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 needed a comeback as the Reds opened a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Johnny Bench‘s RBI double proved to be the game-winner as the Reds won 5-4 over the Phillies.
Bench gave the Reds a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a run-scoring single off Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick.
The Phillies grabbed a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the frame as Chase Utley and Jason Werth both drove in a run with doubles off Reds starter Jack Billingham to put the Philles in front.
Ryan Howard added a run-scoring single in the third and it was 3-1.
Both teams scored in the sixth. Pete Rose had a RBI single for the Reds, while Kendrick helped himself by smacking a homer for the Phillies.
Kendrick gave up the lead in the seventh as the Reds tied the game at 4-4 to set the stage for Bench. Cesar Germonimo and pinch-hitter George Foster had RBI singles.
Billingham left the mound after six innings and as a result didn’t get a decision as he was looking for his fifth win without as loss.
Pedro Borbon (2-1) worked a scoreless seventh and the eighth, while allowing one hit to earn the victory.
Rawly Eastwick picked up his 10th save with a perfect ninth.
Pat Darcy (3-1) will start game two of the series for the Reds as the Phillies have Adam Eaton scheduled to be on the mound.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1969 Mets (2-1)
1967 Cardinals (0-0)
1971 Pirates (0-0)
1975 Expos (0-0)
2016 Cubs (0-0)
2008 Phillies (0-1)
West Division
1975 Reds (22-11)
1954 Giants (2-2)
1957 Braves (2-3)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)
2017 Astros (2-5)
1975 Padres (1-5)