Jim Bibby threw a complete-game, three-hit shutout as the Pirates breezed by the Cubs, 6-0, in the rubber match of their three-game series at Wrigley Field. Bibby walked just one and fanned seven, and helped himself at the plate with two hits.
The Bucs jumped all over Cubs’ ace Rick Reuschel early in the game. They picked up a run in the first on a two-out single by John Milner, which drove in Tim Foli.
A five-run second inning finished Reuschel. Bibby singled in the first run, following singles by Ed Ott and Phil Garner. Omar Moreno reached on a fielder’s choice, with the Cubs getting nobody to load the bases. A sacrifice fly by Tim Foli made it 3-0 and moved everybody up. The Cubs walked Dave Parker to get to Willie Stargell, who doubled in two runs. After another intentional walk, Bill Madlock reached on an error by third baseman Steve Ontiveros, letting in another run. The Pirates led, 6-0.
The game was all pitching after that, with Bibby and the Cubs’ bullpen shutting everything down. The Pirates had two on in the third and again in the seventh, but didn’t score. The Cubs got only one runner past first all day. That was Ivan DeJesus on a two-out double in the bottom of the third, and Bibby struck out the next batter, Scot Thompson.
The win improved Bibby’s record to 11-4. In his last 14 starts, he’s gone 8-2 with a 2.71 ERA. Montreal beat the Phillies for their sixth win in their last seven games. They remain a half game in front in the NL East.
The Pirates now head home to take on the Expos in a four-game series that could very well decide the division title. It starts with a doubleheader tomorrow. Bert Blyleven (11-5, 3.51 ERA) and newly acquired Dock Ellis (4-12, 6.02) will face Dan Schatzeder (10-4, 2.81) and Rudy May (10-3, 2.12). On the following days, the Bucs will send Jim Rooker (3-7, 4.47) and Bruce Kison (11-7, 3.38) against Scott Sanderson (9-7, 3.20) and Expos’ ace Steve Rogers (13-10, 2.97).
