Cleveland dominated the PL this season with 111 wins and beat Milwaukee eight times in 12 meetings during the regular season.



Game 1, at Cleveland

Tommy John (17-6) vs. JR Richard (29-5)

Tommy John is far from sharp, allowing single runs in each of the first two innings (with a runner thrown out at the plate to end the second). Richard, however, is dominant. John allows three more runs in the fifth and gives way to Rich Gossage, who has a second clunker performance in the postseason, allowing six more runs in the sixth. Richard cruises, allowing 11 baserunners but no runs, and the Saltdogs open the series with a message-sending 12-0 win.



Game 2, at Cleveland

Bruce Kison (19-8) vs. Dennis Eckersley (16-7)

Hal McRae homers in the first to give Milwaukee a 1-0 lead. Tim Foli evens the score in the second with an RBI single. Jerry White and Len Randle produce run-scoring hits in the third to make it a 3-1 game; Bruce Kison flies out to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Bobby Grich hits an inside-the-park homer to lead off for Cleveland in the third, but Jerry White gets that run back in the fourth with another RBI hit. Eckersley departs after four, giving way to Bill Castro. Kison's bunt in the fifth moves Frank Taveras to second, and he scores on Larry Hisle's single. Riders lead 5-2.

Greg Luzinski singles home George Brett in the fifth, but it's the last run Kison will allow. He pitches into the seventh, and the Riders tack on three more in the eighth off Castro to take an 8-3 lead. Ron Reed takes it the rest of the way, allowing only one hit over 2.1 innings, and the Riders even the series.



Game 3, at Milwaukee

Gary Ross (19-8) vs. Jon Matlack (20-14)

Greg Luzinski homers to lead off the second inning, putting Cleveland on the board first, but the Riders answer back with a single, ground ball, and single to tie it up.

Neither starter yields again until the sixth, when Matlack is touched for another solo homer, this one by Rico Carty.

Kent Tekulve relieves Ross in the eighth and the Riders rally to tie the game again, getting a double from Larry Hisle and an RBI single from Hal McRae.

Darold Knowles pitches the ninth for Milwaukee. He walks Carty, retires Luzinski on a fly ball, and hits Don Baylor. Working carefully to Keith Hernandez, he coaxes another short fly out. Tim Foli, however, powers one to right center; it bounces over the fence for a ground rule double. Saltdogs lead, 3-2. Skip Lockwood enters and gets the last out.

Randy Moffitt pitches the ninth for Cleveland. He strikes out Mike Ivie, then walks Richie Hebner. Larry Biittner pinch hits for Len Randle and bounces into a 6-4-3 double play. Riders lose at home and fall behind two games to one.



Game 4, at Milwaukee

JR Richard (29-5) vs. Larry Demery (6-3)

Cleveland strikes first, getting three consecutive run-producing hits with two down in the third. Milwaukee scores once in the bottom half, getting an RBI grounder from Hal McRae. In the fourth, Mike Ivie, getting a rare start at catcher to give slumping Thurman Munson a day off, hits a two-run homer to tie the score. Larry Demery makes it through the fifth with the score still knotted and gives way to Ron Reed.

Reed pitches a perfect sixth and the Riders take the lead in the bottom half on Jerry White's double. Darold Knowles pitches a scoreless seventh and White drives home another Rider run in the bottom of that inning. White then scores on Len Randle's two-run double.

Skip Lockwood strikes out two batters in a scoreless eighth, then two more in the ninth. Milwaukee somehow beats Richard, 7-3.



Game 5, at Milwaukee

Dennis Eckersley (16-7) vs. Tommy John (17-6)

Milwaukee wastes no time pecking away at Eckersley, getting three singles and an RBI grounder in the first to take a 2-0 lead. Richie Hebner goes deep in the next inning, crushing a two-run homer to cap a three-run inning.

Tommy John gives up one run in the third, but Bill Madlock answers with a solo homer in the fifth. John leaves after seven having allowed just the one run. Skip Lockwood returns and pitches a scoreless eighth, then is lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom half. Rich Gossage takes the mound for the ninth, leading 6-1. He retires the first batter, then allows a home run to Steve Yeager. The next two batters walk and single, prompting Gossage's exit (his third consecutive horrible relief outing in the postseason) and bringing Dave Laroche in. Laroche retires George Brett and Rico Carty to earn a save as the Riders head back to Cleveland one game away from the World Series.

