The Baytown Sun from Baytown, Texas • Page 14

2-B THE BAYTOWN SU1V Thursday, April 9, 1987 Astros top Dodgers again 7-3 HOUSTON (AP) Houston's Nolan Ryan suffered through last season with a painful elbow, and teammate Jose Cruz had a slow start because of an ankle injury. But they were in mid-career form Wednesday in leading the Astros to a 7-3 victory over Los Angeles, completing a three- game season-opening sweep. It completed a frustrating series for the Dodgers, who announced prior to the game that Vice President Al Campanis had resigned after saying on ABC's Nightline Monday night that blacks were unqualified to be field managers or general managers. Ryan, 40, pitched six shutout innings and struck out 10 batters, increasing his major league record strikeout total to 4,287. Cruz, 39, hit a two-run homer to key a seven-run seventh inning that rallied the Astros from a 3-0 deficit.

"Cheo's (Cruz) off to a real nice start and I'm pleased with the way I threw today," said Ryan, 1-0. "I'm happy for him." Cruz's home run capped the Astros' rally. Phil Garner, Jim Pankovits, Bill Doran and Billy Hatcher drove in runs in the inning, and Pankovits scored on left field Ken Landreaux's throwing error. All Houston's runs came after Rick Honeycutt gave way to Tom Niedenfuer, the first of three Dodger relivers. Honeycutt shut out the Astros for six innings, retiring the final 10 batters he faced.

The Dodgers got strong starting pitching in all three games but lost in the latter innings when relief pitching faltered. "I said all spring that our starting pitching could carry us into the 7-8-9 innings with the opportunity to win," Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda said. "You saw that for the last three games. We could easily be 3-0 or 2-1, but we're 0-3." LOS ANGELES ab Sax 21) a llamsey cf 5 Umrtrx'lf 4 Marshall Stubbslh Scioscia Anderson 3b. Duncan ss Honcyctt ph Nledcnfr 4 4 .1 .) .1 bl 1 2 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 I 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 (1 1) 1 0 Young 0 Hollonp 0 Woodsnn ph 1 000 II 0 0 0 1 1) 0 0 0 000 HOUSTON ab 4 1 Hatcher cf 4 CYuzlf 4 Davis Ib 4 llass rf Bailey Garner 3b Pena ss Galncyph Lopes ph Reynolds ss Kyan Pankovits ph Andersen p.

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1-0 Andersen Kcrfeld 3 0 0 II II Niedenfuer pitched to three bailers in Ihe seventh. Balk Kyan. 2:57, A Ganders are in middle of chase for golf title SCOTT McWILLIAMS of Robert E. Lee shot an 85 Wednesday in the opening round of the District 23-5A tournament at Lake Houston Golf Club. (Sun staff photo by Alfred Valdez) By ALFRED VALDEZ HUFFMAN Robert E.

Lee's boys golf team was in position to challenge for the District 23-5A championship today, as it finished first-round play Wednesday only six strokes off the pace of Deer Park in third place. Ross S. Sterling finished the first day of competition at Lake Houston Golf Club in sixth place. But the Rangers still have an outside shot to contend, according to Coach Jerry Sanders. Lee totaled 339, which was just behind North Shore's 334 and Deer Park's 333.

"We're in good shape," Gander Coach Joe Herzik said. "Six strokes is nothing. One player can make that up. The thing is up for grabs." The top two teams and top two medalists will advance to the regional tourney. Leading Lee was Jason McCain, who shot an 80.

Scott McWilliams turned in an 85 and Terry Turnbull and Clint Griffin posted 87s. The fifth member of the team, Mark Horsey, shot a 91. Two Ganders, Chris Alton and Randy Trenary, competed as medalists, and shot 99 and 112, respectively. Sterling finished first-round play with a team score of 356. The Rangers were led by Scotty Hale and Sam Watkins, both of whom shot 83.

Mike Badgett turned in a 90, Barry Church shot a 100 and Kevin Touchet finished with a 102. Sanders said he was somewhat disappointed in the high scores of his players, but said they were right in line with the high scores turned in all day. "I'm surprised by the high scores. It may have to do with tournament jitters, and the course is playing a part in that, too," Sanders said. Herzik said the scores were high, but that they are in line with the way the district teams have played all season.

"The scores have been indicative of the district this year. They haven't been as good as in previous years," Herzik said. The low score of the day was turned in by North Shore's Shawn Stoever, who finished with a 78. He was followed by McCain and Jason Garcia of Deer Park at 80. They were closely followed by Todd Kelly of Deer Park and Pete Vela of Pasadena Dobie, who were tied at 81.

