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?
A rally in the eighth inning made the difference as Cincinnati won its second straight over San Diego with a 4-2 victory at Riverfront Stadium.
With score tied at 2-2, Padres reliever Danny Frisella walked Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench to begin the eighth on his way to the loss.
George Foster singled home Morgan and Padres manager John McNamara called on Dave Tomlin to stop the onslaught. Tomlin surrendered a sacrifice fly to Tony Perez before ending the inning.
Rawley Eastwick earned his team-best ninth save as he retired three pinch-hitters.
Jack Billingham went seven innings for the Reds allowing six hits a two runs in the sixth. Will McEnaney (2-0) held the Padres scoreless in the top of the eighth gving up one hit to pick up the victory.
San Diego starter Dan Spillner tossed seven frames as he gave up six hits.
The Reds took a 2-0 lead in the third as Cesar Geronimo and Ken Griffey each knocked in a run with a single.
Dave Winfield got the Padres on the board with a solo homer in the top of the sixth.
The next batter, Willie McCovey, nearly tied the game as he hit fell just shot of a homer and the fence for a double.
After Gene Locklear grounded out, Dave Roberts had his second single contest to bring McCovey home and make it 2-2.
Dave Concepcion led the Reds with two hits and a stolen base, while Morgan added two steals.
Cincinnati is scheduled to have Pat Darcy (2-1) on the mound for the series and homestand finale, the Padres counter with lefty Brent Strom.
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 (19-9)
1954 Giants (2-2)
1957 Braves (2-3)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)
2017 Astros (2-5)
1975 Padres (1-4)