June 8, 1977 – Yankees 9, Brewers 2

MILWAUKEE – The third time apparently was the charm for the Yankees against Milwaukee left-hander Jerry Augustine.

The first two times he pitched against New York back in April, Augustine won both games and gave up just five runs on 10 hits in 15.2 innings. This time, the Yankees blitzed him for five hits and five runs and knocked him out in the second inning.

All five of the runs came in the second inning when the Yankees hit three home runs – solo shots back-to-back by Roy White and Reggie Jackson, and a three-run blast by Bucky Dent. Dent later hit a solo homer in the eighth, his first multi-homer game, he reckoned, ever.

“Even including Little League,” Dent said. “I don’t know how I did it. I’ve already asked myself that question. Maybe it’s because they’re pitching to me more on this team with guys like Rivers, Chambliss, Munson and Jackson coming up behind me. Maybe it’s because they sigh with relief when I come up as the ninth hitter after having to face such guys like Munson, Jackson, and White etc. Whatever it is, it sure feels good.”

Another guy who had a nice night was backup catcher Fran Healy who went 2-for-4 with two RBI playing in place of Munson who was sent back to New York to get his infected hand treated.

“I always felt I could become a decent hitter if I was given a chance to play regularly,” said Healy. “But I’m the backup catcher and it’s a role you have to adjust to. They pay you to catch. They don’t really expect you to hit.”

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