Sterling's Hale and Watkins were next at 83. Sanders said if Sterling has any chance of contending for the team title, it must enjoy excellent rounds today. "We need to have a super day from all five of our players, "he said. Sanders said Watkins and Hale have good chances at capturing individual medals. "We haven't given up by any means," said Sanders.

Herzik said he looks for scores to be turned in today. He said the nervousness will have worn off. "I just hope the kids do not start to feel the pressure," he said. "Pressure will definitely come into play tomorrow (Thursday)." Anderson's pitching, timely hitting key Rebels By DAVID BERKOWITZ Strong relief pitching by George Anderson and timely hitting by several players helped Lee College earn a 6-3 victory over Blinn College Wednesday at Jenkins Park. The combination pushed the Rebels' record to 9-9 in the Texas Junior College Athletic Conference and 20-18 overall.

Blinn slipped to 8-11 and 13-13. The teams, which are trying to catch Alvin Community College for second place in the TJCAC, will square off in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday at Jenkins. Despite dropping a 4-1 decision Wednesday to San Jacinto College. Alvin's 12-7 record gives it a lead over the Rebels in the battle for the second playoff spot in the conference.

If the Rebels continue to per- form as they did against Blinn, that gap could disappear in a hurry. Anderson's shutout pitching over the final five innings and sacrifice flies by Chris Stegent and Chris Augustine, along with a run-scoring single by Bruce Bingham, pushed LC over the top. Stegent's sacrifice fly produced what turned out to be the game-winning run. But it wasn't your run-of-the-mill sacrifice fly. Mike Easley doubled to lead off the sixth inning and moved to third base on a ground out by Henry DeLeon.

Stegent then lifted a cloud-touching fly down the right-field line, and first baseman Jeff Gremillion gave chase. He gloved the ball and fell to the ground in foul territory, prompting Easley to streak for home plate. In a bang-bang play, Easley was ruled safe. An argument involving Blinn Coach Richard Fletcher and the home plate umpire ensured, but the run stood. It provided the Rebels and Anderson with a 4-3 lead.

That was to be all the cushion the sophomore left-hander would need. While the Buccaneers came up with five hits in the last five innings, they couldn't score. Blinn had 11 hits in all, but was plagued by 15 runners left on base. For insurance, the Rebels scored a run in the seventh on Augustine's sacrifice fly and a run in the eighth on Bingham's RBI single. They collected eight of their 12 hits against Brent Gilbert, who relieved starter Dennis Lester in the third inning.

Blinn had taken a 2-0 lead in the first on John Wood's run- scoring single and a fielding error. But the Rebels tied the score in their half the inning when Stegent ripped a double to left- center field to drive in two runs. A passed ball allowed Charlie Fehl to score and give the Rebels a 3-2 lead in the third inning. But the Bucs forged a tie in the fourth on Wood's run-scoring single. Tommy Reynolds paced the Rebels with three hits, while Easley and Augustine both had two.

Anderson, who struck out one and walked two, improved his record to 5-4. May berry yielded three runs on six hits during his stint. LC will return to action Friday with a p.m. non-conference double-header against Panola Junior College at Jenkins. BLINN Cernv cf Gremilln Ib Wood Kobzadh Hillings rones If.

Wiggintonlf. Wilson ph Totals Blinn ab bi 5020 .4220 .3000 5132 .30 I 0 .4000 .5021 .4000 .0000 1 0 0 .2 II 1 0 36 3 11 2 LEE Bookmyerc Easley 3b DeLeon Ib. Bingham ss Fehl If Smith Reynolds 2b Augustine rf Totals 200 201 ab bi ..4 1 00 ..5220 ..4 1 0 ..30 3 0 1 4 1 0 ..31 0 ..4030 ..2021 .33 6 12 5 00 101 6 rr 11 -r-, U1IO VII OIW 1I1LO UUlUlli IIJJ) playoff spot the conference. prompting Easley to streak for They collected eight of their 12 stint Anderson If the Rebels continue to per- home plate. hits against Brent Gilbert, who LC will return to action Friday Fletcher gets 4 RBI to carry Texas Rangers to 6-4 win THE ASSOCIATED PRESS UAinn imniirp Toronto Blue Jays to victory lost his first decision this season, score 2-2.

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Augustine. IP ER BB SO Blinn Lester jij, Gilbcrt(L) 52, Lee Maybcrry 4 Anderson (W. 5-41 5 Anderson. HBP Wood. 0 By Maybcrry By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Scott Fletcher, who had singled home two runs earlier in the game, drove a two-run, ninth- inning double over left fielder Larry Sheets' head to give the Texas Rangers a 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday.

