1981 Season Coming Soon

Season to start in LATE January

NOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half. The division winner of the first half (denoted East 1, West 1) played the division winner of the second half (denoted East 2, West 2).

Division Series ABC/NBC

League Championship Series NBC

World Series ABC

East 1

New York Yankees

3

East 2

Milwaukee

2

East

New York Yankees

3

American League

West

Oakland

0

West 1

Oakland

3

West 2

Kansas City

0

AL

New York Yankees

2

NL

Los Angeles

4

East 1

Philadelphia

2

East 2

Montreal

3

East

Montreal

2

National League

West

Los Angeles

3

West 1

Los Angeles

3

West 2

Houston

2

• American League Championship Series MVP: Graig Nettles
• National League Championship Series MVP: Burt Hooton
• World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4–2); Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, co-MVPs

WORLD SERIES: 

• October 28 – Pedro Guerrero drives in five runs, and pitcher Burt Hooton and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees 9–2 to win the 1981 World Series in six games. In a remarkable postseason, the Dodgers rallied from game deficits of 2–0 against the Astros in the division series, 2-1 against the Expos in the National League Championship series, and 2–0 against the Yankees in the World Series. Guerrero, Ron Cey and Steve Yeager are named co-MVPs.

Awards and honors[edit]

• Most Valuable Player
  • Rollie Fingers, Milwaukee Brewers, P (AL)
  • Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies, 3B (NL)
• Cy Young Award
  • Rollie Fingers, Milwaukee Brewers (AL)
  • Fernando Valenzuela, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL)
• Rookie of the Year
  • Dave Righetti, New York Yankees, P (AL)
  • Fernando Valenzuela, Los Angeles Dodgers, P (NL)

Phillies Crowned 1980 Champions

MVP Steve Carlton

The Philadelphia Phillies rolled to a 4-0 sweep of the New York Yankees to capture the 1980 World Series Crown.  It is the second title for the Phillies in just 5 short years.  Philadelphia defeated the Yankees, 4-1,  back in 1976.  World Series MVP Steve Carlton

Game 1:
New York      3
Philadelphia   4
11 innings

The underdog Yankees jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead after 2 innings to give the Bronx Bombers a quick ray of hope.  Willie Randolph would hit the only homer of the game, a solo shot, in the 2nd inning to propel the Yanks to the early advantage.  However, it would be the last runs the Yanks would score in the game as Phillies Steve Carlton would buckle down to handcuff New York the rest of the way out.  Carlton would strike out 9 batters in 7.1 innings before handing it over to bullpen.  Tug McGraw would then do yeomen's work throwing 3.2 innings of shutout baseball (including 5 K's of his own) to grab the win.   It took Philadelphia 6 innings before they would knot the game off a RBI double by Greg Luzinski and 11 innings to capture the win.  A two out triple by Del Unser, in the bottom of the 11th would set up a wild pitch by Goose Gossage, scoring Unser, for the game winner.   SERIES Philadelphia 1  New York 0
=============
Game 2:
New York      3
Philadelphia   4

A 3 run 6th inning surge by the Yankees, giving New York a 3-2 lead going into the stretch, seemed to give Yankee fans hope of a series tie.  But a run in the 8th and a run in the 9th would lockout game 2 for Philadelphia.  A 9th inning solo shot homer by Bob Boone would end Yankee hopes of capturing their first series win.  Boone's homer was his only hit of the game but would be enough to earn him game MVP honors.  SERIES Philadelphia 2 New York 0
=============
Game 3:
Philadelphia   6
New York      3

Yankees jump out to an early lead, again, off of home runs by Reggie Jackson and Jim Spencer.  But the 3-0 edge evaporated quickly as Philadelphia put up 4 runs in the 4th inning to grab the lead.  The Phillies never looked back from there rolling out 2 more runs to capture game 3 6-3.  Philadelphia bats rocked out 11 hits in the win.  SERIES Philadelphia 3  New York 0
=============
Game 4:
Philadelphia   5
New York      2

Steve Carlton would throw another gem of a game dashing any hopes of a Yankee comeback.  Carlton would go the distance striking out 6 Yankee batters en route to his game and series MVP honors.  With the score knotted at 2-2 in the 8th inning, New York would again have another late inning let down.  With two outs in the bottom of the 8th inning two Yankee errors would eventually lead to 3 Phillie runs.  The defensive collapse by the Yanks would eventually lead to the final nail in the coffin for New York as Philadelphia would go on to capture the series with a 5-2 win and a series sweep.  SERIES: Philadelphia 4 New York 0

Yankees Upset Royals in ALCS

In a surprise upset the Yankees, who had only made it into the Playoffs on the last weekend of the season, shook off an opening game beat down and used clutch hitting to go with stellar pitching to sweep the next three in stunning the favored Kansas City Royals.

GAME #1

No contest as KC blows out Yankee starter Ron Guidry and his replacement Tim Lollar to the tune of an 14-1 lead after four, and it was uglier than that! Royals cruise to easy 14-2 opening win.

KC LEADS SERIES 1-0.

