Philadelphia Daily News - March 29, 1980

Carlton 1^st Day Then Pray, Pray

CLEARWATER The way the Phillies' current pitching situation stands, the chant by fans should be Steve Carlton the first day, then pray, pray, pray.

The ace lefthander is the only pitcher in the Phils starting rotation who has shown any consistency in keeping the opposition's bats subdued for any period of time.

Randy Lerch was shelled for 11 hits and six runs, three unearned, in six innings during the Phillies' 6-5 loss to Toronto yesterday.

Third baseman Roy Howell knocked in three runs on a double and two singles and leftfielder Ron Woods stroked four hits for the Blue Jays, who got additional help on errors by Lerch, Mike Schmidt and Keith Moreland.

Keith Moreland continues to look impressive at the plate, not behind, getting three singles in four at-bats. Bake McBride added a double and triple. Kevin Saucier threw two shutout innings and Doug Bird one in relief.

The Phillies host the New York Yankees in a televised exhibition today at 1:30 p.m.