SPORTS
The Michigan Daly
Saturday, April 4, 1981
NL W1
By LARRY FREED
A Daily Sports Analysis
If it was not for the close race between
the Los Angeles Dodgers and the
Houston Astros, the San Diego Chicken
Iight have upstaged everyone in the
iackluster National League West
division.
The West, which is known for its pit-
ching and defense, needed an extra day
to decide the title. The Astros, who
epitomize this fundamentalist baseball,
were able to edge out the Dodgers for
the championship.
CINCINNATI threatened to make it a
three team race, but their late surge
fell short and they settled for third,
while Atlanta, San Francisco and San
iego fought for second division
honors. Despite many off-season tran-
sactions, a similar scenario seems
inevitable for the division.
And when the season concludes on
October 4, here is how the National
League Western Division will look:
r .
HOUSTON - The Astros finally en-
ded their 18-year drought last season
when they captured the division with a
playoff victory over the Dodgers.
Virtually the same cast returns for
Houston this year, in addition to the key
acquisition of Don Sutton. Sutton, who
Wled the majors in ERA (2.21), will pick
up the slack for the recuperating J.R.
Richard.
THE ASTROS further strengthened
their pitching corps with former San
est:
Houston to
Francisco Giant Bob Knepper. Knep-
per, though, will have to contend for a
starting role with Sutton, Joe Niekro
(20-12, 3.55), Nolan Ryan (11-10, 3.35),
and Vern Ruhle (12-4, 2.38).
If any of Houston's aces start
struggling on the mound, the Astros
have an ample supply of solid arms
coming from the bullpen. The main
stopper is Joe Sambito (8-4, 2.2 and 17
saves). In addition to Sambito, the
Astros relief pitchers include Dave
Smith (7-5, 1.92, and 10 saves), and
Frank LaCorte (8-5, 2.82, and 11 saves).
Although overshadowed by their pit-
ching, the Astros received solid hitting
performances from Cesar Cedeno
(.309) and Jose Cruz (.302). However,
the Astros hitting prowess ends there,
but what the team lacks in offense they
make up for it defensively.
HOUSTON IS STRONG up the middle
with shortstops Craig Reynolds and
Rafael Landestoy. The Astros,
however, will have to fill the vacancy
left by the departure of third baseman
Enos Cabell.
Other than the hot corner, Houston
will field about the same line-up as last
season. And with the addition of Sutton,
Houston should be able to squeak out
another division crown, illustrating
that baseball's fundamentals are still
alive.
CAATI
4DS @
CINCINNATI - The once powerful
big red machine is still in the re-
building stages, but that will not stop
the Reds from making a run for the
division title.
The Reds will have to rely on a blend
of veterans and rookies to insure succes
for skipper John McNamara. Tom
Seaver (10-8, 3.64) will be trying to
rebound from a sub-par performance,
while battery-mate Johnny Bench (24
HR, 68 RBI, .250) attempts to make the
transition from catcher to first-
baseman.
Seaver needs more support in the pit-
ching staff this season from the likes of
Mike LaCoss (10-12, 4.63), Frank
Pastore (13-7, 3.26) and Bill Bo-ham (2-
1, 4.74). If necessary, the Revs have two
premier firemen in Doug Bair (3-6, 6
saves) and Tom Hume (25 saves, 2.56
ERA).
CINCINNATI, WHO perenially leads
the division in hitting, will have another
strong year at the plate. Left fielder
Dave Collins (.303, 79 SB) leads the
Reds arsenal, with George Foster (25
HR, 98 RBI), and Ken Griffey (.294, 85
RBI) providing ample back-up in the
outfield. In addition, the Reds acquired
Mike Vail and Larry Bittner from the
Cubs to bolster the outfield corps.
The Reds' infield will remain intact
with third baseman'Ray Knight, shor-
tstop Dave Conception, secondbaseman
Junior Kennedy, and firstbaseman Dan
Driessen.
