St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day 1977 – Looking at the the Last 50

Thursday, April 7, 1977
Three Rivers Stadium
Attendance: 35,186, Time of Game: 2:53
John Denny facing Jerry Reuss for Opening Day in Pittsburgh as managers Vern Rapp and Danny Murtaugh make out the lineup card.
St. Louis Cardinals line-up:
  • Lou Brock
  • Garry Templeton
  • BakeMcBride
  • Hector Cruz
  • Ted Simmons
  • Keith Hernandez
  • Ken Reitz
  • Mike Tyson
  • John Denny

Pittsburgh Pirates line-up:

  • Omar Moreno
  • Frank Taveras
  • Wes Parker
  • Al Oliver
  • Willie Stargell
  • Rennie Stennett
  • Phil Garner
  • Duffy Dyer
  • Jerry Reuss

The Cardinals break out in the first inning as the Pirates commit three errors and then gather two hits with the large blow being a two out double by Ken Reitz to lead 4-0 to start the game. The Pirates get one back in the first with no hits as Moreno walks, steals second followed by two groundouts to make the game 4-1.

Pitcher John Denny singles to star the second followed by a Lou Brock single sending him to third. Reuss balks and the Cardinals are now up 5-1. Each team scores one in the 6th inning to keep the Cardinal lead at four runs.

Terry Forster relieves Reuss in the 7th and a barrage of hits take place with the big blow being a Keith Hernandez homer to make the score 12-3. Al Hrabosky allows a run in the 8th inning and John Sutton gives up two in the 9th to make the final a 12-6 Cardinals win.

Cardinals Offense:

2B: K Reitz (1, off J Reuss); M Tyson (1, off L Demery); B McBride (1, off L Demery); K Hernandez (1, off G Jackson).
HR: K Hernandez (1, off T Forster, 8th inn, 1 on, 2 outs to RF).
IBB: T Simmons (1, by G Jackson).
HBP: K Reitz (1, by J Reuss).
TB: K Hernandez 6; M Tyson 3; G Templeton 2; T Simmons 2; B McBride 2; K Reitz 2; J Mumphrey; T Scott; L Brock; J Denny.
GIDP: T Simmons (1); K Hernandez (1).
RBI: K Hernandez 4 (4); K Reitz 2 (2); M Tyson (1); H Cruz (1); T Scott (1).
2-out RBI: K Hernandez 2; K Reitz 2; M Tyson.
Team LOB: 8.
With RISP: 5 for 17.
Fielding
DP: 2. K Reitz-K Hernandez; M Tyson-G Templeton-K Hernandez.
E: J DaVanon (1).
Baserunning
SB: K Reitz (1, 2nd base off J Reuss/D Dyer)

Pirates Offense:

2B: W Stargell (1, off J Denny); R Stennett (1, off J Denny).
HR: D Dyer (1, off J Denny, 5th inn, 0 on, 0 outs).
SF: B Robinson (1, off A Hrabosky).
TB: R Stennett 4; D Dyer 4; W Stargell 3; D Parker 3; P Garner; J Reuss.
GIDP: P Garner (1); D Dyer (1).
RBI: D Dyer 2 (2); B Robinson (1); R Stennett (1); D Parker (1); W Stargell (1).
Team LOB: 10.
With RISP: 2 for 12.
Fielding
DP: 3. J Reuss-F Taveras-W Stargell; R Stennett-W Stargell; D Parker-D Dyer.
E: R Stennett (1); J Reuss (1); W Stargell (1); O Moreno (1).
Outfield Assists: D Parker (M Tyson at 3rd base).
Baserunning
SB: O Moreno (1, 2nd base off J Denny/T Simmons).

 

BOXSCORE

 

Umpires: HP – Ed Sudol, 1B – Dick Stello, 2B – Bruce Froemming, 3B – Terry Tata.

 

 

 

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