Murphy Gets Hit in Phillie Debut, but Pirates Win

After making a tearful departure from Atlanta after 15 years with the Braves, Dale Murphy said he was excited about joining the Philadelphia Phillies.

Murphy, once one of the most feared hitters in baseball, had a single in four at-bats in his debut in right field Saturday night at Philadelphia.

Don Slaught doubled home two runs in the 10th inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-1 victory and a tie for first place with the New York Mets in the National League East.

A leadoff home run by Von Hayes in the bottom of the ninth sent the game into extra innings.

“I’ve always been impressed with the way things are run here,” Murphy said. “I think there’s a bright future here.”

Murphy was robbed of a hit in the first when shortstop Jay Bell made a diving catch of his line drive.

“I was a little nervous,” Murphy said. “After all, I was with the Braves a long time.”