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?
After being held without a hit by Cincinnati’s Jack Billingham, the San Diego Padres were able to get some revenge as they defeated the Reds 8-4 at Riverfront Stadium.
The Padres scored three times in the first inning against Reds rookie starter Pat Darcy (7-3).
Bobby Tolan walked with the bases loaded before catcher Bob Davis capped the rally with a two-run single.
After George Foster‘s run-scoring single in the bottom of the first, the Padres sent Darcy to the showers in the third.
Dave Winfield walked, swiped second and then scored on a single by Mike Ivie.
One out later, Tolan reached on a error by Dave Concepcion and Davis drove in two more runs to put the Padres on top 6-1.
Reds manager Sparky Anderson brought on Pedro Borbon, but it didn’t help the cause as he surrendered three straight doubles to Johnny Grubb, Winfield and Ivie that produced two runs.
The Reds weren’t done offensively, but they couldn’t muster enough to turn the tide.
Terry Crowley, who entered the contest during a double switch, had a two-run double in the fourth. Merv Rettenmund added a RBI double in the fifth for the final tally of the affair.
With the Padres holding a big lead, Brent Strom was able to toss a complete game despite giving up 10 hits.
The two teams square off in the doubleheader to wrap up the four game series.
Don Gullett (9-4) and Gary Nolan (7-5) are slated to start for the Reds, while the Padres will send Randy Jones and Joe McIntosh to the hill.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1969 Mets (4-1)
1971 Pirates (3-2)
2016 Cubs (3-4)
1975 Expos (2-4)
1967 Cardinals (1-4)
2008 Phillies (1-6)
West Division
1975 Reds (49-26)
1954 Giants (2-2)
1957 Braves (4-7)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)
1975 Padres (2-6)
2017 Astros (2-8)