Dodgers Crowned '78 Champs!

Game 1
It's Burt Hooten for the Dodgers and Dennis Leonard for the Royals to kick off the 1978 World Series.  Each team

Dodgers celebrate Rick Monday 3 run blast.

went down quietly in the first 2 innings before Los Angeles erupted for 6 runs in the 3rd with half of those runs coming on a Rick Monday 3 run HR.  That was pretty much the ball game as Kansas City put up solo runs in the 4th and 7th and could only manage 4 hits as Hooten tossed a complete on only 95 pitches.  Los Angeles takes game one , 7-2.

Game 2
Game 2 is a match up of two southpaws, Tommy John for LA and Larry Gura for KC.  Both teams struck early with a pair of runs in the first frame, the Dodgers via a Reggie Smith 2 run HR and the Royals on an IF ground out and a Darrell Porter 2 out single.  Both pitchers then settled down tossing goose eggs.  John was removed in the 6th after allowing the first 2 batters to reach base.  Bob Welch came on to get the Dodgers out of trouble and keep the game tied.  Meanwhile, Gura was doing the same as he went 8 innings without allowing any further runs.  The tie breaker came in the bottom of the 8th when John Wathan hit a ball down the left field line that just cleared the fence to give KC a 3-2 lead.  Closer, Al Hrabosky sealed the deal in the 9th and the series is tied 1-1.

Game 3
The series moves to LA for the next 3 games and it is Paul Splittorff for the Royals and Don Sutton for the Dodgers.  Like game 1 the sides go down quietly in the first 2 innings before LA once again has a big inning.  With 2 outs and 2 on, Reggie Smith hits his 2nd HR of the series for a 3-0 Dodger lead.  LA follows that with a single, walk, single, single off Splittorff for 2 more runs and a 5-0 lead.  It proved to be enough as Sutton pitched well and was removed after 8th and Charlie Hough pitched a perfect 9th for a 6-0 Dodger win.  Los Angeles 2  Kansas City 1

Game 4
It is Rich Gale for the Royals and Doug Rau for the Dodgers in game 4.  Kansas City takes an early 1-0 lead in the 2nd

George Brett homer ties series
at 2-2.

on a Darrell Porter HR and then add another in the 6th on a Pete LaCock RBI double.  The Dodgers get a run back in the bottom of the 6th on a Steve Garvey single but George Brett goes long in the 7th for a 3-1 Kansas City lead.  Al Hrabosky comes on in the 9th to earn his 2nd save and the series is tied at 2.

Game 5
Game 5 sees a re-match between game 1 starters, Dennis Leonard and Burt Hooten.  This time the Royals jump on Hooten first and grab a 2-0 lead as Clint Hurdle goes long.  However, the 3rd inning has proven to be big innings for the Dodgers and so it was again.  After Garvey gets an RBI single to make the score 2-1, Rick Monday hits his 2nd 3 run HR of the series to make it 4-2 Los Angeles.  Reggie Smith adds another run in the 6th on his 3rd HR of the series and Leonard hits the showers after 6 innings and on a 5-0 losing end.  Marty Pattin comes on in relief in the 7th only to give up a Bill Russell HR and then a Steve Yeager 3 run blast in the 8th as the Dodgers run away with this one, 9-3 and take a 3-2 lead in the series.

Game 6
The series moves back to Kansas City for game 6 and the Royals trot out lefty, Larry Gura to try and send the series onto a 7th game.  Tommy John is trying to close out the series for the Dodgers.  Unlike in game 2, Gura immediately exhibited control issues as he walked 3 batters in the first inning, the third one walking in a run.  Los Angeles added 2 more runs in the 2nd on a Davey Lopes 2 run HR for a 3-0 lead.  The Royals cut that to 3-2 on a Darrell Porter RBI triple and a RBI ground out in the bottom of the 2nd.  That is the way the score remained until the 8th inning when PH Manny Mota worked a bases loaded walk to get an insurance run for the Dodgers, 4-2.  Bob Welch came in with 2 out in the 6th and, unlike in game 2, shut the door on the Royals for the rest of the game to earn the save and give the Los Angeles Dodgers a win and make them World Series Champions.

MVP:  Reggie Smith   .286    7 runs   8 RBI  4 HR

Dodgers Advance to World Series

Game 1
The Dodger's, Burt Hooten, and the Phillies, Larry Christenson, were stellar as the NLCS kicked off.  As it turned out Ron

Dodgers celebrate as they move
on to the World Series.

Cey's lead off HR in the 2nd was all the runs that LA would need as Hooten threw 8 shutout innings and Bob Welch closed the game out.  The Dodgers added an unearned insurance run in the 8th on a Reggie Smith double.  Christenson was the hard luck loser as he went 8 innings.  Los Angeles 2  Philadelphia  0     Series  Los Angeles 1-0

Game 2
Game 2 featured Tommy John against Dick Ruthven and the Dodgers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on a Bill Russell single and increased the lead to 3-0 in the 5th on a 2 out Davey Lopes double.  Both teams put up run in the 6th and the Dodgers added one more in the 7th on Lopes' 3rd RBI.  Larry Bowa's 2 run single in the 8th made it a 2 run game but Bob Welch came on for John to record the last 6 outs.  Los Angeles 5  Philadelphia 3   Series  Los Angeles  2-0

Game 3
The series moves to LA and it is a premier match up of Steve Carlton for Philadelphia and Don Sutton for LA.  The Phillies take their first lead of the series in the 2nd inning on a Ritchie Hebner HR.  The Dodgers tied it up in the 4th on 3 consecutive singles by Steve Garvey, Ron Cey and Dusty Baker.  Carlton and Sutton continued to put up the goose eggs.  Carlton was removed in the 8th after a Reggie Smith one out double and Ron Reed kept the game tied at 1.  Sutton got the first 2 outs in the 9th and was removed after a Mike Schmidt single.  Bob Boone followed with a single moving Schmidt to 3rd and when the usually sure handed Davey Lopes misplayed a groundball the Phillies had a 2-1 lead.  Warren Brusstar came on for the save and promptly game up singles to Baker and Russell putting baserunners at the corners.  Tug McGraw came on and PH Leon Lacy doubled to tie the score but Russell was out at home and the game went to extra innings tied at 2.  Neither team could score until the 13th when Hebner led of the inning with his 2nd HR of the series for a 3-2 Phillies lead and Jim Kaat, who had come on in the 12th, pitched the 13th to get the win.
Philadelphia 3  Los Angeles 2     Series  Los Angeles  2-1

Game 4
Two lefties started game 4, Randy Lerch for the Phillies and Doug Rau for the Dodgers.  Lerch gave up a lead off HR to Davey Lopes in the first but Mike Schmidt got one of his own in the 3rd to knot the score at 1.  Lerch didn't have his best stuff this game and in the 3rd Lopes had a lead off double followed by a Bill Russell single.  Reggie Smith then doubled both runners home before Steve Garvey plated runs 3 and 4 of the inning and a HR and Lerch's day was done as the Dodgers lead 5-1 after 3 innings.  Los Angeles added one more in the 4th and Philadelphia 2 in the 5th to cut the deficit to 3.  Lopes hit his 2nd HR of the game in the 7th for a Dodger 7-3 lead.  Rick Rhoden pitched 3 scoreless innings and Bob Welch through a scoreless 9th as the Dodgers win the deciding 4th game.
Los Angeses  7  Philadelphia  3       Los Angeles wins the series 3-1.

