pirates have a 185 team batting average in their last 12 games (70-for-379 with five home runs). Pittsburgh is 21-22 since the All-Star break. Jose Lind leads National League second basemen with 701 total chances.

The Pirates RBI leaders since the All-Star break are Barry Bonds (22), Sid Bream (21) and Andy Van Slyke (20). Reds outfielder Eric Davis is 13-for-39 (.333) with four home runs and 14 RBI in his last 12 starts. Since the All-Star break, he is batting .343 (47-for-137) with 10 homers and 29 RBI. Davis has stolen 30 consecutive bases without being caught Cincinnati bullpen ace John Franco has four wins and 18 saves in his last 27 appearances. He has pitched a total of 30.0 innings during that stretch, allowing just 14 hits and one run (0.30 ERA).

Keith Brown will make his second major-league start tonight. The 24-year-old right-hander defeated St. Louis, 4-1, in his big league debut on Thursday, allowing four hits and one run in seven innings. INSIDE their said. "We And awaken The Gregg Johnson But restaurant "If they the Mets said.

infielder. having "He going to his defense. play third, next year." Tommy Yankees about "It's pitch a When able to "Truth hurt my arm, it will come down to how much of a chance I get. Sooner or later, you figure they're going to tell you, 'Hey, we've got some kids we're bringing in this But then again, this is the Yankees. George Steinbrenner thank God, always wants to win right now." John has a shot at 300 career wins.

He has 285 and would need at least another season to reach the milestone. Houston left-hander Jim Deshaies had an unwanted distinction before he pitched against the Pirates Friday night. i "I'm probably the only player in baseball whose batting average is the same as his number," Deshaies said. Deshaies wears No. 43.

His batting average before Friday night was .043 (2-for-47). And some guys just worry about hitting their weight. Short shrift: A scout for a National League contender on Jim Leyland: "Since Jim Leyland arrived in Pittsburgh, other teams know they'll have to play the Pittsburgh Pirates for nine innings." How important is pitching batting practice? Very. "On the days I'm going to throw batting practice," Rich Donnelly said, "I don't have any cookies or pie after 3:30." Junior Ortiz said he hopes to begin taking batting practice this week. "I need somebody to throw BP to me," he said.

Does he think anybody will? "I don't think so," he said, laughing. By Paul Meyer Post-Gazette Sports Writer HOUSTON After three seasons of managing runner-up Cincinnati, some of the bloom has come off the Reds' Pete Rose. When spring training ended, Rose said: "This is the best club I've ever gone north with." And his Reds were picked by many to win the National League West this season. it-has- staggered and stalled and doesn't appear capable of making a run at the division championship. Even second place might not be attainable.

Still, at least one player thinks the Reds have a shot. "Of course, we have to play better than anyone in our division," utility player Dave Collins said. "And we have to play about .800 baseball, unless the teams ahead of us just fall apart. We've got the people here to do it we just consistently haven't done it all year. I'm not saying it's just about over.

I'm just saying up to this point we definitely can't say we've played good enough to win this division because we haven't." It's conceivable, however, that the Reds might have a strong say in which team does win the West. "They might be the best team in the division because of their pitching and their offense," said Buddy Bell, the third baseman who began the season with Cincinnati before being traded to Houston. "They scare me." Collins agreed with that assessment. "I think the three clubs ahead of us, in the back of THE PARK minds, always wondered where we were," he were a sleeping dog." one that nobody in Cincinnati has been able to this season. New York Mets think highly-regarded prospect Jefferies might be able to supplant Howard at third base next season.

HoJo thinks the Mets shouldn't close his, yet. move me just to make room for Jefferies, are going to be making a mistake," Johnson "From what I hear, Jefferies is not a very good How are the Mets really going to improve by him here? may hit for a higher average than me, but is he produce more home runs and RBI? And about With all the flak I've taken about the way I this kid could get eaten alive in New York John, the seemingly ageless New York wonder pitcher, doesn't have any thoughts retiring. funny," said John, who's actually 45. "When I bad game, people start to say, 'He's done, too I pitch a good game, they say, 'He may be go on is, I don't really know. Probably, if I don't Mon.

Tub. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat.

Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 31 Sep 1 Sep 2 Sep 3 Cm Cin. On. Atlanta Atlanta 7:35 p.m. 7:35 p.m. 7:35 p.m 7:40 p.m.

