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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 1982)
sports Battalion/Page 6 August 3,1982 TANK MCNAMARA by Jeff Millar & Bill Hinds Astros, to race Cruz stage past Padres rally 6-4 Indians’ Sutcliffe stops Texas on five-hitter, 6-2 United Press International CLEVELAND — Three months ago, Rick Sutcliffe was struggling and trying to gain recognition as a new member of the Cleveland Indians. Today, the hard-throwing right-hander owns the Amer ican League’s lowest ERA (2.73) after tossing a five-hitter Mon day night to lead the Indians to a 6-2 victory over the Texas Ran gers. On May 3, the former Los Angeles Dodger hurler had appeared in three games and had pitched only 4% innings, giving up seven walks and strik ing out eight batters. His ERA stood at 9.64 and his record was 0-0. Sutcliffe, who struck out seven Monday night in boosting his record to 9-4, said he’d gladly give up his winning record if the Indians could be in the first place in the AL East. “I would rather be 4-9 and in first place right now,” Sutcliffe, who hurled his third complete game, said. “Personal statistics mean something to only that certain individual. When the United Press International HOUSTON — Two San Diego runs scored on wild pitch es by Joe Niekro, but the veteran Houston pitcher was credited with the victory. San Diego Rookie Andy Hawkins held the Astros to one run and two hits through seven innings, and got no decision. It was that kind of night Mon day for the Padres, who lost to the Astros 6-4, with Houston i scoring five runs in the eighth | inning to rebound from a 4-1 , deficit. “There’s no way we should lose this game,” San Diego man ager Dick Williams said. “You don’t blow a three-run lead in Frank Xanana Buddy Bell " the eighth and plan to catch any- I body in the race. The kid (Haw kins) pitched well. He deserved ! to win.” Niekro, who lofted three knuckle balls that evaded Hous ton catcher Alan Knicely, cre dited the victory to luck. “The runs were great to get,” Niekro, now 11-7, said. “When you come out of the game down 4-1 and get a win, it’s always su per. When you have bad luck, you always say things even out. I would think this is one for me.” Joe Niekro Alan Knicely Jose Cruz, whose two-run double highlighted Houston’s five-run eighth, also paid tribute to the changing fortunes of baseball. “Hey, anything can happen just like you always hear about,” Cruz said. “I hit a breaking pitch and it stayed barely fair. That guy (Hawkins) pitched a good game. sixth on Tony Gwynn’s RBIti> pie and a wild pitch by Niete The Padres made it 4-1 inili seventh on another wild pitclili Niekro, his third of thegamt, Art Howe began the Astroi rally in the eighth with a single left and, one out later, Dicfe Thon tripled off the left fie! wall, knocking out Hawkim Pinch hitter Tony Scott tki singled and advanced tosecoii on a single by Ray Knightbefoit Cruz’s double down the field line produced two runsani extended his hitting streaktoll games. Cruz advanced on the thro to the plate and scored on Dai. ny Heep’s sacrifice fly. Can Lucas, now 0-8, took the lossfol San Diego. Though Niekro and Cnij said luck contributed “I was happy to get a chance to win it.” The Padres took a 1-0 lead in the second on singles by Terry Kennedy, Broderick Perkins and Tim Flannery. The Astros tied it in the third on an error by third baseman Joe Lefebvre that allowed Knicely to reach second and a single by Niekro. San Diego made it 3-1 in the u WA: to War’s I Astros’ win, Niekro’s threewiB to t pitches were calculated risks,tkln-essic pitcher said. K a tof “My knuckler was prefMerce good, I thought,” Niekrosaid. djjge s threw a couple that moved* B much and got by Knicely. BiiHflC’s with runners in scoring positior,|ca'’ p he called for my best pitch.YtApi\i < take those chances when jwpllion throw the knuckler.” nr Y* m I • • “different spokes for different folks” 403 University (Northgate) Open 10-7 Mon.