Amazin's take 2 of 3 from Cubs in series w/all 1 run games

What a series!!!....What a series!!!...What a series!!! It would prove to be one of the best series ever.

Game 1

The division leading Cubs would travel to Shea to take on the Mets in a division showdown and a dandy it would be. The opener would see "BIg Daddy," Rick Reuschel for Chicago face off against "Tom Terrific" Seaver. It would not start out well for Seaver as Ron Santo would smack a 3 run shot into the left field seats to open the top of the 1st for Chicago. The lead would not last long as Reuschel would give up 4 singles and throw a pitch to the back stop in the bottom of the 2nd allowing 3 Mets to score. It would stay tied until the top of the 6th. A Rick Monday double and a Jody Davis single would put Chicago back on top, 4-3. Again it did not last long as New York scored 3 in the bottom of the inning highlighted by a Howard Johnson HR. New York would tack on 2 more runs in the bottom of the 8th as a Wally Backman triple would drive in both runs. With 2 out in the top of the 9th, Chicago would rally and score 4 runs to tie it up. The game would carry on into the 12th when Darryl Strawberry would deposit one in the center field seats for the game winner to make the final 9-8 New York.

Game 2

Fergie Jenkins would get the start for Chicago and he would suffer the same fate as Seaver in the previous game. New York would score 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st. The lead would not last long for New York though, as Met started David Cone would give up a run in the Cub 2nd and then give up 2 more in the Cub 3rd. It would stay 3-3 until the 8th when a Keith Moreland pinch it home run would prove the game winner for Chicago. Fergie would run his record to 2-0 as Bruce Sutter got his 2nd save. Cone took the loss for New York and moved to 0-2.

Game 3

In the bottom of the first with the Mets having already scored 3 runs capped by a 2 run home run by Keith Hernandez against Cub starter Greg Maddux, Cub Manager Jim  Walden strolled to the mound to check on his pitcher, "Get your ass back to the dugout," was the first words out of his pitcher's mouth. Knowing the competitive nature of his pitcher, Walden never said a word and turned on his heel and strolled back to the dugout knowing Maddux was fine. The sure  Hall-of-Famer proceeded to give up only 1 hit the rest of the way. Chicago would cut into the Met lead in the 5th as Rick Monday would single and the fleet footed Jody Davis would hit one into the left field corner and a few minutes later Davis would slide into 3rd with a triple. In the Cub 6th, Hank Sauer would hit his 4th HR of the year, a 2 run shot that tied it up. With Maddux out of the game due to being pinch hit for in the Cub 9th, Rick Sutcliffe would come on in relief and give up a lead off double to Wally Backman. Kevin McReynolds would be given a free pass as Chicago hoped to set up a double play. Felix MIllan would come on as a pinch hitter and lay down a perfect drop which moved the runners up. Darryl Strawberry would get an intentional base on balls. Met's Manager,Andy Weinrib would bring in University of Alabama graduate, Dave Magadan to pinch hit. The Cubs would counter with Bruce Sutter. Magadan would end it promptly as he hit Sutter's first pitch up the middle for the game winner and New York had a 4-3 win and a 2 game to 1 win of the series.

--submitted by Jim Walden--

Bucs stop Jints by taking 2 of 3...Marichal's shutout salvages game 3 for Jints

Aug 14 – Dock Ellis vs Jim Barr

Dock had a "good night" on the 13th, and came out to pitch a 5-hit shutout, winning 8-0.  The Pirates rapped out 13 hits, 6 for extra bases.  Leading 4-0 in the 5th, Ralph Kiner's grand slam off Barr sealed the game.  Every Pirate save Ellis had a hit, and 7 Buccos scored runs.  Ellis did not walk a batter and threw 82% of his pitches for strikes.

Pit   8 13  0

SF    0   5  0

W – Ellis (2-0), L – Barr (0-2)

HR – Kiner (2)

Aug 15 – Gaylord Perry vs. Doug Drabek

New venue, similar result as the Pirates were all over Perry, scoring 4 times in the 1st en route to a 9-1 win.  Five Pirate home runs carried the day, as did Doug Drabek's 8 innings of 2-hit ball.  The lone Giant run came on Willie Mays' solo HR in the 8th.  Dave Parker had 3 hits and drove in 3, and Johnny Ray added a 3-run blast.

SF   1  5  1

Pit  9 14  0

W – Drabek (2-1), L – G. Perry (1-1)

HR – Mays (5); Parker 2 (4, 5), Stargell (3), Bonilla (4), Ray (2)

Aug 16 – Juan Marichal vs. Jim Rooker

The Giants finally righted their ship as Juan Marichal held the Bucs to 5 hits, and Kevin Mitchell and Matt Williams each drove in a pair for a 6-0 San Francisco win.  The Giants didn't wait long, getting four consecutive one-out hits in the 1st inning, with Kevin Mitchell's double serving as the big blow.  Marichal did not walk a batter and did not allow more than one runner on base in any inning.

