Monessen Valley Independent - October 15, 1980

Phils In Control With Win

By United Press International

PHILADELPHIA (UPI) - Luxury is leading the World Series, 1-0, with Steve Carlton waiting to pitch Game 2.

"We're going to take each game as it cornes but vou love to see him out there because he's such a great pitcher," said catcher Bob Boone, who contributed two RBI doubles and a crucial tag play at home to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 7-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals Tuesday night in the Series opener.

Larry Gura, 18-10, opposes the Cy Young favorite, 24-9, tonight.

"This game showed me I have to hold them to five runs," Gura said "Because we'll score six runs."

Obviously Gura doesn't remember Carlton too well from his National League days. Carlton proved about as stingy with runs as with words this year, posting a 2.34 ERA and throwing a slider that looks like a pea falling off a plate at 95 miles an hour.

'I'd have to say that the guys are extra prepared when Carlton's on the mound," said Pete Rose, whose right leg got in the way of a Dennis Leonard fastball in the third inning, helping set up a three-run homer by Bake McBride. The Phillies rallied from a 4-0 deficit, threw out a crucial run at home, then held off a late-inning charge.

With Bob Walk, the first rookie to open a World Series in 28 years, on the mound, Amos Otis and Aikens hit two-run homers for a 4-0 lead.

Then, wilh Walk one batter away from being chased in the third inning, third-base coach Gordie MacKenzie waved home Darrell Porter with a run that would have given the Royals a 5-0 lead. Instead, left-fielder Lonnie Smith, showing the good side of his erratic arm, threw out Porter by a good margin and Boone made the tag, to end the inning.

By the time Philadelphia finished batting in its half, Boone had the first of his doubles, McBnde had his three-run homer, the Phillies owned a lead they never relinquished, and Walk owned a victory he can talk about.

"I was nervous the first couple of innings," said Walk, 23. "But then it went away and I settled down. That five-run inning lifted everybody up I felt a lot better knowing we had made up for my two big mistakes."

He made a third mistake in the eighth, allowing Aikens' second homer, but untiring Tug McGraw promptly popped out of the bullpen to gain another save. McGraw rose to the challenge, striking out U.L. Washington and Willie Wilson to end the game.

"The job out of the pen is to be called upon at any time," McGraw said. "My job is to do that."