Game 6, at Cleveland

Bruce Kison (19-8) vs. Gary Ross (19-8)

Milwaukee scores in the first on Bill Madlock's groundout; Reggie Jackson ties the score in the second with a home run and the Saltdogs take a 3-1 lead in the third as Greg Luzinski and Rico Carty drive home runs.

Larry Hisle hits a two-run single in the fifth, tying the score, and the Riders go ahead in the seventh when Frank Taveras scores on a passed ball. Ron Reed pitches the seventh and allows consecutive doubles to Carty and Luzinski, tying the score at four. The Riders get Madlock to third base with one out in the eighth but can't get him home, then get three consecutive strikeouts off Bill Travers in the ninth. Darold Knowles works around a two-out single in the ninth and the game goes overtime.

Bob Randall pinch hits to lead off the 10th and singles, but the next three batters hit harmless fly balls.

With two out in the 10th, Bill Madlock boots a grounder. Skip Lockwood comes in to pitch; he allows a single, a walk, and another single. Saltdogs win, 5-4 and force a Game 7 with JR Richard on the mound.



Game 7, at Cleveland

Jon Matlack (20-14) vs. JR Richard (29-5)

JR Richard, possibly tired from his postseason workload, gets wild in the third, walking the first three batters to load the bases. Richie Hebner hits a seemingly tailor-made double play grounder but beats the relay to first. A run scores, and, one out later, Thurman Munson singles home another run. Milwaukee leads, 2-0.

Jon Matlack allows only one hit through four innings, but surrenders a home run to Steve Yeager in the fifth. Bobby Grich leads off the sixth with a double and eventually scores the tying run on a sacrifice fly. Matlack strikes out Keith Hernandez to end that threat.

Hebner flies out with the bases loaded to end the seventh while George Brett strikes out with two on for Cleveland (Skip Lockwood having taken over for Matlack in that frame).

Kent Tekulve pitches for Cleveland in the eighth, allowing two runners but no runs. Larry Demery walks Don Baylor with two down in the bottom half but gets Keith Hernandez to pop out.

With one down in the ninth, Hal McRae powers a line drive over the right center field fence.. Riders lead 3-2. Madlock and Hebner are retired; Dave Laroche comes in for Milwaukee. He walks Tim Foli but gets a double play on the next batter, then retires pinch hitter Tom Paciorek to end the game!

Riders win! and they're headed to the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

The San Diego Gringos defeated the Cincinnati Steamboats in seven games to win the NLCS; San Diego won 101 games in the regular season and led the league with a team ERA of 2.75. Boasting three 20-game winners, the Gringos figure to depend on a deep pitching staff in their quest for the championship. Key hitters include Cesar Cedeno, Graig Nettles, Johnny Bench and Dwight Evans.

Milwaukee won both regular season meetings, shortly after the All Star Break, by scores of 3-0 and 5-4.

Game 1, at Milwaukee

Burt Hooton (20-11) vs. Bruce Kison (19-8)

Kison gets off to a rough start, allowing three baserunners and one run in the first, with Johnny Bench delivering an RBI single. Jerry White singles and steals to lead off the first for Milwaukee, then scores with two down on Richie Hebner's base hit.

Kison settles down after that; consecutive singles and a walk in the third set up a sac fly and RBI single for the Riders, giving them a 3-1 lead. White leads off the fifth with a walk, steals second again, and scores on Bill Madlock's hit. Thurman Munson and Len Randle single home runs off Rick Rhoden in the seventh, making it a 6-1 game. Kison leaves, and Skip Lockwood takes over, pitching a scoreless eighth. He walks a batter in the ninth and Larry Demery comes in to get the final out as the Riders take the first game, 6-1.



Game 2, at Milwaukee

Jim Palmer (24-6) vs. Jon Matlack (20-14)

Neither team scores through the first three innings as it looks like the anticipated pitchers' duel between Matlack and Palmer may be realized; Matlack ends the best chance for either team when he strikes out with the bases loaded. In the fourth, however, the Gringos break through as Cesar Cedeno and Dwight Evans hit solo home runs. Graig Nettles adds a two-run shot in the sixth, and the Gringos tack on one more run to make it a 5-0 lead.

