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 rookie pitcher Pat Darcy came through for his team as the Reds face a must-win scenario for the rest of the season.
In his final start of the regular season, Darcy (11-7) went seven innings allowing a run on six hits as the Reds defeated the Houston Astros 3-1 in the second contest of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.
Darcy got some help in the first inning as George Foster delivered a two-run single to put the Reds on top.
In the bottom of the third, Houston’s Jose Altuve hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to cut Cincinnati’s advantage in half. Darcy induced Carlos Correa to end Houston first threat of the contest.
At the plate, Darcy also contributed as he slapped a double to begin the fifth inning. He later scored on a single by Joe Morgan, which gave the Reds their final margin of 3-1.
Houston’s last gasp occured in the bottom of the fifth, but Darcy was able to answer the call.
Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. walked to lead off the rally. George Springer walked and Josh Reddick had an infield single to jam the bases full of Astros.
After a visit from Cincinnati pitching coach Larry Shepard, Darcy fanned Altuve and then got Correa on a shallow fly ball to right. Gurriel followed with a routine grounder to short and the Astros were unable to launch another rally the rest of the way.
Will McEnaney worked scoreless eighth for the Reds to set up Rawly Eastwick, who closed out the affair the ninth for his 21st save.
With four games remaining, the Reds (.601) have to win each contest as they trail the New York Giants (.611) in the chase National League West crown.
The aces will do battle in the series finale as Don Gullett (19-8) starts for the Reds as he makes his third attempt for his 20th victory of the season.
Houston will send Justin Verlander to the mound.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1969 Mets (7-5)
2016 Cubs (6-6)
1971 Pirates (5-7)
1967 Cardinals (4-8)
1975 Expos (4-8)
2008 Phillies (2-10)
West Division
1954 Giants (11-7)
1975 Reds (95-63)
1957 Braves (7-8)
1981 Dodgers (7-11)
2017 Astros (6-11)
1975 Padres (4-14)