If the Reds receive a solid perfor-
mance from their pitchers, and their
health remains good, they could sur-
prise many by making a run at the
division crown.
// / /
LOS ANGELES - It took a late
season charge by the Dodgers to force
the Astros into a deciding play-off
game. However, they came up short in
that contest, which could have served
top Cin
as an omen for things to come.
Don Sutton's defection to the Astros
further crippled the already depleted
pitching staff. Jerry Reuss (18-6, 2.52),
Burt Hooton (14-8, 3.65), Dave Goltz (7-
11, 4.32), and Bob Welch (14-9, 3.28)
form the revitalized Dodger staff.
LOS ANGELES, WHICH has
possessed the last two rookie-of-the-
year winners, might have a third in
Fernando Valenzuela. Valenzuela
made his stunning debut late in the
season by pitching in ten games without
allowing a run. Other Dodger relievers
include Don Stanhouse and last year's
rookie-of-the-year Steve Howe (2.65, 17
saves).
The Dodgers' main strength lies in
their hitting. Reggie Smith (.322),
Dusty Baker (29 HR, 97 RBI), and Rudy
Law will be anchoring the outfield,
while the usual Dodger fixtures are oc-
cupying the infield. Ron Cey, Bill
Russell, Davey Lopes, and Steve Gar-
vey will be patrolling their ususal
positions.
Los Angeles might need some new
Dodger blue blood to make them a con-
tender for the division title.
SAN FRANCISCO - The biggest off-
season move for the Giants was the
signing of manager Frank Robinson.
Robinson will have his hands full when
he takes over on opening day.
Vida Blue leads a thin pitching staff
that includes Doyle Alexander, Ed
Whitson and Al Ripley. In the bullpen,
the Giants have three solid performers
in Greg Minton (2.47, 19 saves), Gary
Lavalle (6-8, 3.42), and Al Holland (5-3,
cy or cr
1.76).
The Giants will need ample power to
back up their pitching. Newly acquired
ex-Astros Joe Morgan (.243, 24 SB) and
Enos Cabell (.276) will provide some
stability for the Giants infield. In ad-
dition, Darrell Evans (20 HR, 78 RBI),
Johnnie LeMaster (.215), and Mike Ivie
will add further strength to the infield.
JACK CLARK (22 HR, 82 RBI) once
again leads the San Francisco outfield,
while Bill North (.251, 45 SB), Larry
Herndon and Terry Whitfield also will
be roaming the outfield pastures. In
addition, ex-Cubs Jerry Martin and
Jesus Figueroa will be fighting for jobs.
Despite the additions of Robinson,
Morgan and Cabell, the Giants still will
not be able to crack the upper division
and will be forced to settle for fourth
place.
v
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FcQo Pp
SAN DIEGO - When a chicken is the
most popular member of your team,
you know there is still a long way to go.
And that is exactly the position owner
Ray Kroc finds himself in.
The Padres are trying to get new
blood into the organization as eviden-
ced by their recent deal with the New
York Yankees. In the deal they found
themselves a centerfielder in Rupert
Jones. But there still is a bigger vacan-
cy to fill in the outfield - the spot left by
free agent Dave Winfield. The other
outfield position will be filled by Gene
Richards (.301, 63 SB).
In the infield, the Padres will have
regulars Ozzie Smith (.230, 57 SB), ex-
Cardinal Mike Phillips (.234), and Dave
Cash (.227).
Page 7
'own
ANOTHER QUESTION mark for .thI
Padres is their pitching staff. Ri4-
Wise, John Curtis, and Steve Mura will,
provide the foundation for the starting
rotation. In the bullpen, Eric
Rasmussen and Gary Lucas will be
called on in relief.
Kroc might have a winner with his
hamburger franchise, but he still has a'
long way to go with the Padres.
A,,Y
ATLANTA -- Ted Turner will have
further headaches both on and off the
field this season as the Braves will
return to .the cellar of the Western
division.
