Game 1; Anaheim Stadium

Detroit 4, California 0

Detroit’s Frank Tanana and Mike Henneman combined to shutout California, limiting the home team to just 5 hits.  Twice the Angels had a runner on 3^rd with no outs, and failed to score both times.  Lance Parrish

hit a solo home run, while Alan Trammel and Tom Brookens each had 3 hits to give the Tigers more than enough offense for this game.  Geoff Zahn pitched well in a losing cause.

Game 2; Anaheim Stadium

California 8, Detroit 1

Mike Witt

tossed his 3^rd complete game of the season, surrendering only 2 hits and 1 walk to pick up his 3^rd win. Kirk Gibson’s 7th inning solo home run was the only blemish on what was otherwise a brilliant performance by the Angels staff ace.  California rediscovered their bats against Jack Morris, as Rod Carew banged out 3 hits including a triple, and Brian Downing socked a pair of 2-run home runs.  

Game 3; Tiger Stadium

California 5, Detroit 3

The rubber game of the series saw both teams take advantage of the HR-friendly fences of Tiger stadium.  Darrell Evens, Champ Summers and Chet Lemon homered for Detroit, while Fred Lynn, Wally Joyner and Brian Downing

did the same for California.  But since all were solo shots except for Downing’s 2-run blast, the gamed remained close and relatively low-scoring. When they weren’t giving up HRs, both starters Dan Petry and Ken Forsch pitched well.  By the time the dust settled, Angels closer Bryan Harvey managed to strike out the final two Tigers to save the win for Forsch and give California a series win. 

Yankees Win Series against Texas with Another Nettles' Clutch Blast

Down 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth of Game Three vs. the Rangers' great reliever Jim Kern the Yankee's Graig Nettles hits a walkoff homer to win the series. It's Nettle's third walkoff homer of the young season.

Don Mattingly continues to scorch the ball, batting .404 with four homers.

Check out the score of Game Two for a one-sided affair.

Game One: Texas 3, NYA 2
W: Tanana (2-1)
L: John (0-2)
S: Kern (2)

Frank Tanana keep Yankee bats at bay, only allowing five hits in 7.1 innings of work. The Yankees' Tommy John was also on his game, and the score was tied 2-2 after five. In the Texas sixth, singles by Buddy Bell and Ruben Sierra and a sac fly from Larry Parrish broke the deadlock. That was all Tanana and reliever Jim Kern needed, as the Yankees could only muster one single in the last three innings.

Game Two: NYA 17, Texas 1
W: Rasmussen (2-0)
L: Jenkins (0-3)

The Rangers were branded like Texas cattle by the Yankees bats, who gave them a major whupping from the first inning onward. Texas's Fergie Jenkins gave up four homers in the first, en route to nine Yankee runs in that frame, and hit the showers before the inning ended. Eight more New York runs off four Texas relievers continued the blowout. Dennis Rasmussen's brilliant three hitters was overshadowed by the hitting prowess. Both Don Mattingly and Reggie Jackson hit two long bombs in the game, and both stars also plated five RBIs. Texas would shrug its shoulders and hope to play better tomorrow.

Game Three: NYA 3, Texas 2

W: Gossage (3-0)
L: Kern (0-1)

The game of the series, this one a terrific pitching duel between the Yanks' Ron Guidry and the Rangers' Jon Matlack. A 0-0 tie was broken in the fifth on a Wayne Tolleson double and Scott Fletcher single that gave the Rangers the lead. A Larry Parrish homer in the sixth handed the Rangers a 2-0 edge off Guidry. Matlack was cruising, only giving up a suicide squeeze from Bucky Dent in the bottom of the eight to make it a 2-1 Texas lead. The score looked safe in the ninth with Texas reliever Jim Kern on the hill looking for his third save.  However, with two outs and a runner on first after a scratch single, the Yankees' Graig Nettles ran the count full against Kern. On an inside fastball, Nettles turned on it to wallop it to right for a two run homer. The Yankees win!

Two ancient baseball clubs, at least as far as baseball history goes, the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, met for a four game series. The Cubs were one game behind the Pirates coming in and would be one game back of Pittsburgh going out. It would be the first KOD meeting between Jim Walden and Peter Daly.

The two managers exchanged line up cards and shook hands and the series was on.


Game 1
Chicago 0           Maddux    L(2-2)
Pittsburgh 1       Bibby        W(2-1)

It was a clear,crisp night for baseball in Pittsburgh. A light wind was blowing across Three Rivers Stadium as Greg Maddux and the Chicago Cubs came in to face Jim Bibby and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Maddux was masterful for the Cubs. Except for a lead off walk in the fifth and a subsequent  errant throw by Maddux, all else was sterling by the young right hander. After the walk, Tony Pena doubled to left, scoring Barry Bonds. That was it, only one hit for Pittsburgh. Tossing a one-hitter only to lose left Maddux shaking his head after the game.

Jim Bibby was aces for Pittsburgh as he scattered 4 hits in a 7 and a 1/3 innings to lead the Bucs.  

