GAME 3: Reds 7, Angels 4

October 20, Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim

Don Gullett vs Andy Messersmith
Reds 7, Angels 4

California hoped that playing at home and going with their best starter Andy Messersmitrh would allow the team to get on track and get back into the Series.  However, despite the new location and ace starter, the result was more of the same.   Cincinnati demonstrated their lack of intimidation by bringing 8 men to bat in the top of the 1st innings, banging out 4 hits, including a Tony Perez RBI double. California tried to battle back with base runners in almost every inning.  But could not get the hit they needed when they needed, and managed to plate only 1 run through 6 innings off Reds’ starter Don Gullett.

RBI hits by Dave Concepcion and Pete Rose in the 4th inning, and a solo HR by Tony Perez to start the 8th innings allowed Cincinnati to build a 7-1 lead going to the bottom of the 9th.
Although the first 2 Angels were retired in the 9th, the next 5 reached against reliever Pedro Borbon, thanks in part to a Pete Rose error at 3rd base. When Jim Spencer’s single plated the Angels’ 3rd run of the inning, Bob Oliver came to the plate representing the tying run.  But Reds’ closer Tom Hall came to the rescue, striking out Oliver, and preserving the 7-4 victory for Gullett. 
Cincinnati leads the Series 3-0
--submitted by Douglas Zaner--