Allentown Morning Call - May 12, 1980

It was by far Ruthven’s best performance

CINCINNATI (AP) – Pitcher Dick Ruthven. coming back from elbow surgery during the off-season, checked the Cincinnati Reds for seven innings and batted in two runs to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-3 victory yesterday. 

"That's my best effort this season, by far." said Ruthven. 3-2. "I made good pitches and got a lot of strikeouts with men on base." 

Ruthven struck out eight and allowed just one run on 10 hits. Mike LaCoss, 3-3, was the loser. 

"That was more like the Dick Ruthven we know." said Philadelphia Manager Dallas Green. "He had all his pitches going for him, and he was better able to spot the ball. 

"A well Dick Ruthven is what been rootin' and hopin' for since spring training." 

Ruthven started the Philadelphia scoring in the second with an RBI single that drove in two runs. Three more runs in the third chased LaCoss. 

The Phillies scored twice in the second on a single by Ruthven. 3-2, and scored three more in the third to chase Mike LaCoss, 3-3. 

The Phillies added a run in the when Pete Rose walked and stole second, third and home, and another in the eighth on consecutive doubles bv Larrv Bowa and Mannv Trillo. 

Cincinnati scored a run in the sixth on an RBI double by Dan Driessen. Harry Spilman homered in the seventh for the Reds, his first major league homer, and the Reds added a run in the ninth on Cesar Geronimo's RBI single, his fourth hit of the game.

Ruthven pitched seven innings, giving up 10 hits. 

The Philadelphia victory ended the Reds' four-game winning streak.