4/9/84: Dodgers run, slug their way past Cubs, 8-6

 Dodger Blue turned into a run-and-gun offense as they outlasted the Cubbies by a score of 8-6 in front of an Oscar Night crowd at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers ran their way around the bases just as often as the Oscar winners walked to the podium, stealing 5 bases, including 2 from Dodger stalwart Bill Russell. Other Dodger thieves were Steve Sax, Ken Landreaux and Greg Brock, who also added his 1st home run of the season, a solo shot to go with a 2-run shot by Pedro Guerrerro, his 2nd homer in as many games.

The Dodgers turned that run-and-gun into a 5-0 lead through 3, chasing Cub starter Chuck Rainey, but the Cub bats managed to get to Dodger starter Jerry Reuss, scoring 2 runs each in the 4th and 5th, the 5th inning runs coming on back-to-back blows by Gary "Sarge" Matthews and Ron "Penguin" Cey. The Dodgers rebuilt their lead on Brock's leadoff homer in the bottom of the 5th, only to have that lead cut again in the 6th, courtesy of a lead-off error by Bill Russell, Leon Durham reaching, then stealing 2nd. Larry Bowa singled Durham to 3rd, then after Bob Dernier fouled to catcher and pinch-hitter Tom Veryzer lined to short, Ryne Sandberg doubled home Durham, Bowa to 3rd. A walk to Matthews loaded the bases, setting up a bases-loaded situation for Ron Cey, who just missed a grand slam off reliever Carlos Diaz with Terry Whitfield making the last-ditch 3rd out catch. 

The Dodgers added insurance RBIs by Brock in the 6th and Mike Marshall in the 7th for an 8-5 lead heading into the 8th. Tom Niedenfuer took over in the 8th and allowed a solo homer by Bob Dernier cutting the Dodgers lead to 8-6. Niedenfuer retired the last 5, including striking out the side in the 9th (Matthews/Cey/Moreland) to save the win for Reuss.

LAD 8-15-1 CHC 5-12-1 WP-Reuss (1-0) Rainey (0-1) SV-Niedenfuer (1) HR-Guerrero (3) Matthews (1) Cey (3) Brock (1) Dernier (1) GWRBI-Guerrero (2) LAD 5-1 CHC 2-4


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