Palmer allows only two hits through six innings but walks Larry Hisle to start the seventh. Thurman Munson singles him to third, and Palmer's wild pitch puts the Riders on the board. Dave Cash commits an error, and one out later Jerry Mumphrey hits a pinch hit single to drive home another Milwaukee run. With two down, Hal McRae hits a two run double to right-center, and the Riders have narrowed the gap to one run.

Skip Lockwood allows a walk and a single in the eighth but keeps the deficit at a single run, but Milwaukee goes in order in the bottom half. San Diego does likewise in the ninth and brings in John Hiller to close things out. Hiller walks Taveras, and then allows a single to pinch hitter Mike Ivie. Jerry White flies to and Taveras beats Cedeno's throw home. Tie game! Hal McRae has a chance to be a hero but flies out, and Bill Madlock strikes out to end the inning.

Larry Demery pitches the 10th for Milwaukee; he walks two batters with two down but strikes out Johnny Bench to end the threat. Bob Randall pinch hits to lead off the 10th and singles for Hebner, but the next two Rider batters are retired. Jim Wohlford, pinch hitting for Len Randle, coaxes a walk from Hiller to bring up Taveras. Taveras singles to and Randall roars around third.. Dwight Evans uncorks a throw home.. but it's offline.. Randall scores.. Milwaukee wins 6-5.



Game 3, at San Diego

Bruce Kison (19-8) vs. Brent Strom (21-11)

Facing a -handed starter for the first time this postseason, the Riders put two men on in the first but fail to score when Hal McRae bounces into a double play. Cesar Cedeno leads off with a double for San Diego and scores the game's first run on a groundout by John Mayberry.

Thurman Munson homers in the second to tie the score, and in the third Hal McRae comes up once again with men on base (three of them this time). He singles, two score, and Larry Hisle follows with another hit; Milwaukee takes a 4-1 lead.

Kison starts reeling off perfect innings and then greets reliever Doyle Alexander with a two-run single to cap a three-run fifth. Kison is in trouble a few times thereafter but never gives in; Milwaukee adds a few more runs along the way and takes game 3, 11-1.



Game 4, at San Diego

Tommy John (17-6) vs. Burt Hooton (20-11)

Bill Madlock's fourth-inning error puts two men on the bases for Graig Nettles, who brings them both home with a double. Rider starter Tommy John has big trouble in the fifth, allowing five consecutive hits with two down. San Diego takes a 6-0 lead.

Milwaukee finally breaks through in the seventh, scoring three runs on doubles by Thurman Munson and Frank Taveras, but Rick Rhoden and John Hiller get the last eight outs without problem and the Gringos take their first game of the series, 7-3.

Game 5, at San Diego

Rich Gossage (18-13) vs. Jim Palmer (24-6)

After two disastrous relief outings this postseason, Gossage gets his first start. He pitches a perfect first inning but surrenders a leadoff home run to Graig Nettles in the second. Nettles strikes again in the fourth, hitting another solo blast to put San Diego up 2-0. Jim Palmer, meanwhile, is having little trouble with the Rider batters. Dave Cash triples home two runs in the fifth and then scores himself, making it 5-0. Milwaukee finally scores in the seventh when Thurman Munson homers, and adds another run in the eighth on an error by Tom Veryzer, but they get no closer and the Gringos narrow the series to a 3-2 Milwaukee advantage with their 5-2 victory.



Game 6, at Milwaukee

Brent Strom (21-11) vs. Jon Matlack (20-14)

After two one-out singles in the fourth, Jon Matlack throws a wild pitch, allowing Dwight Evans to score the first run of the game. Milwaukee strands two runners in both the fifth and sixth innings before finally breaking through in the seventh, scoring a single run to tie the score (and stranding two more).

Matlack tires in the eighth, allowing three consecutive hits to start the inning, two of them scoring runs. Ron Reed relieves and allows one more run before getting out of the inning. Milwaukee does not score in the eighth and goes to the bottom of the ninth trailing 4-1, with John Hiller on the mound. Two of the first three batters strike out, with Jim Wohlford drawing a walk. Mike Ivie singles him to third, and Hal McRae drives him home with another single, putting men at the corners. Larry Hisle, with a chance to be a hero, strikes out looking and the Gringos have come back from a 3-0 deficit to force Game 7.



