Phils Slam Mets, 14-8

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia, Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt feels he'll be getting better pitches to hit this year because Greg Luzinski is batting behind him in the order.

He proved this Tuesday night, slamming two long home runs, including a grand slam, to drive in six runs as the Phillies defeated the New York Mets 14-8 at Veterans Stadium.

"I'm getting much better pitching than I usually get, and I'm certainly not walking very much" said Schmidt after the Phillies' come-from-behind victory.

Last year, Schmidt led the league with 120 base on balls.

“I'm doing things pretty well even though I'm not hitting the breaking ball as well as I can,” he said. “But hitting behind Greg can't hurt me.”

His first-inning homer following a Garry Maddox two out single was lofted high into the upper deck, while the eighth slam was hit even harder, though not as high.

Schmidt shared hitting honors with Luzinski, who blasted a three-run homer in the fifth to tie the score 8-8, and pinch-hitter Keith Moreland, whose two run double in the eight broke the deadlock.

After Schmidt's first-inning shot had given the Phillies a 2-0 lead the Mets knocked out starter Dick Ruthven with a six-run explosion in the second.

The Phillies tied the score with four runs in the fifth. sparked by a three-run homer by Greg Luzinski, his fourth of the year, off Mets Terry Reardon.

Schmidt had given the Phillies a 2-0 lead with a first-inning homer off Tom Hausman, but the Mets batted around during a six-run second inning. The Mets' Elliott Maddox had a two-run double for his first RBI of the season in the second.

The Phillies made it 6-3 in the third on a triple by Scott Munninghoff, who had relieved starter Dick Ruthven, and a sac fly by Pete Rose. New York scored two more in the fourth on a double by Joel Youngblood and Steve Henderson's sac fly for an 8-3 lead.

The Phillies picked up a run in the bottom of the fourth on a single by Luzinski, Boone's double and a sac fly by Bowa.

Schmidt's grand slam, a titanic blast deep the left field seats, came following Moreland's double and walks to Rose and Maddox. Mets Manager Joe Torre elected to stay with left-hander Kobel, and Schmidt ripped a 2-1 pitch.

Southpaw Kevin Saucier pitched three strong innings to pick up his first victory of the season, while Dickie Noles retired the Mets in the ninth.

In all, there were 27 hits in the game, 14 by the Mets, who pounded out four doubles and stole three bases. The New Yorkers also left nine men on base, while the Phillies stranded only three.

The triples by Munninghoff and George Vuckovich were their first major league hits.

95 Lancaster Children Get Seats In ‘Bull Ring’

The Lancaster Exchange Club is sponsoring a trip to the Phillies game against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday night.

The tickets for admission are being provided by Phillies left fielder Greg Luzinski and are in his left field "Bull Ring " In addition to club members and their families, approximately 95 underprivileged children will travel with the group to Veterans Stadium.

The Lancaster Exchange Club is furnishing the transportation and refreshments.

Children from the Lancaster Boys Club, Girls Services, Girl Scouts, Boy Scout Troop 25, Big Brothers and Big Sisters will go on the trip, as well as adult representatives from those agencies.

Big League Pay:  $149,700

NEW YORK (AP) - The average salary a major league baseball player for the 1980 season is $149,700, according to a statement released the statement issued by the Major League Baseball Player Relations Committee.

The committee's director is Ray Grebey, who also is the chief representative of the owners in their negotiations with the Players Association contract. Those talks are scheduled to resume May 6. The players have said that if no agreement reached by May 22, they will go out on strike the following day

The average salary of $149,700, based on the 25-man opening day rosters of the 26 teams, represents increase of 23 percent over last season’s  average of $121,900, according to the statement issued by the management committee. By comparison, the, rise in cost of living from December, 1978. to December, 1979, was 13.4 percent.

Since 1976 salaries have gone up 191 percent, according to the statement, while the cost of living has risen 32 percent.

