Allentown Morning Call - August 31, 1980

Phillies take over first by a mere percentage point

SAN DIEGO (AP) – Dick Ruthven won his third consecutive start and helped himself with a two-run double as the Philadelphia Phillies handed the San Diego Padres their ninth straight loss at home, 6-1, in the first game of a doubleheader last night. 

The win, coupled with losses to Montreal and Pittsburgh, pushed the Phillies into first place in the National League East by one percentage point over the Expos and two over the Pirates. 

Ruthven, 13-8, defeated the Padres for the third time this year and highlighted a four-run Phils sixth inning with a bases-loaded double off Mike Armstrong, working in relief of starter Bob Shirley, 9-10.

The Padres took a 1-0 lead in the first on Gene Richards' double, a sacrifice and Dave Winfield's run-scoring groundout. 

The Phils tied it in the second on Bob Boone's double, scoring Larry Bowa. who had singled. They took a 2-1 lead in the third when Mike Schmidt doubled and scored on Greg Luzinski's single. 

Ruthven, now 11-2 lifetime against the Padres, scattered eight hits, while striking out three and walking none. It was his sixth complete game of the year. 

The Phils loaded the bases off Shirley in the sixth on consecutive singles by Luzinski and Manny Trillo and a walk to Bowa. Armstrong replaced Shirley, and the rookie righthander walked in a run one out later. Ruthven followed with his double over the head of centerfielder Jerry Mumphrey. The final run of the inning scored on Pete Rose's groundout.