October 15, 1980
After the elation of winning the first game, it was time to get back to work. The Phils had a decided advantage in pitching their supreme ace, Steve Carlton. The Royals weren't too afraid, though, going with their own tough lefthander, Larry Gura, an 18-game winner in 1980. The game did not turn into the anticipated pitcher’s duel, but it was close and contested until the last out. For his part, Carlton lacked his normal command, walking six and giving up four runs (three earned) in eight innings. Gura gave up two in his six before giving way to relief specialist Dan Quisenberry. After the Royals surged to a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning, Quisenberry was battered for four runs as the Phils roared back to win the game, taking what seemed to be a commanding 2-0 lead in the Series.
Quotes
"We were just as lively then (trailing 4-2 in 8th) as before. It proved to Kansas City that we won't quit. And, I know they won't either." - Larry Bowa
"Del and I both struggled this year. Whenever we felt down, we'd joke about getting our big hits in the playoffs. We didn't have any idea it would come true." - Greg Gross
"Unser has done everything asked of him in 1980. We've asked him to sit on the bench and I'm sure he'd rather have four at-bats a game. But he's produced coming off the bench and I'm not afraid to use him in any situation." - Dallas Green
"We thought we had the ball game. Quisenberry has been doing it for us all year. He had 33 saves. He just didn't do it tonight." - Jim Frey
"Quisenberry said I hit a good sinker and I did. It was similar to the one I hit off Tekulve in Pittsburgh. They're similar-type pitchers." - Del Unser
"It seems like we're waiting for the other team to score first. We know we're going to have a big inning, but you can't keep waiting for that. The good thing about tonight is that this team knows they can hit Quisenberry now." - Pete Rose
From "The World Champion Phillies and the Road to Victory"
The Phillies take the lead in Game two but in the end, the Comeback Kids do it again in their favorite inning, the eighth.
Two lefthanders were the starters, Larry Gura and Steve Carlton.
Carlton struggled with his control but kept the Royals off the scoreboard for five innings, stranding seven base runners.
Gura was perfect for four innings, 12 up, 12 down.
Keith Moreland broket the perfect game effort with a one-out single to deep short in the fifth. Moreland scampered to third when Garry Maddox followed with a double into the left-field corner.
Manny Trillo's sacrifice fly brought home Moreland with the first run. Maddox took third on the play and scored when Larry Bowa singled.
The Royals finally broke the ice against Carlton in the sixth.
Amos Otis singled and John Wathan followed with a four-pitch walk. Willie Aikens hit a little chopper toward Trillo. His throw to first was wild, allowing Otis to score. Carlton then stiffened, striking out Jose Cardenal and getting U.L. Washington to bounce into a double play.
The DP was one of three started tonight by Bowa to tie a World Series record held by Phil Rizzuto (New York, 10/10/51) and Maury Wills (Los Angeles, 10/11/61).
Kansas City took the lead with a three-spot in the seventh.
Carlton's wildness got him into trouble. Willie Wilson walked and stole second (note: retrosheet.com says Wilson stole third after the sacrifice). After a sacrifice, Dave Chalk walked and also stole second. Hal McRae drew the third walk to load the bases.
The hot-hitting Otis doubled into the left-field corner for two runs. Wathan's fly ball to Maddox plated the fourth but Otis was out trying for third- Maddox to Rose to Schmidt.
Dan Quisenberry was brought on by Jim Frey to try and hold the 4-2 lead. He set the Phillies down in order in the seventh.
Bob Boone got the Phillies going in the eighth by battling Dan Quisenberry for a walk. Magic Del Unser was sent in to bat for Lonnie Smith. Unser brought the 65,775 to their feet with a double to left center, scoring Boone to make it 4-3.
Unser advanced when Rose did his job, a grounder to first. Bake McBride tied the game with a bounding single to right field. Mike Schmidt gave the Phillies the lead with a right-field double. He took third on the play at home and scored the fourth run of the inning as Moreland lined a hit to center.
Leading, 6-4, Dallas Green turned the ball game over to Ron Reed. The big righthander gave up one hit but struck out two, including Wathan to end the game.
The Phillies became the 34th team to sweep the first two games of the Series. In the previous 33 occasions, the club winning those first two went on to win 26 times.
The victory was the fifth for the Phillies in post-season play, all five being come-from-behind triumphs.
The two clubs headed for Kansas City and an off-day tomorrow.