SF   6 11  0

Pit  0   5  3

W – Marichal (1-1), L – Rooker (0-2)

HR – Mays (6)

--submitted by Jesse Elicker--

Braves sweep 'Stros...J.R. Richard dropped from rotation

Tommy Glavine	Phil Niekro	Tom House

Game 1

Tom Glavine and Rick Camp combine for a shutout in the Braves 4-0 win. Hank Aaron hits is 4th KOD12 home run and Joe Adcock add his second. Camp earns the 2 inning save. Joe Niekro goes 7 innings allowing only 2 runs, Danny Darwin allows the other runs in relief. Adcock's 3-hit day raises his average to .323.

Game 2

Houston Starter J.R. Richard allows 3 walks and a 1 before he can escape the first inning. His ERA rises to 19.23 and Manager Mike Johnson is demoting him for the remainder of the KOD12 season. Jim DeShaies and Ken Forsch combine for 8.1 scoreless innings to keep the Astros in the game but Braves starter Phil Niekro pitches a complete game and holds Houston to 2 runs. Niekro improves to 3-0, 2.03. Final 4-2 Braves.

Game 3

Brave starter Warren Spahn gets knocked around a bit, including allowing 2 home runs to Astros slugger Glenn Davis. Both Astros closer Dave Smith, and Braves reliever Gene Garber blow saves to send the game into extra innings. A RBI ground out by Felipe Alou gives the Braves the lead and Houston makes in intersting but can't pull it out off Tom House in the bottom of the 12th. Braves win 7-6.
--submitted by Mike Johnson--

Twins take 2 of 3 from Chisox via the longball

Game 1 - Chi 7 Min 5,
The White Sox's welcomed the new coach by getting off to a 1st inning 3-0 lead. Minnesota fought back scoring 1 in the second and two in the third to tie it up. A freak injury in the third to Chicago's starter Gary Peters put him out of the game. In the 5th inning Harold Baines put one over the fence for a two run shot. The Twins tied it back up in the bottom of the 5th with a lead off walk to Roy Sievers, Harmon Killebrew doubled and Roy Sievers scored on a wild pitch. The relief pitchers took control of the game. In the top of the 12th Luis Aparicio lead off with a walk then advanced to third on a Nellie Fox single. Harold Baines grounded out to 2nd and Luis Aparicio scored. Nellie Fox scored when Lamar Johnson grounds out. In the bottom of the 12th with Boby Thigpen very tired and no pitchers left on the bench he walks leadoff hitter Mickey Vernon. cesar Tovar is brought in to pinch run. Bobby Thigpen then struckout Bob Allison and got Gary Gaetti and Earl Battey to flyout. White Sox take it 7-5.  

Game 2 – Min 7, Chi 5
Minnesota took the lead 5-2 with 4 in the bottom of the fourth when starter Tommy John allowed 2 singles and walked 5 batters. In the 8th after putting down the first two batters Chicago fought back and scored 3 to tie it at 5. Into the bottom of the ninth Puckett singles. An attempted bunt by Rod Carew did not advance Kirby Puckett as he was thrown out at 2nd but Rod Carew was safe at 1st. Up came Harmon Killebrew and he smacked it over the fence and the Twins take it 7-5.

Game 3 – Min 7, Chi 4
Minnesota went with the long ball early as Kirby Puckett and Gary Gaetti put solo shots over the fence. In the top of the seventh Chicago briefly took the lead 3-2. In the bottom of the 7th Gary Gaetti singled, Earl Battey singled, A walk to Zoilo Versalles loaded them up. Juan Pizarro fought back by causing a line drive and a strikeout. Then walked Harmon Killebrew to score a run, then hit tony Oliva to score another a single by Tom Brunansky scored two more which was enough for the Twins to take the rubber of the series 7-4. In the three games of the series the winning team always scored 7.

--submitted by Robert Chisholm--

Redbirds take 2 of 3 from “lowly” Friars

Game 1 at San Diego,
Future color analyst Tim McCarver collected 2 hits and drove in 4 runs as the Cardinals took the opening game the three game set with the Padres.  Bill White added three more hits to the redbirds cause as they went on to defeat the lowly Friars 7-0.

Game 2 at San Diego,
Randy Jones pitched a strong game as San Diego took down the powerful Cardinals 6-3. The hosts put up 4 runs in the first including a 3-run bomb to center by catcher Terry Kennedy. Jones was sharp in this game but got sloppy in the 5th inning when he hung a sinker to Curt Flood and he nailed it just over the 8 foot temporary fence down the left field line. That would be the only runs the crafty lefty would surrender as he went the distance to earn his first "W" of the tournament. Dave Winfield contributed 2 hits and a pair of RBI in the San Diego triumph. Padres 6....Cardinals 3.