-Fri. 10-5 Sat. 846-BIKE team wins, everybody is in volved.” After spotting the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a run-scoring single by George Wright, the Indians exploded for six runs in the bottom of the second, highlighted by Mike Fis- chlin’s two-run single. Ten players went to the plate against Texas starter and loser Frank Tanana, 5-12, with Chris Bando starting the rally with a single. Bando took second on a single by Rodney Craig and Rick Man ning bunted into a force play at third that nailed Bando. Rookie Carmelo Castillo doubled home Craig and Fischlin lined a 3-2 pitch into left field for his second game-winning hit of the year. Fischlin took second on the throw to the plate, moved to third on Larry Milbourne’s sing le and scored as Toby Harrah forced Milbourne at second. Mike Hargrove doubled home Harrah and scored on Andre Thornton’s single to center. It was Thornton’s 81st RBI of the season. Sutcliffe gave up an unearned run in the fifth on Mickey Riv ers’ sacrifice fly set up when Wright’s single got by Castillo in right field for an error, allowing Rivers to move to third. Sutcliffe, who faced only 12 batters over the last four in nings, got a lot of help from his defense in the sixth inning. Fischlin went behind second base to rob Jim Sundberg of what looked like a sure hit and turned it into a double play. Former Cleveland third base- man Buddy Bell, who had two singles in the game, said Fis- chlin’s defensive effort was the difference in the game. “The reason the Indians won tonight was because of Fischlin’s good plays,” Bell said. The two teams will play a twi- night double-header tonight, with Len Barker and Lary Sorensen scheduled to start for the Indians against Dave Schmidt and John Butcher of the Rangers. NFL camps Kelcher retires; SD announces drug testing ie Rf edic Ine w rcongit delicit flllion ten Pn United Press International The San Diego Charger de fense, consistently rocked last season, received a major jolt Monday, five weeks before the scheduled start of the NFL season. Former All-Pro Louie Kel cher, 28, announced his retire ment, informing General Mana ger John Sanders of his decision by telephone. Coach Don Coryell said Kelcher gave no ex planation. “He said he had been think ing about it for a long time, thinking of retiring, and he had decided to do it,” Coryell said. “It was a very great shock to all of us. We thank him for the great play he has given us.” The Chargers were next to last in the NFL in total defense last year, although Kelcher led the team in tackles for the Char ger defensive line that recorded 47 sacks, third best in the NFL. The New York Giants made a deal with New England, acquir ing linebacker Bill Matthews for a 1983 draft choice. The Chargers incurred the wrath of the NFL Players Asso ciation when team President Gene Klein announced his team has begun testing players for drug abuse. “All players will be drug screened,” Klein said. “In the fu ture, there will be time-to-time screenings of players at times to be set by management.” In other news at the NFL camps: — The Patriots announced reserve quarterback Tom Owen signed a contract and was due to report later in the day at the team’s training camp at Bryant College. They also said All-Pro guard John Hannah is expected to be out of practice for at least a week because of a hand injury. — The New Orleans Saints bolstered their sagging lineback er corps with 4-year veteran Jim Kovach and two other players reporting to training camp. The Samts also acquired linebacker Andrew Coleman from Denver and signed free-agent Dewey McLain. — The New York Jets re duced their training camp roster to 100 players by waiving guard Phil Rich and linebacker Zach Grate and placing guard Henry Feil, defensive end John Morda- gae, defensive tackle Mark De- Gaspari and wide receiver Tim Hoskins on injured reserve. — The Buffalo Bills sliced their roster to 95 by cutting cor nerback Vic James of Colorado, their lOth-round draft choice They also released 15 other players. Nose tackle Tim Park left the team. — The Washington Redskin! reduced their roster to 95 bycul ting linebacker-offensive guard John McCollum, tight end Bol Raba, linebacker Jeff Blan chard, kickers Dick Craft, Doit nie Egbuna and Brian Snow, running back Mike Crayton, rookie Mike Daum, tight end Cleveland Jackson, center Ken Roark and defensive