GAME #2

Tight 1-1 contest is blown open by the Yankees in the top of the 7^th as they send five batters up against KC Closer Dan Quisenberry, and all five end up scoring in what would be a six run outburst. Yankees win 8-1 behind Rudy May. SERIES TIED AT 1 GAME A PIECE.

GAME #3

The Series shifts to New York, and Yankee starter Tommy John has got it working as he goes all the way in 6-1 win giving only an unearned run. Tight 2-1 game in blown open by New York in the 7^th as the first five hitters reach on four singles and an error that lead to four run rally. YANKEES LEAD SERIES 2-1

GAME #4

Yankees take care of business as starter Tom Underwood goes a solid six giving up only one run before being relieved. Making their first appearances in the Series Ron Davis goes two scoreless before Goose Gossage closes out the game and series with a scoreless 9^th to get the Save. A two run blast by Mr. October Reggie Jackson in the 3^rd proved to be the difference, though New York did add two more later on for 4-1 series clinching win to advance to the World Series. YANKEES WIN ALCS 3 GAMES TO 1.

A big tip of the hat to KC Coach Bill Silvers who lead the Royals through a great campaign, only to see their bets go quite at the most inopportune time.

Scott

Phillies Slip Past Astros in NLCS

The Philadelphia Phillies are the ARAIG National League champs, defeating the upstart Houston Astros in four games. Three of the games were tied going into the ninth, showcasing how tense this series was, mirroring real life. Congratulations to O and his Philadelphia squad, which battled through a difficult pennant race to take the flag. With great hitters up and down the lineup (Schmidt, Bull Luzinski, McBride, Lonnie Smith, Pete Rose, Gary Maddux, Bowa, etc.), it will prove a tough matchup for an AL foe.

Here's a brief series rundown:

Game One: Steve Carlton wasn't at his best, giving up 12 hits in nine innings. Houston scored first, as Craig Reynolds tripled to lead off the third inning and scored on a Enos Cabell single. Cabell would then come around on a Jose Cruz base hit. But Philly would tie it at two in the bottom of the same inning on Mike Schmidt's long homer to left off Houston starter Ken Forsch. The game would remain 2-2 until the bottom of the ninth. Forsch and reliever Joe Sambito continued to battle, even though giving up 13 Phillies' hits.

But in the bottom of the ninth, the Phils scored the game winner off Sambito, as Lonnie Smith singled, stole second and went to third on a Sambito wild pitch.  Smith then scored the winning run on a single up the middle from Bake McBride to give the hometown Phillies' Phanatics something to cheer. Philly 3, Houston 2.
Game Two:  Houston's Nolan Ryan appeared to be cruising, up 2-0 going into the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double from Cruz and a home run from Alan Ashby. But then the Phillies scored four in the fourth, sending Ryan to an early shower. Two leadoff walks from Ryan led to back-to-back singles from Manny Trillo and Maddox before Phillies pitcher Dick Ruthven had the big blow, a double that plated two more and gave Philly a short-lived 4-2 lead. Houston than pounded out five runs in the top of the sixth, leading to Ruthven's exit before Terry Puhl walloped a three run home to right center off reliever Tug McGraw. Houston led 7-4.

But Philly again answered, as McBride and Schmidt hit back to back homers off reliever Gordie Pladson in the eighth and tied it on Manny Trillo's triple and a subsequent sac fly.

But in the top of the 10th, tied 7-7, Houston got the game winner on Ashby's triple and eventual game winning run, as Sambito had a 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th for the save. Houston 8, Philly 7.

Game Three: This was the only game that was lopsided in score. Philly's young starter Larry Christenson and McGraw held Houston to two hits, while Houston starter Joe Niekro (a 23 game winner during the season) was hit hard for four runs and 11 hits in seven innings. Rose had three hits, Schmidt added his third homer of the series, and Maddox knocked in two more in the easy, 6-1 Phillies win. 

Game Four: Steve Carlton came on to close out the series against Vern Ruhle, and the game turned into a pitchers' duel. Houston scored first against Carlton, plating two in the bottom of the first on RBI singles from Gary Woods and Art Howe. Philly would get single runs in the fifth and sixth to tie it, as Ruhle would allow five hits and two walks in those two innings and give up RBI singles to McBride and Smith.

The game remained tied at two into the 10th inning, as neither team could mount much of a rally. Carlton ended up striking out nine in 8.2 innings, while Ruhle, although giving up 11 hits, also pitched into the ninth with only two Phillies runs scored. It was tied 2-2 after nine.

But disaster befell the Astros in the top of 10th. With Frank LaCorte on the mound, McBride and Trillo led off the inning with singles. Hoping to get out of the inning, LaCorte rushed a throw to first on an easy grounder from Maddox to load the bases on the error. After LaCorte got Bowa to hit into a doubeplay grounder that led to an out at home, normally light hitting catcher Bob Boone smacked a single to left that scored two and gave Philly a 4-2 lead. After a walk from Ron Reed in the bottom of the 10th, McGraw came on to get the final out. Philly 4, Houston 2.
A tight series but Philadelphia proved to be the better team. 


Regards,

Joe Pryweller

League Championship Series Slated Soon!