 MVP Jim Bibby


Game 2
Chicago      2       Brusstar   L(0-1)
Pittsburgh  3     Tekulve     W(1-0)

"Big Daddy," Rick Reuschel starts against his old mates, the Chicago Cubs. Chicago counters with righty Rick Sutcliffe. It would be another good pitching duel as Sutcliffe only gave up 6 hits and 2 runs while Resuchel surrendered 2 runs on 4 hits to the Cubs.

Chicago would open the scoring in the 2nd when Gary Matthews would reach on an error. An intentional walk to get  to Sutcliffe would backfire as Sutcliffe stroked Reuschle's first pitch into left scoring Matthews. Another run in the 5th would extend Chicago's lead to 2-0. Bob Dernier would double into the left center field ivy and plate Damon Berryhill.

A Madlock solo homer in the Pirate 6th would slice the lead in half. The Pittsburgh 7th would see Pittsburgh tie it up. Two singles and a Dave Parker sacifice fly to right center would score Madlock. In the 9th with the score tied 2-2, Warren Brusstar would come in for the Cubs but he couldn't keep Pittsburgh off the board. Sid Bream would lead off the 9th with a double, but Brusstar would have Omar Moreno and Jose Lind take a seat. Two outs and it looked like extra innings. He would then walk Madlock and Parker to load the bases. Two outs. Bases loaded. Bobby Bonilla would run the count to 2-2 and then smack a scorcher back up the middle and that was that.

 MVP Bill Madlock



Game 3
Pittsburgh   2      McWilliams   L(0-1)
Chicago      6       Trout             W(2-0)

Chicago would get the bats off their shoulders as the series moved back to Chicago and the friendly confines. 

The Cubs would get on the board in the 1st on a Mark Grace single which would be followed by an Andre Dawson double. Grace would trot home to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. Pittsburgh would tie it in the 3rd as Lee Lacy would single, then steal second, and later score on a Bill Madlock shot in the hole. 

The bottom of the inning saw Chicago regain the lead. Bob Dernier lead off with a triple. A wild pitch scored him. Ryne Sandberg singled followed by a Mark Grace double. A Ron Cey sacrifice would score another and it was 4-1 at the end of three.

Solo shots by Gary Matthews and Jody Davis in the Cub 6th would extend the lead to 6-1. Pittsburgh would tack on a run in the 8th and that would be all. Lee Smith would close down the Bucos in the 9th.

 MVP  Steve Trout




Game 4
Pittsburgh   5       Rhoden     L(2-1)
Chicago     11      Eckersley  W(2-0) 

It only took 3 innings for Chicago to put this one away. The Cubs scored 8 runs over the first three innings and never looked back. Pittsburgh gamely tried to hang in but Chicago had an answer for what ever the Pirates could come up with. Pittsburgh would score their 5 runs over the last few innings and try to rally but it was for all purposes over after the first three innings. In baseball you never know what might happen when one team jumps to a huge lead, but you just had the feeling this one was done early, much to the delight of the Cubs.

Bob Dernier lead the way for Chicago going 4 for 4 with 4 RBI. Andre Dawson went 2 for 5 with both hits being his second and third home runs of the year. Ryne Sandberg would drive in 3 runs. Manny Trillo would replace an injured Ron Cey and go 2 for 3 on the day. The Pirates hit the ball as well with Bill Madlock leading Pittsburgh by going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.

 MVP  Andre Dawson


All in all Chicago was pleased to get a split after losing the first two. It was a pleasure to go up against Peter for the first time. 


 

  
 

Padres take 3 of 4 from Bravos

Atlanta,

Game 1,

Bob Horner connected for a go ahead pinch hit two-run homerun in the bottom of the 8th inning to give the Braves a short lived 2-1 lead. San Diego erupted for a 5 spot in the top of the 9th to regain the lead and did not look back.  Five straight batters connected for RBI singles to help the Padres take the first game of the 4 game set.  Gene Richards led the Padres with 3 safeties. Luis Deleon pitched only two-thirds of an inning but it was good enough to set his record at 1-0. Gene Garber got the loss as he was battered for 5 runs in only one inning of relief work.  Padres 6....Braves 2.

Game 2,

Eddie Whitson allowed only four hits and no runs over 7 innings pitched and even his record at 2-2.  Padre shortstop Garry Templeton drove in two of the Padres runs as San Diego put up four runs in their half of the seventh inning. Pascual Perez was the loser as he sinks to 1-1. Padres 5...Braves 2.

Game 3,

Niekro won his first game with a complete game shutout of the Padres as the Braves took their first game of the series.  Phil Niekro's knuckleball was dancing and bouncing as he kept the Padres hitters baffled all day with his wiggly slow pitch.  The only runs for either team on the day came off the powerful bat of third sacker Bob Horner. Horner struck for a homerun with a runner on in the seventh frame.  That was all Phil needed to down the Padres and send Eric Show to his first loss of the year (3-1)...Braves 2...Padres 2.

