Bucs Top Reds

Willie Stargell clubbed a three-run homer in the top of the eleventh inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 5-2 victory over the Cincinatti Reds in the opening game of the National League playoffs in Cincinatti last night.

The Reds loaded the bases in the bottom half of the eleventh to no avail, as Pirate hurler Don Robinson struck out Ray Knight to clinch the contest.

Stargell unloaded on the first pitch from reliever Tom Hume with Dave Parker and pinch-runner Matt Alexander aboard. Hume replaced Tom Seaver, who held the Bucs to two runs through the first eight frames.

Grant Jackson took the win for the Pirates, and Robinson earned the save. Bucs' starter John Candelaria dueled Seaver for seven innings before Enrique Romo and Kent Tekulve came on in relief.

Phil Garner of the Pirates and the Reds' George Foster also belted home runs in the protracted battle.