NL Roundup - Thu, Nov. 8

[bernieh]

4 of 5 games were won by the road teams as the trend continues for Senior Circuit baseball early into the 1986 season. Below is a brief recap of last night’s action.

[b:3cd294add0]Cardinals 12, Cubs 4[/b:3cd294add0]

All 8 position players for the Cardinals managed to reach base in a 12-4 rout of the visiting Cubs in Busch Stadium last night. Ozzie Smith and Willie McGee each had 3 hits a piece as the Cards kept the pressure on all game long. Cards pitcher John Tudor even joined in the hit parade by adding 2 hits and 2 RBI’s of his own. Cardinals batters were very selective and compiled 8 walks to go with their 16 hits, only 4 of which went for extra bases.

Game Notes: Shawn Dunston batted cleanup for the Cubs for the first time this year. Dave Gumpert was very ineffective allowing a season high 9 batters to reach base in only 1 1/3 innings. The Cubbies hope to rebound against Pittsburgh who split their opening series with the Mets.

[b:3cd294add0]Mets 6, Pirates 1[/b:3cd294add0]

Ron Darling was just that as he went the distance allowing only 4 hits and striking out 7 Pirates in the win at Three Rivers Stadium. Every Met starter was able to reach base at least once with 4 Mets hitting doubles. Most of the Met scoring was done early against Rick Rhoden who was able to settled down somewhat after allowing 5 runs in the first 3 frames. The Pirates lone run came in the 9th on a force play by Joe Orsulak, ruining Darling’s shutout bid.

Game Notes: Sid Bream left the game in the bottom of the second with a contusion on his left finger and is listed as day to day.

[b:3cd294add0]Giants 8, Astros 4[/b:3cd294add0]

The Giants continue to roll and remain undefeated as Mike Lacoss went 8 strong leading the Giants to an 8-4 win at the Astrodome. The game was deadlocked at 1 apiece until Mike Aldrete lead off the top of the 5th with a triple off the top of the center field wall. He would later score on a single to left by Jeff Leonard. The Giants would add 3 more in the 6th on a Robby Thompson bases clearing double, sending future hall of famer Nolan Ryan to the showers.

“I had great location tonight,” Ryan said, “but when those hits just fall where the fielders aren’t, there isn’t much more I can do.” Ryan struck out 10 batters in just over 5 innings but most base runners for both teams would come around to score as the Giants only stranded 3 runners all game.

Game Notes: Greg Minton recorded his 3rd consecutive save in his 3rd straight appearance, both of which are Giant records to start a season. The Astros look to avoid their 4th straight home loss against the Braves tonight.

[b:3cd294add0]Padres 13, Dodgers 9[/b:3cd294add0]

The Padres completed their first series win of the year by tallying 4 runs in the first extra frame and continue to punish the Dodger bullpen, scoring 7 runs against Dodger relief last night. The Padres jumped out to an early 6-1 lead and managed 2 more runs in the top of the seventh to go ahead 8-1. In the bottom of the seventh, “Take me out to the ballgame” seemed to inspire Dodger hitters as they finally were able to chase Padre starter Andy Hawkins who ended up surrendering 11 hits through 6 2/3.

Hawkins said after the game, “I just ran out of gas. They need to speed up that seventh inning stretch for those road games. I tightened right up and lost my ability to throw quality strikes.” Steve Garvey added to his league leading RBI numbers by driving in 3, 2 of which came in the 10th on his 3rd home run of this young season.

Game Notes: Rich Gossage continued his daily beanings by hitting Mike Marshall in the bottom of the 10th. Marshall is awaiting x-ray results on his right wrist and manager Dave Pinto may have to place Marshall on the disabled list.

[chazhain]

Rather than waiting for the inevitable slump to occur, Steve Garvey planned ahead this year. While trolling the gaslamp quarter, he found the perfect lady to meet his needs ... and it appears to be paying dividends early in the season. No word yet on whether she'll be allowed to leave Southern California .. she may have to ride steerage on a freight train. Minor leaguer Mark Grace seems to be paying close attention to the progress of this strategy.