Game 4,

Andy Hawkins threw 8 strong innings of 2 hit ball to win his first game of the season. Mark Davis came in the ninth to relieve a tiring Hawkins. Davis retired sluggers Murphy and Horner on strikeouts and got Gerald Perry to ground out weakly back to the box. Padre centerfielder Kevin McReynolds blasted his first round tripper of the year to help lead the Padre hitters.  Rick Mahler (2-1) got the loss for Atlanta.  Padres 4...braves 3. 

"One time he hit a line drive right past my ear. I turned around and saw the ball hit him in the ass sliding into second."

                                           ----Satchel Paige on Cool Papa Bell

"Tom Seaver's so good blind people come to the park just to hear him pitch."

                                           ---Reggie Jackson

Redbirds take 3 from Friars

Game 1 at San Diego, Cardinals 5, Padres 3

 

Inter-division play saw the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres squared off in a four game, home-and-home series.

 

Lefty John Tudor opened on the hill for the visitors in game one, against right-hander Andy Hawkins for the locals.  The Cardinals plated a run in the top of the first in somewhat typical ‘80s Cardinals fashion. Vince Coleman singled, stole second, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on a ground out.

 

The Padres doubled up the Cards with 2 in their half, with Steve Garvey and Kevin McReynolds getting RBI.  

 

Tudor settled down after that and the Cardinals pecked away with runs in the fourth, sixth (2) and eighth and hung on to win 5-3. Todd Worrell pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save.

 

Game 2 at San Diego, Cardinals 5, Padres 4

 

Similar score as game one, but the Cardinals had to stave off a furious Padre ninth inning rally to fly home with a 2 game sweep on the West Coast.

 

This one looked to be well in hand as the Cardinals entered the bottom of the ninth with a 5-1 lead, after 8 innings of 5-hit ball from Joe Magrane, and the offense getting 11 hits, with three runs driven in by Jack Clark.

 

Rick Horton came on in the ninth, and immediately gave up a single to Tony Gwynn. No problem, as here came Bruce Sutter to close it down. But Garvey and McReynolds tattooed Sutter for back-to-back doubles, cutting the margin to 5-3. Benito Santiago singled, with McReynolds holding at third.  

 

In came Todd Worrell, who gave up a sac fly to Luis Salazar, and now the lead was only one. Graig Nettles then just missed, not being able to quite get around on Worrell’s fast ball and flied out to left center.  John Kruk then singled, and the tying run (Santiago) was now at third, but with two out. Finally Worrell got Alan Wiggins to fly out on a short pop up to right to end it.

 

Game 3 at St. Louis, Padres 5, Cardinals 2

 

This series was taking on a “road warrior” tone, as the visiting team won for a third straight time, and for a third straight time the winner scored five runs.

 

Eric Show shut the Cardinal offense down on just a single hit through 8 innings, while the Pads battered Cardinal starter Joaquin Andujar for 10 hits and 5 runs, 3 earned, over 6 2/3 innings. Gene Richards, Juan Bonilla, Tony Gwynn, and Terry Kennedy all had 2 hits for San Diego.

 

Game 4 at St. Louis, Padres 3, Cardinals

7

 

Finally a break from the mold as the home team won, and scored something other than 5 runs. Lonnie Smith got the start in left in this one, giving Coleman a day off.  Skates took advantage of the opportunity, going 3 for 4, one of those hits a home run, stealing 2 bases, scoring 3, and driving in 2.  Jack Clark also hit his first home run of the year and drove in 3 on a 2 for 3 day.

Danny Cox was the benefactor of all this offense, squaring his record at 1-1 while Dave Dravecky took the loss.

 

The series left both teams at 6 and 6 on the year. 

--submitted by Bike Mike and Joey Scigliano--

Casey sat down in the dugout, put his arm around the young player, and said, "son,we'd like to keep you around this year, but we're gonna try and win a pennant."

                                                        ----Casey Stengel

Seattle and Texas Split the Set

In a matchup of 80s also-rans hoping to catch fire in the KOD league, Seattle and Texas split the difference in a four game matchup.

Game One: Seattle 2, Texas 1

W: Reed (1-0)
L: Jenkins (0-2)
S: Schooler (3)

Fergie Jenkins was a hard-luck loser for the second straight outing, as the Rangers could muster no extra base hits and only one run off Seattle starter Jim Beattie and three Mariners' relievers. Seattle would break a 1-1 tie in the 8th off a Julio Cruz bunt single, a base rap from Bruce Bochte (who is hitting over .500 for a red-hot start to the season) and a sac fly by Alvin Davis. That was enough for reliever Mike Schooler, as he set down the side in the ninth.

Game Two: Texas 5, Seattle 4
W: Medich (1-0)
L: Bannister (0-1)
S: Russell (3)

Seattle's Floyd Bannister gave up five runs in the first two innings but then recorded up zeros the rest of the way and pitched through the 8th.  However, those early inning runs were enough for the Rangers in the tight win. Doc Medich walked a tightwire  and left after six, but relievers Jim Kern and Jeff Russell gave up no hits and only a walk in the next three innings. Ruben Sierra's two early doubles off Bannister plated two runs and led the attack.