Week 27 - League Championship Series
Date	1980 Schedule	Home Manager

ALCS
8-Oct	New York (A) @ Kansas City	Bill Silvers
9-Oct	New York (A) @ Kansas City	Bill Silvers
10-Oct	Kansas City @ New York (A)	Scott Griffin
11-Oct	Kansas City @ New York (A)	Scott Griffin
12-Oct	Kansas City @ New York (A)	Scott Griffin
NLCS
7-Oct	Houston @ Philadelphia	Orion Bell
8-Oct	Houston @ Philadelphia	Orion Bell
10-Oct	Philadelphia @ Houston	Joe Pryweller
11-Oct	Philadelphia @ Houston	Joe Pryweller
12-Oct	Philadelphia @ Houston	Joe Pryweller

Red Sox' John Tudor no-hits the A's

1980 A's - Game  122

Red Sox:  4  A's:  0

WP - Tudor (3-2)  LP - Langford (11-13)

HR - None

John Tudor pitched a no-hitter today in beating the A's 4-0 in Oakland.

Tudor walked three and struck out four to get his 3rd win on the season.

The A's nearly broke up the no-hitter with 0 outs in the bottom of the ninth but a web gem play by SS

Rick Burleson stole a hit from Mario Guerrero and kept the no-hitter alive.

Tudor then walked PH Mike Edwards on 4 pitches, but was able to get Rickey Henderson to bounce out, followed by a Dwayne Murphy fly out to RF Dwight Evans to complete the pitching gem.

 

Sox-Tribe Complete Split Treaty

August 18, 1980 (Game #1) at Chicago – Ed Farmer (18) induced Jorge Orta to ground into a bases loaded 4-6-3 DP to end the game with a 3-2 win and the potential tying run at 3B. The DP preserved a win for Britt Burns (11-8). Len Barker (12-10) took the loss for the Indians.

August 18, 1980 (Game #2) at Chicago – White Sox come back to win the nightcap 2-1 with a pair of runs in the B8. Kevin Bell reached on a 2-out single and was doubled in on a PH double by Harold Baines. Baines went to 3^rd on the throw home. Leo Sutherland then brought Baines in with a bunt single. Steve Trout (10-10) went the distance for the ChiSox winner. Wayne Garland (6-7) suffered the heart-breaking loss.

August 19, 1980 at Chicago – Another very fine baseball game between the Sox and Tribe won by Cleveland 5-4 on Rick Manning’s B8 sac fly scoring Toby Harrah. Sid Monge (4-4) got the win in relief with Mike Proly (3-8) getting the loss.

August 20, 1980 at Chicago – Ken Kravec (0-12) remained winless as the Tribe split the series with a 7-4 victory. Dan Spiller (7-13) pitched 7 and 1/3 strong innings on the hill for Cleveland. Joe Charboneau led the offense with 3 hits. 

Brewers Split With Tribe - League Lead Tightens in AL East

Cecil Cooper tries to keep Milwaukee
on top of the AL East.  Coop is batting .344
on the season, 5th overall in the majors.

The Cleveland Indians came into County  Stadium with one thought in mind, gaining ground on the division leading Brewers.  And even though Milwaukee slipped through with a split, the Indians showed they have the fire power to win the East.  Knocking Milwaukee pitching around for 31 hits and 16 runs in 4 games, Cleveland left Milwaukee fans feeling a little jittery if their squad could hold the division lead for the rest of the season.  The Brewers have just won 5 of its last 16 games as 4 other teams are nipping at their heals to see if Bambi's Bombers will continue their downward slide.  Milwaukee currently sits atop of the AL East with a 60-50 record.  NYA (still to play) are just 1.5 games back with Cleveland within earshot at just 3 games back.

ChiSox Shock Royals with Pair of Ws

August 1, 1980 at Chicago – Greg Pryor (2) put together a 6-4-5-3 tag line. It was just one of those games. Everything clicked for the nearly cellar-dwelling White Sox as they pounded the AL West leading Kansas City Royals 18-4. The ChiSox scored in every inning but the last. C Bruce Kimm (1 hit) was the only Sox player not to have multiple safeties in the 27-hit attack. Larry Gura (13-8) was in the showers after 3 innings. Britt Burns (10-6) gathered the spoils on the hill for Chicago. Side Note: Get a copy of the radio broadcast for this one. Harry Carey and Jimmy Piersall were pretty looped up by the end and Hilarious!!

August 2, 1980 at Chicago – Bob Molinaro (6) banged out 4 hits and 2 RBI, including a solo shot in the 3^rd to lead Chicago to a 4-3 win. Steve Trout (9-8) tossed 7 innings for the win. Current White Sox broadcaster, Ed Farmer (16) pitched the final 2 for the save. George Brett’s (17) 7^th inning solo blast measured 459-feet and just missed hitting the rooftop by a foot.

August 3, 1980 at Chicago – George Brett (18) homered again and the winning pitcher was Paul Splittorff (14-4) as Kansas City salvaged a game in the series with an 8-5 win. Clint Hurdle’s 3-run double highlighted a 6-run 6^th for KC. Richard Dotson (9-5) took the loss for Chicago.