Giants club Reds

Cincinnati,

Game 1,

Red killer Marc Hill banged out 3 hits to lead San Francisco past the Reds in the opener.  Jack Clark and shortstop Roger Metzger drove in two runs to aid in the offensive surge. Bob Knepper scattered 11 hits over 9 innings to improve his record to 15-12.  The loser was Bill Bonham (6-8). Giants 6...Reds 2.

Jack clouts lead Giants to a sweep.

Game 2,

Tom Terrific was far from that today as he lacked his usual overpowering stuff.  San Francisco roughed up Seaver for 8 runs over 3.2 innings. Seaver watched as his ERA ballooned to 3.38 and his record fall to 13-9.  Offensive heros in the game were Jack Clark, who clouted his 22nd, and 23rd homeruns of the season and drove in 4 runs.  Leadoff man Bill Madlock added 2 more RBI and 3 hits.  Ed Halicki pitched the second complete game for the Giants as he improves to a remarkable 18-2 and lowered his ERA to 1.73.  Giants 9...Reds 1.

Reds Sweep Friars.

Cincinnati,

Game 1,

DeFreites drives in 3 and clouts first homerun

Arturo Defeitas hit his first homerun of the year and drove in three runs to help lead the Reds past the Padres in the first of a short two game set.  George Foster connected for his 37th dinger of the year to send south paw Bob Owchinko to his 13th loss. Reds 8...Padres 4.

Drives in winning run with booming double.

Game 2,

Cincinnati took the second game of the series but needed the bottom half of the ninth to work their magic.  The game was tied entering the bottom half of the ninth, when Dan Driessen doubled high off the right field wall to score Doug Bair with the winning tally.  Reds 6...Padres 5.

Pitching Prevails as Pale Hose Post Pair from Tribe

Game 1 – Rick Waits goes the distance to beat the White Sox 5-1. The Keystone combo of Tom Veryzer (4) and Duane Kuiper (3) banged out 7 hits.

Game 2 – Steve Stone wins his 15^th of the season, yielding just 1 run on 4 hits. Lerrin LaGrow got the 27^th out and earned his 12^th save. Sox will 3-1.

Game 3 – Mike Squires goes 4-for-4 and ChiSox get good pitching again from Ross Baumgarten (2-1) and Jim Willoughby (8) to win 2-1 and take the series.

Royals Reign in Two in ChiTown

Game 1 – Hal McRae’s 473-foot monster shot with a man aboard provided all the offense KC would need. Larry Gura twirled the 4-0 complete-game shutout.

Game 2 – Two Sox errors lead to 3 runs in the Royals 11^th as they win 5-2. “The Mad Hungarian” Al Hrabosky (1-5) notches his first W. Clint Hurdle bangs out 4 hits for the victors.

Game 3 – Eric Soderholm accounted for both ChiSox runs in a 2-1 win for the home team. He homered in the 2^nd and then his single in the B9 plated Mike Squires with the game winner.

Phillies and Dodgers play 3 one run games.

Game 1: Los Angeles 3 Philadelphia 2
W: Rau (9-11)  L: Ruthven (9-1)
Dodgers led 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th when Hebner got thrown out at the plate by Lee Lacy, and Schmidt grounded out with the bases loaded.

Game 2: Philadelphia 5 Los Angeles 4
W: Brusstar (6-0)  L: Hough (5-3)
Winning run scored in the bottom of the 9th on a sac fly by Bob Boone.

Game 3: Philadelphia 5 Los Angeles 4
W: Lerch (9-7)  L: Hooton (15-4)
Phillies capped a 4 run 7th with a 3 run pinch hit blast by Tim McCarver.  LA scored one in the 9th and had the bases loaded with no outs, but they were only able to score one more run before Tug McGraw got the final out.

Philadelphia wins 3 of 4 against Pittsburgh

Game 1: Philadelphia 8 Pittsburgh 3
W: Brusstar (5-0)  L: Jackson (1-3)
Pirates led 3-2 after 6, but a 3 run 7th and a 3 run homerun by Schmidt in the 8th put the game away for Philadelphia.

Game 2: Philadelphia 2 Pittsburgh 0
W: Carlton (14-6)  L: Kison (1-2)
Steve Carlton handcuffed the Bucs with a 4-hit shutout.  Larry Bowa drove in both runs with a single in the 5th.

Game 3: Philadelphia 11 Pittsburgh 6
W: Lerch (8-7)  L: Bibby (10-5)
Phillies knocked out Bibby with a 6 run 2nd inning.  Pirates chased Lerch with a 4 run 7th to cut the lead to 8-6, but a base clearing double by Schmidt in the 8th salted it away for the home team.

Game 4: Pittsburgh 4 Philadelphia 3
W: Robinson (10-10)  L: Christenson (11-8)
Don Robinson held the Philles to 3 hits over 7-1/3, then Kent Tekulve came in and slammed the door to salvage the series finale.

Three CG in Tigers Sweep of ChiSox

Game 1 – Rusty Staub and Jason Thompson hit back-to-back solo shots in the 1^st for the Tigers and they didn’t stop there. Eleven runs and 21 hits later, Jack Billingham (9-12) finished off an 11-3 win. Staub ended with 4 hits and 3 RBI.

Game 2 – Steve Kemp doubled with the bases loaded in the 10^th. His shot off the wall cleared the bases. The Tigers would need all three as Chicago rallied with a pair in the B10. Jim Slaton (8-13) pulled the iron-man, 10-inning complete game.

Game 3 – Dave Rozema (9-6) made in 3 complete games in a row as Detroit hammers Chicago 8-1. Alan Trammell homered for 1 of his 3 hits and 3 RBI. Ralph Garr smashed 4 hits for the ChiSox.

Atlanta Dismantles Big Red Machine

Cincinnati,

Game 1,

Gary Matthews broke a 1-1 tie in the 9th inning with a solo homerun. Atlanta added another run in the final frame when Bob Horner doubled off the wall to score Gary Nolan. Craig Skok gets the victory in relief to improve his record at 1-2. Gene Garber pitched the ninth for his 7th save.  Tough luck pitcher, Tom Seaver got tagged with the loss to move to 10-7. Pete Rose collected three hits in the loss. Braves 3...Reds 1.


Game 2,

Sarge crushes two bombs.

Atlanta scored four runs in the third inning. three of the runs came courtesy of a 3-run homerun by Gary Matthews, his second of the series and 12th of the year. The "Sarge" gathered three hits for the game to up his average to .274. Phil Niekro's knuckler kept the Reds' bats off balance all game. Niekro went the distance on only 3 hits and 3 runs to get his 19th win of the year. The loss went to Tom Hume (7-8). Braves 5....Reds 3.




                                                       Game 3,

Foster connects for # 29 and #30

Paul Moskau is becoming the Reds' stopper as he prevented a Braves sweep. Moskau pitched seven solid innings for his 11th triumph of the campaign.  The Reds starter was supported by homeruns from Pete Rose and two off the bat of George Foster.  Reds 7....Braves 1.

Friars take two in the Queen City.

Cincinnati,

                                                       Game 1,

Rose gets 3 hits in victory.