Game Three: Seattle 5, Texas 1

W: Moore (1-0)
L: Honeycutt (0-2)

Big leftfielder Bruce Bochte went four-for-four, as it was Seattle's turn to score early and often. All  five of the Mariners' runs came in the first three innings off Rick Honeycutt, who left in the third after giving up nine hits and all five runs. While Danny Darwin and two other relievers held down Mariner bats after that, Seattle's Mike Moore  and reliever Bryan Clark were hurling a combined gem in Seattle's win.

Game Four: Texas 4, Seattle 3
W: Hough (3-0)
L: Langston (1-2)
S: Russell (4)

What promised to be a pitching duel between knuckleballer Charlie Hough and flamethrower Mark Langston settled into an offensive battle. Texas jumped out early on Langston with four runs, three of them on Jim Sundberg's second tater of the young season. But Seattle battled back to move within a run, led by doubles from Spike Owen, Phil Bradley and Mickey Brantley that led to runs. Texas held a 4-2 lead in the ninth, but Owen's run scoring double, a walk to Bochte and a single by Bradley sliced the Texas lead to one and put runners at the corners with two away. But reliever Jeff Russell settled down to strike out Brantley and end the threat. Russell now has four saves on the season.

Spos and Bravos split

Braves 8, Expos 3
Perez vs Rogers

Bad fielding and bad pitching turned a one run game into a walkover.  Atlanta took full advantage of Montreal's gaffes (3 errors) to score 6 runs across the 7th and 8th innings to erase a 1 run deficit.  Bruce "Eggs" Benedict (2-3) scored 3 runs.  Shortstop Ramirez drove in 3.

Expos 10, Braves 3
Niekro vs Gullickson

A 6 run explosion in the 4th knocked Knucksie Niekro out of the box and put the Spos up 10-0.  Gully cruised for 8 innings then gave way to McGaffigan, who needed to get back on track with a positive outing.  "The Rock", Tim Raines was incredible going a perfect 5-5 with 2 runs scored and 2 runs knocked in.  Dawson hit a 2 run blast to in the 3rd.

Braves 6, Expos 4
D.Martinez vs Mahler

A two run blast by back to back MVP Dale Murphy in the 7th broke a 2-2 tie and put the Braves up for good.

Expos 2, Braves 1
Lea vs Glavine

Finally the pitching reigned supreme.  Charlie Lea (1 run on 6 hits) matched future HOF'er Tommy Glavine pitch for pitch to notch his 2nd win of the season.  Jeff Reardon closed it out with a perfect 9th to end the hex put upon the Expo bullpen.  Tim "Eli Wallach was 2 for 4.  Rock Raines and Hubie Brooks knocked in a run each in the 4th to account for all the runs the Expos would score/need today.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."

                                                      ---Earl Weaver

Houston versus Philadelphia
 
August 18,  Phillies 4 Astro 2 ..... Carlton won his first game of the season as he pitched 8 innings allowing 2 runs on a balk and wild pitch and limiting the Astros to 5 hits. Phils rallied from 2 runs down to score 4 in the 6th as Glen Wilson singled home the first run and then with 2 outs and bases loaded, McBride pinch hit for Diaz and doubled in 3 for the Phils win.

August 19, Astros 5 Phils 0 ....  Mike Scott shut out the Phils for 8 innings on 4 singles to pick up the win.  Astros scored 5 runs in first 2 innings and never looked back.  Astros scored 4 runs in 2nd inning on a walk, 2 singles, sac fly and wild pitch.  Doran and Thon each with 2 hits and an rbi.

August 20,  Astros 5 Phils 4 .... Astros scored 2 runs in bottom of the 9th to win game 3.  With Bedrosian on the mound, Ashby opened with a single and took 2nd on a grounder to Schmidt. Pinch hitter Puhl walked and then Doran singled in tying run and put runners at the corner. With the infield playing in, Cedeno grounded to DeJesus and Doran beat the tag at the plate for the win.   Schmidt drove in 3 runs for Phils with homer and sac fly while Glenn Davis had 2 run single for the Astros.

August 21, Astros 2 Phils 1 .... Astros scored 2 runs in bottom of the 8th for another last at bat win.  McGraw on the mound, struck out Biggio to start, but then Doran doubled and Thon tripled him in.  Pinch hitter Ashby singled in Thon for the winning run.  The starters Gross and Ryan pitched well without getting a decision with Ryan giving up a run in the 7th on a single, a balk and then pinch hit single by Milt Thompson. Dave Smith got the win and Sambito the save. 

Cubs take 3 of 4 from Cardinals

The Cubs and the Cardinals squared off in a 4 game set. With both teams at 2 wins and 2 loses, the divisional match up could be a tone setter for the rest of the season. Matching wits with, the always crafty and KOD seasoned veteran, BikeMike is always an enjoyable challenge.

