Q-Rd: Newly Named Astros win final 2 to take 2 of 3 from the Cubbies

Two teams with struggling offenses met in a best of 3 set.  While Houston had the 'Toy Cannon' Jimmy Wynn, 'Little' Joe Morgan and Rusty Staub, the Cubs had 3 bigger bats in Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Ernie Banks.  The question was - which team's big 3 would come through.  No home runs were hit in the series, clearly an advantage to Houston.

Game 1 - Wrigley Field
Larry Jackson vs Bob Bruce
Cubs 3, Astros 2
Bob Bruce allowed a run in the 1st on a Glenn Beckert leadoff double and a Billy Williams single to give the Cubs an early 1-0 lead.  In the 6th, the Astros struck for two when Bob Bruce scored on Joe Morgan's triple, which was followed by a 2 out Bob Aspromonte double for an Astros lead.  In the 9th, the Cubs big 3 came through when Billy Williams walked, Ron Santo singled and Ernie Banks double them both home for the walkoff victory.  Game MVP: Larry Jackson 8IP, 2ER, 1BB, 7K.

 

Game 2 - Houston Astrodome
Turk Farrell vs Dick Ellsworth
Astros 3, Cubs 1
Once again, the Cubs scored in the first inning. After Billy Williams doubled with 2 outs, Ron Santo tripled him in. In the 3rd, the Astros struck for 2 when Joe Morgan came through again with a 2-out, 2-run double.  The 'Stros added another in the 5th on an RBI single by Jimmy Wynn.  Turk Farrell was masterful and Dave Giusti  got the final 5 outs as the Astros survived the big bats in the late innings.  Game MVP: Dave Giusti 1 2/3 IP, 0H, 0R, Save.

Game 3 - Wrigley Field
Larry Dierker vs Bob Buhl
Astros 4, Cubs 1
The wind was blowing in today, giving the Astros a chance to keep this one close.  The Cubs took the early lead for the 3rd consecutive game when Don Kessinger's grounder scored Ed Bailey in the 3rd.  Houston tied it up in the 5th.  With 2 outs, Joe Morgan tripled and Jimmy Wynn doubled him home.  Top of the 7th, the Astros loaded the bases with 1 out, and Jimmy Wynn came through again with a bases-clearing double.  Claude Raymond pitched the final 2 innings for the save.  Game MVP: Jimmy Wynn 2-5, 4RBI.

--submitted by John Clingan--