April 18, 1984 - Cards and Cubs Doubleheader!

It occurred to me a few weeks back that the baseball schedule I've been following (The Baseball Cube) is the schedule for when the games were completed, not necessarily when they were supposed to be played.  As such, I've actually ignored a couple of "Z" plays that call for a game to be rained out before five innings are in the book, because I knew I didn't have the same freedom of rescheduling that MLB had in the real 1984.

Today was the first time a "scheduled" doubleheader was played from the real 1984, and I'm assuming it must have been a rain makeup due to the time off the Cubs and Cardinals have had since their last game and the fact these games were being played on a Wednesday.  But just like Ernie Banks used to say, "let's play two!"

Game #147 - St. Louis Cardinals, 3 @ Chicago Cubs, 15
I have a new respect for managers who have to supervise bullpens during doubleheaders.  St. Louis presented a nightmare scenario for any skipper in game one.  Dave LaPoint gave up three runs in the first, the only inning he pitched.  Neil Allen came in after that and surrendered five more runs over three innings.  Ralph Citarella slung it for another 2 1/3 innings while getting shelled for seven runs.  Jeff Lahti was the only reliever to escape with his dignity intact.  He held the Cubs scoreless for an inning and two-thirds. 

Chuck Rainey, meanwhile, settled down after a harrowing first inning to go eight total for three runs.  He struck out six while scattering seven hits and four walks.  The first eight Cubs in the batting order all had at least two hits and only Jody Davis never made it across home plate for a run.

Winning Pitcher - Chuck Rainey
Losing Pitcher - Neil Allen
Player of the Game - Gary Matthews, 2-3, HR, 3R's, 2RBI's, 2BB's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Ozzie Smith, Ryne Sandberg

Game #148 - St. Louis Cardinals, 5 @ Chicago Cubs, 3
The Chicago bats must have been fatigued after their 19 hit barrage in game one.  The Cards put up four runs on Steve Trout in the second inning.  Chris Speier hit an RBI single and Willie McGee crushed a triple with the bases loaded. 

The Cubs threatened in the sixth, though.  Catcher Steve Lake doubled home Keith Moreland and backup shortstop Dave Owen singled home Richie Hebner.  They would tally three runs total in the inning but that was as close as it would get.  Dave Rucker and Bruce Sutter shut Chicago down in relief of Kurt Kepshire.

Winning Pitcher - Kurt Kepshire
Losing Pitcher - Steve Trout
Save - Bruce Sutter
Player of the Game - Willie McGee, 2-5, 3B, 4RBI's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Bruce Sutter, Ryne Sandberg