Padres’ rookie Ozzie Smith, a future Hall of Famer due to his defensive prowess at short, makes what he will rate as his best play ever when he dives to his left to field a grounder hit by Jeff Burroughs of Atlanta. Although the ball takes a bad hop and scoots behind the ‘Wizard’s’ head, he promptly sticks out his bare right hand, snagging the ball before popping to his feet to get the out at first base.
Ken Boyer replaces Vern Rapp at Cardinal Manager
Phillie Phanatic makes his debut
1978 – Nolan Ryan of the California Angels strikes out 15 batters for the 20th time in his career, but leaves in the 9th inning without a decision. The Seattle Mariners prevails over the Angels, 6 – 5, in the 12th.
On April 23, 1978, Joe Morgan of the Cincinnati Reds makes an error at second base, bringing his major league record of 91 consecutive errorless games to an end. Morgan had begun the streak on July 6, 1977.
On April 22, 1978, California Angels’ Second baseman Bobby Grich is surrounded by Minnesota Twins as he tries to get at pitcher Roger Erickson after Erickson threw a pitch Grich thought was aimed at him in the fourth inning Saturday at Bloomington. The fuss emptied both benches as the other players got into a series…
1978 – A Hollywood ending helps Houston subdue the Dodgers, 8-6. With two on against Ken Forsch in the bottom of the ninth, Ron Cey lines to Bob Watson who steps on first to double off Reggie Smith. Watson spins and throws to Roger Metzger at second who beats Bill Russell to the bag to complete the game-ending triple play. Joe Ferguson’s three-run homer in the eighth had given the Astros their lead.
After getting ahead in the count 3-0, Reggie Jackson, knowing he has a green light to hit away, feigns to be upset by getting a bogus take sign from third base coach Dick Howser. Oriole right-hander Tippy Martinez, deceived by the batter’s behavior, grooves a fastball down the middle of the plate that the Yankee slugger promptly puts over the fence, giving the Yankees a 4-3 walk-off victory.
On April 16, 1978, Bob Forsch of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. Forsch, who wins a 5-0 decision, becomes the first Cardinals’ pitcher to pitch a no-hitter in St. Louis since Jesse Haines in 1924.
4/15/1978: Oscar Gamble of San Diego hit a two-run homer in the first inning off the Giants’ Ed Halicki with one out. The game, at San Diego, was called in the fourth inning because of rain.
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