Northern Expos-ure

If you haven't noticed by now, the Expos find ways to lose.  Today they would snatch defeat right from the jaws of victory.  Carrying a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the 8th Montreal once again put the ball in the hands of their porous pen and came up craps.  Woodie Fryman pitched 6 strong innings giving up just 1 earned run (2 total).  Fryman's ERA on the season is a stingy 1.47, but if he can't close the door himself he will be hard pressed to get wins.  The bottom of the 8th saw lefty Fred Scherman give up a run, which allowed Cincy to make it a 1 run game.  A two out pinch hit double by Ed Armbrister plated "Dogie" (Tony Perez) to make it 4-3.  Dale Murray, who has been nothing short of putrid this season, was tasked with closing out the 9th.  A lead off walk to Geronimo turned into a de-facto double as Cincy's speed centerfielder easily stole second off of Murray.  Pete Rose uncharacteristically struck out and Griffey hit a blast to the base of the wall that Ellis Valentine corralled for out number 2.  Murray needed to just get one more out, but that out would be the reigning NL MVP Joe Morgan.  Murray walked Morgan on 4 pitches then lost track of him and let him steal second to put both runners in scoring position.  With the count 3-0 on Perez Murray was told to walk him and load the bases.  Former Red Wayne Granger was brought in to replace Murray and face All-Star catcher Johnny Bench.  With a 1-0 count Granger put one right down Broadway and Bench lined it into right center to score both runners and cap off a great comeback.  Cincy sweeps the Expos who are now firmly in control of the NL East cellar.

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