Camden Courier-Post - August 19, 1980

Hot Phils return to Vet

PHILADELPHIA – Fresh from their first sweep of a five-game series in 25 years, the Phillies return to Veterans Stadium tonight for the start of a nine-game homestand against three West Coast clubs.

After starting the recently concluded road trip with four losses in Pittsburgh, the Phillies finished the 12-game journey with five consecutive wins over the Mets in New York.

The last time the Phillies took all five in one series was back in July of 1955 when they polished off the Cincinnati Reds at Connie Mack Stadium.

THE HOMESTAND begins tonight against San Diego. The Phils are 4-1 over the Padres this year, winning all three on San Diego's first visit to the Vet in June. Those three victories started the Phillies on a six-game winning streak, their longest of the season.

The Phillies will be trying to match that streak tonight and also go 10 games above .500 for the first time this year. Three other times the Phillies got to nine only to be stopped.

San Diego also will be at the Vet tomorrow night and 12:35 Thursday afternoon followed by three games each with San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Phillies then head for a 10-game trip to the same three California cities starting Aug. 29.

PHIL-INS – Padres come to town with six new faces on the roster since their first visit... Phillies have out-homered San Diego, 88-45... Lonnie Smith is five stolen bases away from tying Richie Ashburn's club rookie record set in 1948, 32.... While Bob Boone and Garry Maddox have struggled with their batting averages, their RBI production ranks among the top of their respective positions.