4/3/84: Fernando ruffles Cards feathers, Dodgers win 9-6

Despite some shaky stretches, Fernando Valenzuela delighted the Opening Day crowd at Chavez Ravine with 10 strikeouts in a route-going 9-6 win over the Cardinals. The Dodgers rallied from a 4-2 deficit to score 6 times in the bottom of the 5th, chasing Cards starter Dave LaPoint. 

Marshall, Rivera with big hits

The Dodgers sent 10 in the 5th inning with the big hits a bases loaded 2-run single by Mike Marshall and a 2-run double by German Rivera, with Candy Maldonado scoring all the way from 1st. Maldonado also doubled and after he made a game-saving catch of a would-be Darrell Porter home run, hit a drive Lonnie Smith could not save in the bottom of the 7th, sealing the Dodgers win. Valenzuela pitched 1-2-3 innings in the 8th and 9th to secure the Dodgers opening win.

Cards held in check

Valenzuela scattered 7 Redbirds hits in 9 innings, though he did give up a 3-run shot to Porter in the 2nd. Of his 10 strikeouts, Valenzuela whiffed George Hendrick 3 times and went 1-2-3 in the 1st, 4th, 8th and 9th. The Cards used 4 pitchers, walking 7, striking out just 4.

STL 6-7-0 LAD 9-13-2 WP-Valenzuela LP-LaPoint HR-Porter (1), Maldonado (1) LOB-LAD 9 STL 7 LAD 1-0 STL 0-1   

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