Gaylord Perry and Paul Moskau were locked in a classic pitcher's duel as both teams were knotted at one a piece heading into the bottom of seventh inning. Rick Auerbach began the inning with a walk and stayed there when Ray Knight lined a rope to left that was snared by Gene Richards. Pete Rose came to the plate with 2 hits already under his belt in the game.  Perry threw a Vaseline ball that did not break and Charlie Hustle got good wood on the soiled ball and smashed it high and deep down the right field line.  Right fielder Oscar Gamble went back and towards the foul pole but it was not enough as the ball nestled safely in the stands for two runs.  Pedro Borbon pitched 2 innings in relief to earn his 4th save and Moskau improved to 10-4. Reds 3...Padres 2.


Game 2,

Dave Winfield and Oscar Gamble drove in two runs each to lead the Padres past the Big Red Machine today.  Eric Rasmussen was far from overpowering but pitched well enough to win. Rasmussen surrendered 10 hits and 2 runs through 6 innings.  Mikey Lolich and Mark Lee threw 3 innings of strong relief to preserve the victory for the visiting men from the south west.  Padres 7...Reds 2.


Game 3,

Gamble triples in winning tally

Bill Bonham had the game well in hand as he left the game after 7 innings due to fatigue.  The game was left in the hands of the Red bullpen who had to hold a 1-0 lead. However, things went bad.  San Diego came to bat in the top half of the 8th inning and it started out well for Cincinnati.  The first two batters were retired quickly and easily and it appeared that the inning was over when Ozzie Smith rolled a routine grounder to All-Star third baseman Pete Rose who gloved the ball effortlessly.  However, Rose's peg to first was high and wide and went down the first base line. By the time the ball was retrieved, Smith was standing at second base. The next batter, Derrel Thomas hit a single to left to tie the game at 1. That was not the end as the next batter Oscar Gamble tripled in Thomas for the lead.  Rollie Fingers finished up the game as he easily retired the Reds batters in the ninth to win the game.  Padres 2...Reds 1.

Reds tomahawk Braves

The Reds brought their hitting shoes down to Atlanta, blasting Braves pitching to win the 3 game series, 2 games to 1.  The Braves came into the series on a hot steak, having won 8 of their last 10 games.

The Braves took the first game behind the pitching of Phil Niekro, who is having an amazing season to date.
Niekro won his MLB leading 18th game of the year, striking out 6 and pitching another complete game.

In the second game, the Reds fought off a Braves' 9th-inning rally to get a 7-6 win.  George Foster had 3 hits, Pete Rose 2 more, and Fred Norman went 8 innings for his 7th win of the season. Bob Horner hit 2 long-balls for Atlanta.

In the rubber match, Dan Driessen was the hitting star hitting 2 homers and driving in 5 runs.  He had 5 hits in all, and Ken Griffey contributed 4 more hits.   George Foster knocked in 3 runs with his 27th bomb of the season.  Pedro Borbon got the win in relief.  Jeff Burroughs and Bob Horner each homered for the Braves in a losing effort.  Horner already has 18 homers since his mid-June callup.

Luzinski powers Phillies over the Mets

Game 1: Philadelphia 6 New York 4
W: Ruthven (8-0)  L: Espinosa (8-10)
Ruthven was cruising along until the 6th when the Mets scored 3 runs to tie the game.  Greg Luzinski untied it in the 8th with his 2nd homer of the game off Espinosa.

Game 2: New York 5 Philadelphia 4 (10 innings)
W: Lockwood (5-4)  L: McGraw (4-1)
Both starters (Hausman & Carlton) were effective, but neither bullpen could hold the lead.  Of the 6 relievers who entered the game, Bernard was the only one who did not allow a run.

Game 3: Philadelphia 9 New York 7
W: Reed (6-1)  L: Lockwood (5-5)
More of the same as the bullpens gave up 13 combined runs over the final 2-1/2 innings.  Luzinski's 2 run shot off of Lockwood proved to be the game winner.

Houston Finally Breaks Series Slump

The reeling Astros hadn't won a series in two weeks but finally do so vs. the Mets, who are off to a surprisingly good year. Houston takes the series 2-1, including a 13-inning nail-biter in Game 1. Houston is now a still-lowly 46-57, while the Mets remain over .500 at 55-51.

Game 1: Houston 3, Mets 2 (13 innings)
W: Sambito (6-7)
L: Bernard (2-3)

Houston is in control of this one, 2-1, going into the ninth, despite five walks from erratic Houston ace J.R. Richard in 6.1 innings, led by a two-run tater from Jose Cruz (4). But shaky Houston reliever Ken Forsch gives up a tying run in the ninth on three Mets singles, including an RBI from Elliot Maddox. Houston outfielder Jesus Alou, atoning for a poor bunt in the 10th that fails to move a runner to third with one out, strokes a game-winning single off Dwight Bernard in the bottom of the 13th.

14-year vet Jesus Alou may not play a lot
but he still hits in the clutch.

Game 2: NYM 4, HOU 1
W: Koosman (9-8)
L: Dixon (5-6)
S: Lockwood (18)

Longtime Met Jerry Koosman still has it, overpowering Astros hitters with eight Ks in six innings, while relievers Dale Murray and Skip Lockwood do the rest. Timely doubles from Maddox and John Stearns support the solid pitching.

Game 3: HOU 4, NYM 0
W: Lemongello (7-10)
L: Swan (8-7)

The "good" Mark Lemongello shows up this time (vs. the bad one seen on many other occasions this year), pitching a complete game three-hitter with six Ks. Enos Cabell and Rafael Landestoy both knock in two runs off the Mets Craig Swan.

Pale Hose Earn Stars vs. Rangers

Game 1 – Eric Soderholm’s lead-off, walk-off home run in the B10 off Len Barker gave the White Sox a 5-4 win in the opener.

Game 2 – Soderholm’s 3-run blast in the 3^rd was the big blow in a 7-1 ChiSox win. Steve Stone (11-9) went the distance on the hill.

Game 3 – Toby Harrah’s sac fly in the 9^th lifted Texas to a 5-4 win in the opening game of a twin bill.

Game 4 – Ralph Garr’s 10^th inning single plated Don Kessinger and Thad Bosley with the tying and winning runs for a 6-5 South Sider’s win in the nightcap. The Rangers went up 5-3 in the T10, but Chicago responded with 3 in the lower half.

Phillies Split Four Games with Cincinnati

Cincinnati,

Game 1,

Henderson smacks clutch double.

Ken Henderson, filling in for struggling centerfielder Cesar Geronimo, drove in a pair of big runs to lead Cincinnati past the powerhouse Phils.  The bottom third of the Reds lineup did most of the damage driving in 4 of the Reds 5 runs in support of Fred Norman, who improves to 6-12. The loser was Randy Lerch, who falls to 6-7. Reds 5...Phillies 2.



Game 2,

Tom Seaver got rocked in this game as he surrendered six runs on eleven hurts before being lifted in the fifth inning.  Luzinski and Jerry Martin both connected for homeruns off Tom Terrific.  Steve Carlton was fantastic as he went the distance striking out seven Red batters to earn his 13th win of the year. Phillie 8...Reds 3.

Game 3,

"Bull" Luzinksi slams three homeruns in the series.

Bull Luzinski smacked two more homeruns as he went 3 for 3 with 3 runs batted in. However, this was not good enough as Foster, Griffey, and Johnny Bench also pelted homeruns to lead Cincinnati past Philadelphia.  Paul Moskau earned his 9th win of the year.  Reds 6....Phillies 3.


