[GrimmyDee]

Espinosa Shuts Down Giants
Sunday, May 8, 1977
The bats of San Francisco are silenced as Mets starter Nino Espinosa (3-2, 1.79 ERA) holds them in check in game one of a doubleheader for a three-hit shutout and a 4-0 victory. Lee Mazzilli (.240, 2 HR, 11 RBI) hits a two-run home run to provide all the offense New York would need.

"It was a big win for us." said first baseman Ed Kranepool in between games. "We haven't had too many of these victories to be excited about and I hope we can string a few of them together. But in all seriousness though, I highly doubt it."

In game two, Ed Halicki (5-2, 4.01 ERA) strikes out seven and allows just five hits over eight innings while Darrell Evans (.314) has three hits to lead the Giants to a 4-2 victory and a split of the doubleheader.

American League News
Cleveland's Al Fitzmorris (2-4, 3.45 ERA) holds the White Sox to just three hits, but four walks hurt him as he loses the game 2-0. 35-year-old Wilbur Wood (2-1, 2.91 ERA) walks five, but holds the Tribe to four hits for his 24th shutout of his career.

Nolan Ryan (5-2, 2.78 ERA) strikes out 12, walks seven, but holds the Red Sox to four hits in 8 1/3 innings as California crushes Boston, 12-0. Tony Solaita (.354, 7 HR, 20 RBI) and Ken Landreaux (.348, 3 HR, 13 RBI) drive in three runs apiece and Thad Bosley (.371) has three hits in the blowout win. George Scott (.236) has three of Boston's four hits.

Ross Grimsley (1-5, 9.08 ERA) gets his first win of the season as he goes 8.1 innings, allowing seven hits and only one earned run as he leads the Orioles to a 3-1 victory over Seattle. Baltimore 2B Billy Smith (.254) has two doubles and a single to lead the offense.

Sixto Lezcano (.212, 17 RBI) hits a based-loaded triple off of Dennis Leonard (3-3) to break a 3-3 tie and leads the Brewers to an eventual 6-4 win over Detroit. Milwaukee starter Jim Slaton (3-3, 4.31 ERA) gives up just three hits in 8 1/3 innings, with one being a three-run blast by major league home run and RBI leader Ben Oglivie (.298, 9 HR, 27 RBI).

American League Scores


National League News
Ed Ott (.255, 9 RBI) goes 4-for-4 and hits his fourth home run of the season to lead the Pirates past Cincinnati 6-2 and gives Pittsburgh the weekend series between the division leaders. Ott drives in a pair and scores two runs, while Dave Parker (.313, 4 HR, 16 RBI) adds a two run blast of his own.

The losses continue to mount as Montreal loses its seventh and eighth consecutive games - a doubleheader sweep to the Padres. San Diego starter Dan Freiselben (1-5, 5.53 ERA) gets his first win of the year in game one, scattering nine hits in seven innings of shutout baseball while Dave Winfield (.247, 3 HR, 11 RBI), Gene Richards (.267) and Jerry Turner (.202) each have three hits and Bob Stinson drives home four runners in the 8-0 win. In the second game, Mike Ivie (.333, 14 RBI) has three hits and five Padres pitchers keep Montreal at bay and score a 8-1 victory.

National League Scores


Injuries

LF Bruce Bochte (.301, 1 HR, 8 RBI) is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a scratched cornea. He is placed on the 15-day disabled list. LF Rusty Torres (.264, 7 HR, 35 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Salt Lake City. Torres has been tearing up Triple A pitching - but he'll be behind Thad Bosley in the depth chart in LF.

Major Transactions

MR Jeff D'Acquisto activated from the disabled list. 3B Ken Reitz (.188, 1 RBI) optioned to Triple A New Orleans.

Short Season Single A Update
Jamestown Expos (17-11) at Newark Co-Pilots (13-15)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Jamestown 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 5 8 2 Newark 3 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 x 6 15 1 WP: Tom Roe (3-3, 3.17 ERA) LP: Tim Taylor (0-1, 4.91 ERA) SV: Markus Ward (9) POG: Thomas Taylor 3-5, R, 2 RBI, 2B Attendance: 2,261 Joe McKnight is out 3 months with a herniated disk.

Aurelio Roman (2.93 ERA) lasted just 3.1 innings, giving up 12 hits and four earned runs, but by then we were down three runs and looked unable to put runs on the board. Jesus Rivera (.328, 13 RBI) proved me wrong with three hits, scoring two runs and driving in another, while Richard Adams (.290, 18 RBI) drove in a pair on two hits to make it close. Thomas Taylor (.333, 3 RBI) hurt us with three hits, along with scoring the game-winner in the sixth inning. Home Runs: JAM: None ELM: None