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.