Game 3 at St. Louis,
Clay Kirby and Steve Carlton matched up in game 3 and it looked for a while that the Padres would mount an upset and take 2 of 3 from the tough Cardinals Unfortunately that would not be the case.  The Padres held a 4-2 edge into the 8th inning powered by blasts from Benito Santiago and Dave Winfield. However, in the bottom half of the 8th inning and a run in for the Cardinals, Lefty Dave Dravecky decided to walk Joe Torre to face lefty Lou Brock.  St. Louis made a gutsy call and decided to pinch hit for the future Hall of Famer with former Padre George Hendrick. Big George got a pitch to his liking and slammed it into the seats for a 3-run home run and a 6-4 Cardinal lead. McDaniel came in the 9th inning and put the nail into the Padres coffin to seal the Cardinals dramatic come-from-behind victory and snatch the game from the Padres. Final score: Cardinals 6....Padres 4.

--submitted by Joey Scigliano--

Phightin's sweep 'Spos at Vet

8/14 - 8/16 - Veterans Stadium
Phillies 9, Expos 3
Steve Rogers vs Curt Simmons

Bases clearing double

Philly jumped out to a huge 6-0 lead by the 4th on the heels of a 4 run outburst in the 2nd. A bases clearing double by Mike Schmidt drove in 3 runs with one swing. Juan Samuel’s triple came one batter later. Richie Ashburn’s 2 run single in the 4th sealed Rogers’ fate. Montreal would make a game of it with 3 runs in the 6th, but Philly answered right back with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to put it away. The only black spot in the Phightin’s world was the elbow injury suffered by Simmons with 1 out in the 8th. Philly docs think he’ll miss one week at the most before returning to the rotation.

Phillies 2, Expos 1
Bryn Smith vs Robin Roberts
Bryn Smith pitched the game of his life only to see his heart broken by a 2 run shot

Lost shutout and game in 7th

by Mike Schmidt in the bottom of the 8th. Smith to that point did a fantastic job trying to make Montreal’s solo run scored in the top of the 1st hold up. With one out in the opening stanza Delino DeShields singled ans stole second, then scored on Warren Cromartie’s RBI single. From that point on Robin Roberts and Smith would be locked in a scoreless duel until Schmitty homered in the 7th. The 1980 combo of Ron Reed setting up for Tug McGraw worked like a charm over the final 2 innings with the "Tugger" notching his 3rd save of the season.

Phillies 9, Expos 3
Dennis Martinez vs Steve Carlton

2 HR’s & 5 RBI

The Phightin’s impeached "El Presidente" in the fourth inning by battering him from pillar to post to the tune of 9 runs (8 earned). Steve Carlton would be the winner in this one, but he was purely the beneficiary of a fantastic offensive outburst. John Kruk would pace the Philly offense by going 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored and 5 RBI. Kruk did most of the damage with his two homers. Jim Konstanty was given a save based on his 4 scoreless inning of relief to finish the game. Both Andre Dawson and Andres Galarraga hit their respective first homers of the season as the Expos were swept right out of the city of Brotherly Love.

Week # 4: Bronx Bombers crush Athletics

Game 1 at Oakland Coliseum
Peterson (NYY) vs Hunter (OAK)
The Yankees started fast in Oakland, opening the scoring on an RBI single from Don Mattingly and a bases-loaded walk to Yogi Berra. The A's would answer in the third on a Rickey Henderson RBI single, but the late innings belonged to the Bronx Bombers.  Graig Nettles  hit a two-RBI triple in the seventh and Donnie “Baseball” Mattingly stuck with his second homerun ofthe year, with a man on, in the eighth. Dave Righetti cruised through the final two innings as the Yankees flew back to New York with a 7-1 win in hand.

Game 2 at Yankee Stadium
Langford (OAK) vs. Stottlemyre (NYY)
The A's started fast with a Jose Canseco two-run shot in the first. Rick Langford had an easy outing until the fifth, when things started to fall apart. Joe DiMaggio led off the inning with his first home run of the year, Roger Maris walked, and Yogi Berra drove him home with his second homer of the year to put the Yanks ahead 3-2. Graig Nettles' RBI single in the sixth gave them an insurance run, which they would turn out to need. In the eighth inning, Jerry Lumpe drove in Rick Campaneris with an RBI double. But the Yankee bullpen shut down the A's from there and Goose Gossage struck out the side in the ninth. The Yanks could breathe a sigh of relief as they took the game 4-3,

Game 3 at Yankee Stadium
Stewart (OAK) vs Ford (NYY)
This would not be a good outing for Dave Stewart, as he found himself giving up back-to-back home runs to Mickey Mantle and Don Mattingly to open the contest. Graig Nettles hit a two-run shot in the second to compound Stewart's woes, and in the fourth Stewart would give up solo shots to Yogi Berra and Nettles. That would be all Whitey Ford would need. In the sixth, Mark McGwire hit a solo shot with the bases empty, and in the seventh Eddie Joost would drive in Terry Steinbach to make it 6-2. But BIll Terry and Dave Righetti finished the job for New York and the A's would get no more. The Yankees took the game 6-2 and swept the series, improving their record to 9-3 while Oakland fell to 7-5.

--submitted by Michael Hopcroft--