ChiSox Stun Brew Crew with Short Sweep

July 29, 1980 at Chicago – Jim Morrison’s 2-run double in the B9 off a tiring Moose Haas (14-7) gave Chicago a 4-3 walk-off win. Mike Squires led the way for the victor’s with 3 hits and two runs scored. Ed Farmer (3-4) got the win in relief.

July 30, 1980 at Chicago – Bob Molinaro (3 hits) gave the White Sox another walk-off win, 6-5, with a base hit scoring Todd Cruz in the B9. Farmer (4-4) grabbed another W. Reggie Cleveland (4-5) went the distance but took the L for the Brew Crew.  

Strong Pitching Highlights Rangers-ChiSox Split

July 25, 1980 at Chicago – Richard Dotson (9-4) tossed a complete game as Chicago won the opener 5-1. Harold Baines and Lamar Johnson each contributed 2-run singles.

July 26, 1980 at Chicago – Ferguson Jenkins (12-5) was looking like the 1970s version of his Hall of Fame self with a complete game, 3-1 win over the White Sox. Fergie fanned 6, walked none and allowed just 5 hits all in a tidy 98 pitches. Buddy Bell and Rusty Staub led the O-fense with 4 and 3 hits, respectively.

Ju1y 27, 1980 (Game #1) at Chicago – Thad Bosley (3) blasted a 2-run home run in the B8 to lift Chicago to a 5-4 winner in the lid-lifter of a twi-night DH on a steamy South Chicago night. Steve Trout (8-8) hurled the full 9 for the victory.

Ju1y 27, 1980 (Game #2) at Chicago – Jon Matlack (9-7) also seemed to turn the clock back with a masterful 5-hit, CG, shutout, 5-0. Rich Wortham (3-7) was also strong in the hill for the ChiSox through 6 innings, but tired in the 7^th and surrendered 4 runs.

BRAVES HANDLE VISITING PHILLIES

The Atlanta Braves capitalized on quality pitching and timely hitting to take three of four from the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. The four game series feature four one run games and two walk off wins by the Braves,

GAME 1   BRAVES 3   PHILLIES 2

                 WP:  NIEKRO (12-7)

                 LP:    REED (2-5)

                 HOME RUNS:  PHI- BOONE (3)  ATL: MURPHY (16)

 

Phil Niekro pitched a complete game allowing 2 runs on 10 hits while earning his 12th win of the season. Down 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th the Braves scored two runs on singles by Biff Pocoroba and Glen Hubbard to steal the win from the Phillies.

 

     

 GAME 2   BRAVES 4   PHILLIES 3  (10)

                  WP:   BRADFORD (2-1)

                  LP:     BRUSSTAR (0-1)

                  HOME RUNS:   PHI- MADDOX (8)   ATL- HORNER (15), MURPHY (17),       

                                          CHAMBLISS (6)

With score knotted 3-3 in the bottom of the 10th inning, Chris Chambliss hit a two out game winning home run giving the Braves their second win of the series.

 With Braves up 2-1 in the Phillies half of the 8th, Mike Schmidt hit a one out triple to right. Gary Maddox quickly followed with a 2 run shot giving the Phillies the 3-2 lead. The Braves countered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning on Dale Murphy's 17th home run of the year. The Phillies rally in the top of the 10th fell short when Larry Bowa grounded out leaving Gary Maddox at second after he had doubled. Then, with two out Chris Chambliss became the hero with his 6th home run of the year.

GAME 3   PHILLIES 5   BRAVES 4

                 WP:   SAUCIER (4-2)  S: McGRAW (14)

                 LP:     BOGGS (4-6)

                 HOME RUNS:  SCHMIDT 2 (27)

Trailing early in the game, the Phillies scored 2 runs in the 6th and 3 more in the 8th and outlasted the Braves 5-4. MIke Schmidt led the Phillies attack 

with two home runs and 5 RBI. Kevin Saucier and Tug McGraw held

off the Braves offense to secure the  victory for the Phillies.

GAME 4   BRAVES 6   PHILLIES 5

                 WP:   GARBER (2-2)   S: HRABOSKY (10)

                 LP:     REED (2-6)

                 HOME RUNS:   PHI- SCHMIDT (28)

Bob Horner and Dale Murphy drove in 2 runs apiece and three Atlanta relief pitchers held the Phillies to a run and a hit over the final three innings for the win. In a game featuring 27 hits, only eleven runs were scored. It was the fourth one run game of the series.  

Gary Maddox continued his torrid hitting with three hist including a double and triple. Mike Schmidt added two hits including a home run for the losers.       

Houston Sweeps the Phillies to Boost Win Streak to Seven

The Astros continue to have a hot July, winning seven in a row (four from Atlanta, three from Philly) to take a larger lead in the NL West.  Two of these games  vs. Philly go into extra innings, as the two NL division leading squads face off.

Game One: Houston 8, Philly 2. W: Ryan (9-8); L: Ruthven (6-9)

Houston comes out strong, battering Dick Ruthven for eight runs in six innings. Only three are earned, as Philly commits three key errors. Cesar Cedeno knocks two doubles and has three RBIs and is hitting over .400 for July.