Game 1

Greg Maddux would get the ball in game 1 for Chicago, while St. Louis would counter with Joe Magrane. The Cubs would score the game winner in the bottom of the first as Ryne Sandberg would double and then trot home on a Ron Cey home run down the left field line to put Chicago up 2-0. St Louis would score a run in the top of the 2nd. George Hendrick would single and then be sent to 3rd on a Terry Pendletoon single. A walk to Darrel Porter would follow and then a bunt by Ozzie Smith would score Hendrick. A Jody Davis solo shot in the Cub half of the 2nd and a RBI single by Cey in the 3rd would give Chicago a 4-1 lead. Maddux would scatter 9 hits and shut down St.Louis the rest of the way to go 2-0 on the season.

Game 2

The 2nd game of the series would  be in the friendly confines of Wrigley with Rick Sutcliffe going for Chicago and Joaquin Andujar would take the mound for the Cards.  St.Louis would pounce early as Keith Hernandez a would hit a solo shot in the St.Louis 1st and then Andujar would tag Sutcliffe with a 2 run shot in the top of the 2nd. Chicago would get on the board when Shawon Dunston would single home Andre Dawson to cut the lead to 3-1. St.Louis would stretch the lead to 5-1 by scoring a run in each of the 5th and 6th innings. Chicago would not go gently into that good night as Andre Dwason would hit a deep sacrifice to center scoring Dunston to make it 5-2. In the Cubs 8th Gary Matthews would smack and solo dinger down the left field line. Shawon Dunston would follow with a basket job to left center, and suddenly the Cardinal 5-1 lead was 5-4. Fortunately, for Cardinals, Bruce Sutter was on the job in the 9th and Chicago faded away 1-2-3 in the 9th and St.Louis held on for a 5-4 win.

Game 3

The series would move to St. Louis for games 3 and 4. Steve Trout would win his first of the year as he would give up 9 hits over 8 innings. Danny Cox would only give up 4 hits to the Cubs in his 7 innings of work . All 4 hits would come in the Chicago 5th, all singles, and Chicago would score 3 runs and take a 3-1 lead. The Cards would cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the 5th as Ozzie Smith would single up the middle to score Tony Pena, who lead of the inning with a double. A Chicago insurance run off the bat of Ron Cey, as he hit his 6th home run of the young year, would add a Cub insurance run. Lee Smith would come in and earn his 3rd save of the year as Chicago wins it, 4-2.

The ever popular Steve Trout

Game 4

St. Louis would look to salvage a split with the Cubs and put Bob Forsch on the mound to try and do it. Chicago countered with Dennis Eckersley. It would be a wild game with the lead changing several times. It would be Eckersley who would get credit for the win. St.Louis would open the scoring on a fielder's choice grounder to short scoring Vince Coleman. Coleman would be a thorn on Chicago pitching all series as he stole every base imaginable. Vince has 7 on the year. Chicago would tie it in the 3rd as Eckersley would hit one that barley made the basket in left. St.Louis would regain the lead when a Keith Hernandez single scored Bob Forsch.. In the 4th Chicago would tie it as a seeing eye Jody Davis single scored Leon Durham from 2nd. The Cardinals, on a Darrel Porter solo home run, would regain the lead in the bottom of the 4th. In the Cub 5th, Gary Matthews would get hit in the elbow, Bob Dernier and Ryne Sandberg singles and a Ron Cey double would put Chicago back on top, 5-3. In the bottom of the 5th, The Cardinals would tie it as 4 Cardinal singles would plate 2 runs and just like that it was tied. That would be all the scoring St. Louis could muster as Chicago scored a run in the 6th and another in the 8th. Frank Dipino would grab his 1st save of the year for Chicago.

A great series and much fun in matching wits with BikeMike.

Padres sweep Reds.

Gwynn smacks two round trippers in victory

Cincinnati,

Game 1,

Ed Whitson had great plate control and kept the Reds off balance for seven innings as he surrendered one run on only 4 hits.  However, matters became a little tight when Gary Lucas come in to relieve a tiring Whitson.  Lucas surrendered a two-run homerun to shortstop Dave Conception to tighten the noose on the Padres. However, the Goose came on with one out in the ninth and runners on base.  Gossage struck out Ron Oester and got Bell to fly out to deep left center field to end the game. Padres 5...Reds 3.

Game 2,

Tony Gwynn went deep twice and drove in 3 runs to help the Friars take the second game of the series.  Gwynn's first round tripper happened in the first as he touched up Mario Soto for 2 runs on a blast down the right field line. Gwynn was not through. Tony hit another homerun to right to increase the Padres lead to 4-1 in the 5th inning. That would be all the visitors from So. Cal would need as Eric Show kept the Red's batters in check for most of the game.  Show improves to 2-0 and lowers his ERA to 1.15.  Reds starter Mario Soto fell to 0-1.  Padres 5....Reds 1.

