Seaver fans 10, but Cubbies take 2 or 3 from Amazin’s

8/28 - 8/30 - Shea Stadium - Flushing, NY
GAME 1 - Mets 3, Cubs 1
Tom Terrific was just that and then some.  When pitching for an offensively challenged outfit like the Mets you have to be terrific nearly every time out.  His opposing number, Rich Reuschel, wasn't bad at all, but you have to be up to Tom Seaver's standards if you expect to beat the Mets when he's on the hill.  Seaver fanned 10, but ran out of gas as Skip Lockwood had to get the final out.  Le Grande Orange's (Rusty Staub) 2 run homer in the 4th provided just enough offense for Seaver.  An 8th inning insurance run wasn't needed, but surely welcomed.

GAME 2 - Cubs 4, Mets 3
Dave Kingman's 2 run double gave the Mets and Jerry Koosman a quick 2-0 lead.  Mike Krukow was wild and ineffective in that inning and Cub manager Jim Walden wasn't about to play around and removed him for Willie Hernandez, who proceeded to go the next 7 1/3 and only give up 1 run.  Bruce Sutter closed the door for his 3rd save of the season.  Walden's move turned out to be genius.  Chicago took the lead in the 7th when they scored 2 runs.  Ted Sizemore led off with a homer and Barry Foote lifted a sac fly to center to score Larry Biittner, who singled after Sizemore's homer.  Jerry Koosman (0-3, 2.37) was the hard luck loser and quite possibly the best 0-3 pitcher in the history of KOD.

GAME 3 - Cubs 6, Mets 2 (13 inn)
Getaway day games are supposed to go faster than the Concorde.  This game was the exact opposite.  With the score tied at 2 apiece the fans and the players were treated to a 2 1/2 hour rain delay.  Bye the time the storm cleared and the field was made playable both starters:  John Matlack and Dennis Lamp were gone.  Neither team could score again in regulation.  So off to extra innings they went.  Relievers Dick Tidrow (CHI) and Hank Webb (NYM) went 3 scoreless innings and everyone looked resigned to the fact that this contest could break records for distance.  Then in the top of the 13 the Cubs took control vs Met  reliever Rick Baldwin.  Biittner led off with a walk, but was forced at second by Ontiveros.  Pinch hitter Scott Thompson singled to put runners at the corners.  Ivan DeJesus singled to break the deadlock.  Ted Sizemore followed that with a 2 run double and Bobby Murcer grounded to short with what looked like the 3rd out of the inning.  Mike Phillips booted the ball allowing Sizemore to score easily which gave the Cubbies a 4 run lead.  Dave Kingman and Barry Foote both struck out for the 4th time, respectively, to end the inning, but the damage was done.  Donnie Moore finished the game out and protected the newly found 4 run lead to end it.