Cardinals Take Three Of Four From Cubs In Wild I-55 Series

The St. Louis Cardinals tallied 38 runs and 56 hits in a crazy four game series with their rival to the north the Chicago Cubs, in taking three of four in the series. The Cardinals won both games at home, then split in Wrigley.

 

Game one saw John Denny stifle the Cubs on three hits through 8 innings, while his mates put 8 runs on the board, 6 coming against Chicago starter Burt Hooton. The Redbirds added two more against Steve Stone while Rich Folkers pitched a scoreless ninth to bring home the 8-0 win. Ted Simmons broke out with a 4 for 4 game, while Joe Torre got the offense started with his third home run of the season in the first inning. The top three hitters in the Cardinal lineup, Lou Brock, Bake McBride, and Torre had 2 hits apiece, as did shortstop Garry Templeton.

 

Game two saw the Cardinals again tally 8 runs, and once again Simmons was the star connecting for his first home run of the season, a grand slam no less, and driving in 5. This one featured the clubs aces on the hill, Ferguson Jenkins and Bob Gibson, and looked to be all that was anticipated through six innings as the game was scoreless. But the Cubs broke through against Gibson in the 7^th, as Billy Williams lead off the inning with a double. An out later Rick Monday, a man the Cardinals could not solve all series, walked. Former Yankee enigma Joe Pepitone then flew out to the deepest part of the ball park in center field, sending Williams to third. Singles by Glenn Beckert and Randy Hundley got the Cubs two and looked like it might be enough with Jenkins rolling.

 

However, the Cardinals struck back in the bottom half. Bake McBride duplicated Billy Williams’ start to the top of the inning with a lead off double. Joe Torre singled, Reggie Smith walked, and Keith Hernandez singled in McBride with Torre holding at third setting up Simmons’ big home run.

 

Gibson held the Cubs scoreless while hit teammates added two more in the eighth, tiring in the ninth and surrendering to Al Hrbosky who got the final out of the game.

 

The series switched to Wrigley with Rick Reuschel taking the mound versus Lynn McLothen. The home cooking served the Cubs well as they took the lead with a run in the second, and after the Cardinals jumped on Reuschel for four in the third, got the four back in the bottom half helped by two errors from thirdbaseman Torre.

 

The Cubs went on to build a 10-4 lead before holding on for an 11-8 victory. It was the third game in a row in which the Cardinals scored eight. Rick Monday went four for five and Billy Williams and Jim Hickman each drove in 3 runs for the Cubs. Hickman’s RBI were the result of a pinch hit three run homer in the fourth when he was summoned to hit for Bill Buckner against Cardinal lefty Folkers.

 

Game four saw the Cardinal offense explode for 20 hits, 9 walks, and 14 runs as Reggie Cleveland had an easy time of it in getting his second win without a loss. Lou Brock, Jerry Mumphrey, and Cleveland himself had 3 hits apiece, while Joe Torre drove in four. Rick Monday was again the big bat for Chicago, going 3 for 4 and driving in 2. Monday went 8 for 14 in the series.

--submitted by BikeMike--

Angels take 3 or 4 from the A's

Strong starting pitching and some timely hitting gave California a 3-1 series win over Oakland.

August 21 - Oakland Coliseum

Nolan Ryan struck out 10 over 7 innings and Jim Spencer had 3 hits and 2 RBIs to lead the Angels to an 8-3 win.  California broke it open in the 6th with a 5-run rally off Oakland starter Blue Moon Odom.  Ryan cruised through 6 innings, but stumbled in the 7th, as the Athletics pushed across 3 runs and brought the tying run to the plate.  But pinch hitter Dave Duncan lines to shortstop to allow Ryan out of the jam. Eddie Fisher and Dave LaRoche finished out the game to seal the victory.   

August 22 - Oakland Coliseum

Dave Duncan's 2-run HR off Eddie Fisher with one out in the bottom of the 8th inning broke a 3-3 tie and propelled Oakland to a 5-3 win over California.  Both starters - Catfish Hunter and Andy Messersmith - were shakey in the 1st inning, each yielding 3 runs.  Then both settled down after the 1st and put up nothing but goose eggs the rest of the way.  But Hunter was able to last the full 9 innings for a complete game win, while Messersmith gave way with 1-out in the 7th inning.   Aside from Duncan, Reggie Jackson also knocked in 2 runs.  Mickey Rivers banged out 3 hits and had 2 stolen bases for the Angels in a losing cause.       

August 23 - Anahiem Stadium

Don Baylor 5th inning HR off Vida Blue with 2 out and 1 on proved to be the difference in a California 3-2 victory.  The Angles managed only 4 hits off Blue, who pitched the whole game for the Athletics and struck out 9.  He wasn't helped much by his defense, as 2 errors allowed the Halso to score an unearned run in the 3rd.  Californina starter Frank Tanana gave up a solo HR to Bill North to start the game and another to Gene Tenace in the 6th to make it a 3-2 game.  Oakland managed to put the tying run on 3rd with no outs in the top of the 9th and then to loaded the bases with 1 out.   But Lloyd Allen struck out Joe Rudi and Dave LaRoche got Reggie Jackson to pop out to save the game for Tanana.   

