Allentown Morning Call - July 15, 1980

A wild night at the Vet

PHILADELPHIA – Dave Parker's second home run of the game last night a two-run shot over the rightfield wall, gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 13-11 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium in a three and a half hour marathon. 

Parker followed a single by Tim Foli and slugged a 2-1 pitch from Ron Reed for his 12th home run and second two-run blast of the game. 

If you're a numbers person, try these on for size. There were 44.245 fans at the game, 35 hits, every regular BUT Mike Schmidt had a hit by the sixth inning, and Schmidt had two RBIs. Included were starting pitchers Rick Rhoden and Randy Lerch, each of whom contributed a single.

There wasn't a single half-inning in which either team went down one-two-three, and the Pirates scored in every inning but the fourth. In all but the home second, each team had a runner in scoring position. 

It was evident from the first inning that this was to be a wild game. 

The Pirates scored two runs as the Phillies committed two errors, but the Phils answered with four runs, Bake McBride doubling in one run, Schmidt bouncing to short as the second scored. Gary Maddox hitting into a fielders choice for the third run, and Manny Trillo doubling in the fourth.

None of the Bucs appears concerned

By John Kunda, Executive Sports Editor

PHILADELPHIA Chuck Tanner broke into a weak smile, like a novice poker player who was just dealt a pat hand. 

"Sometimes," Tanner said, his smile getting wider, "we're so loose it scares me. But this is the character of this team. They've been very successful with their looseness." 

The Pirates aren't tearing apart the National League East, not by any means. Heck, they aren't even in first place (they were two games behind Montreal going into last night's game with the Phillies.) But there isn't a player in a black and gold uniform who doesn't like his position. 

"We're close and we've been playing horsebleep." said Capt. Willie Stargell, still the main man even though he's sitting out 15 days on the disabled list. "Where do you think we'd be if we were playing like the Pittsburgh Pirates can play? " 

Yes, Capt. Stargell, there is NO telling where the Pirates would be if they were playing like the Pirates can play. It might be a dull season, like the one the Yankees and the Royals are making over in the other league. 

You get the feeling that the Pirates are like a basketball team shooting a miserable 25 percent from the floor at halftime yet only trail by a couple of field goals. 

Nobody seems concerned.

Allentonian Ed Ott says flatly, "history will repeat." He went on to explain: 

"We're a heckuva lot better off right now then we were a year ago. We got off to a much better start. Sure, we're not in first place, but that's not far away. Remember, too. this team has a history of being a late-season team. We get better as the season gets longer." 

Ott also offers this suggestion: 

"Our World Series rings gives us a big psychological edge." 

Indeed it does. Cliche or not. the champions are still the team to beat, and this factor becomes even more of a factor as mid-September approaches. 

If there is some concern among the Pirates, it is in the injury department. But that's natural. All teams are faced with that concern. 

However. Ott says the Pirates could be "in real big trouble" if Stargell's muscle pull in the lower back doesn't respond. And, according to Ott, "Willie's pull is in the danger zone… it's the kind of pull that doctors say take longer than usual to heal." 

Stargell, whose worth is measured well beyond the statistical sheets, went on the 15-day disabled list on July 7, which means, he should be back in a week or so. 

"Getting him back will be fine," said Ott, "but we need him physically. You can't imagine what he means to this team, even though he isn't having the kind of year he should have." 

There are those who thought Pittsburgh's World Series season of a year ago was somewhat of a fluke in that at least a half a dozen players played well over their heads.

Pete Rose is one who didn't see the Pirates as repeaters because "those guys can't come back with the same kind of years they had last year." 

Ott smiles about that. 

"Granted." he says, "Phil Garner, Tim Foli. Omar Moreno and Ed Ott had great years last year. You need that kind of thing to win pennants. Okay, some of the guys aren't having the same kind of years this year, but I'll tell you this, we're still around the top and these guys are coming on strong now." 

Ott, for one. is having his best year ever. He called the 1979 his best ever, but if things keep going the way they are, 1980 is Ott's year. 

Garner, Foli and Moreno are having sub-par seasons, but if you scan the latest Pirate dispatch you'll notice these encouraging items: 

●  Tim Foli has 29 hits in his last 97 at-bats. 

●  Omar Moreno has hit safely in six of his last eight games.

●  Phil Garner has hit safely in four of his last five games. 

"They're coming along." said Ott. "They'll be ready when this thing ( the pennant race) really gets heated up." 

Ott points to the bench and pitching as definite pluses. Nobody will deny Pittsburgh's bench strength, a department that reared up last September and into the World Series against the Orioles.

"Maybe it (the bench ) is the best in baseball." Ott says. "If it isn't, it's awfully close." 

One of the hottest hitting Pirates this year. Mike Easier, was on the bench last night. He has appeared in 60 games and is hitting .377. "What a season this kid's having." said Ott. As a pinchhitter alone, Easier is hitting .300. 

You can't over look Manny Sanguillen. either. His pinch hitting has thrilled Tanner. No wonder, he's hitting .360 as a pinch hitter. 

"Our pitching has been good," said Ott. who. as a catcher, knows the ins and outs of everyone of the Pirates pitchers. "Jim Bibby has been the steadiest." said Ott. "And our bullpen has been coming through. We might have to worry about Don Robinson. He got hurt yesterday (Sunday). It doesn't seem like much but you never know." 

It's only "little" things that tug at the Pirates, if "tug" is the right word. This club's loose, and it isn't scary at all, despite Tanner's suggestion.