Fletcher's hit broke a 4-4 tie and scored Steve Buechele, who had doubled with one out, and Geno Petralli, who had walked. Sheets broke in on the line drive, then watched as the ball landed over his head on the warning track. Twins 4 Athletics Left-hander Frank Viola tied his career high with 11 strikeouts, including the first six of the game, and Tom Brunansky hit a solo homer to lead the Minnesota Twins to victory over the Oakland Athletics. Yankees 6 Tigers 5 Willie Randolph's run-scoring single capped a two-run New York ninth inning as the Yankees rallied from a 5-0 deficit to defeat the Tigers. Blue Jays 5 Indians Willie Upshaw clouted a two- run homer and Jesse Barfield added a solo shot to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to victory over Cleveland.

Toronto starter Jim Clancy went six innings to record his first victory since Aug. 28 of last season. Clancy, who lost his final seven decisions last season, gave up one run and seven hits. Greg Swindell was the losing pitcher. Brewers 3 Red Sox 2 Bill Jo Robidoux drove in the go-ahead run with a seventh- inning single as the Milwaukee Brewers rallied for a victory over the Boston Red Sox.

Robidoux's second RBI of the game followed singles by Glenn Braggs and Greg Brock off Red Sox reliever Wes Gardner, who lost his first decision this season. Royals 9 White Sox 3 Charlie Liebrandt had a no- hitter for five innings and Buddy Biancalana and Steve Balboni each homered as the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox. Reds 7 Expos 2 Bo Diaz and Buddy Bell each had three RBI as the Reds, who scored 18 runs in the two games, continued to get contributions from throughout the lineup. "From one through eight, all these guys are capable of having two-or three-hit nights," said Dave Parker, whose leadoff homer in the sixth inning tied the score 2-2. "You're going to see a lot of these three- and four-run innings because of us being a good offensive ballclub." Bell's three RBI came on a bases-clearing double in a four- run seventh that put the game away for the Reds.

Bill Gullickson allowed four hits over seven innings to get the win. Jay Tibbs was the loser. Giants 2 Padres i Chris Brown homered for both runs and Roger Mason pitched seven strong innings as the Giants got off to their best start since 1979. The Giants got both runs in the fourth off San Diego starter Andy Hawkins. Rangers show Flyers who's boss in win SAVE ON ARMSTRONG A NORSEMAN RADIAL Size 30 9.50R15LT 31x10.50R15LT 33x12.50R15LT Price let 19.95 10 117 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Many of the faces have changed, but the New York Rangers still look the same to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

With only nine of the 20 players from the team which upset Philadelphia in last year's playoffs, the Rangers showed the Flyers again who was boss Wednesday night with a 3-0 victory in the first round of the Patrick Division series. Just as he was in last year's playoffs, goaltender John Van- biesbrouck was a factor for the NHL PLAYOFFS Rangers, who finished a distant fourth to ihe division champion Flyers. "Vanbiesbrouck played unbelievably," said Rangers Coach Phil Esposito, who has made 16 trades since the end of the 1985-86 season. "He did get a couple of breaks with the post, but sometimes I'd rather be lucky than good." In another opening-night upset, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5- i LUBE, Oil, i i FRONT DISC 9 95 I nr- (MMft I I rart 1 tjrtW" 59 9S 1 FRONT-END ALIGNMENT fcnwi EXPERT SERVICE ON FRONT END BRAKES-SHOCKS BATTERIES-STRUTS FULLERS TIRE CO. A BAYTOWN TRADITION SINCE 1946 BAYTOWN 1900 ALEXANDER 472 8171 CROSBY 1 1 1 McGEE AT HWY 90 328-4826 LITTLE 6 A West Chambers County Little League OPENING CEREMONIES Saturday April 11 beginning at 9:00 am Bar-b-Que 11:00 pm plate AuctioHunkin BootHadar BootHife Flight Live Band Bring the Itwn chtirs A moke a family ovHngl! 2 in the Smythe Division.

The Winnipeg Jets trimmed the Calgary Flames 4-2 in the other Smythe opener. Elsewhere, Montreal beat Boston 6-2 and Hartford stopped Quebec 3-2 in overtime in the Adams Division, St. Louis defeated Toronto 3-1 and Detroit topped Chicago 3-1 in the Norris, and Washington defeated the New York Islanders 4-3 in the other Patrick semifinal. Softball league play will begin The Baytown Optimist Club Handicap Softball League will' open its 1987 season at 2 p.m. Sunday at Optimist Club Field 1724 Market.

Teams that will compete on Sundays through May will be the Beetles, Grasshoppers, Crickets and Hornets. There will be no games on Mother's Day or Easter Sunday. Anyone wanting to serve as buddies for the handicapped players should call Betty Bolander (427-2930), John Swint (427-2527) or David Hicks (4274933). BAYTOWN AREA WOMEN'S CENTER Crisis: 422,2292 Office: 427-2421.