Game 4,

Jerry Martin smacked a bases loaded double off the wall to break a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning. All three runs scored on Martin's booming two bagger. That was all the Phillies needed to even the series.  Larry Christenson improved to 11-6 for the year. The loser in relief was Pedro Borbon. Phillies 6...Reds 2.

A’s Sweep Pale Hose

Game 1 – Mitchell Page goes 4 for 5 with a home run to power the Athletics to 6 runs and 18 hits in a 6-5 win.

Game 2 – A’s score all 8 of their runs in the 2^nd inning in an 8-1 victory. Taylor Duncan and “Tarzan” Joe Wallis collect 2 of their 3 hits for the game in the 2^nd. Rick Langford (7-4) goes the distance on the mound.

Astros' Losing Streak Stops at 12 Games

Houston comes home to the Astrodome hoping to reverse their recent fortunes after dropping 11 straight. After stretching the streak to 12 games vs. Montreal, they finally win one behind a dominant game from newly promoted starter Vern Ruhle. But then, Montreal takes the series finale, 5-4, as Ross Grimsley wins his 16th.

The Expos, having little chance to catch first-place Philadelphia, keep hope alive for a record over .500 and are now 53-49. The formerly decent Astros are dropping toward last in the NL West with a record of 44-56.

Game 1: MON 8, HOU 0

W: Dues (4-5)

L: Lemongello (6-10)

Formerly obscure young pitcher Hal Dues of Montreal shuts down the Astros hitters (not a difficult feat these days) in a four-hit complete game win. Mark Lemongello tries to recover from a five-run Montreal first, keyed by  four hits, a hit batsmen, a walk, and a big Warren Cromartie double. He only gives up one more run but it doesn't matter due to the silent Astros bats.

Game 2: HOU 3, MON 0

W: Ruhle (1-1)

L: Fryman (0-3)

The recently activated Vern Ruhle outduels mustachioed 38-year-old Woodie Fryman, who gives up three runs in the fourth for the only runs of the game. New Astros catcher Bruce Bochy drives in two with a clutch single to help break the Astros' 12 game winning streak. Ruhle goes all the way in a five-hit shutout.

Former Tiger Vern Ruhle, signed  in the
 offseason,, helps break the 'Stros losing streak.

Game 3: MON 4, HOU 4

W: Grimsley (16-5)

L: J. Niekro (4-11)

Ross Grimsley's record moves to a gaudy 16-5, thanks to a Warren Cromartie two-run homer (9) and a slicing two-run double from Ellis Valentine off the again-ineffective Joe Niekro. The Astros vie to make it a game late, after Enos Cabell pounds an eighth-inning homer (4) to cut the Montreal lead to one. But Grimsley goes back to work, allowing no hits after that for the complete-game win. 

Brew Crew and ChiSox Split Border Battle

Game 1 – Steve Stone reaches double figures in wins with a complete game in a 6-3 White Sox victory. Ron Bloomberg hit a 3-run bomb to pace the offense.

Game 2 – Gorman Thomas (22) homered for one of his 3 safeties, and drove in 3 to lift Milwaukee to a 4-1 win.  

Atlanta chops down the Phillies

Game 1: Philadelphia 4 Atlanta 3 (10 innings)
W: Reed (5-1)  L: Campbell (1-2)
Jerry Martin gets 3 hits and drives in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th.

Game 2: Atlanta 5 Philadelphia 2
W: Boggs (2-7)  L: Christenson (10-6)
A 3 run 4th put the Braves up for good.  Ex-Phillie Gene Garber came in to shut the door over the final 2-1/3 innings.

Game 3: Atlanta 4 Philadelphia 1
W: Niekro (17-6)  L: Kaat (8-5)
Phil Niekro cruised to his 17th win, striking out 6 and walking 6.

YANKEES SOAK WHITE SOX

GAME 1 – Mickey Rivers lead-off home run set the tone as the Yankees put 6 on the board in the first two innings. They hold on for a 6-2 win.

GAME 2 – Wilbur Wood’s knuckler was dancing masterfully in a 6-1 White Sox victory.

GAME 3 – Bombers explode for 7 runs in the middle innings to win easily 8-2.

Phils make it 12 in a row.

Game 1: Philadelphia 14 Houston 4
W: Ruthven (7-0)  L: Niekro (4-10)
Jerry Martin drove in 4 runs and Greg Luzinski drove in 3 as Ruthven cruised to an easy win.

Game 2: Philadelphia 4 Houston 3
W: Christenson (10-5)  L: Sambito (5-7)
Phillies chased starter Rick Williams with 3 runs in the 1st inning, but Ken Forsch came in and shut the door allowing Houston to tie the game in the 5th.  Bowa scored the go ahead run in the 7th off of eventual loser, Sambito.

Game 3: Philadelphia 7 Houston 3
W: Brusstar (4-0)  L: McLaughlin (1-1)
J.R. Richard fanned 13 and walked 5 in 6-1/3 innings, but he could not keep Philadelphia from running wild on his battery mate Luis Pujols with 7 stolen bases.  Homeruns by Schmidt and Hebner in the 8th broke a 3-3 tie giving the home team the win.

Game 4: Philadelphia 7 Houston 4
W: Carlton (12-5)  L: Dixon (5-5)
Neither starting pitcher was sharp early on, but the game was tied 3-3 after 5 innings.  Phils broke it open with 4 runs in the 6th to sweep the series.

Phils remain hot, sweep Reds.

Game 1: Philadelphia 13 Cincinnati 10
W: Carlton (11-5)  L: Maskau (8-3)
Cincinnati hit 2 homeruns in the 1st, 2 in the 6th, and 1 in the 8th, but the Phils held them off with 6 batters collecting at least 2 hits and 4 guys driving in 2 or more runs.

Game 2: Philadelphia 9 Cincinnati 3
W: Kaat (8-4)  L: Hume (7-7)
In this game, the Phillies hit 4 homeruns to record their 8th straight win.

Oakland sweeps the Jays

Game 1:  Oakland 4  Toronto 2
W - Heaverlo (2-7)  L - J Coleman (1-1)

Light-hitting Rob Picciolo hit his first HR of the season leading Oakland past Toronto

Game 2:  Oakland 8  Toronto 2
W - Broberg (6-6)  L - Clancy (7-10)

Young Tony Armas led the way For the A's with 3 hits.  Pete Broberg pitched into the 7th inning.

Game 3:  Oakland 4  Toronto 1
W - Johnson  (4-8)  L - Garvin (4-9)

John Henry Johnson pitched a complete game, outdueling Jerry Garvin of Toronto.
Rob Picciolo hit his 2nd HR of the series putting the game out of reach.

Splitsville in the Queen City

Cincinnati,

Game 1,

Tony Perez doubles in three runs.

A total of four homeruns were hit in this game as the lead went back and forth.  Cincinnati took the lead in the seventh inning as they plated four runs. However, the lead did not stand as the Expos went on an offensive surge in the 9th inning as they battered around Tomlin and Pedro Borbon. Tony Perez doubled high of the wall with the bases loaded for 3 RBI in the 9th to beat down the Reds. Expos 11...Reds 8.

Henderson's Sacrifice fly wins it for the Reds.