Game Two: Houston 5, Philly 4 (10 innings). D. Smith (6-0); L: Noles (4-2)

Philadelphia hits Houston starter Ken Forsch hard early for four runs in the first two innings, aided by a two-run homer from Keith Moreland in the first. But Forsch allows no more runs in his nine innings of work, and the control artist walks no one (while only striking out two). Meanwhile, Houston recovers to score four runs off Philly starter Bob Walk, as Cedeno hits his sixth homer that drives in the first two and awakens the Houston bats. Cedeno again helps with the winning rally in the bottom of the 10th, singling with two outs and stealing second before Alan Ashby drives him  home with a single for the game winning hit.

Game Three: Houston 1, Phily 0 (10 innings). W: J. Niekro (11-6); L: Noles (4-3)

A great pitching duel between Steve Carlton and Joe Niekro, neither of whom allow a run in nine innings of work. Carlton only gives up four hits, none for extra bases, while Niekro gets out of a few jams and pitches efficiently, inducing a spate of groundballs for outs. Carlton has to depart after nine, while Niekro is still going strong. In the bottom of the 10th, Houston wins in dramatic fashion as Cedeno again comes through, hitting an inside the park home run after driving the ball hard down the third base line.

For the series, Cedeno goes seven for 13 with six RBIs and two home runs.

Bombers Blow Away ChiSox

July 12, 1980 at Chicago – Tommy John (10-8) was on. He bionic lefty needed just 94 pitches to whitewash his former mates on the South Side, yielding just 3 hits in the 3-0 win. Rupert Jones (5) and Reggie Jackson (22) hit HRs for the Bronx Bombers.

July 13, 1980 at Chicago – Rudy May (7-0) remained perfect on the season by tossing 6 innings in an 8-4 Yankees win. Bob Watson and Bucky Dent led the offense with 3 hits and 2 RBIs apiece. Rick Cerone also drove in 3 runs.

July 14, 1980 at Chicago – Goose Gossage (18) surrendered two singles in the B9, but also struck out the side to preserve a 6-5 Yankees win and the sweep. Watson drove in 2 more runs, but Jones (6) provided the biggest noise, highlighting a 3-run 7^th with a 427-foot bomb to straightaway center with a man aboard. Doug Bird (1-0) got the win in relief. Mike Proly (1-5) took the loss.  

REDS TAKE TWO FROM BRAVES

July 11, 1980..... The Cincinnati Reds rolled into Atlanta two games ahead of the Braves in the NL West standings. With great pitching and timely hitting, the Reds increased their lead to four games. 

 

GAME 1   CINCINNATI 3   ATLANTA 2

WP: HUME (3-5)  S: BAIR (3)

LP:   NIEKRO (11-6)

HOME RUNS: CIN- GRIFFEY (7), GERONIMO (2)

Trailing 2-0 in the 8th inning, the Cincinnati Reds went on a home run attack. In the 8th, Ken Griffey tagged Atlanta ace, Phil Nieko for a solo shot. In the 9th, down 2-1 Cesar Geronimo hit a one out two run home run off Niekro to seal the victory. Doug Bair closed out the 9th for the save. Bob Horner and Jeff Burroughs

led the Braves with two hits apiece. But, it was all for not as Niekro made two bad pitches. "They hit the knucle balls that didn't knuckle", stated the dejected Niekro. "When that happens, the ball goes a long way!"
  

GAME 2   CINCINNATI 4   ATLANTA 2
WP:   SOTO (5-1)  S: HUME (19)
LP:     ALEXANDER (5-8)
HOME RUNS: NONE

The Cincinnati Reds jumped on Atlanta starter, Doyle Alexander
for four runs in the first two innings and rode Mario Soto's right arm to victory.Ken Griffey led the victorious Reds with 3 hits and an RBI.

Johnny Bench and Junior Kennedy chipped in 2 hits each.

After scoring single runs in the 1st and 3rd innings, the Braves never threatened as Tom Hume closed the door in the 9th for his 19th save.

Chisox, Orioles Each Snare a W

July 10, 1980 at Chicago – Britt Burns (8-6) and Ed Farmer (14) held the Orioles to 1 run on 5 hits as the White Sox defeated Baltimore 3-1. DH Ron Pruitt knocked in 2 runs without benefit of a hit. Wayne Nordhagen had 3 knocks for the Pale Hose.

July 11, 1980 at Chicago – Lenn Sakata greeted Sox reliever Mike Proly with an RBI double in the T8 to tie the game at 2-2. Proly then uncorked a wild pitch scoring Mark Corey with what turned out to be the winning run as Baltimore won 3-2 and split the short 2-game series. Sammy Stewart (4-4) and Tim Stoddard (11) were the pitchers of record on the plus side; Guy Hoffman (0-3) on the negative.

Comiskey Scoreboard Fireworks After 3 of 4 Games

July 4, 1980 at Chicago – Brian Kingman (4-6) dominated the White Sox through 7 innings with a 1-hit shutout, but Chicago plated 3 on 3 hits in the 8^th to steal a victory, 3-2. Kevin Bell’s 2-run triple tied it. Bruce Kimm singled him in with the winner. Britt Burns (7-6) went the distance on the mound for the Sox.

July 5, 1980 at Chicago – Richard Dotson (8-3) fired a 2-hit shutout as Chicago blanked Oakland 1-0. Mike Squires singled in Jim Morrison with the game’s only run in the 2^nd.

