Reading Eagle - September 21, 1980

Schmidt Chews Up Wrigley

 

CHICAGO (AP) – Another day at Wrigley Field. Another home run by Mike Schmidt.

 

The Philadelphia slugger, reaching the 40-home-run plateau for the second year in a row, crashed a three-run homer Saturday in leading the Phillies to a 7-3 win over the Chicago Cubs. The home run was Schmidt’s seventh in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field this season and 29th of his career in the Cubs’ home.

 

“I’d hate to think of how many he’d hit if he played here all the time,” said Philadelphia Manager Dallas Green.

 

“He’s a darn good hitter and this is a good hitter’s ball park. He probably just jacks himself up when he comes here,” said Cubs Manager Joey Amalfitano.

 

Schmidt, who says his adrenalin level increases when he plays in cozy Wrigley Field, was more interested in the tight race for the NL East division championship. Division-leading Montreal defeated St. Louis Saturday, staying 1½ games up on the Phillies.

 

“We’ve got to be happy with what we did today,” Schmidt said, “just as long as we’ve got a one-game lead when the season is over.”

 

Schmidt’s home run into the left-center field bleachers came after Pete Rose led off the first inning with a double and Bake McBride walked. Garry Maddox also homered in the game for Philadelphia.

 

The Phillies got another run off Cub starter Lynn McGlothen, 10-13, in the second when Manny Trillo doubled and scored on a double by Ramon Aviles.

 

The Cubs got two runs back in the fourth when Bill Buckner led off with a single and Dave Kingman homered, his 18th of the year.

 

Maddox’ homer, his 10th, came in the sixth and made the score 5-2. The Cubs picked up another run in the bottom of the sixth on singles by Jim Tracy, Tim Blackwell and Steve Dillard, but Kevin Saucier came on in relief of Marty Bystrom, 3-0, and got pinch-hitter Larry Biittner to ground into an inning-ending double play.

 

Rose’s RBI single keyed a two-run ninth for the Phillies.

 

Rose’s double in the first inning was the 652nd of his career, moving him into sole possession of third place on the all-time doubles list and second place on the all-time National League list. Entering the game he had been tied with Honus Wagner at 651.