Game 2,
The second game was much less offensive oriented as Tom Seaver took the hill for the reds in search of his 11th victory.  Seaver pitched fine but was tagged for a homerun in the fourth inning off the bat of Andre Dawson.  Montreal held the narrow 1-0 lead until the 9th inning when George Foster stepped up to the plate. The Reds outfielder lined a single to get matters rolling for Cincy.  Dan Driessen followed with a double off the wall to tie the game.  Driessen moved to third on a Bench deep fly ball and then scored when Ken Henderson, who is subbing for a slumping Geronimo, hit a ball deep enough to right field that even Valentine's cannon could not reach home before Driessen touched home with the winning tally. Reds 2...Expos 1.

ChiSox Wing Orioles

Game 1 – Kevin Kravec (6-8) bests Jim Palmer (12-8) in a 3-1 White Sox win. Bill Nahorodny’s 2-run blast in the 7^th was the big blow for the Sox. This was the only game of the series. Guessing the second game was rained out. 

Philadelpha takes 3 of 5 from Montreal

Game 1: Montreal 13 Philadelphia 4
W: Grimsley (14-4)  L: Kaat (7-4)
Matchup of the two NL ERA leaders was a no-contest as the Expos knocked out Kaat in the 2nd inning.  Larry Parrish was the hitting star with 3 hits and 7 RBI's.

Game 2: Philadelphia 7 Montreal 4
W: Ruthven (5-0)  L: Rogers (10-6)
A 3 run home run by Luzinski put the Phillies up 7-0 after 7 innings, but Montreal stormed back with 4 runs before Ruthven could close the game out.

Game 3: Philadelphia 4 Montreal 3
W: Christensen (8-5)  L: Fryman (0-1)
Philadelphia scored all 4 runs in the bottom of the 1st, then they needed a 4 inning save by Brusstar to nail down a one run win.

Game 4: Montreal 14 Philadelphia 5 
W: Dues (3-5)  L: Lonborg (4-5)
Expos teed off on Lonborg for 10 runs and 13 hits including 4 home runs in the first 3 innings.  Ellis Valentine knocked in 4 runs and Parrish batted home 3 more in a 20 hit barrage.

Game 5: Philadelphia 5 Montreal 4
W: Reed (4-1)  L: Garman (1-3)
 Dan Schatzeder's 3 run homer in the 6th broke a 1-1 tie, but Philly came back with 2 in the 6th and 1 in the 7th to tie the game.  Jerry Martin knocked in the game winner in the bottom of the 9th after scoring the tying run in the 7th.

The Dodgers Dominate in the Astrodome

The Dodgers show why they're running away for the NL West; the third place Astros pose little threat. A combination of overpowering starting pitching and just enough hitting gives LA a real chance to win it all this year. The Dodgers take all four games from Houston. They are now at 54-32 on the season, while the Astros fall to 39-43, dropping under .500 for the first time since early in the season.

The Astros continue to face offensive woes after star Cesar Cedeno goes down for the year, only scoring five runs in the four-game series.

Game 1: LAD 3, HOU 1
W: Rau (8-6)
L: Lemongello (6-9)
S: Forster (12)

Doug Rau again shuts down the Astros offense (an easy feat these days), amid a balanced offensive attack that includes three doubles. Mark Lemongello is a hard-luck loser even though he sports a sparkling 3.20 ERA.

Game 2: LAD 3, HOU 2
W: Hooton (12-1)
L: Bannister (4-5)

The contest may have been tight, but Burt Hooton was entirely in command to move to a gawk-inducing 12-1 this year. Another three doubles by the Dodger Blue provided the difference (the Astros could muster no extra base hits), and Floyd Bannister's five walks led to his early exit.

Game 3: LAD 2, HOU 0
W: Welch (2-0)
L: Dixon (4-4)

21-year-old rookie Bob Welch again makes the league take notice, firing a five-hit shutout. Bill Russell does most of the damage off effective Houston starter Tom Dixon, going two-for-three with an RBI and run scored.

Dodgers rookie Bob Welch wins his first two games easily.

Game 4: LAD 9, HOU 2
W: Sutton (11-5)
L: Richard (6-6)

A marquee pitching matchup between Don Sutton and J.R. Richard turns into an LA rout, with Richard giving up seven Dodger runs in the fourth before leaving, despite striking out seven. Ron Cey has three hits and drives in three, and Sutton strikes out eight in a complete game win for his 11th victory.

Giants Tackle Reds in Cincy.

Cincinnati,

Game 1,

A great pitching duel between Seaver and Vida Blue until the 5th inning. The Reds plated a run in the bottom of the 5th then the Giants retaliated with a run of their own in the 6th inning on a Jack Clark solo blast. Cincy broke the game open and sent Blue to the showers with a 5 run outburst in their half of the sixth inning. Tom Seaver Collects his 9th win as Blue was tagged with the loss to fall to 6-9.  Reds 8...Giants 5.


Game 2,

Bill Bonham was off his game and lasted until the 6th inning with 2 outs. Bonham exited after surrendering  7 runs. Terry Whitfield collected 3 hits and scored a run to make a winner of Jim Barr (3-6). Barr went the distance for the complete game shutout.  Giants 7....Reds 0.



Game 3,

Willie McCovey had a big day with 3 hits and a towering homerun to upend the Reds in the third game of the series.  Fred Norman was rocked for 6 runs and saw his record on the season sink to 4-12 and his ERA rise to 4.76.  "The Count" Montefusco was the starter for San Francisco and notched the victory to even his record at 7-7.  Giants 8....Reds 2.


Game 4,

George Foster smashed his 22nd homerun of the season and drove in four runs but it was not enough to defeat the surprisingly hot visiting Giants.  Catcher Marc Hill swung the hot lumber with his 5th homerun of the year and drove in 4 RBI.  Giants 10...Reds 7.

Reds Battle it out with Astros and Take 2 of 3.

Cincinnati,

Game 1,

Johnny Bench smashed a 3-run homerun to lead the Reds past the Astros.  Dan Driessen and Dave

Concepcion added  3 hits in the Big Red Machine onslaught that made lefty Fred Norman the victor. Norman improves to 4-11 while Floyd Bannister evens his record at 4-4 with the loss. Reds 7....Astros 2.


Game 2,

The Astros put up 3 runs in the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie to knot the series at a game a piece.  Johnny Bench hit his 9th homerun of the season and his second in two days in the loss.  Joe Sambito earned the win in relief to move to 4-4, and Ken Forsch recorded the save. The loser was Doug Bair (3-1). Astros 6....Reds 3.
Game 3,

Paul Moskau continues his fantastic season to improve to an impressive 8-1 mark. Moskau received plenty of offensive support in this game but did not need much of it as he only allowed one run on four hits and no walks over 8 innings.  Driessen, Griffey, and George Foster provided the punch with homeruns and and driving in half the runs in the blowout.  Houston starter, Joe Niekro fell to a 3-8 record as the knuckler was not working.  Niekro surrendered 4 runs before being pulled in the fourth inning with 2 outs.  Reds 10...Astros 1.

Big Red Machine and Dodger Blue do battle on the Banks of the Ohio.

Riverfront


Game 1,

Catcher fill in Vic Correll connected for a couple hits and drove in two runs to lead the Reds past the Dodgers in the series opener.  Paul Moskau pitches 6.1 innings for this 7th victory ( 7-1). Tommy John falls to 7-6.  Reds 4...Dodgers 2.

Game 2,

Bob Welch out dueled Manny Sarmiento to even the series at one a piece.  Steve Garvey and Reggie Smith hit homeruns in the win while Geronimo, and Driessen reached the seats for the Reds.  Hitting Star was Reggie Smith with 4 hits and 2 RBI. Dodgers 7...Reds 4.

