You wouldn't think the last place Giants would be much of a struggle for the first place Astros, but San Fran has given Houston all they can handle on their West Coast road trip.
The Astros jumped all over starter Bill Laskey in the top of the first, plating three runs on a 2-RBI single from Craig Reynolds and then another RBI knock off the bat of Ray Knight. The Giants fought back in the bottom of the third. Vern Ruhle, making a rare start, gave up a lead-off solo homer to Jeff Leonard and, two batters later, an RBI double to Al Oliver.
In the bottom of the seventh Ruhle was still in the game but had two runners on base. That's when Joel Youngblood roped a double that scored Oliver, but as Bob Brenly made his way towards towards home too, he got thrown out at the plate to keep the game tied.
By the top of the ninth the score was still tied and the Giants had their best reliever, Gary LaVelle, on the mound. But a walk, single, and sacrifice fly from Kevin Bass gave them the lead! Bill Dawley tossed a perfect bottom of the ninth to save the game for Houston, 4-3.
Winning Pitcher - Mike Scott
Losing Pitcher - Gary LaVelle
Save - Bill Dawley
Player of the Game - Dawley, IP, SV
Happy Trails...Alejandro Sanchez
This marked the last game of the season for Alejandro Sanchez. He appeared in 11 games in the real 1984. He's the classic September call-up type of player, but the vast number of injuries to the San Francisco roster caused him to log all of his time in the first third of the season. How did he do?
The Real 1984: .195/.195/.244/.439 .049ISO, .195wOBA, -3.8wRAA, 2SB, 3Rs, 2RBI
Statis Pro 1984: .303/.324/.303/.627 .000ISO, .288wOBA, -0.8wRAA, 2SB, 1R, 1RBI
Sanchez went 2-4 in this game, which gave him a nice little bump in his final numbers. Overall, though, he still recorded a negative wRAA. But compared to the quality of his teammates who aren't currently injured, he more than held his own.
The Cubs tagged Joaquin Andujar and the Cardinals with an unlikely run in the top of the first. Gary Matthews walked with one out and then Ryne Sandberg hit into what looked like a sure double-play but managed to beat the throw at first. He then stole second base and scampered home on a Leon Durham single.
Meanwhile, Jody Davis was doing his best to assist starter Chuck Rainey, who was bending on the mound but not breaking. Twice Davis threw out a would be base-stealer; Lonnie Smith in the bottom of the first (only his second caught stealing of the season) and Willie McGee in the sixth.
Chicago still had a precarious 1-0 lead in the bottom of the seventh. Tom Herr led off with a single but Ozzie Smith and Mark Salas both struck out to bring up Andujar. Andujar had only given up three hits in the game so lifting him seemed risky. The manager allowed him to hit and a "clutch batting" came up on the FAC. That's normally a blank stat line on a pitcher's hitting card, but Joaquin had two homers on the season in the real 1984. Sure enough...the next FAC resulted in a two-run bomb!!! Andujar closed out the final two innings for a complete-game win in which he accounted for all of the St. Louis offense!
Winning Pitcher - Joaquin Andujar
Losing Pitcher - Chuck Rainey
Player of the Game - Andujar, CG stud with a long-ball to boot
Hall of Famers in the Game - Ryne Sandberg, Ozzie Smith
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