back Richard Foley, Johnny Stouta mire and Leon Williams. — The Cincinnati Bengali announced defensive back John Simmons will be lost for II weeks after he dislocated shoulder. Your Danskin Headquarters 779-6718 ’ Manor East Mall AUTO INSURANCE FOR AGGIES: j Call: George Webb Farmers Insurance Group j 3400 S. College 823-8051 Watson to be driving for third major victory of year when PGA opens play a re ec :cau; from t HFGoodrich T/Mhigh tech 14M Ft APT ATS jgsggggasassggs^g^ssgg^ BRAZOS TIRE SERVICE J. N. AN AGGIE OWNED BUSINESS SINCE 1952 HOLMGREEN CLASS OF ’44 R. J. HOLMGREEN CLASS OF ’47 MIKE A. HOLMGREEN-MANAGER-CLASS OF ’77 2707 TEXAS AVE. BRYAN 823-0551 822-1425 United Press International TULSA, Okla. — Tom Wat son didn’t seem to be in much of a hurry to embark on his first practice round at Southern Hills Country Club Monday. After all, it was 72 degrees in the comfortable surroundings of the locker room and it was at or near 100 down the steep hill ALLEN Oidsmobile Cadillac Honda SALES - SERVICE ‘ ‘Where satisfaction is standard equipment” 2401 Texas Ave. 779-3516 in the valley where the golf course winds its way through the old oak trees. “This golf tournament,” said Watson, finally tying his golf shoes and heading for the door, “is going to be a physical test.” Whatever the test, Watson has been up for it this year and if his putter cooperates this week at the PGA championship he 1 could well capture his third ma jor title in a row. Only one player has ever won three major pro events in the same year, Ben Hogan taking the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open in 1953. Watson has won the U.S. Open and Brit ish Open this year and if it had not been for an opening-round 77 at the Masters in April he could well be going after the Grand Slam this week. But all of that is ancient his tory to Watson. way Th A&M REALTY And APARTMENT PLACEMENT Serving the Aggies since 1971. We can help you find any type housing — and it’s all FREE! MSC Summer Dinner Theater proudly presents Neil Simon’s THE D COUPLE AUGUST 4-7 TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT THE MSC BOX OFFICE! GOOD SEATS STILL AVAILABLE Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance for Thurs., Fri.,& Sat. night. DATE Wednesday DINNER Non-Dinner Show Serving Time 7:00 p.m. Students & Senior Citizens $2.75 Gen. 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Main 799-2786 Mon.-Fri. 8-5 Sat. 8-1 COLLEGE STATION 8008 Post Oak Mall.. 764-0010 Mon.-Sat. 10-9 p.m. Texas State SB Optical oc Since 1935. shaved bent grass would not die Although there have been no major changes made in the Southern Hills course since this layout hosted the 1977 Open, the players did notice one altera- tion made by time and nature The stately trees which nar row the fairways on many holes have grown. NE hast “All you can do is take one tournament at a time and con centrate on it when it arrives,' said Watson, who has not played a round of competitive golf since having the British Open handed to him at Royal Troon Iasi month when both Bobby Clam- pett and Nick Price faltered in the final round. “I’m playing well. But I’m a little concerned about my pul ting. I’ve changed my setup a little and I think it has helped “ an k We’ll see this week.” Trust The 6,862-yard Southern Hills course drew praise from I j vlonc most who tested it Monday. The thick bermuda rough, while P erce having been allowed to grow as high as 4 inches, was deemed generally proper for a major championship, and the greens were particularly swift. PGA officials ordered occa sional watering of the greens mom T1 expet M< sburg base c South 15 pt ! “Look at those trees,” 1981 leading money winner Tom Kite 1 said as he stood on the tee of the second hole — a tough, 459yard, par-4 affair that requires two . distinguished shots through a Tunnel of trees. “They sure are j taller and fuller than I re- ! member.” Most of the likely contenders for the PGA crown were on the grounds Monday, including Stadler, Ray Floyd and Jerry Pate — all among the top five in money winnings. Jack Nicklaus chose to wait until today to play his first prac tice round. of it: banks T1 the It when at 14.