San Diego

Game 3,

Lollar goes 8 innings in Padre win.

South paw Tim Lollar was fantastic as he won his first game of the year with an 8 inning performance.  Goose Gossage came in the ninth inning to seal the Padre win and earn his 2nd save of the season.  Second baseman Alan Wiggins drove in a pair of runs and Tim Lollar helped his cause with a sacrifice fly. Padres 4...Reds 1.

Game 4,

Dave Draveck turned in the fourth straight quality start for the Padres hurlers in the series finale.  George Foster and Johnny Bench connected for early homeruns to give Cincy a 2-0 lead. However, that was short lived as San Diego struck for 3 runs in the bottom of the third inning. The game was still a single run affair until the bottom of the eigth. Light hitting shortstop Garry Templeton strode to the dish with two runners of base.  Frank Pastore hung a pitch and Tempy  made him pay with three runs. Padres 7....Reds 2

August 16, Philadelphia at New York.  METS 9 PHILS 0. .... Sid Fernandez pitched 7 scoreless innings allowing but 2 hits and the Mets bats were in high gear as Gary Carter hit 2 run homer and Jeffries hit a grand slam home run.  Steve Carlton, for the 2nd game in a row, was not able to complete 6 innings.

August 17, Philadelphia at New York.  PHILS 6 METS 3 ..... Phils used their strong bull pen and some timely hitting to give Denny a win.  Manny Trillo had 2 run single in Phils 3 run 4th inning that started with Mike Schmidt's solo homer. Pete Rose had 2 run double in the 8th to add 2 insurance runs.  Strawberry had rbi single and Dykstra drove in 2 with ground outs.  Bedrosian earned  the save.

August 18,  New York at Philadelphia.  PHILS 5 METS 1 ..... Rawley gave up first inning run and then settled in with 5 scoreless innings limiting the Mets to 3 singles.  Phils got 2 run double from Hayes in first inning and rbi singles from Rose and Bowa in 2nd to build up early lead. Schmidt added solo homer in the 6th.  Phils bull pen allowed only 1 single over last 3 innings.

August 19, New York at Philadelphia.  METS 13 PHILS 3 .... Cone went the distance allowing 6 hits and 3 runs (homers by McBride and Schmidt) while the Mets used 12 hits and 7 walks to win easily.  McReynolds homered and Dykstra, Johnson, and McReynolds  each had 3 hits. 

Pirates takes 3 of 4 from Expos

 

GAME 1 @ Olympic Stadium, Montreal

WP : Rick Reuschel (1-0)
LP  : Steve Rogers (0-2)
HRS : Dave Parker (1)

PITTSBURGH wins game one 7-3.

 The Pirates pounded out 11 hits and 7 runs off of 2 Montreal pitchers on the way to taking game 1 in Montreal.  The middle of the Pittsburgh order proved too much for Expos pitchers, with Parker, Bonds and Bonilla combining for 5 hits and 4 RBI's.  Pirate starter Rick Reuschel was good enough to pick up the win in his 1st start of the season.  He scattered 8 hits over 6 innings, leaving with his team ahead 4-2.  Bryn Smith did his Montreal team no favors by allowing Pittsburgh to expand that 2 run lead in his 3 innings of relief. 



 

GAME 2 @ Olympic Stadium, Montreal

WP : Woodie Fryman (1-0)
LP : Bob Walk (0-1)
HRS : none

Montreal wins game two 2-1.

 Tim Wallach was 1-4 in the game but it was that single that won the game for his Montreal Expos.  Wallach drove in Andre Dawson with a ground ball into left field off of Bob Walk with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning.  Starters Gullickson and John Candelaria (7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 K) matched each other frame for frame before each was pulled for pinch hitters in the 8th.   The Montreal bullpen proved to be just a little better on this night as Walk was unable to wiggle out of trouble in the 9th.

 



GAME 3 @ Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh

WP : Don Robinson (1-0)
LP : Andy McGaffigan (0-1)
HRS : none

Pittsburgh wins game three 4-3 in 11 innings.

  The travel day from Montreal to Pittsburgh did not result in any loss of late inning drama.  FOr the 2nd consecutive game, the home team claimed victory with a walk off single.  This time it was back up catcher Mike Lavalliere, who was pinch hitting for starter Tony Pena, who delivered the game ender.  Both starters, Dennis Martinez and Rick Rhoden, worked in and out of trouble for the 1st 7 innings but it was Pittsburgh pen that stepped up in this one. Closer Kent Tekulve was brought in by Manager Daly a little earlier than usual to start the 8th inning.  Tekulve was leaned on for 3 hitless innings.  The Pirates trailed 3-2 thru 7 1/2 but put together a rally in the 8th to tie and then got the game winner in the 11th when Lavalliere lined a hard single to right to score Barry Bonds.

 

GAME 4 @ Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh

WP : Doug Drabek (1-1)
LP : Scott Sanderson (0-1)
HRS : Bobby Bonilla (2), Tony Pena (1), Mike Easler (1), Dave Parker (2), Lee Lacy (1), Barry Bonds (1)

Pittsburgh wins game four 9-5.

