Game 1 of the crucial 3 game set pitted Larry Gura vs Vida Blue, the two southpaws were both fairly sharp in the early going.
The A's scored first on Paul Blair's sac fly in the 2nd, a runner that was allowed by a George Brett throwing error. In the bottom of the frame the Royals lost a runner on a close play at the plate as Reggie Jackson threw out Johhny Bench at the plate as he tried to score on a double by Al Cowens. To the 9th it would remain 1-0 when Gene Tenace followed a 2 out Sal Bando single with a homer to make it 3-0. That would prove to be enough as Vida Blue capped off a 93 pitch, 5 hit shutout.
Royals now trail by 2 full games
In game 3 Steve Busby, the Royals only 20 game winner, would toe the slab against Catfish Hunter. Johnny Bench got things started with a solo shot to left, which certainly rattled Hunter who then allowed 2 more hits before escaping the inning with 2 men in scoring position. Busby proved to be equally elusive in the 3rd when he coaxed former Royal Richie Hebner into a groundout with the bases loaded. In the bottom of the 5th Frank White would crack a 1 out double, followed by a Pat Kelly walk, however, Hunter struck out Bostock. Leaving Brett at the plate with 2 on and 2 out, Brett singled to right scoring White. Cecil Cooper would also walk but Bench was unable to come through in the clutch stranding all 3 runners.
After 5, KC 2- Oak 0
to the 6th, back to back singles by Poquette and Otis would allow Quirk the opportunity to sacrifice both men into scoring position. However, White and Kelly could not plate either runner, to the 7th we go.
Busby would remain strong thru 7. Bottom of 7 would find Bostock and Brett offering back to back doubles to stretch the lead. Hunter then intentionally walked Cooper, struck out Bench, and lost Poquette on a very close full count pitch. Setting up a bases loaded situation for oft injured Amos Otis who doubled to seemingly blow the game wide open. Quirk would then walk, which brought on Glen Abbott in relief a sac fly by White would end the scoring.
Royals lead 6-0 heading to the 8th
There would be no more scoring as Busby finished off his own shutout allowing only 6 hits.
A's lead back down to 1
Rubber match pits Carl Morton against rubber armed Wilbur Wood, the Royals have a tougher schedule over the last week of the season, therefore, if the Royals could exit the series tied they might have a slight edge. Johnny Bench would once again get things going with a solo shot to left, his 24th of the season. The score would remain that way as Wood and Morton kept putting up zeroes until Bench would come up with 2 down in the bottom of the 8th, Bostock who had doubled to start the frame was chased home as Bench planted a Wood knuckleball on the grassy hill in left. Morton would not be able to go the distance as manager Morton would bring on his closer Doug Bird with 2 on and 2 out and Sal Bando representing the tying run, Bird was able to pick up his 34th save as the Royals finish off the shutout 3-0
Now a dead heat for the division.
As the series ended the KC faithful were informed that manager Bubba Morton had accepted a 4 year extension.
Here is how the schedule plays out for the Royals and the A's
KC will host the Rangers for 2 and the Twins for 2, before finishing up with 3 in Texas
Oakland returns to the bay to host the Twins for 2, White Sox for 2 and will finish by hosting the Angels for 3
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