Game 7, at Milwaukee

Burt Hooton (20-11) vs. Tommy John (17-6)

With one down in the first, Al Oliver homers off John, giving the Gringos a 1-0 lead. John navigates his way through the next three innings without allowing another run, but Hooton is perfect through three frames. Things finally change in the bottom of the fourth. Jerry White leads off with a double... then

Richie Hebner singles

Bill Madlock singles

Larry hisle singles

Hal McRae walks

Thurman Munson grounds out (scoring a run)

Len Randle singles

That's it for Hooton; Milwaukee scores five runs and Doyle Alexander comes in to get San Diego out of the inning.

With two out in the fifth, Larry Hisle doubles. Hal McRae reaches on an error by Graig Nettles. Thurman Munson homers. Suddenly the Riders are up 8-1.

John weakens in the eighth, allowing three straight hits. Bruce Kison relieves but allows a two-run double to Nettles. Now the score is 8-4. Johnny Bench singles one out later but Nettles holds at third. Oscar Gamble pops out to end the rally.

Bob Randall walks to lead off the bottom half and scores on Larry Biittner's single. Richie Hebner then triples, and the Riders have a comfortable 10-4 lead going into the ninth. Al Oliver drives home a run but Kison escapes with no further damage and the Riders are the 1976 APL Champions!

Milwaukee gets the 18th pick in the 1977 draft and uses their first round choice on a young right-handed pitcher named Lary Sorensen. Sorensen has great control but doesn't strike out many batters so he will need some good defense behind him.

In the second round, the Riders grab young slugger Willie Aikens. Aikens plays first about adequately, but with the DH era dawning in the APL this season, it's likely there will be a place in the lineup for him.

With their third and final pick of this season's draft, Milwaukee moves to shore up the bullpen a bit with reliever Dave Campbell.

1976 in Review

Hitting



Catcher - Thurman Munson (.310/.346/.462) led the team with 21 homers and 116 RBI, falling just short of 200 hits. His 32 doubles ranked fourth on the team and he had the longest hitting streak at 16.

First Base - Variety of characters saw time here. The only "true" first baseman was Mike Ivie (.328/.386/.439) who hit 28 doubles but only three home runs in 387 at bats. He scored 61 and drove home 67.

Larry Biittner (.215/.291/.313) fell off dramatically from '75 but did hit 16 doubles in 163 at bats and struck out only once.

Richie Hebner (.275/.352/.430) hit 34 doubles and 10 home runs, driving in 71. He walked 52 times while striking out only 41. Not a spectacular season but growing accustomed to playing first.

Second Base - Another hodgepodge. Bob Randall (.265/.311/.307) got the most playing time and drove in an astounding 67 runs despite only 17 extra base hits. He scored only 38.

Ted Sizemore (.225/.271/.275) got only 80 at bats and probably didn't deserve any of them.

Len Randle (.250/.315/.335) had some bright moments but wasn't very productive.

Shortstop - Frank Taveras (.300/.363/.346) had his best season yet, stealing 63 bases in 70 attempts and scoring 80 runs despite batting eighth. He matched Randall's extra base hit total of 17 and drove in 63 runs.

Prospect Joshua Riffle (.259/.321/.313) started hot but faded quickly and was rarely heard from after June.

Third base - Bill Madlock (.370/.458/.565) was again one of the league's top hitters. He clubbed 48 doubles and 15 homers, scoring 104 and driving in 102. He had 72 walks and only 20 strikeouts, stole 15 bases, and ended the year on his longest hitting streak of the season (11 games).

Outfield - Hal McRae was a huge pickup for the Riders, matching Madlock's .370 BA with .440 OBP and .515 SLG. He also matched Madlock's 48 doubles but hit only seven home runs. He led the team with 104 runs scored and just missed the century mark with 98 RBI. 58 walks and 40 strikeouts round out an impressive resume.

Larry Hisle (.304/.392/.417), finally healthy again, was a contributor with 97 runs scored and 81 driven in. He hit only nine home runs but stole 33 bases and drew 71 walks (77 Ks).

