NL Roundup - Wed, Nov. 7

[bernieh]

[i:830e222967]by Adam DeCicco[/i:830e222967]

The National League had only 3 games played last night, but has a full schedule of games this evening. The road teams continue to dominate the senior circuit in the first week of action. Below is a recap of last night’s NL action:

[url=http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/1986/scores/boxscore.php?id=16][size=16:830e222967][b:830e222967][u:830e222967]Giants 1, Astros 0[/u:830e222967][/b:830e222967][/size:830e222967][/url]

In a great pitching duel, Scott Garrelts and the Giants bullpen held off an outstanding performance by Bob Knepper for a 1-0 victory. The lone run of the game was scored in the top of the first inning on a single to center by Will Clark driving home Dan Gladden who lead off the game with a single and stolen base. Base runners were hard to come by with the two teams combining for only 10 runners left on base.

The Astros had a chance to tie the game in the 5th when Kevin Bass was held up at third with one out on a single to right by Alan Ashby. “With 1 out, you never want to make the mistake of not scoring. Give your team a chance to drive you in”, Bass explained to the media. Craig Reynolds failed to score Bass on a weak grounder to first in the next at bat, and Knepper struck out to end the inning.

Game Notes: Will Cark left the game after the 3rd inning and will be given a day off to rest his aching knee. Only 2 extra base hits mark a season low for the NL so far this season.

[url=http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/1986/scores/boxscore.php?id=15][size=16:830e222967][b:830e222967][u:830e222967]Phillies 9, Reds 5[/u:830e222967][/b:830e222967][/size:830e222967][/url]

Kevin Gross pitched well enough to win as the Phillies outscored the Reds 9-5. Dave Parker was zoned in on Gross by hitting 2 home runs, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Phillies from breaking the game open in the top of the seventh inning against Browning.

After consecutive singles by Gary Redus and Jeff Stone and fly out by Juan Samuel, Mike Schmidt drove in Redus on Browning’s 110th pitch sending him to the showers. Joe Price was unable to provide relief as he allowed singles to Roenicke and Hayes before being relieved himself by Carl Willis. Willis was able to strike out Russell and get one step closer to ending the inning; however, a single by Jeltz drove in a run and the two out Triple by Kevin Gross to the wall in left center helped his own cause put the game out of reach. Dave Parker attempted to get the Reds back in the game in the 9th by smacking a 2-run homer off Browning, but Kent Tekulve was able to record the final two outs for the Reds’ second win of the season.

Game Notes: The triple by Gross was the first extra base hit by a Reds pitcher this season. Gross threw 156 pitches and was seen soaking his arm for 2 full hours after the game. Juan Samuel had a solo home run, but also had 2 shots to the warning track that were held up by the wind.

[url=http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/1986/scores/boxscore.php?id=17][size=16:830e222967][b:830e222967][u:830e222967]Padres 5, Dodgers 2[/u:830e222967][/b:830e222967][/size:830e222967][/url]

Lance McCullers had a solid first outing for the Padres as the Padres handed Dennis Powell and the Dodgers their second loss in three games 5-2. McCullers went 6 solid innings striking out 6 and allowing only 1 earned run in the second and another unearned run on a miscue by Bip Roberts in the 3rd. Craig Lefferts threw 2 solid innings for the save as three Padres pitchers combined for shutout ball over the last 3 innings.

The game featured home runs by Carmelo Martinez and Bruce Bochy in the 6th chasing Dennis Powell to the showers. A combined 5 errors were made between both clubs. The Dodgers rallied in the bottom of the 7th on an hit batsmen, error and walk, but failed to score when Pedro Guerrero flied out to end the rally against Gene Walter.

During the bottom of the eighth, Padres manager Adam DeCicco was caught off guard when a lineup card error lead to Carmelo Martinez being forced to play 2B for the remainder of the game. “I was forced to play a position I had never played before, but thankfully it didn’t cost us the game.” Martinez quoted to reporters. “All my fault,” Padres manager told reporters during the post game interview. “Like Carlos said, we’re thankful the blunder didn’t cost us the game, but if they did hit one to Carmelo, he would have been ready to make the play. He’s a trooper.”

Game Notes: Carmelo’s appearance at second was the first of his major league career. 19 total base runners were stranded in the game. Goose Gossage’s beaning of Madlock in the 7th was his second hit batsmen in 2 appearances this season.

[YountFan]

And excellent recap of the games. Very fun to read and it actually made to smile when the little touch about Clark's knees was mentions

YF