Celebrating the 70s - ALDS Game 5

 

Gullett Exposes Expos' in Exit

Don Gullett twirled 7.1 innings of no-hit baseball, retiring 22 Expos' batters in order, and the Cincinnati Reds hung on to defeat Montreal 2-1 and take their ALDS in five games. The Reds trailed 2-1 in the series but scratched out two gritty wins against an Expos' offense that managed only 6 hits in the final two games.

Cincinnati got all the offense they needed in the second inning off Expos' starter Steve Rogers. Johnny Bench clubbed a double into the right-center field gap and came around to score on a Bobby Tolan single. After Cesar Geronimo singled the Reds executed a double steal to put runners on second and third. Montreal then walked Dave Concepcion to bring the pitcher's spot to the plate. Rogers got inside on the hands of Gullett breaking his bat, but he still managed to push the ball weakly in front of the plate. Montreal catcher Gary Carter had no other play than to go to first allowing Tolan to score from third.

Gullett almost singlehandedly delivered the win as he had the Montreal offense off-balance until Ellis Valentine broke up the no-no drilling a double into left. Bob Bailey came on to pitched hit for Ron Fairly and smacked a double of his own to cut the Cincinnati lead in half. The Reds went to the bullpen for righty Doug Bair, and Montreal countered with Mike Jorgensen pinch-hitting for Larry Parrish. Jorgensen went down swinging, but Bailey managed to reach third on a wild pitch. Tim Foli couldn't get the job done as he popped out to Tony Perez to end the threat. Rawly Eastwick nailed down the save in the ninth.

So, I'm 0-2 with teams that I've taken control of in this 70s playoff. I couldn't get my Red Sox past the Royals, and I stumbled with the Expos. I think now I'll just randomly choose teams for now based on matchups as four of the 70s powerhouse franchises are going to go at it in the ALCS. Should be fun!