Reading Eagle - September 7, 1980

Dodgers Hammer Phillies

LOS ANGELES (UPI) – Rick Monday hit a two-run homer Saturday night to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Although the Dodgers won, Houston picked up a half-game by virtue of a double-header sweep over St. Louis. The second-place Astros now trail Los Angeles by one game with third-place Cincinnati four games off the pace in the National League West. Philadelphia’s loss dropped it a game behind Montreal in the East, while third-place Pittsburgh fell two games behind.

Monday’s homer came in the fifth with Steve Garvey aboard. In the top of the inning, the Phillies had a runner on base when Monday went a foot above the center-field fence at the 385-foot mark to rob McBride of a two-run homer.

Los Angeles took a 3-0 lead in the second on four hits, with Bill Russell, Davey Lopes and Jay Johnstone each driving in a run. Philadelphia tied the score in the third when Larry Bowa and Bob Boone singled. Bowa score off a passed ball and Lonnie Smith singled in Boone and score from third on a Mike Schmidt’s flyball.

The Dodgers broke the tie in the fourth when Lopes singled in Russell. Los Angeles added its final run in the eighth on Lopes’ RBI single.

Winner Bob Welch, 13-9, gave up three runs in the third inning. Steve Howe worked the final two innings and earned his 13^th save. Randy Lerch, 4-14 , absorbed the loss.