Ten days after beating the Pirates in Pittsburgh, Padres’ ace Gaylord Perry did it again in San Diego, throwing a complete game in a 6-3 Padres win. San Diego meanwhile jumped on John Candelaria early, knocking him out in the second inning.
Perry wasn’t quite as strong as in the earlier game, giving up 11 hits, but he fanned ten and kept the Bucs off the board for eight innings. The visitors missed a chance in the first inning, when Perry fanned Willie Stargell and Bill Robinson with runners at the corners. They had two on with none out in the third, but Tim Foli, back in action after missing two games, hit into a double play.
Those were the Pirates’ best threats until the ninth, when Phil Garner and pinch hitter John Milner singled to start the inning. Perry nearly got out of that, too, getting a pair of popups, but Dave Parker belted his 13th home run to provide all the Pirates’ offense for the day.
Parker’s drive didn’t do much to harm the Padres because they’d taken a big early lead against Candelaria. They started the bottom of the first with a walk and a bunt single, followed by Dave Winfield’s 15th home run to make it 3-0. San Diego loaded the bases with one out later in the inning, but a double play got Candelaria out of trouble for the time being.
It was a short respite. Perry led off the second with a single and the Padres loaded the bases with one out again. Candelaria nearly got out of it again, getting Gene Tenace to pop up, but Jerry Turner singled to make it 5-0 and end Candelaria’s day.
The Pirates’ bullpen held the fort well. Ed Whitson went two and a third scoreless innings. Jim Bibby had some trouble in the sixth, giving up one run. Enrique Romo finished with two scoreless innings.
The loss dropped Candelaria to 4-5. Parker and Stargell each had three hits. The Pirates remain in fourth place, four games behind first-place Montreal.