Thirdbaseman Bob Horner (35 HR;
89 RBI) and outfielder Dale Murphy (33
HR, 89 RBI) come back to the Braves,
but Gary Matthews got his wish from
the management and took his potent
bat to Philadelphia.
Helping out Murphy is Claudell
Washington, and Jerry Royster. Roun-
ding out the infield will be Chris Cham-
bliss (.282), Luis Gomez, and Glenn
Hubbard.
MANAGER BOBBY COX has a
veteran pitching staff led by two
ageless wonders Phil Niekro (15-18,
3.63) and Gaylord Perry (10-13, 3.67),.
The Braves also have experience
in their relief pitchers. Gene Garber, Al
Hrabosky, and Rick Camp will be
called on quite often this season.
Cox has some personnel, but not-
enough to keep Atlanta out of th':
basement. TOMORROW: NL East
I
I
Softballers split two with OSU
P .- -......I.....1
I
By CHRIS WILSON
Michigan's softballers battled the
wind, the cold, and the Ohio State
Buckeyes in a doubleheader yesterday
at Veteran's Park and came away
slightly frozen, slightly exhausted, and
slightly victorious, as they split the
twinbill.
In the opening game, the Wolverines
couldn't hang onto a two run lead and
lost 3-2. But they came out blazing in
the second contest, winning 4-0 behind
the three-hit pitching of Julie Zyjewski
who upped her record to 3-1.
"JULIE REALLY came back
today," said Michigan coach Bob
DeCarolis. "She had a lot of problems
yesterday againsthGV (Grand Valley)
and even today she didn't have the
placement she should, but she was
really smoking the ball in. I'm sure the
more she throws for us, the better she'll
get."
Until the bottom of the fourth inning,
it looked as though even the standout
pitching of Zyjewski wouldn't be
enough to save the Wolverines. Except
for leftfielder Diane Hatch's first inning
bunt, Michigan hadn't been able to get
-on base against the slow curves and
change-ups of crafty Buckeye hurler
Keri Peake.
But when Ohio State leftfielder Barb
Breslin dropped a deep fly off the bat of
Sue Burk, the Michigan catcher circled
the bases to give the Wolverines a lead
they never surrendered.
IN THE SIXTH, Michigan's offense
finally got rolling. The softballers
tagged Peake and relief pitcher Kelly
Kalland for six consecutive hits and
when the dust had cleared the
Wolverines were leading by the final 4-0
margin.
Unfortunately for the Wolverines, the
outcome of the first game was not quite
as pleasing. The game was scoreless
until the Michigan fourth, when fresh-
man Diane Puhl's triple brought Sandy
Taylor and Jody Humphries home,
giving the Wolverines a 3-0 lead.
The lead was jeopardized in the fifth
when the Buckeyes filled the bases with
no outs. OSU's Pat Schabel sent a deep
fly to left, but Diane Hatch caught the
ball and pegged a perfect strike to cat-
cher Diane Ashcraft to nail Buckeye
Terry Buslander as she dove toward the
plate. Ashcraft then fired to third
baseman Barb Striz who put the tag on
OSU's Cheryl Perkins for an inning-en-
ding triple play.
The celebration was short-lived,
however, as the Buckeyes scored three
times in the sixth inning to take the
game.
"The triple play really stopped their
momentum," said DeCarolis. "But
you're just not going to win too many
games with only three hits."
Batsmen sJ
Special to the Daily
OXFORD, Oh. - After losing the first
game, 3-2, Michigan's baseball team
rebounded to take the nightcap, 8-3, and
salvage a split in a doubleheader with
Miami of Ohio yesterday in Oxford.
The Wolverines lost the first game in
the bottom of the seventh, when
Miami shortstop Rick Rembielek
smashed a two out, 2-0 pitch from Steve
Ontiveros over the fence, notching his
first home run of the season.
ONTIVEROS, WHO WAS saddled
with the loss, went the distance, giving
up only six hits and striking out five.