Game 3,

Tom Seaver was not his overpowering self but managed to hang in there to notch his 8th win of the season.  George Foster hit his 19th of the year and 4 Reds got 3 hits each to support Seaver.  Tom Terrific gave up 10 hits and 3 walks but only allowed one run in the complete game triumph.  Rich Rhoden (7-7) got the loss.  Reds 7....Dodgers 1.


                                                       Game 4,

Dodger batters banged around three Reds pitchers including starter Bill Bonham.  Reggie Smith had another huge day with four hits, including a homerun and 2 RBI.  The benefactor Was Doug Rau who earned his seventh win.  Dodgers 9....Reds 1.

Cincy, Houston Split, Gain No Ground

Both the Reds and Astros continue to chase NL West frontrunners Los Angeles, but neither adds any traction as the clubs split a four-game series. Houston gets bad news: Cesar Cedeno, their all-star centerfielder, is out for the year. Houston is now 36-35, while disappointing Cincinnati is 36-39.

Game 1: HOU 3, CIN 0
W: Lemongello (6-7)
L: Seaver (7-5)

Tom Seaver only gives up two runs and five hits in seven innings, but Mark Lemongello outduels him, recording his eighth complete game to put him among the league leaders.

Game 2: CIN 9, HOU 1
W: Bonham (6-2)
L: Niekro (2-7)

Knuckleballing vet Joe Niekro continues to have trouble fooling NL hitters after moving back into the starting  rotation. Dan Driessen's 10th homer and 3 RBIs lead the offense, as new Red Bill Bonham shuts the door in a complete game five-hitter.

Dan Driessen is hitting .290 in June.

Game 3: HOU 7, CIN 3
W: Dixon (3-3)
L: Norman (3-11)

Little Freddy Norman only lasts 4.2 innings, giving up six runs, while Tom Dixon continues to be a pleasant surprise as a Houston starter with his fourth complete game. Joe Ferguson hits a three-run blast, his 10th, while Art Howe's three singles drive in three runs.

Game 4: CIN 3, HOU 1
W: Hume (7-6)
L: Bannister (4-3)

Converter reliever Tom Hume asphyxiates Astros hitters, throwing a complete game with six Ks and no walks. George Foster hits his 18th homer, and Dan Driessen has another nice game, going two-for-five.

Milwaukee Settles for Split with Minnesota

Game 1: Milwaukee 6  Minnesota 2

Don Money

WP: Larry Sorenson (9-7, 2.61 ERA)

LP:  Gary Serum (4-7, 3.20 ERA)

MVP:  Larry Sorenson

Milwaukee’s Larry Sorenson allowed only 2 earned runs and 7 hits to earn his 9^th win of the season.   Veteran Don Money (hitting .386 for June) went 2 for 4; hitting his 8^th home run of the season.  Mike Cubbage (.286 avg)  turned in a fine performance for the Twinkies batting 3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s.  Milwaukee never trailed in this one as they went on to win 6-2.

Game 2: Milwaukee 3  Minnesota 10

WP: Dave Goltz  (7-1, 1.97 ERA)

LP:  Moose Haas (1-2, 9.19 ERA)

MVP:  Rob Wilfong

The Minnesota lumber came down hard on Brewer pitching racking up 19 hits and 10 runs before Milwaukee would waive the white flag.  Game MVP Rob Wilfong went 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs.  Milwaukee starting pitcher Moose Haas was punished early giving up 9 runs before making an early exit in the 3^rd inning.  Dave Goltz continues his brilliant season as he struck out 8 batters and allowed only 3 hits to find his 7^th win of the season.  The series split improves Minnesota’s record to 31-40 while Milwaukee rests at 45-27.

Phillies sweep away Cubs

Game 1: Philadelphia 4 Chicago 1
W: Ruthven (2-0)  L: Roberts (2-6)
A complete game 5 hit performance by Dick Ruthven was backed up with 2 first inning homeruns by Jerry Martin and Mike Schmidt.

Game 2: Philadelphia 5 Chicago 2
W: McGraw (2-0)  L: Sutter (3-3)
Tim McCarver hit a pinch hit 3 run homer in the bottom of the 9th to win it for the Phils.

Game 3: Philadelphia 9 Chicago 1
W: Kaat (6-3)  L: Holtzman (0-1)
Phillies scored all of their runs in the first 2 innings.  Bob Boone was the batting star with 3 hits and 3 RBIs.

Game 4: Philadelphia 4 Chicago 2
W: Christenson (7-4)  L: Reuschel (8-7)
Larry Christenson was the star of the game pitching a complete game 5 hitter and tagging a grand slam in the 5th to account for all of Philadelphia's runs.

Big Innings Help Brewers Slip Past Mariners

County Stadium: The Milwaukee Brewers swept past the Mariners in sluggish fashion, taking a 3 game series

Jerry Augustine captures win number 9.

by the slimmest of margins.  All 3 games saw the Brewers put up 1 big inning to help in securing the wins.  The series saw Milwaukee slightly edge Seattle in the hit column slugging out 24 hits to the Mariners 22 but it was the Brew Crew long ball and key relief pitching that won it for the Brewers in the end.  The Brewers find themselves in contention for the AL East top spot as they improve to 44-26 and are now within striking distance of the Yankees and Red Sox.  Seattle drops to 28-45.

Game 1: Milwaukee 4  Seattle 2
WP: Caldwell: 8-4, 4.07 ERA
LP: Abbott: 2-7, 6.00 ERA

Game 2: Milwaukee 7  Seattle 5
WP: Augustine: 9-5, 3.48 ERA
LP: Colborn: 1-3, 5.24 ERA
SV: Rodriguez (4)

Game 3: Milwaukee 3  Seattle 2
WP: Travers: 3-3, 5.07 ERA
LP: Parrott: 2-2, 3.21 ERA
SV: Castro (9)

Cardinals and Phillies split a pair

Game 1: St.Louis 3 Philadelphia 0
W: Forsch (3-6)  L: Christenson (6-4)
Bob Forsch held the Phillies to 2 hits over 8 innings, then Littell closed it out.

Game 2: Philadelphia 4 St.Louis 3 (12 innings)
W: Brusstar (2-0)  L: Schultz (1-2)
Denny was breezing with a 1 hitter until the 8th when Philly scored 3 runs to tie up the game.  In the 12th, Maddox doubled and scored on a sac fly to win it.

ChiSox Sink Mariners

Game 1 – Jim Breazeale homered and drove in 3 to power the White Sox to a 5-2 win in the series opener.

Game 2 – Sox score 4 in the Bottom of the 9^th to rebound for a 7-6 win. Ralph Garr plated Thad Bosley with a single to end it.

Game 3 – Julio Cruz’s single up the middle scored Bill Stein with the winning run in the 10^th as Seattle salvaged the finale, 6-5. Stein charted the course with 3 hits and 3 RBI.

Cubs Come Back After Sutter Blows Save

Beset the injuries to Cesar Cedeno and Terry Puhl, the Astros hitting attack suffers in this series. Houston does manage to come back for an inspiring ninth-inning win in Game One but then shows a lifeless offense in the next two games. Houston is now 32-28, while the surging Cubs move to 29-31.

