Over at Play That Funky Ball, the '77 Astros improved to 2-1 with a 6-1 win over Scott Simkus' Cubs as Cheo was a home run away from the cycle.
Buckner returns from a short injury to see Ontiveros and Morales both go out, but it isn’t the reason the Cubbies lose. Joe the Lesser Niekro smokes them on just six hits, while Jose Cruz is at it again with a single, triple and double.
Record: 2-1, one game back of the Pirates.
Up next: St. Louis (managed by Stan Musial's Stance) for the home opener.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