Bill Long (2-1) was the winning pitcher.
Long's other victory was against Miami
of Florida, giving them their first loss
in 35 games this season.
Michigan scored its first run in the
fourth, when Jim Paciorek cracked his
ninth double of the season to knock in
Greg Schulte. The other run was scored
on a solo homer by third baseman Chris
Sabo, his fifth of the season.
In the second game, Michigan blasted
eight runs off of the Miami pitching
staff, scoring two in the first, one in the
second, one in the fourth, one in the six-
th, and three in the seventh.
PACIOREK HIT another double in
the first, knocking in Dave Stober and
then scored on a Tim Miller single.
alvage split'
The final three-run rally that iced the:,
victory in the seventh started when;
Miller reached base after being hit by-a-:
pitch. Jeff Jacobson followed with 'his
second home run of the season. Rich'
Bair also doubled and scored in the iii-
ning.
The winning pitcher was Scot Elam,
who went the distance, giving up six
hits, striking.out five and walking six.
Elam, now 3-1, gave up three run$ but
none were earned. The losing pitcher
was Mike Fidelholz.
STEREOSERVICE
TODAY
PA H BORB
2 Days of Sales Madness!
OVER 40 STORES
Daily Photo by JACKIE BELL
FRESHMAN OUTFIELDER DIANE Puhl fouls one off in yesterday's
doubleheader against Ohio State. The softballers split the twin bill, losing the
first game 3-2, then rebounding to take the nightcap, 4-0.
SPOR TS OF THE DAILY:
Men netters shutout Purdue, 9-0.
Special to the Daily
WEST LAFAYETTE-Michigan's
men's tennis team shut-out Purdue, 9-0,
yesterday with first singles player Mike
Leach winning his tenth consecutive
match to remain undefeated this
season.
In other singles competition, number
two singles Matt Horwitch defeated Bro
Balentine 7-5, 6-3; sophomore Mark
Mees handled Felix Amaya 6-2, 6-3 in
the number three singles; in the num-
ber four slot, Ross Laser beat Allen
Kaufman 6-4, 6-1; fifth singles Tom
Haney swept by Matt Friedman 6-1, 6-
2; and sixth singles Ihor Debryn won a
split set victory, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, over Phil
Dull.
WOLVERINE HEAD coach Brian
Eisner said he was especially pleased
with Haney's victory in the number five
spot. "Tom has been suffering from
.tendonitis and it was doubtful at one
point if he'd even be able to play," he
said. "His overwhelming victory was
really impressive."
Tn the dnhl mntches the number
Dan McLaughlin swept Kaufman and
Dan Ford, 6-1, 6-1.
Women netters win
Special to the Daily
WEST LAFAYETTE-The women's
tennis team contributed to a perfect
day of tennis for Michigan. They
defeated Purdue 7-2 while their male
counterparts downed the Boilermakers
9-0.
Michigan's women won the first five
singles matches and the first two
doubles matches.
AT FIRST singles, Marian Kremer
defeated Aura Jain 6-2, 6-0, while Mary
Mactaggert trounced Anna Jain by a
mirror score, 6-0, 6-2, at the second
singles spot.
"I was especially pleased with the
number one and two singles play," said
coach Oliver Owens. Owens also added
that the weather conditions made it dif-
ficult for the team because they had not
practiced outside much this season.
The only match that took three sets to
comDlete was at the fourth singles
and Weber lost to Fell and Shroyer, 6-2,
6-1.
Pirates keep Thompson
PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pit-
tsburgh Pirates said yesterday they
have cut off trade talks with the New
York Yankees and will keep newly
acquired first baseman Jason Thom-
pson.
The Pirates yesterday tried to
restructure a deal to trade Thompson
to the Yankees, after baseball com-
missioner Bowie Kuhn blocked the deal
Thursday. Kuhn objected to the cash
involved in the trade, which exceeded a
$480,000 informal limit he set.
Relax wth April 4 & 5
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