Games of Thursday, May 22

                              W      L        Pct.     GB
New York            18     13        580    ---
Houston               16     13       .551    1
Atlanta                 14     12       .538    1.5
St. Louis              15     13       .536    1.5
Chicago               18     16       .529    1.5
Montreal              13     17       .433    4.5
Philadelphia         11     15       .423    4.5
Pittsburgh            13     18       .419    5

Friday's games
Montreal (Moore) at Pittsburgh (Moose)
New York (McAndrew) at Houston (Roberts)

Chicago 9, Atlanta 8: The Cubs scored eight runs in the bottom of the ninth to overtake the Braves. The rally started with four consecutive singles off Adrian Devine, who then gave way to Ron Schuler. He retired Jose Cardenal but then allowed singles to Don Kessinger and Billy Williams, then a double to Ron Santo. That made the score 8-6 Atlanta. Tom House relieved and struck out Billy Williams, but then Mike Lum erred on Jim Hickman's fly ball, with Williams and Santo scoring to tie the game. Randy Hundley singled to plate Hickman, and the Cubs had the win. House was charged with the loss. Jim Aker, who allowed a run in the top of the ninth, was credited with the win. Wasted was eight innings of one-run, six hit ball by Carl Morton. Dusty Baker, Darrell Evans and Johnny Oates all homered for Atlanta.

Montreal 9, Pittsburgh 3: John Boccabella drove in five runs and Steve Renko went the distance for the Expos. Boccabella had two sac flies, drew a bases-loaded walk and tripled in two runs on a fly ball that Richie Zisk got a bad read on. Mike Jorgensen scored three times. Renko scattered eight hits, one a homer by Zisk. Jim Lyttle will miss the next three days for Montreal.

St. Louis 2, Philadelphia 1 (12 innings): Mike Tyson punched a singled through the drawn-in infield to plate Ken Reitz from third in the bottom of the 12th. Wayne Granger, the fourth St. Louis pitcher, was credited with the win, but the Cardinals' mound hero was Rich Folkers, who threw five innings of one-run ball after Reggie Cleveland left with an injury sustained while hitting in the third inning. Wayne Twitchell took a no-hitter into the seventh and allowed one run in nine innings for the no-decision. Diego Segui worked three scoreless innings, and with their bullpen depleted and three double-headers looming, the Cardinals deactivated Bake McBride after the game and promoted Mike Nagy.

New York 4, Houston 3: Don Wilson retired the first 19 Mets, but he couldn't get an out in the eighth inning. The Mets opened that inning with five straight hits off Wilson and loser Jim Ray and scored all four runs. Jon Matlack (seven innings, eight hits, three runs) got the win; Harry Parker worked two perfect innings for the save. Cesar Cedeno went 4-for-4 with two steals, a solo homer and two runs scored. Doug Rader also homered for Houston.