Games of Wednesday, Sept. 10

                              W      L        Pct.     GB

Houston               78     61       .561     ---
Atlanta                 75     63       .543      2.5
Montreal              70     68       .507      7.5
Chicago               68     66       .507      7.5
New York            68     69       .496      9
Pittsburgh            65     70       .481    11
St. Louis              64     73       .467    13
Philadelphia         58    76       .433    17.5

Thursday's game
Philadelphia (Brett) at Montreal (Renko) 

New York 3, Atlanta 0: The Braves had baserunners aplenty but could not push any across the plate, while the Mets scored three runs in the first inning. Winning pitcher Ray Sadecki allowed seven hits and five walks in six innings while striking out six. Buzz Capra granted two hits and a walk in two innings, and Tug McGraw a single and a walk in the ninth. All told, Atlanta left 15 men on base. Carl Morton took the loss.

Atlanta 5, New York 4: Darrell Evans homered and the Atlanta bullpen worked four innings of one-run ball to salvage a split of the doubleheader. Roric Harrison allowed three runs in five innings, which was good enough to get the win. Jimmy Freeman allowed one run in two innings, and Adrian Devine and Tom House each worked a scoreless frame, with House getting the save. Jon Matlack was the losing pitcher.

Chicago 13, Houston 6: Randy Hundley cracked a three-run homer and Jose Cardenal scored four runs as the Cubs outslugged the slumping Astros. Houston relievers issued three bases-loaded walks. Ken Forsch started and took the loss; he allowed nine runs, seven earned, in 3.2 innings. Cardenal homered, doubled and singled and drove in three runs. Milt Pappas went seven innings for the win.

Philadelphia 5, Montreal 3: Bob Boone tripled home a pair of runs and Mike Anderson scored twice. Steve Carlton had a one-hit shutout through eight innings, but gave up three straight hits to open the ninth, all of whom scored. George Culver had a one-batter save. Balor Moore, who allowed two runs in seven innings, was charged with the loss.

Pittsburgh 10, St. Louis 3: Willie Stargell hit a grand slam in the second inning. He hit a two-run homer in the sixth, the first of a back-to-back pair with Richie Zisk. Richie Hebner also hit a two-run homer. Luke Walker went seven innings for the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits. Mike Nagy left after the second inning and took the loss.