Big Red Machine Sweeps Birds!

Riverfront Stadium,

Game 1,

Foster has 5 home runs

George Foster connected for his 5th homerun of the season with a runner on base in the 6th inning to put the Reds out in front to stay. Mike Lacoss was masterful. Lacoss went the distance to earn his 4th victory of the year. Reds 2...Cardinals 1.

Game 2,

St. Louis was holding a 2-1 edge heading into the bottom of the 9th.  Pinch hitter Champ Summers walked and Auerbach came in to run for the slow footed first sacker.  The next batter, Ken Griffey attempted to bunt the runner into scoring position but hit it a little to hard and Keith Hernandez made a nice snare and was able to double off the runner. It appeared the Cardinals were in the clear but reliever Mark Littell proceeded to walk the next 3 batters. With the sacks full of Red runners, David Collins ripped a single to right center to plate two runs and a walkoff victory for the Reds. Reds 3....Cardinals 2.

Game 3,

Bench with the game winner.

Tom Seaver was not on his "A" game but he managed to pitch 8 innings. During Seaver's 8 inning performance, he surrendered 12 hits and 6 runs and required relief assistance from veteran bullpen ace Pedro Borbon.  Cincinnati erupted for 6 runs in the sixth including Ray Knight's second home run of the year.  St. Louis rallied off Seaver to knot the match at 6 with three runs during the seventh inning.  Matters were settled in the bottom of the tenth inning as Joe Morgan was safe on first after a failed sacrifice attempt. Morgan stole second base, then George Foster was intentionally passed.  Johnny Bench then lined a single to right to score Morgan with the Reds second walk off victory in as many games. Reds 7....Cardinals 6 (10 innnings)