Network: NBC
Announcers: Vin Scully, Joe Garagiola
Format: DVD (3 disks)
Quality: 8.75
Notes: Includes pre-game, post-game and commercials.

Cardinals take the opener with a 5-3 win over the Giants.

Plan B works in St. Louis' favor as Greg Mathews makes an emergency start in place of Danny Cox and stymies San Francisco on 4 hits and 3 runs. With Cox sidelined by a sore neck, Mathews weathers a mistake and a blast to go 7 1/3 innings before departing with 1 out in the 8th after allowing his 1st walk.

The Giants take the lead in the 1st when an error opens the door, and then retake the lead 2-1 on Jeffrey Leonard's leadoff HR in the 4th. The Cardinals answer each time, tying it when Ozzie Smith starts the 4th with a triple off Rick Reuschel, and then scores on Willie McGee's 2-out single. Terry Pendleton singles home the go-ahead run in the 6th before Mathews aids his own cause with a 2-run single.


Starting pitchers:
Giants - Reuschel
Cardinals - Mathews

Winning pitcher: Mathews
Losing pitcher: Reuschel