The quest for the season's first no-no is still afoot, and it way Jay Tibbs of the Reds who didn't just flirt with a no-hitter but a perfect game too!
Tibbs was perfect through his first six innings on the mound. 18 Braves up, 18 Braves down. But Rick Maheler was nearly as good for Atlanta. He'd only allowed three base runners through the first five innings. In the bottom of the sixth things changed. The Reds staged an epic two-out rally. Eddie Milner singled and then stole second. Gary Redus doubled him home for the first run of the game. After that Dan Driessen walked. Dave Parker was up next and he singled home Redus, 2-0 in favor of the Reds! Mahler got lifted for Gene Garber, who retired Wayne Krenchicki to end the inning but now Tibbs had a lead to go with his perfect game.
In the top of the seventh Gerald Perry lined out to Krenchicki. That brought up Glenn Hubbard...who HOMERED! Perfect game - ruined. No-hitter - ruined. Shutout - ruined! All in one blast! Claudell Washington singled after that which brought up Dale Murphy. Murph connected on a LONG BALL, two-run homer! In just three batters Jay Tibbs went from a perfect game through six and a third to losing the ball game!
The Braves added four more runs in the top of the ninth and Steve Bedrosian pitched the final two innings for the save.
Winning Pitcher - Gene Garber
Losing Pitcher - Jay Tibbs
Save - Steve Bedrosian
Player of the Game - Dale Murphy, 2-4, HR, 2RBI, 2R's
This was one of those "anything you can do I can do better" games. In the top of the first the Angels scored a run on a Brian Downing single...and Cleveland matched with a run of their own in the bottom half. The same thing happened in the second, Rod Carew singled home Doug DeCinces but the Indians tied it up again in their half.
It stayed 2-2 until the top of the eighth. Mike Jeffcoat was on in relief of Steve Comer but gave up a single to Fred Lynn and then a monster bomb to Downing, giving the Angels a two run lead. In the bottom of the eighth ace reliever Don Aase was on the mound but he was giving up cheap singles all over the place, including an RBI hit by Tony Bernazard. He allowed two more runners in the ninth but Cleveland couldn't tie it up.
Winning Pitcher - Jim Slaton
Losing Pitcher - Mike Jeffcoat
Save - Don Aase
Player of the Game - Brian Downing, 3-5, HR, 3RBI
Hall of Famers in the Game - Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson
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