Hare's the National League Report for Wednesday, July 15:
Braves 6, Cubs 1
The Bravos broke a tight one open in the seventh with four runs, two of which came on bases-loaded walks. Dale Murphy hit one onto Waveland Avenue for the visitors. Braves manager Bobby Cox is already being discussed as a potential skipper for the Cubs if he should be fired by Atlanta; when asked about this, Cox just smiled and shook his head.
W- Niekro (9-8)
L- Tidrow (3-12)
HR- ATL: Murphy (17)
Reds 3, Astros 0
It was another gem by the man they call Tom Terrific; Mr. Seaver gave up only one walk and two hits, both to Astro shortstop Craig Reynolds. George Foster homered.
W- Seaver (18-4)
L- Ruhle (6-7)
HR- CIN: Foster (31)
Cardinals 4, Pirates 3
The Cards got a tougher fight than expected from the Buccos, but prevailed in the end. Darrell Porter was the main force at the plate for St. Louis, going two for three and knocking home two. Bill Madlock did the same for the Pirates, thus keeping up his lead in the NL batting race. Bruce Sutter ran into a bit of trouble in the ninth, but after giving up a run to make it 4-3, he settled down and ended the game by getting Mike Easler looking, which precipitated an angry confrontation between Easler and home plate umpire Fred Brocklander. No punches were thrown, but Easler will have to deal with him again soon; Brocklander's crew will be working the Bucs' next series in Cincinnati as well.
W- Martin (13-5)
S- Sutter (40)
L- Bibby (7-7)
Note: Sutter's save total is now correct; I've accidentally had him one short for a while.
Dodgers 7, Expos 1
Fernandomania ran wild north of the border as Senor Valenzuela threw a complete game. The Dodgers now lead the Astros by three in the West.
W- Valenzuela (18-9)
L- Sanderson (13-8)
HR- LA: Cey (15), Baker (13)
Giants 11, Phillies 5 (11 innings)
The Giants exploded for six in the eleventh after the Phils got the winning run to third in both the ninth and tenth but couldn't score. Jack Clark capped things off by hitting one halfway to Delaware.
W- Breining (8-3)
L- Lyle (9-8)
HR- SF: Clark 2 (24), Morgan (11), May (4)
Padres 9, Mets 6 (13 innings)
Four rain delays plagued this game, which ended just before four in the morning. The Pads scored three in the thirteenth, and Chris Welsh, normally a starter, got the save for San Diego.
W- Curtis (3-6)
S- Welsh (1)
L- Miller (1-1)
The standings in the East to the moment:
Cardinals: 86-56
Expos: 77-66- 9.5 GB
Phillies: 73-68- 12.5 GB
Pirates: 63-75- 21 GB
Mets: 53-85- 31 GB
Cubs: 49-89- 35 GB
In the West:
Dodgers: 85-58
Astros: 81-60- 3 GB
Reds: 76-65- 8 GB
Giants: 72-70- 12.5 GB
Padres: 66-75- 18 GB
Braves: 64-76- 19.5 GB
Next: We look at July 16.
Thoughts?
Braves 6, Cubs 1
The Bravos broke a tight one open in the seventh with four runs, two of which came on bases-loaded walks. Dale Murphy hit one onto Waveland Avenue for the visitors. Braves manager Bobby Cox is already being discussed as a potential skipper for the Cubs if he should be fired by Atlanta; when asked about this, Cox just smiled and shook his head.
W- Niekro (9-8)
L- Tidrow (3-12)
HR- ATL: Murphy (17)
Reds 3, Astros 0
It was another gem by the man they call Tom Terrific; Mr. Seaver gave up only one walk and two hits, both to Astro shortstop Craig Reynolds. George Foster homered.
W- Seaver (18-4)
L- Ruhle (6-7)
HR- CIN: Foster (31)
Cardinals 4, Pirates 3
The Cards got a tougher fight than expected from the Buccos, but prevailed in the end. Darrell Porter was the main force at the plate for St. Louis, going two for three and knocking home two. Bill Madlock did the same for the Pirates, thus keeping up his lead in the NL batting race. Bruce Sutter ran into a bit of trouble in the ninth, but after giving up a run to make it 4-3, he settled down and ended the game by getting Mike Easler looking, which precipitated an angry confrontation between Easler and home plate umpire Fred Brocklander. No punches were thrown, but Easler will have to deal with him again soon; Brocklander's crew will be working the Bucs' next series in Cincinnati as well.
W- Martin (13-5)
S- Sutter (40)
L- Bibby (7-7)
Note: Sutter's save total is now correct; I've accidentally had him one short for a while.
Dodgers 7, Expos 1
Fernandomania ran wild north of the border as Senor Valenzuela threw a complete game. The Dodgers now lead the Astros by three in the West.
W- Valenzuela (18-9)
L- Sanderson (13-8)
HR- LA: Cey (15), Baker (13)
Giants 11, Phillies 5 (11 innings)
The Giants exploded for six in the eleventh after the Phils got the winning run to third in both the ninth and tenth but couldn't score. Jack Clark capped things off by hitting one halfway to Delaware.
W- Breining (8-3)
L- Lyle (9-8)
HR- SF: Clark 2 (24), Morgan (11), May (4)
Padres 9, Mets 6 (13 innings)
Four rain delays plagued this game, which ended just before four in the morning. The Pads scored three in the thirteenth, and Chris Welsh, normally a starter, got the save for San Diego.
W- Curtis (3-6)
S- Welsh (1)
L- Miller (1-1)
The standings in the East to the moment:
Cardinals: 86-56
Expos: 77-66- 9.5 GB
Phillies: 73-68- 12.5 GB
Pirates: 63-75- 21 GB
Mets: 53-85- 31 GB
Cubs: 49-89- 35 GB
In the West:
Dodgers: 85-58
Astros: 81-60- 3 GB
Reds: 76-65- 8 GB
Giants: 72-70- 12.5 GB
Padres: 66-75- 18 GB
Braves: 64-76- 19.5 GB
Next: We look at July 16.
Thoughts?