Bert Blyleven repeated John Candelaria’s performance of yesterday, allowing just one run and going the distance against San Diego. Dave Parker and Bill Robinson provided the power as the Bucs won, 5-1.
The Dutchman faced the minimum through the first three innings, with the help of a caught stealing. In the top of the fourth, a double and two walks loaded the bases with two outs, but Blyleven got a ground out to end the inning.
Blyleven got through the next three innings again on nine batters, with a double play helping out. The Padres finally got to him with one out in the eighth, as Bill Almon went deep. But Blyleven retired the next five batters.
By the time the Padres got their run, the Pirates had five. They got all they’d need three batters into the game, when Dave Parker followed a Tim Foli single by reaching Randy Jones for a two-run blast. That was the Cobra’s 21st of the season.
Bill Robinson followed Parker’s homer with a double, but was left stranded. That didn’t happen his next time up, in the bottom of the third, because he belted one over the center field fence for his 23rd home run.
The Pirates finished their scoring in the sixth. Rennie Stennett and Steve Nicosia both singled, then Blyleven singled to drive in Stennett. A double by Omar Moreno brought in Nicosia. Moreno went for third but found Blyleven still there, ending the inning with the Bucs up, 5-0.
On the day, Blyleven allowed just four hits and walked two. He’s now 10-4. Robinson and Nicosia each had two hits. The Pirates remain three and a half up on Montreal.