7:40 p.m. PIRATES SCOUTING REPORT Red statistics Batting I LEAGUE LEADERS Excluding yesterday's oemee. National League AS 111 428 107 418 125 483 127 493 125 499 125 461 119 443 122 457 129 516 122 474 AB Avg 138 Perry Atl 111 429 51 138 .322 I Gwynn SD 107 418 54 134 .321 Perry Atl Gwynn SD Dawson Chi Palmeiro Chi Galarraga Mon Gibson LA law Cm Bonds Pit Sax LA Larkin Cin Dawson Chi 125 483 85 149 .308 es 149 63 152 80 153 93 140 55 130 85 133 61 150 .308 .307 .304 .293 291 .291 75 137 .289 iRUNS-Butier, San Francisco. 94: Gibson, Los Angeles. 93; Bonds, Pirates, SS; Van Slyka, Plrstsa, 85; Clark.

San Francisco, 82. 4 RBI-Clark. San Francisco. 91; GDavIa, I Houston. 87; Van Slyka, Pirates, 81; Straw-I berry.

New York, 80; McReynolds, New York, 77 HITS-Galarraga, Montreal. 153; Palmeiro, Chicago. 152: Sax. Los Angeles. 150; Dawson, Chicago.

149; McGee, St. Louil. 148. DOUBLES-Galarraga. Montreal.

37; Sabo, Cincinnati. 36. Palmeiro. Chicago, 31; Bream, PiratM, 30; DMurphy, Atlanta. 30.

3 TRIPLES-Van Slyka, Piratea, 15; Cole- 1 man. St. Louis. 10; Gant. Atlanta, 6 are tied I with 7.

i HOME RUNBS-Strewbwry. New York. 30; Clark. San Francisco. 25.

GDavis. Houston. 25; 1 EDavis, Cincinnati, 24; Galarraga, Montreal, i 24 STOLEN BASES-Coksman, St. Louis. 68: i GYoung, Houston.

59: OSmith. St. Louis, 44; McGee. St Louis. 39; Sabo.

Cincinnati, 38. PITCHING (12 decieions)-Con. Now I York. 13-3, .813, 2.37; Parrett. Montreal.

10-3. 769, 2 37; Browning. Cincinnati. 13-4, .765, if 3 46. Scott, Houston, 13-4.

.785, 2 60; DJeck-Mion. Cincinnati. 18-6. .750, 2.53; Knepper, Houston. 12-4, 750.

3 36 Br STRIKEOUT a-Ryan, Houston, 185: Scott, Houston. 159. DeLeon. St. Louis.

158; Fernan-f SK2 NewYork, 167; Cone. NewYork. 153 8AVE8-Franco, Cincinnati. 27: Worrell, I St. Louis.

25; Gott. Piratea, 24; MaDavla. San I 'Diego. 23; Bedrosian, Philadelphia, 22; DSmith. Houston, 22.

DATA II I 2b 3b HR RBI A. Bonds 461 86 134 28 5 22 50 .291 Van Slyks 492 85 143 17 15 22 82 .291 Bream 380 42 107 30 0 8 55 .282 Bonills 476 75 132 26 5 20 75 .277 LaVsJIiers 291 20 75 17 0 2 40 .258 Reynolds 284 32 70 13 2 6 42 .246 Und 516 64 125 20 2 2 42 .242 Bernard 261 21 55 0 4 0 10 .211 Cangelosi 77 12 16 2 0 0 3 .208 Wilson 50 1 10 2 0 0 3 .200 Pnnos 35 1 7 2 0 0 3 .200 Pedrigua 123 7 23 5 0 0 4 .187 Drabek 65 4 11 3 2 0 4 .169 Dunne 38 7 4 0 0 0 2 .105 Walk 57 3 5 1 0 0 5 .068 Smiley 47 1 4 0 0 0 1 .085 Redus 12 2 1 0 0 1 1 .083 Robinson 14 0 1 0 0 0 0 .071 Fisher 42 1 2 1 0 0 1 .048 LaPoint 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Oberklell 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Kipper 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Rucker 20 000 0 0 .000 Son 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 AB 2b 3b HR RBI Arg, Lartm 477 75 138 27 5 10 47 .289 Damsla 407 72 115 26 1 13 51 .283 Dans 392 70 110 16 2 24 75 .281 Sabo 470 65 130 36 2 11 36 .277 Winnmgham 132 13 35 2 4 0 16 265 Trsadway 301 30 76 19 4 2 23 252 Nll 392 46 97 19 1 13 51 .247 Gnftay 211 24 52 5 0 3 20 .246 Esasky 322 35 78 18 2 12 54 .242 McQendon 113 9 27 4 0 3 14 .239 Oestsr 68 6 16 3 0 0 4 .235 Read 180 12 41 6 2 0 14 .228 CoiUis 137 8 31 6 0 0 13 .226 Owz 311 26 68 9 0 10 34 .219 'Durham 124 14 27 9 1 4 8 .218 Concapclon 186 11 38 9 0 0 8 204 Robinson 24 1 4 1 0 0 1 .167 Browning 63 5 9 2 0 0 0 .143 Jackson 71 7 9 2 0 0 .127 Hi(o 32 2 2 0 0 1 1 .063 Charlton 400000 0 .000 Brown 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Franco 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Williams 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 OibM 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Pirate v. Cincinnati Reds: Three games at Riverfront Stadium today, tomorrow and Wednesday at 7:35 p.m. Starter: Dave LaPoint (2-0) vs. Keith Brown (1-0); Brian Fisher (7-9) vs.