August 24 - Anaheim Stadium

Clyde Wright tossed a complete game 3-hitter and Don Baylor put the game away with a 3-run bomb in the bottom of the 8th as California topped Oakland in the series fianl 7-1.  Kenny Holtzman went the distance for Oakland,  and like the day before, was hurt by a poor A's defense, which gave up 3 unearned runs.  But it wouldn't have mattered much this day, as Wright was in complete the whole game.  Oakland did load the bases with 2 outs in the top of the 9th.  But Wright struck out Phil Garner to end the game.    

--submitted by D.Zaner--

Dodgers sweep all 4 against the Braves

Game 1 saw a matchup between Phil Niekro and Don Sutton with all of the scoring coming in the first 3 innings. Hank Aaron had both of the Braves RBI's with a 2 out single in the first to bring home Evans and then with a solo homerun in the third. But the Dodgers were one run better as Bill Russell brought in a run in the 2nd with a groundout to short scoring Garvey, and then in the third the Dodgers put up two more as both Steve Garvey and Ron Cey hit RBI singles.

Sutton got the win, Niekro got the loss, and Jim Brewer got his first save of the season.

Game 2 was a pitching matchup between Morton and Messersmith. Morton went 7 innings giving up 3 runs on 10 hits, but the Dodgers and Andy Messersmith held the Braves to just 3 hits in the game, and no runs. Steve Yeager and Bill Russell both had RBIs in the second inning and then in the 6th Russell picked up his second RBI of the game. Messersmith went 7.2 innings for the win and Rhoden came on for his first save of the season.

Game 3 saw the teams move to Atlanta and a pitching matchup between Rau for the Dodgers and Reed for the Braves. Once again it was the early runs that determined the game as the Dodgers took a 4-0 lead after 3 innings with one run in the second as Rau helped his own cause with an RBI single and then in the third inning Ron Cey brought home a run with a single and Dusty Baker hit a two run homerun. In the 5th the Dodgers added an insurance run as Reggie Smith hit a solo homerun. The Braves finally broke through in the 6th inning as Burroughs doubled in a run and scored two more runs in the 7th as both Aaron and Baker hit RBI singles. However the Dodgers were able to hold the Braves scoreless the rest of the game and walked away with their third straight victory over Atlanta, 5-3. Rau got the win, Reed took the loss, and Brewer got his second save of the season.

Game 4 was a matchup between Claude Osteen for the Dodgers and Dick Ruthven. Once again the Dodgers struck early as they took a 2-0 lead after only two batters as Willie Davis brought Lopes home with a 332 foot homerun down the right field line. The Dodgers scored again in the 5th as Claude Osteen missed a sign and stole second base and then came around to score as Davis got his third RBI of the game. The Braves finally broke through in the 6th, scored one run on an Evans homerun. But it was not enough as the Braves were held scoreless the rest of the game. Osteen got his second win of the season, Brewer picked up his 3rd save and Ruthven fell to 1-1.

--
Keith MacDonald
Check out my website and blog at www.kamacdonaldphoto.com

Bombers take 3 of 4 from Bosox

GAME 1 - Guidry vs. Moret

“Louisianna Lightning” struck again as Ron Guidry opened the game by striking out the side in the first 2 frames. And the Yankees opened up the rivalry against the Red Sox in Fenway with a lead-off Triple by Willie Randolph and a Sac Fly by DH Lou Piniella to get a quick 1-0 lead against Red Sox starter Rogelio Moret. The Sox got to Guidry in the 3rd as Tommy Harper walked and Dewey Evans Tripled to tie it at 1-1. The Yankees went ahead 2-1 in the 5th on a Single by Chris Chambliss, a wild pitch by Moret, and an RBI Double by none other than Bucky Dent! And that sent Moret to the showers. But in the bottom of the 6th, George Scott hit a tater over the Green Monster off of Guidry to make it 2-2. But that’s all

Boston would get off of Guidry today as he pitched 8 Innings allowing 8 hits while striking out 12! The key blow of the game came off the bat of Graig Nettles in the top of the 8 th as he greeted Sox Reliever Bob  Stanley with a 2 Run Shot that was just fair inside the “Pesky Pole” in RF as the Yankees win it 4-2.  Lindy McDaniel and Sparky Lyle closed it out for Guidry in the 9th as Lyle struck out Evans with Runners on 1st & 2nd to gain his first Save of the season.

