[GeoPoto]

The first inning started out very poorly for Dock Ellis as he walked the first two Phillie batters, Ron Stone and Larry Bowa, to lead off the game. Ellis then righted the ship, getting Tim McCarver to fly out, and striking out Deron Johnson. Ellis was not able to get out of the inning unscathed however, as shortstop Jackie Hernandez was not able to handle a groundball hit by Willie Montanez. The play ended with Stone scoring, Montanez at first, and Bowa at third. Oscar Gamble then singled down the third-base line, allowing Bowa to score. Ellis finally got out of the inning after Terry Harmon, flied out to center. The Pirates roared back in the bottom of the first, with six of the first seven batters reaching base on singles or doubles. By the end of the inning, the Pirates had batted around, knocked out starter Fryman who was replaced by Bucky Brandon, and scored five runs.

Batting cleanup and playing left field: Wilver D. "Willie" Stargell. "Pops". Left fielder/first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1962-1982. 2,232 hits and 475 home runs in 21 MLB seasons. Although he won the NL MVP in 1979, his best season was 1973 as he posted 44 home runs and a .392 OBP in 609 plate appearances. 7-time All-Star. 2-time World Series champion. 1979 NL Most Valuable Player. 1979 World Series and NLCS MVP. 2-time NL home run leader. 1973 NL RBI leader. Pittsburgh Pirates #8 retired. Was inducted to the MLB Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 1988.