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?
One swing from George Foster and the Cincinnati Reds would have all of the offense they would need to post a 6-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
After retiring Reds lead off batter Pete Rose, Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks got in trouble.
Ken Griffey reached on an error Javier Baez. Joe Morgan singled to move Griffey to third.
Morgan swiped second and then Johnny Bench walked to set the stage for Foster, who promptly drilled a grand slam to five the Reds a 4-0 advantage.
Cincinnati starter Fred Norman proved to be in control early as he didn’t allow a hit until fourth when Albert Almora led off with a single.
The Reds piked up two more runs in the fifth as they sent Hendricks to the showers. Dave Concepcion had a RBI single, while Cesar Geronimo knocked the final run on a fielder’s choice.
Norman (13-9) surrendered two more hits with both coming from Baez before leaving with one out in the ninth.
The Reds left fanned seven, but walked six including two in the ninth.
Clay Carroll was called on by Reds manager Sparky Anderson to get the final two out to preserve the victory.
Jack Billingham (12-5) is scheduled to start the series finale for the Reds as the Cubs counter with John Lackey.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1969 Mets (7-5)
2016 Cubs (5-6)
1971 Pirates (5-7)
1975 Expos (4-8)
1967 Cardinals (3-5)
2008 Phillies (2-10)
West Division
1954 Giants (7-4)
1975 Reds (80-50)
2017 Astros (5-8)
1957 Braves (4-7)
1981 Dodgers (5-9)
1975 Padres (3-11)