‘80 Cubs take 2 of 3 from ‘92 Dodgers

The 1980 Chicago Cubs and the 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers squared off in a 3 game set. What a series it was, too, as all 3 games were decided by one run.

Game 1 – Dodger Stadium
The Cubs rolled into Chavez Ravine looking to keep pace with the red hot Mets in the National League East. Chicago started Rick Reuschel and Reuschel again amazed both the Dodgers and his manager,Jim Walden, as he won his 3rd game against no losses. LA countered with the "Bulldog", Orel Hershiser. Both pitchers scattered 6 hits, but it was Hershiser who gave up 3 runs to Reuschel's 1 as Los Angeles lost game 1.

LA opened the scoring as Karros doubled to start the 2nd and was singled home by Mike Scioscia. Chicago would counter in the top of the 3rd as Jerry Martin led off the inning with his 3rd HR of the year.Lenny Randle would single and Reuschel would bunt him to second. A right hook into left field by 2nd baseman, Mike Tyson, would score Randle. The Cubs would add another run in the 4th and it would stay that way until the 9th. Dick Tidrow would relieve Reuschel in the 8th and shut out the Dodgers. Bruce Sutter would get the ball to pitch the 9th for Chicago and promptly give up a lead off double to Eric Karros and Mike Sciscia would again single him home. Sutter would  get pinch hitter Mitch Webster to line out to center followed by successive pop ups to Bill Buckner and Chicago walked away with a game 1, 3-2 win.

Game 2 – Dodger Stadium
Dennis Lamp for Chicago and Keven Gross for Los Angeles faced  off against each other. Game 2 was another nail biter as it went down the wire.

Gross kept the Cubs hitters off balance all day as he only gave up 3 hits and 1 run in 8 innings of work. Los Angeles started the scoring as speedy Mike Scioscia smacked a triple into the right filed corner. After a lengthy delay, due to Scioscia spending some time in an iron lung to catch his breath, play resumed and Brett Butler singled home Scioscia. LA would add more in the 6th as 3 singles and a fielder's choice plated 2 runs. Chicago would get a run back in the 7th on a Dave Kingman homerun, his 4th. Eric Karros would get that run back for the Dodgers as he smacked his 3rd home run of the year. With LA holding a 4-1 lead in to the 9th. Bill Buckner led off the inning with a single and Dave Kingman then singled to right. A Lenny Randle a single and a Jay Howell wild pitch would help Chicago close the gap to 4-3, but Jay Howell would close out the game as he got Mike Vail to ground out to 2nd with a runner in scoring position. Howell got his 1st save and Kevin Gross claimed the win.

Game 3 – Wrigley Field
Chicago scored a run in the bottom of the 1st and the score would stay, 1-0 through six innings. The rubber match of the series was in Wrigley as Lynn McGlothen faced John Candiotti. Both pitchers had their best stuff as Candiotti gave up 4 hits and the 1 run through six and McGlothen countered by giving up only 3 hits in 6 innings. A Lenny Harris single and a double by Eric Davis put runners on 2nd and 3rd for LA. Dave Hansen would hit a deep sac fly to right scoring Harris, tying the game. It would stay tied until the bottom of the 9th. Candiotti had given away to Roger McDowell for the Dodgers by the 9th. Jerry Martin led off the 9th for the Cubs and lined into left for a base hit. Tim Blackwell then singled into right, sending Martin to 3rd. With the infield in, Lenny Randle put down a perfect bunt as Martin scooted home from 3rd and the Cubs win with a walk off squeeze.  AMAZING, a walk off squeeze and the Wrigley field faithful were rocking as their beloved Cubs win it, 2-1.

With the win and taking 2 out of 3 from the Dodgers in the series, Chicago pulls even with the Mets in the NL East.

--submitted by Jim Walden--