Editor’s note: How good were the 1975 Cincinnati Reds? The best way to end the speculation is to challenge the team with a 162-game season against some great teams. This is a series that will include each game played with the Strat-o-Matic cards and dice, while hoping to reach the 108-54 record that the Reds had that season. Game stories will be published periodically on Press Room Pass through out the year. What’s your predicted victory total?
Cincinnati’s Don Gullett was a one-man show as the Reds defeated Los Angeles 2-1 in the finale of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium.
Gullett (3-0) limited the Dodgers to three hits in the first four innings on his way to a complete game.
The only blemish was solo homer by Rick Monday in the fourth. He gave up a double to Dusty Baker in the second and a single to his counterpart on the mound Fernando Valenzuela in the third.
At the plate, Gullett helped himself in the second with a RBI double.
Tony Perez led off the frame with a walk. After Concepcion struck out, Cesar Geronimo grounded out and Perez advanced to second. Perez scored on Gullett’s hit.
In the third, the Reds went on top 2-0.
Ken Griffey singled and then moved to third on a single by Joe Morgan.
With no one out, the Dodgers played their infield back hoping for a double play. George Foster grounded into a twin killing, which allowed Griffey to race home.
Those two runs would be the only scores that Valenzuela would surrender in eight innings of work as he fanned 11. He gave up seven hits with three by Morgan and two by Gullett.
Dave Stewart worked a perfect ninth for the Dodgers before Gullett slammed the door in the bottom of the inning as he finished the contest by retiring eight straight.
Gary Nolan (1-0) will be on the mound as the Reds return home to face the Houston Astros in the opener of a four-game series. Dallas Keuchel will start for Houston.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1967 Cardinals (0-0)
1969 Mets (0-0)
1971 Pirates (0-0)
1975 Expos (0-0)
2008 Phillies (0-0)
2016 Cubs (0-0)
West Division
1975 Reds (7-3)
1954 Giants (0-0)
1957 Braves (0-0)
2017 Astros (0-0)
1975 Padres (1-2)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)