Phillies fumble in Reading loss

Special to the Courier-Post

READING, Pa. – The Phillies are taking some things more seriously under Dallas Green than under Danny Ozark, but exhibition games aren't included.

The Phillies committed four errors, hit into three double plays and a triple play, permitted seven stolen bases and got runners to third base in only two innings in losing their annual game with Reading, their Eastern League farm, 8-4, before 7,132 last night.

Tug McGraw was rocked for three runs in his one inning, the third, including two on a home run by Bob Dernier, who hasn't hit one in the Eastern League yet. Scott Munninghoff, who pitched for Reading last year, took the loss by allowing five runs in his four innings, all earned.

The Phillies scored three runs in the first on a hit by Pete Rose, three walks and Greg Luzinski's two-run single. But then Keith Moreland flied to center, Luzinski was out trying to tag and take second, and Schmidt was out on appeal for leaving second too soon, to complete the triple play.

The Phillies' only other run came in the ninth on a RBI-ground out by Coach Ruben Amaro, who retired as a player in 1971. It scored Luis Aguayo, whose ground double to start the inning was the Phillies' only extra-base hit.

One bright spot was that Dick Ruthven pitched two scoreless innings to start the game. "He'd been rushing himself and his arm was lagging," said Green.

"Tonight he concentrated on his balance, and holding himself back. I was satisfied with the way he threw.

"Munninghoff threw more breaking balls than he ordinarily would we wanted him to work on that," Green added.

All but one of the stolen bases came at the expense of John Vukovich, the emergency catcher who caught the last six innings. However, Vukovich didn't allow a single pitch to get away from him.

Reading starter, Cliff Speck, a one-time Mets' first-round draft pick, settled down after the triple play and allowed only four more runners through the sixth. Manny Abreu pitched the last three innings.

Batting practice pitcher Hank King worked the eighth inning for the Phillies. Unlike a BP pitcher, he had trouble getting the ball over, but he kept Reading from adding to its run total.

Phillies Game

LINWOOD —  American Legion Post 353 is taking reservations for a bus trip to a Phillies baseball game in Philadelphia on May 20.

The bus will leave from Shore Mall.  For reservations call 927-XXXX.