Frederick News - October 4, 1980

Phillies Edge Expos 2-1

by The Associated Press

MONTREAL (AP) — Mike Schmidt drove in both runs with a first-inning sacrifice fly and a homer in the sixth as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Montreal Expos 2-1 Friday night and moved within one game of clinching the National League East Division championship.

Schmidt's 16lh game-winning RBI of the season gave Philadelphia the jump in this three-game weekend series between the Phillies and the Expos, who started the series tied lor first. The teams have single games Saturday and Sunday.

Right-hander Dick Ruthven. 17-10, pitched 5-2/3 innings and gave up the Expos' only run before veteran left-handers Sparky Lyle and Tug McGraw relieved. Lyle worked 1-1/3 innings, while McGraw worked the final two to earn his 20th save of the season.

The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the first when Pete Rose led off with a single and Bake McBride followed with a double against Scott Sanderson, 16-11. Schmidt then drove a fly ball to right for the sacrifice fly to score Rose.

With one out in the sixth. Schmidt lined one over the left field fence for his 47th homer and 119th RBI of the season. The blow t«ed the major league record for home runs by a third baseman set by Eddie Mathews of the Milwaukee Braves in 1957.

The Expos scored in the sixth. Jerry White opened with a double, Rodney Scott walked and Rowland Office sacrificed the runners along. Andre Dawson then lofted a sacrifice fly to center.

Warren Cromartie was intentionally walked and Lyle replaced Ruthven and got Larry Parrish to hit into a force play to end the threat.

Lyle. who was acquired by the Phillies from the Texas Rangers Sept. 13. needed relief help himself in the eighth from McGraw. McGraw struck out five of six batters he faced.