Rookie Jerry Mumphrey (.265/.331/.322) had ups and downs, but stole 31 bases in 36 attempts and scored 66 runs in 354 ABs. He lost some playing time to Jim Wohlford (.337/.399/.433) who was phenomenal in 300 at bats. Wohlford wasn't particularly efficient on the bases but did steal 22 (17 CS). Jerry White (.301/.378/434) was productive in his part-time role and got in the spirit with 10 steals in 12 attempts.

Bench - Rookie Wayne Nordhagen hit .212 in 33 at bats; everyone else was mentioned in the positional breakdown above.

Pitchers - Tommy John and Bruce Kison both hit four doubles; Kison and Jon Matlack led the pitchers with nine RBI. Rich Gossage struck out 48 times in 86 at bats.

Pitching

Jon Matlack (20-14, 3.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .260/.305/.381) was the ace of the staff once again, pitching 277.1 innings and striking out 202 batters. He allowed 21 home runs, most on the staff, but walked only 68, tied for fewest in the rotation and in far more innings.

Tommy John (17-6, 3.10, 1.30, .258/.310/.338) allowed only three home runs in 240.2 innings, marking a successful comeback from major arm surgery. With the ability to work out at full strength this winter, the team expects continued excellence next season.

Rich Gossage (18-13, 4.15, 1.42, .252/.333/.349) made the transition to starter with a few rough spots but was overall productive. The 238.1 innings he threw were by far the most of his career and he did tire down the stretch. He struck out 172 but walked 107, most on the team.

Bruce Kison (19-8, 3.48, 1.40, .258/.320/.370) was solid all season and brilliant in the playoffs.

Larry Demery (6-3, 4/4, 2.83, 1.26) served mostly as a long reliever but also made 12 starts, usually to give Kison an extra day of rest. He allowed only six home runs in 128 innings.

Gossage's former closer role was admirably filled by Dave LaRoche (2-3, 46/52, 2.15, 1.33, .182/.308/.283) though he walked a tremendous number of batters (44 in 67 innings). On the plus side he struck out 80 and allowed just one home run.

Darold Knowles (7-3, 1/3, 2.81, 1.17, .235/.291/.385) quietly had a very good year in a setup role while Skip Lockwood (3-3, 2.57, 1.40, .248/.333/.346) struck out 38 in 35 innings. Bill Lee was very good (1-1, 2/2, 3.09, 1.03, .235/.274/.296) in 32 innings. Elias Sosa pitched only 18 innings, allowing just five runs and 19 baserunners.

1977 Preview:

1977 brings the Designated Hitter to the APL, and with it realignment as only the Patriot League will use the DH.



Division Preview:

Milwaukee starts the season at home against the powerful Montreal Loria Lynchers.

Game 1: Former Rider Fred Norman gets the start for Montreal, and he is dominant. The Riders manage only five hits and a walk off Norman, losing 8-0. Milwaukee starter Tommy John has a rough outing, leaving in the fifth having surrendered six runs.

Game 2: Milwaukee is held scoreless through six before breaking out for four in the seventh; Frank Taveras' double plates Larry Biittner and Ted Sizemore to score the first Rider runs of the season, and Rich Gossage makes a successful return to the closer role with 1.1 scoreless innings to protect a 4-2 lead.

Game 3: Probably not time to panic just yet, but Jon Matlack is pounded by the Lynchers and Catfish Hunter has no problem putting away the Rider hitters. Montreal takes the series with a 7-2 win that isn't as close as it might sound. Richie Hebner homers for Milwaukee, the team's first of the season.

The Riders head to the nation's capital to face the Commandos.

Game 4: Rookie Lary Sorensen makes a spectacular debut, pitching seven 1-hit innings against the Commandos, and the Riders spoil Washington's home opener with a 4-0 shutout. Sorensen walks none and strikes out none as he pitches to contact. The game is scoreless through six, but the Riders rally for four in the seventh.

Game 5: Bill Lee makes his return to the rotation with a bang... of sorts. Rich Dauer blasts a two-run homer off Lee in the fourth; Enos Cabell adds one off Ron Reed, and the Commandos hold on for a 6-3 win over Milwaukee.