When these salaries are considered… it is difficult to understand is why there should be a players strike," said Grebey. "When the baseball negotiations are viewed against the backdrop of what is happening in the economy and to the workers and fans who enjoy baseball, a conclusion must be reached that there is no reason for an interruption in the baseball season.” 

Several Phils Are Heroes In Win

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Manager Dallas Green had a difficult time picking heroes Tuesday night, after his Philadelphia Phillies had come from behind to blast the New York Mets 14-8.

“Everybody did their job tonight,” said Green.  “Kevin Saucier did a hell of a job.  (Luis) Aguayo was right in the middle of things.  Keith Moreland got a big hit, and of course (Mike) Schmidt and (Greg) Luzinski chipped in also.”

Luzinski chipped in with a three-run homer off Met reliever Jeff Reardon in the fifth inning to pull the Phillies into an 8-8 tie.  Moreland belted a two-run double off loser Kevin Kobel, 0-2, in the eighth to put the Phils ahead, and Schmidt settled things in the same inning with a grand slam homer off John Pacella.

Saucier, 1-0, pitched three very effective innings on a night when the ball was jumping all over the park.

Schmidt had hit a two-run homer in the first to give the Phils an early lead, but the Mets chased starter Dick Ruthven in the second, scoring six runs as they sent 11 men to the plate.

The Mets added two more runs in the fourth to combat single counters Philadelphia had picked up in the third and fourth, and the New Yorkers held an 8-4 edge going into the bottom of the fifth.

Rookie George Vukovich started things off with a pinch triple, his first major league hit.  After a walk to Pete Rose and a single by Bake McBride, Reardon replaced starter Tom Hausman.  After two fly balls, Luzinski hit a drive to deep center field to tie the game.

“I thought Luzinski’s homer was the big blow,” said Schmidt, who also claims he is seeing better pitches because he is betting in front of Luzinski.

12 Reading Grads to Return

The Philadelphia Phillies will be bringing with them 12 players very familiar with Municipal Stadium and five very unfamiliar when they pay their annual visit here Thursday night for a 7 o'clock game.

The 12 are of course former Reading Phillies, who number three more than the previous high at a season's start. Of the 12, five were in Oklahoma City this time last year, and two were in Reading.

The Reading grads are Randy Lerch, Dickie Noles, Kevin Saucier, Scott Munninghoff, Bob Boone, Keith Moreland, Larry Bowa, Mike Schmidt, Luis Aguayo, John Vukovich, Greg Luzinski and George Vukovich. Only Lerch and the four long-time regulars were with Philly this time last year; Munninghoff and G. Vukovich spent all of '79 at Reading.

The five who have never appeared on the field at Reading are Pete Rose, Manny Trillo, Greg Gross and Lonnie Smith, all of whom made their first visit last year when it rained, and Lerrin LaGrow, the new reliever. Nino Espinosa, who is disabled, has also never played at Reading. He might do some pitching Thursday.

The other disabled pitcher, Warren Brusstar, and Manager Dallas Green and Coaches Lee Ella and Ruben Amaro are also ex-Readingites.

Cliff Speck, 1-0 in the Eastern League and opening-day pitcher, will start for Reading. Pitching Coach Jesus Hernaiz is rumored as the possible finisher.

Tonight's game will break a 5-5-1 series tie. Previous results and attendance:

June 8.1967 — Reading, 8-4; 8,269.

July 18, 1968 — Philadelphia, 7-3; 7,339.

Aug. 7.1969 — Reading, 8-0; 5,051

July 30, 1970 — Philadelphia, 4-2; 4,239.

June 17, 1971 — Philadelphia, 4-3; 3,377.

June 5, 1972 Philadelphia, 10-2;3,432

1973 — Rain.

Aug. 15, 1974 — Reading. 6-3; 6,827.-

May 29, 1975 — Tie. 5-5; 4.507.

May 10. 1976 — Philadelphia, 7-3: 6,146.

April 25,1977 — Reading. 2-1; 4,789.

April 27.1978 — Reading. 4-3; 5,090.

April 26, 1979 — Rain; 6,178.