Game One: Hou 4, Cubs 3

W: Forsch (1-2)
L: Sutter (3-2)
MVP: Lemongello

The Cubs' Ray Burris and 'Stros' Mark Lemongello duel, with the Cubs breaking a 2-2 tie in the seventh when Burris singles and scores on a groundout. But the great Bruce Sutter is not up to the task this time, blowing his third save after a ninth-inning Houston rally. Jose Cruz singles, steals second and scores on a Bob Watson base rap. As importantly, Watson goes to second on the throw to the plate.That leads to a pinch-hit single from Julio Gonzalez to plate Watson and send the Astrodome fans celebrating.

Game Two:  Cubs 7, Hou 3
W: Geisel (1-0)
L: Andujar (10-3)
MVP: Geisel

In his first start of the year, the Cubs' Dave Geisel holds Astros hitters in check through six, showing great control with no walks and a steady diet of grounders. Meanwhile, Cubs bats pound out seven runs on nine hits, battering Joaquin Andujar for six runs, with many Cubs getting into the hitting act. Big blows include doubles by Bill Buckner and Steve Ontiveros.

Game Three: Cubs 1, Hou 0
W: Lamp (5-6)
L: Forsch (1-3)

Chicago's Dennis Lamp throws a complete game five-hitter, with no Astros' runner getting past second base.  He is matched by Tom Dixon, who lowers his ERA to 1.80 in eight innings of shutout ball. In the top of the ninth, Dave "King Kong" Kingman pounds a triple off reliever Ken Forsch and scores the only run when Mick Kelleher chops a single through the middle.

Pirates slug their way past Atlanta

Game 1:  Pittsburgh 4  Atlanta 3 
              W- Blyleven (4-7)   L- Niekro (12-2)
              HR- Stennett (1), Burroughs (12)

Game 2:  Atlanta 10  Pittsburgh 9
              W- Mahler (1-4)   L- Candelaria (6-5)
              HR - Parker (18), Stargell (18), Burroughs (13), Horner (1)

Game 3:  Pittsburgh 9  Atlanta 7
              W- Bibby (5-2)   L- Hanna (2-5)
              HR - Stargell (19), Matthews (4)

Series summary:

Dave Parker continued his assualt on N.L. pitchers, as he drove in 10 runs in the 3 game series.
His 6 hits raised his average to an amazing .396 this season.
Willie Stargell also homered twice to get to 19 on the year.
Bert Blylven outdueled Phil Niekro in the first game, preventing the knuckleballer from getting his 13th win.
Though overshadowed a bit by the Pirates hitters, Jeff Burroughs has been doing all he can to try and carry his Braves team.  He hasn't gotten much help to date, but perhaps phenom callup Bob Horner can help.  Horner arrived with the team on Thursday and immediately entered the starting lineup at 3rd base.  He hit his first HR of the year in the second game, a no-doubter into the left field bleachers.




Stargell has an impressive 19 HRs on the season in only 157 ABs



Seaver and the Reds out duel Red Birds.

Cincinnati,
Game 1,
Tom Seaver was on his "A" game as he went the distance to earn his 7th win on the campaign.  Tom Terrific had a shut out until the ninth inning when George Hendrick hit a solo homerun. However, Seaver went on to retire the side for the triumph.  Dan Driessen hit two homeruns and Geronimo added another.  Reds 4...Cardinals 1.

Game 2,

Cincinnati scored two runs in the first inning on a RBI double by George Foster and a balk committed by Pete Vuckovich.  Bill Bonham went 8 innings to move to 5-2 on the year. Doug Bair pitched the ninth to nail down his 5th save.  Pete Rose added another run later in the game to seal the game. Reds 3...Cardinals 0.


Game 3,

Outfielder George Hendrick had a very good game as he hit 2 homeruns and drove in 3 runs to lead St. Louis passed the Big Red Machine to prevent the sweep.  Hendrick connected for his first homerun in the second inning off lefty starter Fred Norman. Big George later hit a 2-run homerun in the sixth inning to increase the red bird  lead to 4-0.  Silvio Martinez earned his first win of the year as he allowed one measly hit over 5.1 innings pitched. Martinez did have control problems with six free passes on the day which prevented him from staying in the game longer.  Mark Littell and Buddy Schultz worked the rest of the game in relief to finish off the Reds.  Cardinals 5....Reds 2.

Royals Rout ChiSox

Game 1 – Larry Gura (3-2) went the distance, yielding 1 run and 4 hits in a 2-1 Kansas City win.

Game 2 – Two teams going in opposite directions. KC wins 9-2 to make it 8 of 10. The White Sox have now lost 6 straight. Darrell Porter homered and drove in 3.

Game 3 – Clint Hurdle hit a 2-run home run to power the Royals to a 4-2 winner in the opener of a doubleheader.

Game 4 – Back and forth game won by KC 9-7. George Brett’s 3 hits and 2 RBI lead the way as Paul Splittorff (10-4) goes the full 9.

Big Red Machine Handles the Boys From Chi Town.

Cincinnati,
Game 1,
The Reds strike for 3 runs in the seventh to knot the game at 4 apiece. However, Chicago had the last laughs with 2 runs in the 11th inning on an Ivan DeJesus RBI double off the wall and a run scoring single by Heity Cruz to win it for Bruce Sutter(3-0)...Cubs 6...Reds 4. (11 innings)

Game 2,
South paw Fred Norman improved to 3-8 with a seven inning, one run performance. Pedro Borbon wrapped up the game in relief for his 2nd save of the year. Dennis Lamp (5-6) got hung with the loss despite pitching a complete game.  Reds 3....Cubs 2.

Game 3,
George Foster and Cesar Geronimo both connected for homeruns to led the Reds to victory.  Foster smacked his 14th homerun off Dave Roberts in the fourth inning while Geronimo banged a bases empty blast in the ninth to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Dan Driessen won the game in the tenth inning with a run scoring single to right off reliever Rick Reuschel. The winning tally was charged to Bruce Sutter who got hung with his first loss of the season. Doug Bair (3-0) was the winner for the Reds. George Foster was the hitting star with 3 RBI. Reds 5...Cubs 4. (10 innings)

Houston Keeps Hold on Second, Wins Series from Bucs

The Astros get blown out in the first game but come back with two pitching gems to win the series over the Pirates. Houston continues to put the pressure on first-place Los Angeles in a closer-than-expected race. The Astros are now 31-26, while the Bucs drop to 31-27.

Game 1: PIT 6, HOU 0

W: Candelaria (6-4)
L: Dixon (2-2)
MVP: Candelaria

The "Candyman" could, as John Candelaria overpowers Houston hitters in a CG win. Dave Parker continues in his bid for league MVP, driving in three runs and even stealing his seventh base. Parker flirts with .400 during the series but is now at .394 on the year.

Game 2: HOU 4, PIT 2

W: Bannister (3-2)
L: Bibby (4-2)
S: J. Niekro (1)
MVP: Sexton

SS Jimmy Sexton finally hits one out.

An improbable Astros win. The struggling youngster Floyd Bannister gets the win despite only going 5.2 innings, but Joe Niekro had his knuckler a'flutterin' as he shut down the Bucs the rest of the way. Just as improbably, normal Astros non-entities Jimmy Sexton (1) and Reggie Baldwin (2) both homer off loser Jim Bibby.

Game 3: HOU 2, PIT 1

W: Richard (6-3)
L: Robinson (6-6)
MVP: Richard

J.R. Richard is the man, striking out six and only allowing two hits in a CG victory. Joe Ferguson's homer (8) and Joe Cruz's base running (he steals three to give him 15 on the year) are keys to victory, as Cruz scores the eventual game winner after swiping second and coming home on an Art Howe single in the sixth.

