Atlantic City Press - May 17, 1980

Ruthven Zips Houston 3-0

Phila. 3, Houston 0

HOUSTON (AP) - Philadelphia’s Del Unser tripled in the fourth inning and scored the game-winning run on Mike Schmidt’s sacrifice fly and Dick Ruthven scattered five hits to the Phillies to a victory over the -Houston Astros ’ Friday night.

It was Houston’s fourth consecutive loss their longest losing streak of the season and the shutout extended the Astros’ scoreless string to 22 straight innings.

Philadelphia took the lead in the fourth off right-hander J.R. Richard when Unser tripled to the right-center field fence just out of Cesar Cedeno’s reach. Unser trotted home on Schmidt’s fly to Cedeno. 

The Phillies added two runs off Richard 4-2 in the eighth inning on Bake McBride’s two-run single. Philadelphia had loaded the bases on an error, a single by Manny Trillo and Pete Rose’s walk. 

Ruthven improved his record to 4-2, walking but one batter in his route-going performance.