Game 6: Tommy John is much better in this start, pitching eight shutout frames before tiring in the ninth. Rich Gossage allows a three-run homer after relieving him, but the Riders hold on for a 5-4 win. Mike Ivie homers for Milwaukee.

The Riders head to Cleveland to face the Saltdogs.

Game 7: Thurman Munson, off to a slow start, hits a two-run single and two-run triple to spark the Riders to a 7-2 win over the Saltdogs. Milwaukee gets four scoreless innings from the bullpen in relief of Bruce Kison.

Game 8: Jon Matlack is only slightly improved from his first start of the season and certainly no match for Dennis Eckersley. Eck pitches a complete game against the Riders as the Saltdogs win 6-1.

Game 9: Three Riders hit their first home run of the season, and Richie Hebner hits his second.. it's a grand slam in a 10-run eighth. Lary Sorensen pitches five more scoreless innings and the Riders romp, 17-2.

Milwaukee returns home to face Cincinnati before beginning divisional play.

Game 10: Milwaukee explodes for six runs in the seventh, capped by Larry Hisle's first home run of the season, and Rich Gossage induces three consecutive ground balls to short to earn the save as Milwaukee evens their home record at 2-2 with an 8-5 victory.

Game 11: Larry Hisle hits a home run for the second straight game and Tommy John pitches a complete game 3-hit shutout as the Riders defeat Cincy, 6-0.

Game 12: Bruce Kison is brilliant and Rich Gossage picks up a two-inning save as the Riders beat the Steamboats 2-1.

Divisional play sends the Riders west to face the Anaheim Angels.

Game 13: Jon Matlack gets his first win of the season, allowing a single run in five innings of work, and the Riders get contributions from up and down the lineup as they beat the Angels 8-2 to start divisional play.

Game 14: Milwaukee scores four runs in the second, but goes silent for the rest of the game. Lary Sorensen's shutout streak ends and the Angels score twice off Dave Campbell to score a 5-4 win.

Game 15: Bill Lee goes six strong innings for his first win of the season and Frank Taveras hits a two-run triple as the Riders beat Anaheim 5-2. Taveras is the first Rider to hit double digits in RBI this season.

Game 16: Tommy John allows only an unearned run in seven innings of work and the Riders take the series from Anaheim with a 6-3 decision. Hal McRae hits his second home run of the season and Ted Sizemore has two hits, two runs, and two RBI.

Milwaukee travels to Minnesota to face the new division opponent Mooseheads.

Game 17: Thurman Munson hits his first home run of the season and Frank Taveras drives home three more runs as the Riders win the opener at Minnesota, 9-2 behind Bruce Kison (3-0).

Game 18: Len Randle reaches base four times and Ted Sizemore has three hits as the Riders win 8-4. Jon Matlack survives six innings and evens his record at 2-2.

Game 19: Lary Sorensen can't even get out of the first inning in this one, exiting after a three-run homer by Otto Velez makes the score 5-0, and the Mooseheads get their first win of the series by a 7-2 score.

Game 20: Wayne Nordhagen hits his first home run of the season but Ron Reed allows a big homer to Willie Horton, this one a grand slam in the seventh, and the Mooseheads earn a split with a 7-5 win.

Milwaukee will play its first two interleague sets against Pittsburgh and Houston before facing division co-leader Los Angeles.

Oops.

Game 21: Len Randle hits his first home run of the season, a three-run shot, and four other Riders drive in at least two runs as Tommy John earns his fourth victory with a 14-3 decision over Pittsburgh.

Game 22: Milwaukee commits four errors and the top two batters in the lineup are 0-9 with nine men stranded as the Flying Dutchmen even things up with a 7-5 win at County Stadium.

Game 23: Milwaukee takes advantage of an overworked Houston bullpen and pulls away late for a 12-4 victory at County Stadium. Richie Hebner hits his third home run and drives home four runs.

Game 24: Lary Sorensen pitches six scoreless innings, doubles home a run, and scores as the Riders shut out the Hooligans 12-0 at the Astrodome. Bill Madlock and Ted Sizemore each hit their first home run of the season.

Milwaukee heads back to Milwaukee, where they will coast division co-leaders the LA Sunsets (16-8), the other new division entry this season.