The Pirates got eight outstanding innings from John Candelaria against the Dodgers, but Burt Hooton matched him until the ninth. Bill Madlock finally ended it, 2-0, on a two-run, walkoff home run.
The Candy Man allowed just four singles and two walks. The only time the Dodgers got a runner past first came in the top of the fourth. A single, a walk and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with one out. Candelaria, however, got Dusty Baker on a shallow fly and Joe Ferguson on another fly.
From the fifth through the eighth, Candelaria faced only 13 batters, with the help of one double play ball. He left for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth.
For eight innings, the Pirates had no more success against Hooton. They didn’t get a runner past first until Dave Parker doubled with two out in the bottom of the sixth. A walk followed, but Bill Robinson fanned. Hooton retired the side in order in the seventh and eighth. The Pirates then got a 1-2-3 inning from Kent Tekulve in the top of the ninth.
Hooton gave up a one-out double to John Milner in the bottom half. He fanned Robinson again, bringing up Madlock, who already had two hits. Mad Dog came through with his 12th home run of the year, to straightaway center.
Teke got credit for the win to go 7-6. Montreal won to stay two games back.
The Pirates remain home for a three-game series with San Francisco. John Montefusco (3-4, 3.79 ERA), Bob Knepper (8-8, 4.55) and former Pirate Ed Whitson (5-8, 4.84) will start for the Giants. The Pirates will send out Bert Blyleven (10-4, 3.58), Bruce Kison (8-6, 3.68) and Jim Bibby (9-3, 2.87).
