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?
For the third straight game, one swing decided the fate of the Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants.
Monte Irvin sent the packed house at the Polo Grounds filled with Giants fans home happy with a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning as New York posted a 5-4 victory.
The affair was tied 3-3 heading into the top of the ninth with both starters battling for the win.
After Joe Morgan walked, Giants pitcher Johnny Antonelli gave up a run-scoring single to George Foster and the Reds went on top 4-3.
Ken Griffey sent Antonelli to the showers with a double before Hoyt Wilhelm retired Dave Concepcion to end the rally by the Reds on a wicked line drive to Whitey Lockman at first base.
Reds manager Sparky Anderson sent Gullett back to the mound in the bottom of the ninth.
It was over pretty quick for Gullett (15-5) as he surrendered a single to Willie Mays to begin the frame.
Hank Thompson hit a smoking liner to Morgan at second. Anderson stayed with his ace, but Irvin blasted the game-winner before the Reds could make a move with their bullpen.
The Reds grabbed an early 2-0 advantage on a RBI single in the first by Morgan and a solo homer by Foster in the second.
The Giants tied it 2-2 as Wes Westrum hit a long ball in the third and Thompson added another in the fourth.
Concepcion’s sacrifice fly in the fifth that brought home Griffey put the Reds back on top before Mays hit a sacrifice fly that scored Al Dark to knot it at 3-3.
Cincinnati welcomes Montreal to Riverfront Stadium for the opener of a three-game series against the Expos.
Gary Nolan (11-7) goes to the mound for the Reds, while the Expos counter with Steve Renko.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1971 Pirates (3-2)
1969 Mets (7-5)
2016 Cubs (3-4)
1975 Expos (2-7)
1967 Cardinals (1-4)
2008 Phillies (2-10)
West Division
1954 Giants (7-4)
1975 Reds (71-42)
2017 Astros (5-8)
1957 Braves (4-7)
1981 Dodgers (5-9)
1975 Padres (3-11)