Jays end 21 game losing streak - players and fans alike still confused over scheduling

In what I would say is the most illogical scheduling of games I have ever seen, the Jays finally managed to win a game to end their 21 game losing steak.

Monday - Day off for both Toronto and Minnesota.  Tuesday - Doubleheader between Toronto and Minnesota.  Minnesota leaves Toronto. Wednesday - Milwaukee comes to Toronto for a doubleheader.  Thursday - Milwaukee leaves town, doesn't play a game nor does Toronto.

In Game 1 - Dave Goltz pitched a 5 hit shutout as the Twins win 6-0.  Game 2 saw the Twins take a 7-3 victory.

The Jays losing streak hit 21 games.

Finally in Game 1 of the DH vs the Brew Crew, the Jays finally eeked out a win - barely.  Leading 4-3 in the Top of the 9th with 2 outs, Martinez hit a single.  Paul Molitor then came to the plate and smashed a triple to score Martinez and tie the game.  The Jays fans were prepared for the inevitable. But John Mayberry clubbed his second HR of the game in the bottom of the 10th to give the Jays a 5-4 win.

In Game 2, the Jays went back to their losing ways as Augustine threw a complete game victory.  Brewers win 3-2.

Thornton Thumps Tribe to Sweep

Game 1 – Andre Thornton’s (14) monster blast into the upper deck gave the Indians an early 2-run lead. A Jim Norris 2-run single in the 8^th put the cap on a 6-3 Cleveland win. Rick Waits (4-7) went the distance on the hill.

Game 2 – Thornton’s 2-run bomb in the 9^th was all the Tribe would need to sweep this short two-game set. Sid Monge and Jim Kern (4-2) combine on the 3-hit shutout as Wahoos win 2-0.

Reds Outlast Cubs

Cincinnati,
Game 1,
The Reds strike for 3 runs in the seventh to knot the game at 4 apiece. However, Chicago had the last laughs with 2 runs in the 11th inning on an Ivan DeJesus RBI double off the wall and a run scoring single by Heity Cruz to win it for Bruce Sutter(3-0)...Cubs 6...Reds 4. (11 innings)

Game 2,
South paw Fred Norman improved to 3-8 with a seven inning, one run performance. Pedro Borbon wrapped up the game in relief for his 2nd save of the year. Dennis Lamp (5-6) got hung with the loss despite pitching a complete game.  Reds 3....Cubs 2.

Game 3,
George Foster and Cesar Geronimo both connected for homeruns to led the Reds to victory.  Foster smacked his 14th homerun off Dave Roberts in the fourth inning while Geronimo banged a bases empty blast in the ninth to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Dan Driessen won the game in the tenth inning with a run scoring single to right off reliever Rick Reuschel. The winning tally was charged to Bruce Sutter who got hung with his first loss of the season. Doug Bair (3-0) was the winner for the Reds. George Foster was the hitting star with 3 RBI. Reds 5...Cubs 4. (10 innings)

Grimsley holds off Dodgers to avoid sweep

If not for the golden left arm of Ross Grimsley the Expos would have been swept by the mighty Dodgers in 4 straight.  The man with the 'fro needed 11 innings and a wild pitch with a runner on 3rd to gather in his 10th win of the young season.

Braves take 2 of 3 from Phillies, Niekro notches 12th win.

Game 1: Philadelphia 3 Atlanta 2
W: Christenson (5-3)  L: Solomon (1-2)
Phillies ran their way to victory with 4 stolen bases.

Game 2: Atlanta 3 Philadelphia 1
W: Ruthven (2-6)  L: Kaat (5-3)
A two run home run by Gary Matthews in the 6th was the difference in the game.

Game 3: Atlanta 7 Philadelphia 2
W: Niekro (12-1)  L: Carlton (8-3)
The much anticipated duel between two of the NL's top hurlers never materialized.  Atlanta went deep 3 times off of Carlton and Niekro breezed to his league leading 12th win.

Brewers Take 4 from Toronto

Game 1: Milwaukee 3 Toronto 1

Gorman Thomas hits 3 home runs in the series
to help Milwaukee SWEEP Toronto.

WP: Mike Caldwell
LP: Jim Clancy
MVP: Mike Caldwell

After a slow start to the season Mike Caldwell has finally gotten his stuff together.  A complete game victory over the Jays has now improved Caldwell to 6-3 on the season and dropped his ERA to 3.79.  Jim Clancy, for Toronto, also had a fine game striking out 6 Brewers and allowing only 2 earned runs.  But it was a 3rd inning, very small,  let down by Clancy that would allow Milwaukee to score 2 runs and take the game.

Game 2: Milwaukee 11 Toronto 6
WP: Bill Travers
LP: Jerry Garvin
MVP: Gorman Thomas

The Brewers hit early and often racing out to a 9-0 lead by the end of the 3rd inning to basically put the Blue Jays back in their nest for the day.  Gorman Thomas led the charge hitting his 11th home run of the season, going 2 for 3 with 3 RBI's on the day.  The Jays however made a late run putting up 6 runs of their in own in the later part of the game, but it was too little too late for Toronto.  Every Brewer batter had a hit for the day.  Otto Velez had a fine performance for the Jays ripping out 2 hits and 3 RBI's along with a home run in the 6th inning (a 3 run shot which was his 4th of the season).

Game 3: Milwaukee 3 Toronto 2
WP: Larry Sorenson
LP: Tom Underwood
SV: Bill Castro
MVP: Charlie Moore

Toronto left bases loaded in the 9th inning to let Milwaukee slip past with a win, 3-2, in the first half of a double dip at County Stadium.  Toronto had the much better day, out hitting the Brewers 11-6, but it was a Charlie Moore's 3 run home run in the bottom of the 2nd that was the difference in the game.  Toronto's Tom Underwood, who has struggled most of the season, went a complete game, shutting the Brewers down after the dreaded Moore homer.  Milwaukee will have a chance to sweep the double header and the series, as they enter game 4 tonight.

Game 4: Milwaukee 3 Toronto 2
WP: Andy Replogle
LP: Jesse Jefferson
SV: Bill Castro
MVP: Gorman Thomas

Bill Castro gets his 2nd save of the day as he closed out Toronto in a 3-2 win, giving Milwaukee a sweep of the series home stand.  Toronto again outhit the Brewers (9-6) and had tied the game by the top half of the 7th inning, but it was a Gorman Thomas 321 foot frozen rope homer (his 2nd of the day and 13th of the season) that gave the Brewers a 1 run advantage and eventually the game.  Roy Howell (3 for 3, 1 RBI) and Dave McKay (3 fro 4, 1 RBI) combined to get most of the hits for the Jays  but it was Gorman Thomas's 2 for 3, 2 RBI, 2 HR performance that trumped both of them to earn the game MVP.  The Brewers improve to 36-20 while Toronto slips to 16-39.

Angels sweep the Athletics

Game 1:  California 5  Oakland 2
Game 2:  California 3  Oakland 2  (10 innings)
Game 3:  California 4  Oakland 1

The Angels took 3 straight from the A's in Oakland.
Dave LaRoche got a save in each game and is now up to 13 on the year.
Don Baylor got 5 hits in the series including his 7th HR of the season.
The A's started the year with promise, but have now lost 5 straight, and 11 of their last 13.