Cubbies sweep Phightins

Game 1
It was opening day in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field as the Cubs hosted the Philadelphia Phillies. It was not friendly to the Phils, as the Cubs pounded Phils starter,Chris Short for 7 runs in the first 4 innings. Chicago would add 8 more runs over their last three at bats. When Shorts could get nobody out, Ron Reed was brought in to stem the Cubs tide, but he gave up 5 runs. Woody Fryman tried next and only gave up 1 run. It was Gene Garbers turn next and he gave up 2 more.
Ken Holtzman, who had the good stuff all day, pitched 8 innings for Chicago and gave up 3 runs on 7 hits. Holtzman had to leave the game in the 9th with a sore arm and Bruce Sutter closed out the game for the Cubs. Ernie Banks popped two long balls in the bleachers and Andre Dawson hit his third of the year, while Ron Santo hit his first of the year.
The Cubs cruised to the final of 15-3.

Game 2
The 2nd game of the series was much closer, but a 1 run win is just as good as 12. Chicago started "Big Daddy" Rick Reuschel, the NL CY Young winner in KOD 11. "Big Daday' promptly gave up a couple of hits and a sacrifice fly as Philadelphia took a 1 run lead. Reuschel would help his cause in the bottom of the 2nd by smacking a double to left which scored Dawson to tie the game. In the Cub half of the 3rd, Dawson would hit his 4th home run of the year. It would be a 2 run poke to Waveland and Chicago would have a 3-1 lead. The Phillies would tie it up in the top of the 5th as 'The Bull," Greg Luzinski would double to right and Bob Boone would follow with another double,scoring Luzinski. Philly starter, Jim Konstanty would slap a base hit to right,scoring Boone and it was tied.In the 8th, Chicago would wrap a couple of base hits around an intentional walk and retake the lead, 4-3. In the top of the 9th, Richie Allen would rattle one down into the right field corner for Philadelphia and would score on a well executed squeeze to tie it up. In the bottom of the 10th, Ryne Sandberg would single home Rick Monday, who had led off the inning with a single, and Chicago would take an exciting game 2 by a 5-4 margin.

Game 3
"We didn't even show up for the series, and Robin Roberts left his head at the breakfast buffet at the hotel," so said the Philly manager, Justin Ryan. Chicago pounded,Philadelphia starter Robin Roberts for 4 runs in the 2nd  on a Rick Monday lead off double, followed by a Fergie Jenkins triple. Ryne Sandberg would single and Ernie Banks tripled and that was followed by a Bill Buckner sac fly. 4 runs by the Cubs and the game was done. Cubs starter, Fergie Jenkins would give up only 4 hits over the course of 9 innings. Hank Sauer would hit his second dinger of the year and Rick Monday would knock his first of the year. Mike Schmidt hit his first for Philadelphia, accounting for Philly's 2 runs, but it was not enough as Chicago wins game 3, 7-2.
--submitted by Jim Walden--