Corpus Christi Caller - July 16, 1980

Phillie foulups hand Astros 3-2 win

By The Associated Press

HOUSTON – Houston shortstop Craig Reynolds, hitting only .183, knew what he had to do and so did Philadelphia pitcher Dick Ruthven. The difference was in execution.

After Alan Ashby led off the Houston ninth with a single, Jeff Leonard came in to pinch run. Ruthven balked Leonard to second and Reynolds came to bat.

“My No. 1 function was to get the guy to third,” Reynolds said. He hit a tapper back to the mound and Ruthven went to first with the ball. Ruthven ’s throw sailed past Phils first baseman Pete Rose and into the dugout, allowing Leonard to score from second, lifting the Astros to a 3-2 victory Tuesday night.

Astros Manager Bill Virdon said Ruthven had a choice — go to first or third. “It was a judgment play and not an easy one,” Virdon said.

The Astros, who rebounded from a 2-1 deficit in the eighth and ninth innings, were buoyed by the pitching of Nolan Ryan and winner Joe Sambito, 4-1.

Sambito picked up the victory with an inning of scoreless relief.

The Phillies greeted Houston starter Ryan with four singles that produced a 1-0 first-inning lead. Rose led off with an infield hit and moved to third on Manny Trillo’s single. Trillo was out trying to advance to second, but Del Unser’s hit scored Rose.

The Astros evened the game 1-1 in the fourth when Terry Puhl ended Ruthven 's 3⅓ innings of perfect pitching with an infield single. Puhl stole second and continued to third on catcher Bob Boone's throwing error. Jose Cruz sent Puhl home with a sacrifice fly.

Ryan retired 13 Phillies in a row before Rose singled in the sixth inning. Third baseman Art Howe hobbled Trillo’s grounder and threw it into right field, allowing Rose to go to third and Trillo to second. Bake McBride's grounder scored Rose.