Danny Jackson(18-6); and John Smiley (10-9) vs. Norm Charlton (0-2). TV-radio: All three games will be televised on KDKA-TV Channel 2 and the Pirates Television Network. All Pirates games can be heard on KDKA Radio (1020 AM) and the Pirates Radio Network. Notes: Cincinnati leads the season series, 5-4.

The Reds took two out of three from the Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium last week. Pittsburgh took two out of three from Cincinnati at Riverfront in late May. Dave LaPoint has allowed seven hits and one unearned run in his first two starts as a Pirate (14.2 innings pitched). He is 5-0 with a 1 .87 ERA in five starts (three with the White Sox) this month. The winning streak is the longest of his career.

He's 4-5 (3.66 ERA) in 21 games (13 starts) lifetime Left-hander Danny Jackson had a eight-game personal winning streak snapped when he lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-2, Friday. Jackson, who leads the National League with 18 victories, pitched a five-hit shutout over the Bucs last Monday at Three Rivers Stadium. Cincinnati shortstop Barry Larkin is 15-for-43 (.326) with nine runs scored In his last 1 1 games. The Reds are 24-18 since the All-Star break and 32-21 since June 30 Infielder Jeff Tread-way of the Reds was placed on the 21 -day disabled list yesterday with a separated left shoulder.

He suffered the injury in a collison with St. Louis catcher Tom Pagnozzi Saturday night. Infielder Luis Qulnones was purchased from Nashville (AAA) to take Treadway's place on the roster In yesterday's loss to St. Louis, Tony Pena and Tom Lawless homered off of the Reds' Tom Browning, who had won his last five decisions. It was Lawless' first regular-season homer since April 25, 1984.

Pitching Pitching LaPoint 2 i 0 0 0 0 10 0 4 25 2 8 IP 14 7 2 1 177 165 65'A 51 1041 98 183 158 160 142 55 44 140 134 134 147 23 31 Bl 0 ERA 2 5 0.00 0 0 0.00 55 67 2.79 21 61 2.B9 30 67 2.93 42 105 3,09 41 103 3.19 24 32 3 56 76 62 4 05 51 61 4 16 8 14 4 18 Cangelosi Walk Gott Robinson Drabek Smiley Kipper Dunne Fistier Rucker HOME ATTENDANCE (67 data) 1988 1,617,127 (Avg. 24,136) 1987 1,018,967 (Avg. 15,208) 1960 1.650,408 (Avg. 24,633) Wit IP ER BB 80 ERA Concpcion 0 0 0 0 0 1 0,00 Franco 5 5 27 70'4 46 10 23 35 1.28 Brown 1 0 0 7 4 1 2 3 129 Dibble 1 1 0 38 32 8 16 35 1 89 Jackson 18 6 0 206H 158 58 56 136 2 53 Williams 3 1 1 55 53 16 29 35 2 59 -RiK 11 8 0 142-4 109 42 60 141 2.66 Murphy 0 5 3 67H 54 22 30 58 2 94 Browning 13 5 0 195 166 78 54 97 3.59 'Robinson 3 6 0 74H 82 33 22 37 4.00 Charlton 0 2 0 16H 16 9 4 11 4.86 Through Aug. 37 I 8TREAK8 1 The Pirates' Bob Walk hat lost straight decisions, including 3-1 loss to Houston Saturday.

I STATS Jeff Pico threw the Chicago Cubs' 26th I complete game Saturday high In the Nl I The St. Louis Cardinals have scored 1 1 runs in Joe Magrane's eight losses The Baltimor Orioles are 5-26 In day games this year Darrell Evans, the Tigers' OH, tied Paul Waner '-on disabled list..