Northern Expos-ure

Future Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen gassed his speedball up to 100 mph and for 6 innings kept the Big Red Machine at bay.  His opposing number, Gary Nolan, was busy doing Warthern one better.  Nolan had himself a no hitter going until Gary Carter doubled with 2 outs in the 7th.  6 2/3 innings of no hit ball and still the game was scoreless.  Something had to give, and it did.  Warthen's defense betrayed him in the bottom of the 7th to the tune of 2 unearned runs afforded to Cincy.  Larry Parrish's error on Cesar Geronimo's slicing grounder to third was followed by an RBI single from Dave Concepcion, who would score two batters later on a sac fly by Pete Rose.  Joe Kerrigan would replace Warthen and help Cincy put the game out of reach.  With one out and 1 on Geronimo would triple in the third run.  Concepcion would lift a sac fly to deep right to make it 4-0.  The only suspense would be if Nolan could hold on and get the shutout.  Bombo Rivera would lead off the 9th with a pinch hit single to center.  Nolan would fan Jerry White and Larry Biittner, but Gary Carter would slice an opposite field single to put runners on the corner.  Nolan was just about done, so Dr. Hook came and got him.  Rawly Eastwick would battle Nate Colbert in a classic 9 pitch at bat before sneaking a back door slider by the big man to end the game and post his 4th save of the young season.

Record Tracker:
Real Life (6-11) & Replay (5-12)