October 17, 1980

As the World Series shifted to Kansas City, the Royals began to enjoy the amenities of home. The Phils, meanwhile, fought tenaciously to extend their series lead. Unfortunately, Kansas City would come out on top. Dick Ruthven pitched well, giving up three runs in nine innings of work, not walking a single batter. However, the Phils’ batters could not take full advantage of the fourteen hits off of a trio of Royals pitchers. The game went into extra innings, and this time the Phils would fall short as Willie Aikens singled of Tug McGraw to drive home Willie Wilson with the winning run.

Quotes

"The pain is all behind me... thanks to two great doctors in Kansas City." - George Brett

 

"Two and one is still a comfortable position. Let me ask you? Which clubhouse would you rather be in, the 2-1 clubhouse or the 1-2 clubhouse? And we still have two more games at home, if worse comes to worse." - Pete Rose

 

"It was a great satisfaction just to play... just to hit a home run in the World Series is something special." - George Brett

 

"I saw the ball headed for the gap and I knew Maddox was playing a short centerfield. As soon as I saw the ball get up in the air I knew he didn't have a chance at the ball." - Willie Aikens

 

"You guys (the media) make a big deal out of momentum. There's no momentum in a World Series. We left 15 men on base and if we had gotten a couple of big hits, there would have been no contest." - Dallas Green

From "The World Champion Phillies and the Road to Victory"

Once more the Phillies fell behind and caught up but the Series is in Kansas City and the Royals had the final at-bat.

 

Willie Aikens' hot bat did the Phillies in, 4-3 in 10 innings.

 

George Brett, who was doubtful for the game because of surgery for hemorrhoids on the off-day, picked on a 1-1 Dick Ruthven pitch in the first for his first World Series home run.

 

The Phillies loaded the bases in the second. Lonnie Smith's grounder back to Rich Gale tied the game.

 

Willie Aikens collected his first triple in the major leagues in the fourth and scored on Hal MaRae's single to center. The Phillies came back to tie the score at 2-all.

 

Mike Schmidt hit his first post-season home run into the Phillies bullpen in left field. Two more hits were followed by an inning-ending double play. The Phillies had eight hits in five innings, but stranded eight base runners.

 

Ruthven, on the other hand, pitched very effective baseball. He held the Royals to just four hits until Otis homered with one out in the seventh. It gave KC the lead again, 3-2.

It's the Comeback Kids' favorite inning... the eighth. They do it again, scoring once to force a 3-3 deadlock.

 

Larry Bowa topped a roller to the left side of the pitcher's mound and beat Renie Martin's throw to first. Bowa stole second base one out later.

 

Smith worked a full count out of Martin and drew a walk. Pete Rose came up, hitless in 10 World Series at bats.

 

He came through under pressure in the playoffs and did it again here... singling over the head of Frank White to tie the game.

 

The Phillies were headed for their fifth extra inning game in eight post-season games.

White saved the game for the Royals in the 10th. Two on and one out, White dove to his right to spear Schmidt's wicked line drive for an inning-ending double play.

 

Tug McGraw was called on for the seventh time in the eight post-season games. The bubble finally burst. U.L. Washington singled on Tug's first pitch. Willie Wilson, trying to sacrifice, walked on four pitches. White struck out and Wilson stole second base.

 

Brett was walked intentionally to load the bases. Aikens singled to left-center scoring Washington (note: Willie Wilson scored this run, not Washington) to give the Royals their first win.

 

The Phillies left 15 men on base, matching a World Series record.