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 and Chicago combined for a lot of runs and hits as the two squads battled to a doubleheader split at Riverfront Stadium.
The Cubs won the opener 12-1, while the Reds came back to take the second contest 8-1. They also split the four-game set.
Overall, there were 44 hits with five homers in the two games. Adding to the pitching issues were 15 total walks.
Game 1
Jake Arrieta was the story of the first contest as he scattered eight hits to record a complete game with seven strikeouts. The only run he allowed came on a bases loaded walk to Johnny Bench in the third.
However by the time the Reds scored, the Cubs were establishing control as Jose Baez hit a three-run homer in the second. Anthony Rizzo scored in the top of third on a double play, which put the Cubs ahead 4-0.
With one out in the fourth, Kris Bryant ended the day for Reds starter Gary Nolan (5-4) with a three-run homer and it was 7-1. Clay Carroll and Pedro Borbon finished up for the Reds, but the duo allowed five more runs.
Dexter Fowler, who was hitless in three trips to the plate took over for the Cubs against the Reds bullpen. He had a sacrifice fly in the fifth before added a RBI single in the seventh. He finished with a two-run double in the ninth.
Bryant knocked in the other run for the Cubs with a single in the seventh.
Game 2
Fred Norman (5-4) saved the Reds from getting swept as he worked six innings and even hit a homer in the second affair. Norman gave up five hits, but walked six as he fanned three.
Will McEnaney entered the game in the top of the seventh in a save situation and tossed three perfect frames. He struck out the side in the eighth as he earned his fourth save.
Dan Driessen scored the first run of the game in the second as Darrell Chaney hit into a double play.
Norman hit his homer in the third before Chicago catcher David Ross blasted a solo shot off the lefty in the top of the fourth to cut the Reds lead to 2-1.
Chaney’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth put the Reds on top 3-1.
Ken Griffey added a RBI single in the fifth to make it 4-1.
Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks was still hanging around in the seventh, but he only lasted two batters as Pete Rose and Griffey both singled.
Morgan knocked in a run against Mike Montgomery as he beat out a throw on a double play attempt by the Cubs.
After George Foster struck out, Driessen and Cesar Geronimo had RBI doubles to gove the Reds a 7-1 advantage.
Rose homered in the eighth for the final tally of the twinbill.
The Reds remain at home as they welcome Pittsburgh for a two-game series.
Jack Billingham (6-1) gets the start for Cincinnati, while Luke Walker gets the call for the Pirates.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1969 Mets (4-1)
2016 Cubs (2-2)
1975 Expos (2-4)
1971 Pirates (1-2)
2008 Phillies (1-6)
1967 Cardinals (0-3)
West Division
1975 Reds (38-19)
1954 Giants (2-2)
1957 Braves (2-3)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)
2017 Astros (2-5)
1975 Padres (1-5)