NLDS: '77-LA sweeps '27-PIT

This scrappy 1977 LA Dodger team edged out the 1970 Cincinnati Reds for the final Wild Card spot in these here KOD3 playoffs and forced a tie with 1996 Atlanta Braves. As fate would have it, the 77 Dodgers will now travel to 1927 Pittsburgh in order to secure a chance to play in the NL Championship. Despite having a power lineup containing the fearsome foursome in Dusty Baker (30 HR), Ron Cey (30), Steve Garvey (33), and Reggie Smith (32), this Dodger team actually made these playoffs on scrappy hits and timely defense – and the solid pitching staff held opponents at bay.

Game 1 would see Dodger ace Burt Hooton (who went 3-0 and had an ERA hovering around 1.80) square off against Pittsburgh ace Ray Kremer (who went 7-1 himself during the regular season but had an ERA over 3.00).
The Dodgers went down 1-2-3 to start the game…..but Pittsburgh came out swinging in the bottom of the 1st inning, as Lloyd Waner smacked a double on the very first pitch from Hooton – and Joe Harris would then Single him Home – and Pittsburgh quickly led 1-0 after 1.
Dusty Baker led off the 2nd inning with a Walk. But with 2 outs and Baker still sitting on First, Rick Monday smacked a Single sending Baker to Third – and Yeager would follow next with a Single sending Baker Home – and the Dodgers tied the game 1-1 after 2.

The story of this game was Burt Hooton. He survived the rough start and settled down after giving up 3 hits in the 1st inning by giving up only 6 hits for the remaining 8 innings – as he pitched the complete game. In fact, Pittsburgh would only reach 2nd Base only once during that stretch as Glenn Wright Doubled in the 6th inning - but he was stranded there as the Pittsburgh bats went COLD.

Kremer pitched well himself by containing the LA lineup – until the 6 inning – when the Dodgers scored again on back-to-back-to-back-to-back Singles – 4 straight hits from Baker, Smith, Cey, and Monday (who got the RBI with the bases loaded). The Dodgers actually had the bases loaded with 1 out, so Johnny Miljus came in for Kremer to put out the fire. Miljus got his quick 2 outs to end the threat and Pittsburgh got out of that jam by giving up only 1 run. The Dodgers now led 2-1 after 6 – and Baker would end up scoring both runs for the Dodgers in this game.
Miljus pitched well to hold the Dodgers off, but the Pittsburgh Offense disappeared and LA held on to win 2-1 – and Hooton got the Game MVP for the complete game.

Game 2 would now see Tommy John of LA (who went 5-1 with an ERA around 2.00) face Carmen Hill of Pitt (who went 1-4 with an ERA over 3.00).
The game would see some action – as Pittsburgh was looking to avenge the loss in Game 1 and to regain Home Field advantage – but the Dodgers had a plan of their own.

The Dodgers scored in the top 1st off back-to-back-to-back Singles from Bill Russell, Steve Garvey, and Dusty Baker. Pittsburgh ended the threat with a great doubleplay.
Pie Traynor Singled and scored in the 2 inning for Pitt off a sacrifice from Johnny Gooch. The score was tied at 1-1 after 2. Tommy John led off the 3rd inning for LA and reached base on an error by Joe Harris (1B). John would eventually score on a Garvey Single. LA now led 2-1 after 3. Both pitchers were pitching well, but the Pittsburgh crowd was now getting a little antsy – a slow hum or buzz could be heard amongst the fans.

The buzz rattled John a bit – as Pittsburgh came out swinging to start the bottom 4th inning. Glenn Wright hit a Triple, so John intentionally Walked George Grantham. But, Wright would eventually score on another Gooch sacrifice because LA could not turn the doubleplay. Gooch sitting alone on 1st Base would end up scoring on back-to-back-to-back Singles from Hill (who would also score this inning), Kiki Cuyler, and Clyde Barnhart. Pitt scored 3 runs here and now led 4-2 after 4. John survived the inning and came off the mound shaking his head. He was seen slamming his glove into a water cooler – and the umps were watching – so the LA team rallied around their pitcher in the dugout to avoid an ejection. There was more game to be played – but Hill was humming along with that 4-2 lead, as he retired the side 1-2-3 in both the 4th and 5th innings. Pittsburgh was finally hitting and pitching – together.

Then came the 6th inning...Russell led off for LA with a Single and scored on a Garvey Double. Baker and Smith then followed with Singles of their own to score Garvey – which was 4 straight hits again for LA, who now tied the game at 4-4 after 6. The game was not out of reach – but Pittsburgh could not muster any answers and the bats went COLD again. Pitt would not score again. John held Pitt to those 4 runs for 7 full innings. Mike Garman came in for LA and blanked Pitt in the 8th and 9th inning.

Hill pitched a complete game for Pitt – but could not hold the 4-4 tie. LA would score 4 quick runs in the 8th inning off a solo shot from Smith and a 3-run shot from Lacy, who would pitch-hit for John and allow Garman to come in. What a timely blow. LA now led 8-4 after 8…and they added another run in the 9 inning when Russell scored by reaching base on an error from Traynor. LA went on to win the game 9-4…….and now head back to LA with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3 had Lee Meadows (4-3 during the year) going for Pitt and Rick Rhoden (4-2) going for LA. Both of these average pitchers came out throwing smoke – and this game would be a duel from these unlikely candidates. These pitchers wore their pride and went the distance.

Both pitchers buzzed along for 3 innings. There was limited action in this game until the bottom 4th, when LA scored 3 runs off a Walk to Dusty Baker, a Single by Reggie Smith, and a 2-run Triple by Ron Cey – who would score himself on a sacrifice. LA led 3-0 after 4. Meadows did settle down after that rough patch and allowed only 4 hits all game.
However, that is all LA would need, as a frustrated Pitt team could not counter at all. Rhoden allowed only 4 base runners all game – giving up 3 scattered Singles and 1 Walk – and nobody reached 2nd Base for Pitt. Rhoden pitched a complete game shutout and took home the MVP.

LA did add an insurance run in the 8th inning for the 4-0 win – and took the series 3-0.

LA is now set to once again face the Atlanta Braves for the NL Championship and the right to represent the NL in the KOD3 World Series. If there was such a thing as an Arch Nemesis in baseball, then this is it…LA vs ATL…George vs Marc…the only compelling issue here is that neither side can be considered the Dark Side…as both teams and both managers are very aware and respectful of each other. It should be a great battle.