GAME 2 – Stottlemyre vs. Lee

A pitcher’s duel broke out as Mel Stottlemyre goes 8 Innings allowing just 5 Hits without giving up a single run. Meanwhile, Bill Lee was matching Stottlemyre pitch for pitch until the 5th when he gave up Singles to Chris Chambliss and Thurman Munson. Lee got 2 outs by getting Bucky Dent to ground out moving Chambliss to 3rd and Munson to 2nd. Willie Randolph then grounded a clutch base knock into right field to put the Yankees up 2-0. Randolph also Tripled in the 8 th and scored to make it 3-0 and Sparky Lyle came in again to close it out for his 2nd Save as the Bronx Bombers take 2 in Fenway Park!

GAME 3 – Tiant vs. Peterson

To “The Stadium” we go and Graig Nettles hits a solo shot in the 2nd Inning off of Red Sox Starter Luis Tiant to put the Yanks up 1-0. The Sox answered in the 5th by pushing across 2 Runs against Starter Fritz Peterson but the Yankees get a run in the 6th on a Double by Lou Piniella and an RBI Single by Roy White to tie it at 2-2. Boston finally got to Peterson in the 8th as he allowed 3  consecutive Singles to Dwight Evans, Jim Rice, and George Scott who drove in Evans to make it 3-2. Enter Lindy McDaniel in relief for the Yankees and he’s greeted with a base knock off the bat of Reggie Smith that scores Rice and Boston takes a 4-2 lead into the 9th. Luis Tiant was relieved by Lefty John Curtis in the 8th after Nettles laced a Single to RF. Curtis got the Lefty Chris Chambliss to end the 8th. Bob Stanley relieved Curtis in a Save Opp for Boston as he tried to preserve the 2 Run Red Sox lead in the 9th. NOT! Stanley nails Munson with a pitch & gives up a Single to Randolph for starters. Bucky Dent then sacrifices Munson to 3 rd and Randolph to 2nd. Enter Mickey Rivers who Doubles in them both and it’s suddenly 4-4. Bill Campbell then came on for Boston and he intentionally walked Pinch-Hitter Reggie Jackson to set up the Double Play possibility with 1 out. “Soup” Campbell got Murcer to line out but Roy White hit a walk-off RBI Single up the middle that scored Rivers and the Yankees have now taken all 3 Games in this Series as they win at home 5-4!

GAME 4 – Culp vs. Medich

The Boston bats finally come to life as they avoid getting swept by New York with an 8-3 win in the Bronx. Ray Culp went the distance for Boston allowing 8 Hits and 3 Runs for his 2 nd Win this season.  Doc Medich allowed 11 Hits and 7 Runs in 4.1 IP’s. Graig Nettles hit 2 Solo Shots for the Yankees, his 4 th and 5th Home Runs of the season! Boston banged out 16 hits on the night led by Jim Rice who went 2 for 4 and drove in 3 Runs. Cecil Cooper had a strong night as well going 3 for 5 while driving in 2 as the Yankees take the Series 3-1.

--submitted by Dave Ashe--

Reds take all four from the Padres

Game 1 at Riverfront,
Randy Jones and Jack Billingham both pitched wonderful games however Johnny Bench's 3-run shot helps upend the Padres. Reds 3...Padres 2.

Game 2 at Riverfront,
Another tight one as Gary Nolan and Clay Kirby squared off near the Ohio River.  Dave Winfield smacked his 3rd homerun of the year. Unfortunately for the Padres, Winfield seems to be the only offense the swingin friars could muster so far.  Joe Morgan hit a solo homerun and RBI hits by Concepcion and Griffey aided in edging the Padres 3-1.

Game 3 at San Diego Stadium,
Johnny Bench and Geronimo hit homeruns to lead a 12 run Red onslaught on Padre pitching. San Diego starter, Steve Arlin was hammered for 10 runs and left after 5 innings.  Bench knocked in 5 runs in this laugh-er...Reds 12...Padres 2.

Game 4 at San Diego Stadium,
Don Gullett was masterful as he pitched 8 shutout innings to complete the Red four game sweep of the Padres.  Hal McRae hit his first homerun of the season while George Foster drove in 3 runs in the Cincinnati 6-0 white washing.

--submitted by Joey Scigliano--

Week # 1 Highlights

Twins and A's split opener

Welcome to Thomas Sawyer for his first KOD series.

Oakland 1 Minnesota 5

Strong pitching by Game MVP Bert Blyleven went the distance striking out 6 allowing 5 hits. Oliva and Smalley both had 2 RBIs.

Oakland 3 Minnesota 1

Vida Blue game MVP went 7 1/3 innings allowing 7 hits, Knowles relieved him Fingers got the save.

Minnesota 3 Oakland 10

Pitchers continued as Game MVPs and Holtzman went the distance allowing only 6 hits whereas the A's hitters belted out 13.

Minneosta 5 Oakland 2 (10 innings)

It was a pitching deul between Langford and Perry. Game MVP Bostock was 3 for 4 but the games hero was  Oliva as he had the GWRBI in the 10th.

--submitted by Robert Chisholm--