July 6, 1980 (Game #1) at Chicago – Ricky Seilheimer, in his Major League debut, drove in a pair of runs in a 4-run Chicago 4^th inning to lead to a 4-2 Sox victory in the top side of a double header. Steve Trout (6-6) did most of the heavy lifting on the hill for the W. Ed Farmer (13) recorded the 27^th out for the save.

July 6, 1980 (Game #2) at Chicago – The Athletics nearly tripled their offensive output from the first 3 games of this series by salvaging a split in the nightcap with an 11-3 victory. Steve McCatty (5-4) went the distance on the bump, while DH Jim Essian drove in 4 with 3 hits. Rickey Henderson also collected 3 safeties, along with 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored.

Angels-White Sox Split 4 in ChiTown

June 30, 1970 at Chicago – Carney Lansford went 4-4 with 4 RBI to lead the Angels to a high-scoring 10-8 win. Rod Carew contributed 3 hits and 3 runs as Dave LaRoche (1-1) notched the win in relief with Andy Hassler (4) grabbing the save. Harold Baines (8), Jim Morrison (4) and Thad Bosley (2) all went yard for the ChiSox to keep them in the game.

July 1, 1970 at Chicago – Steve Trout (5-6) pitched 7 strong innings and Ed Farmer (11) finished up as Chicago evened the series with a 4-2 win. Bob Molinaro (4) homered in the 1^st, but it was a 3-run 6^th inning, highlighted by a Todd Cruz 2-run single that propelled the Pale Hose to victory.

July 2, 1970 at Chicago – Frank Tanana (6-4) was lights out with a CG, 4-hit shutout. He fanned 5 and walked none. Carew led the offense with 2 hits including an RBI double in a 4-0 Halos whitewashing.

July 3, 1970 at Chicago – Chicago earned the split in the series with a 5-3 win on get-away day. Tom Foley’s (1) first tater of the year was the game-winner in the 6^th. Wayne Nordhagen (6) added an insurance HR in the 8^th.  Bobby Clark of the Angels led all batters with 3 hits. Rich Wortham (3-5) started and won for the ChiSox. He has relief help from Lamarr Hoyt and Farmer (12). 

'Stros Sweep Reds to Widen NL West Lead

Houston continues to play well at home, sweeping second place Cincinnati to maintain their grip on first place.

Game One: Cincy's Frank Pastore (8-6) continues to pitch well, with an ERA below 2, but leaves after six losing 3-0, as Houston's Joe Niekro (7-6) outpitches him. Niekro goes eight and only allows one run, while Houston gets to Cincy relievers for four more runs. Enos Cabell and Alan Ashby both drive in two with RBI singles. Houston 7, Cincinnati 2.

Game Two: The Reds' Joe Price is virtually unhittable early, leading 1-0 before Jose Cruz hits a solo homer (4) in the sixth to tie it at one and support Houston starter J.R. Richard. But after the starters leave, the game continues tied until the 11th inning. Houston gets a one-out double off the leftfield wall from former Red Joe Morgan off Mike LaCoss (5-6), and he immediately scores on a double to left center by Art Howe to win it for reliever Joe Sambito (6-2), who pitches two perfect innings.. Houston 2, Cincinnati 1 (11 innings). 

Game Three: Houston starter Nolan Ryan (7-8) pitches well, striking out seven and holding Cincinnati to one run in eight innings. Cincinnati's Charlie Liebrandt (8-6) struggles, giving up six runs and isn't helped by two errors. Jose Cruz and Cesar Cedeno both drive in two, and Cedeno pokes his third homer in the easy win. Houston 6, Cincinnati 1.

BRAVES SNEAK PAST CUBS

June 22, 1980

 The Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs completed a three game series in Atlanta which featured two extra inning games and three one-run games. In the end, the Braves were able to win two of three of the closely contested games.

GAME 1:  CHICAGO 4  ATLANTA 3  (10INN)

  

                  WP: CAUDILL (2-2)  S: SUTTER (16)

                  LP:  CAMP (3-5)

                  HOME RUNS: CHI- BUCKNER (3)  ATL- MATTHEWS (9),

                                         MURPHY (13)

Bill Buckner hit a two out solo home run in the top of the 10th inning giving the Chicago Cubs a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves. With the Braves up 3-0 in the 8th, the Cubs scored three runs tying the game and setting up Buckner's big blast. Along with Buckner (2-5, 2RBI), Lenny Randle added a double and 2 RBI. Gary Matthews went 3-4 with a double, home run and  2RBI for the Braves.

GAME 2:   ATLANTA 2   CHICAGO 1

   

                  WP: ALEXANDER (5-5)  S: CAMP (6)

                  LP:   HERNANDEZ (1-5)

                  HOME RUNS: NONE

Doyle Alexander pitched 7 strong innings holding the Cubs to one run on six hits and the Braves offense was able to scratch out 2 runs for the victory. Tough luck loses, Willie Hernandez allowed the runs on 9 hits, all singles.

