Camden Courier-Post - August 1, 1980

Phillies host Reds for three

PHILADELPHIA – As the last two months of the baseball season roll around, both the Phillies and Cincinnati Reds find themselves in a similar position of a year ago.

At the end of July last summer, the Phillies were 4½ games behind the pace-setting Montreal Expos. Cincinnati was in second, 3½ games behind the Astros. This year, the Phils are three back, the Reds four behind.

The two teams start a three-game weekend series at Veterans Stadium at 8:05 tonight.

"Considering the injuries we've had and the inconsistency of our pitching, I feel fortunate that we're still within striking distance of the leaders," said Reds' Manager John McNamara.

Part of the pitching problems came from shoulder injuries to Tom Seaver and Bill Bonham, a pair of veterans. Bonham was out from May 3 until a week ago. Seaver, who's been on the disabled list since July 1, is tentatively listed to pitch Monday night in Cincinnati.

"We won't see Houston until next month," noted McNamara. "Then, we play them five times. We've got 12 games left with the Dodgers. So, we're in a position where we can help ourselves."

PHIL UPS – Cincinnati leads series with Phils, 6-3, although Philly has 2-1 edge at Vet... Mike Schmidt, who pulled his right groin in Wednesday night's win over Houston, is questionable for tonight... Bake McBride has 31 hits in last 20 games for .388 average... Rookie Ron Oester has started last five games for Reds for slumping Junior Kennedy. He's collected 10 hits for .335 mark... Johnny Bench trails Dave Parker of Pirates for most homers at Vet among visitors, 16-15... Phillies, who have won 5-of-7 on home stand, finished July, 15-14... Wednesday's win gave them a 9-3 final mark over Houston, the Phils' best record against the Astros since 1967 when they were 11-7... Pitching matchups for the weekend: tonight – rookie Bob Walk against Bill Bonham; tomorrow – Steve Carlton goes for No. 17 against Mike LaCoss and Sunday, Nino Espinosa vs. Bruce Berenyi... After an off-day Monday, Cardinals end this home stand with three night games.