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 S' 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 PL Z U of M Track and Tennis Building -eodFREE ADMISSION 516 E. Liberty 994-5350 To introduce you to our great values... WE'RlE GIVIG YOU $20 OFF CONTACT LENSES. Now save $20 on soft contact lenses. Regular price $69. Choose from top manufacturers like Bausch & Lomb and American Optical. You'll also get our "Love'em or Leave'em"TM Plan which gives you 30 days to decide about contacts or we'll refund the cost of the lenses. Lens care kit and eye exam not included. Offer expires June 28, 1981. UAC MUSKET presents Q A A r% r1 *1 d Q nn-