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The excitement of the game began with a striking lineup on both sides. The Dodgers featured players like Steve Garvey, Dusty Baker, and the left-handed pitcher Ted Power, while the Astros boasted their stars, including Ken Landreau and catcher Alan Ashby. Despite being two giants of the National League, the Dodgers were unable to mount their usual offensive charge against Ryan, who was masterfully dissecting each opposing batter.
As the game progressed into the later innings, the tension began to mount. Ryan's fastball consistently reached remarkable velocities of up to 98 miles per hour, complemented by an equally lethal curveball that left batters helpless at the plate. Ryan managed to retire the first nine Dodger batters he faced, relying heavily on his unmatched strikeout ability.