 GAME 3:   ATLANTA 7   CHICAGO 6  (11)

                   WP:  HANNA (1-1)
                   LP:    HERNANDEZ (1-7)
                   HOME RUNS: ATL- MATTHEWS 2 (11)

Jerry Royster's pinch hit single in the bottom of the 12th scored Jeff Burroughs with the game winner giving the Braves the win and the series victory. The Braves jumped out to a 6-0 lead with 10 game winner Phil Niekro on the mound. The Cubs got to Niekro for five runs and tied the game in the 9th on an error by Braves shortstop Larvell Blanks. The Cubs offense was led by Jerry
Martin's two hits and two RBI.

 

           

 

  

White Sox - Tigers Split Hairs (Fur?)

June 20, 1970 at Chicago – Chet Lemon’s 2-run double in the 1^st held up in a 2-1 White Sox win in the opener. Britt Burns (5-6) and Ed Farmer (10) tag-teamed on the mound for the Sox. Dan Petry (3-3) was the hard-luck loser.  

June 21, 1970 at Chicago – Milt Wilcox (5-7) went the distance in a 6-2 Tigers win to even the series. Champ Summers (4) had two of his three hits stay in the yard. He drove in 3.

June 22, 1970 (Game #1) at Chicago – Mike Squires’ sac fly in the B11th plated Junior Moore for a walk-off 7-6 White Sox come-from-behind winner. Detroit led 6-1 before the Pale Hose notched 4 in the 8^th and 1 in the 9^th to tie it. Lamar Johnson’s (7) 3-run bomb highlighted the 8^th. The biggest story though was Lamarr Hoyt’s (1-0) 5 shut out IP in relief. He gave up just 1 hit, walked none and K’d 4.

June 22, 1970 (Game #2) at Chicago – Lance Parrish (7) drove in 3 of the 4 runs for the Bengals as they earn the split in the DH and the series with a 4-3 victory. Jack Morris (7-4) grabbed the win with “Senior Smoke” Aurelio Lopez (10) going 2 1/3 for the save. 

Jays-Sox Split; Mirabella Paints Masterpiece

June 10, 1980 at Chicago – Chet Lemon singled in Greg Pryor in the B15th to hand Chicago a 3-2 win. Ed Farmer (1-2) picked up his first win in relief. Joey McLaughlin (0-4) remained winless for the Blue Jays.

June 11, 1980 at Chicago – Paul Mirabella (1-8) and Ken Kravec (0-9) both entered the contest 0-8. Someone had to blink, and it was Kravec in a 5-0 Toronto win. Mirabella was  stone-faced, and he stoned the White Sox on 1-hit through 9 complete. Mike Squires 6^th inning knock was the lone blemish on Mirabella’s (he sounds like an artist, eh?) masterpiece.  

Tribe, Pale Hose Share Pair

June 6, 1980 at Chicago – Jerry Dybzinski doubled to lead off the T14 and was singled home by Miguel Dilone for a 3-2 Cleveland winner. Southpaws Rick Waits (10 IP) and Steve Trout (9 IP) matched up in a beauty. Victor Cruz (2-0) eventually took the W. Mike Proly (1-4) was hung with the L.

June 8, 1980 at Chicago – Britt Burns (3-6) fired 8 innings of 5-hit shutout ball as Chicago split the short 2-game affair, 7-0. Jim Morrison and Harold Baines drove in 2 runs apiece to power the offense. 

Rangers Roll White Sox

June 3, 1980 at Chicago – Al Oliver homered and drove in 3 to lead the Rangers to an easy 8-3 win. Gaylord Perry (5-4) spit out 5 innings for the win.

June 4, 1980 (Game #1) at Chicago – Chicago captured the lid-lifter of this twin bill, 9-7. The ChiSox jumped to a 7-2 lead, but big hats came back with 1 in the 6^th and 4 in the 7^th to tie it. Dave Roberts provided the big bang with a 3-run blast. The Pale Hose answered in the bottom of the frame with a sac fly from Harold Baines and a run-scoring single form Harry Chappas.

June 4, 1980 (Game #2) at Chicago – Richie Zisk’s 2-run single in the top of the 8^th broke a 1-1 tie and led to a 4-1 Rangers win in the night cap. Sparky Lyle (5) closed it out for a weary Texas staff with 3 outs in the 9^th.

BRAVES TAKE 2 OF 3 FROM SAN FRANCISCO

The Atlanta Braves improved their record to 20-20 by winning two games against the visiting San Francisco Giants. 


GAME 1:  BRAVES 5  GIANTS 4
                 WP:  HRABOSKY (1-0)
                 LP:    LAVELLE (3-2)
     
                 HOME RUNS:  ATL: BURROUGHS (5)

The Atlanta Braves led 4-2 in the top of the 9th and Al Hrabosky on to close. The Giants got to Hrabosky for two runs and 3 hits to tie the game 4-4. The Braves roared back in the bottom of the inning, scoring the game winner on a single by Jerry Royster. 



GAME 2:  BRAVES 7  GIANTS 2
                 WP:  McWILLIAMS (1-4)
                 LP:   KNEPPER (5-5)

                 HOME RUNS: ATL- MATTHEWS (3), MURPHY (6)

 Larry McWilliams won his first game of the year with his best outing to date. McWilliams scattered six hits over eight innings while allowing two runs. McWilliams outstanding pitching performance was supported by a strong Braves' offense led by Chris Chambliss' four hits. Dale Murphy and Bruce Benedict had two hits and two RBI each. 

