This Sweet 16 matchup is the #9 seed San Francisco Giants vs the #8 seed Philadelphia Phillies. The Giants finished the season 89-73 3rd in the NL West. The Phillies 90-72 and are NL East Champions.
The Giants would send stud lefty Bob Knepper (17-11 2.63 Grade 16) against another stud lefty in Steve Carlton (16-13 2.84 Grade 15).
This matchup had the makings of a tight pitchers duel and that is exactly what we got. The Giants come out strong getting a lead off single by Bill Madlock and driven home by a clutch double by Jack Clark. The Phillies would answer with their own run, clutch 2 out hit by Ted Sizemore producing the RBI. Pitcher held the bats in check until the 7th, when the Phillies would get two runs. RBI singles by Jerry Martin and Larry Bowa. Warren Brusstar and Ron Reed get the last 6 outs and the Phillies grab Game 1.
Final Score: Phillies 3, Giants 1
WP: Steve Carlton (1-0)
LP: Bob Knepper (0-1)
Save: Ron Reed (1)
HR’s: None