   If it wasn't for the flag hanging in Three Rivers, no one would have ever believed the wind was blowing in from center for this contest.  The Pirates bombed Expo starter Scott Sanderson for 5 homers in 5 innings.  Bobby Bonilla (2-4, HR, 3 RBI) lead the attack for the Bucs as they jumped on Sanderson for 5 runs in the 1st and never looked back.   Doug Drabek benefited from the offensive eruption and picked up the win despite struggling thru his 6 innings of work. 

 

Halos Sweep Chisox

Game 1; Anaheim Stadium
California 10, Chicago 1
Wally “Absorbene” Joyner had 3 hits and the Angels team banged out 14 in all in support of Mike Witt.  Witt pitched a complete game, striking out 9 while allowing only 6 hits and a walk.  Greg Luzinski spoiled the shutout with a 2-out top-of-the-9th solo HR for the White Sox. Tom Seaver struggled early and took the loss.
 

Game 2; Anaheim Stadium
California 3, Chicago 2
A Bobby Grich 3rd inning, RBI double, followed by a Jack Howell 2-run home run provided just enough offense to give the Angels a win.  White Sox scored 2 runs in the 1st on a Harold Baines single off Chuck Finley.  The Angels’ starter struck out 6 but walked 7, and was too spent to make it out of the 5th inning. Bruce Kison and Donnie Moore came out of the bullpen and kept Chicago off the board for the remainder of the game, giving way to Bryan Harvey in the 9th, who picked up his first save.  LaMarr Hoyt pitched well for the White Sox but was nevertheless handed the loss.  
 
Game 3; Comiskey Park
California 8, Chicago 6
A tight ball game in Chicago had the home team leading 3-2 going into the 7th inning. Clutch hitting and sloppy defense on both sides made for a back-and-forth affair over the final 3 innings.  By the time the dust had settled, Doug DeCinces’ 2-run double off Ed Farmer in the top of the 9th proved to be the game winner.  Once again Bryan Harvey’s save sealed the win, this time for Donnie Moore.
 
Game 4; Comiskey Park
California 6, Chicago 2
Utility infielder Rob Wilfong knocked in 4 runs with a double and a triple to propel California to a series sweep. Bobby Grich also homered for the Halos, who took the lead in the 5th inning and never looked back. Harold Baines and Tom Paciorek had 2 hits each for the White Sox, and Ron Kittle’s 2-run double in the 1st inning gave Chicago the initial lead.  But that was all they’d get, as Geoff Zahn and Luis Sanchez combined to limit the home team to just 6 hits. 

--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

Dodgers take 3 of 4 from Phightins’

game 1  @ Dodger Stadium

Dodgers 5 Phils 3 ..... Steve Carlton pitching and hitting well, Phils took 3 - 2 lead until bottom of 7th as Carlton drove in first 2 runs with single. In the 7th with 2 outs and Steve Sax on 2nd (he had 3 singles) courtesy of a balk, Carlton walked Dusty Baker and then Ron Cey and Steve Garvey had rbi singles. Kent Tekulve came on to give up rbi single to Kenny Landreaux. Jay Howell got the save and Phils could manage only 1 hit over last 4 innings.

game 2 @ Dodger Stadium

Dodgers 7 Phils 6 (10 innings) .... Pedro Guerrero homered to lead off the 10th and Dodger won game 2.   Phils scored 3 runs in each of first 2 innings and then were held to 3 singles in the rest of the game.  Bake McBride had single and double and 3 rbis while Von Hayes had single and double and 2 rbis.  Dodgers tied the game at 6 by the 4th inning as John Denny did not have his good stuff.  Guerrero had 3 singles and 4 rbis in his first 3 at bats and Ron Cey had rbi double.  Tim Crews won and Steve Bedrosian lost.

game 3 @ The Vet

Phils 4 Dodgers 1 .....  Phils did not have a hit over first 6 innings and thanks to Davey Lopes RBI single trailed 1-0 in the 7th.  Bob Welch opened the inning giving up 3 singles and sac fly to give Phils the lead and Manny Trillo doubled in 2 insurance runs to top the 4 run 7th.  Steve “Bedrock” Bedrosian pitched perfect 9th for the save.

game 4 @ The Vet

Dodgers 6 Phils 4 .... Pedro Guerrero's lead off homer in 8th snapped 2 all tie and dodgers used a walk and 3 more singles to add 3 more.  Steve Garvey and Ron Cey hit solo homers for first 2 Dodger runs.  Phils scored 1 run in 9th and had runners on 2nd and 3rd when Jay Howell came on to strike out Mike Schmidt and Bake McBride to get the save.  --submitted by Peter Winske--