GAME 3:  GIANTS 8  BRAVES 5
                 WP:  WHITSON (2-8)  S: MINTON (6)
                 LP:    ALEXANDER (2-4)  

                 HOME RUNS:  SF: CLARK (8) 
                                        ATL: MATTHEWS (4)

The San Francisco Giants battered Atlanta starter Doyle Alexander for 5 runs on 12 hits over 5.2 innings and went on to defeat the Braves 8-5 ending their seven game losing streak. 

The potent Giant offense was led by Jack Clark with 3 hits, 2 RBI, a double and a home run. Terry Whitfield added 3 hits and an RBI. 

Bruce Benedict led the Braves with four hits. Chris Chambliss and Brian Asselstine added three hits apiece. Both Chambliss (7-13) and Benedict (8-13) have a very productive series at the plate.

Milwaukee Keeps Slim Lead In AL East With Sweep Of Seattle

After dropping 2 of 3 to the Mariners just 5 days ago the Brewers came home to County Stadium
with revenge on their mind.  And retribution is exactly what they got.  Milwaukee outscored Seattle 17-4 in the series recording 36 hits and 4 home runs.  Jim Gantner went 6 for 6 ( 2 doubles) in the first two games of the series before being rested in game 3.  The Brewers also had 2 of their 3 starting pitchers go the distance and Rickey Keaton (1-0, 0.00 ERA) went 8 complete, in his season debut, before handing it over to Bill Castro to finish things out.  The sweep of Seattle improves Milwaukee's record to 25-15 while the Mariners dropped to 18-27.

Houston Padlocks the Padres

The Astros try to keep pace with the Dodgers at the top of the NL West and sweep the Padres. Houston got a little lucky -- they could have easily lost all three of these games. Ex-Red (and reclaimed Astro) Joe Morgan has a nice clutch hitting series to help carry Houston.

Game One: Houston 5, San Diego 4 (14 innings)

Joe Morgan helps the Astros sweep.

W: Smith (2-0)
L: Shirley (301)

Houston starter J.R. Richard, coming in at 6-1, had a rough outing, allowing 11 hits and four runs in six innings. But down 4-3 in the eighth, Houston ties it up off Rollie Fingers on a single from pinch hitter Denny Walling. The game moves into the bottom of the 14th, when Houston (almost out of pitchers), finally wins it. Joe Morgan is the hero, walking, stealing second, and scoring on a bullet up the middle from Rafael Landestoy.

Game Two: Houston 7, San Diego 2
W: J.Niekro (4-4)
L: D'Acquisto (0-2)

San Diego starter Gary Lucas does well early, leading 2-1 into the eighth inning, in a good pitching battle with Houston's Joe Niekro. But then Padres' reliever John D'Acquisto undoes the good start, giving up five runs in the eighth as Houston's offense finally gets charged. D'Acquisto walks three and gives up a double off the rightfield wall from Morgan, who is having a nice series.

Game Three: Houston 3, San Diego 2
W: Ryan (3-7)
L: Fingers (1-2)

New Houston acquisition Nolan Ryan finally shows some semblance of success in the Astrodome (he came in having lost seven games), pitching a complete game five-hitter and barely beating San Diego. The game is knotted at two going into the bottom of the ninth, as Gene Richards had tied it for San Diego the inning before on a single. Fingers, in relief of starter Rick Wise, has a poor outing, allowing a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth to super-sub Dave Bergman, walking Terry Puhl, and allowing a bunt to move the runners to third. That man, Joe Morgan, comes up again and hits a long sac fly to win it for the home squad.

Rangers take 2 of 3 from A's

Game 1:
Texas 4  Oakland 3
WP - Jenkins (5-2)  LP - Langford (4-4)
HR - None

Fergie Jenkins won his 5th game of the season with a complete game against the
A's in Oakland.  Oakland came into the game on a hot streak, winning 9 of their last 10.
Mickey Rivers led the Rangers with 3 of their 15 hits.


Game 2:
Texas 5  Oakland 4  (11 innings)
WP - Perry (4-4)  LP - Lacey (1-3)  S - Lyle (4)
HR - Tex: None  Oak: Armas (6), Page (5)

Bud Harrelson singled home Mickey Rivers in    
the top of the 11th inning to give the Rangers
an extra-inning win over the A's and their
second straight win in the series.  Gaylord
Perry pitched into the 11th inning, finally
giving way to Sparky Lyle who finished off
the A's.  Mickey Rivers had another big day
going 4 for 6.  The A's had tied the game in
the 8th with a 2-run Mitchell Page shot, but
in the end Texas came out ahead.




Game 3:
Oakland 5  Texas 1
WP - Norris (7-1)  LP - Medich (1-4)
HR - Tex: Grubb (2)  Oak: Armas (7)

Mike Norris was dominant once again, shutting              
down the Rangers with a complete game win.
Norris has been amazing this season, this time
striking out 10 and scattering just 3 hits.
Tony Armas homered for the second straight
game, upping his season total to 7.