Dernier’s Sprint From Second Helps Cubs Beat Phillies, 2-1

Bob Dernier ignored third base coach Ruben Amaro’s stop sign, and his alert base running helped the Chicago Cubs score a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies Friday.

Phillie starter Bruce Ruffin (3-3) had allowed only three hits until Dernier led off the sixth with an infield single. Dernier stole second and Sandberg then topped a ball to the right of the plate and reached first safely for a hit. Dernier, who never stopped running, rounded third to draw a throw from Philadelphia first baseman Von Hayes.

Hayes, however, elected to throw to third, and threw wildly as Dernier crossed the plate and Sandberg reached second on the throwing error.

“After Sandberg beat out his swinging bunt, I noticed home plate was not covered so I just yelled at Amaro, ‘Don’t stop me, I’m coming through. There’s nobody home.’ ”

Said Hayes: “It was very dark in the shadows at that time, and when I saw Dernier running hard around third, I decided to throw to third hoping (Mike) Schmidt would then throw home and we’d get Dernier.”

With the score tied, 1-1, Gary Matthews struck out and Sandberg took third on Keith Moreland’s grounder. Jody Davis then rifled a single up the middle for the game-winner.

“They got two cheap hits in the sixth and not covering home plate did not help,” Philadelphia Manager John Felske said. “Bruce Ruffin and (catcher John) Russell both went after the ball and home plate was left unguarded.”

Steve Trout, who made only his second relief appearance of the season and fourth in four years with the Cubs, pitched 2 innings to even his record at 5-5. It was Trout’s first victory in relief since Sept. 23, 1983.

Lee Smith pitched the ninth for his 21st save. Smith became the Cubs’ all-time save leader with 134, surpassing Bruce Sutter.

“While I love getting saves, I’d much rather be in a World Series if I had a real goal,” Smith said.

Philadelphia threatened in the eighth. Gary Redus led of with a single. One out later, Redus stole second and then third. Trout struck out Juan Samuel and intentionally walked Schmidt. Hayes then bounced out to first to end the threat.

Cubs starter Rick Sutcliffe was told by acting Manager John Vukovich he would throw only 80 pitches under his new rehabilitation program. Sutcliffe, in only his second starting since being reactivated from the disabled list, pitched 5 2-3 innings. Sutcliffe gave up one run, three hits and did not walk a batter.