Minnesota takes 3 out of 4 from KC to open the KOD 19 season

GAME 1- With the KOD 19 season on the way the Minnesota Twins opened the season on the road against Kansas City.  Minnesota opened the scoring in the third with a little rockem sockem baseball to take a 3-0 lead.  That lead was safe until the 6^th when George Brett and Amos Otis both went yard and gave the Royals the lead 4-3.  Both Allen Anderson and Mark Gubicza still were going strong.  Kansas City manager in the 8^th decided to go to the bullpen to after Kirby Puckett singled.  Jerry Don Gleaton then surrendered a single to Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti came up and moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt off KC reliever Dan Quisenberry. Gene Larking grounded to short plating Puckett and tying the game.  The game proceeded to move into extra innings where Brian Harper hit a three run homer to give the Twins a 7-4 lead.  With the lead the Twins held on for the win but were tested in the bottom of the inning by 2 run homer to bring them with one but Jeff Reardon was able to keep his poise and nail down the final two outs for the save, and Twins win 7-6   

 

Game 2- Opening the season on a high the Twins looked to get after KC again in Kansas City sending lefty Frank Viola to the hill.  KC feeling they had the better chance today sending Bret Saberhagen out for his first start of the year.  These two pitchers dueled for 4 innings until KC broke thru with one run with a Hal McRae homer. KC added to their lead in the 6^th and never looked back.  The Twins tried to get back in the game late with runs in the 8^th and 9^th but the relievers Jerry Don Gleaton and closer Dan Quinseberry were able to lock up the bats and help KC to its first win of the season.

 

 

 

 

Game 3- In the Metrodome the turf is fast and so are the Twins, Mike Smithson and Charlie Leibrandt would get the starts for their teams.  Willie Aikens would get the party started with a solo blast in the 2^nd.  In the 4^th the win Twins would see the first big bop of the season by none other than Kent Hrbek who went yard with a three run shot.  KC would add another run in the 5^th but Minnesota would go on and defeat KC by the score of 5-3 an move their record to 2-1 while KC fell to 1-2  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game 4- In the series finale Minnesota sent Bert Blyleven to the mound while KC countered with Dennis Leonard.  Kirby Puckett opened the scoring a solo homer in 1^st.  Minnesota then added few hits and took the lead 2-0 after 1.  Willie Wilson singled in the 5^th and was plated by a single by Kevin Seitzer.  Big George Brett followed with a two run bomb to give KC the 3-2 lead.  Down a run and KC looking like they were going to hold on Randy Bush came to the plate and hit a shot that brought life back to Twins.  After multiple pitching changes and close calls we arrived in the 12^th with Minnesota at the plate,  Dan Gladden was safe on error, Kirby Puckett followed with a single on a hit and run Gladden moved over to third.  Steve Farr came in to get Kent Hrbek to ground to third which allowed Puckett to move to second.  So with One out and second and third Gary Gaetti was put on to load the bases.  Up came Gene Larkin who was struggling throughout the series early on, well as they say every dog has his day.  Gene Larkin lined a single into right scoring Gladden and giving Minnesota a squeaker of a victory by 4-3 margin.  Minnesota moved 3-1 and looking to keep the ball rolling in Oakland, while KC is now 1-3 and moving on to play California. 

Sahx and Tribe split series with road team winning all 4 games

Red Sox 9, Indians 2
Clemens vs Barker

When "the Rocket" gets 9 runs on 16 hits, he's going to win 99% of the time.  Then again, most pitchers would probably do the same.  All 9 starters in Boston's lineup had at least 1 hit.  Leadoff man Bill Buckner was 3 for 6 with 2 RBI's.  Dewey Evans (2-4) hit Boston's only long ball.  Yaz was 2 for 3 and Marty Barrett was 3 for 5.

Red Sox 5, Indians 1
Hurst vs Candiotti

Not a good home stand for the Tribe, who dropped their second game in a row at home to start the season.  Bruce Hurst went seven and a third and gave up just 1 run, while allowing 9 hits.  Jim Rice (2-3) had a 2 run blast.  Wade Boggs (1-3) also went yard.  Boston broke a scoreless time with 4 runs in the top of the 5th off knuckleball expert Candiotti.

Indians 5, Red Sox 3
Blyleven vs Eckersley

The Dutchman was 2 outs from closing it out when he ran out of gas and had to be replaced by Doug Jones, who avoided his usual high wire act and got bot outs easily.  The Tribe jumped out to a 4-0 lead to get their first victory of the season.  The Human Rain Delay, Mike Hargrove went 3 for 4 as did macho man Tony Bernazard.  Mell Hall hit his first homer of the season and knocked in 2 in the 2nd.

Indians 7, Red Sox 6
Swindell vs Boyd

Boston's pen:  Lamp, Burgmeier and Stanley folded like a cheap tent and allowed 3 runs in the 7th and 3 runs in the 8th to hand the Tribe a victory.  Toby Harrah (4-5) had 2 RBI's.  Bernazard had his second consecutive 3 for 4 day, while hitting out of the 9 hole.  In  a losing effort Wade Boggs hit his 2nd homer of the season.  Jones saved his 2nd in a row as the home team never won a game in this series.