Tuesday, August 20, 2013

St. Louis Takes World Series in 5.

The St. Louis Cardinals turned away the reining champion Detroit Tigers in 5 games to win the 1968 World Series.
St. Louis players celebrate Championship.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Braves Sweep Giants


Atlanta                                                       Game 1,
Alou banged out 8 hits and 6 RBI in 3 games.
Felipe Alou had a huge day as he collected 4 hits including a grand slam homerun to help run the Giants out of the first game of the series.  Alou drove in 5 runs including 4 on a grand slam in the seventh inning off reliever Ron Herbel. Felix Millan had a perfect day as he went 5 for 5 and Hammering Hank drove in 3 runs on a single and sacrifice fly. The beneficiary of this offensive onslaught was south paw George Stone who improves to 6-3. The loser for San Francisco was Ray Sadecki (12-12). Braves 11. Giants 5.


Game 2,

Young right hander Al Santorini was not sharp today but he received enough support to record his first win of the season. Santorini only threw 5 innings but surrendered 7 runs until he yielded to the Atlanta bullpen to finish out the contest.  Kelley and Claude Raymond threw 4 innings of strong relief to preserve the triumph for Atlanta.  Alou had another huge day as he went 3 of 4. back up catcher, Walt Hriniak had 3 hits and drove in 3 for the win.  Braves 10..Giants 7.


Game 3,
Lum delivers winning run.

The first two contests of the series contained high octane offenses but the third match was the complete opposite.  Pat Jarvis and Juan Marichal dueled in this game however neither were around to reap the reward of  victory.  The game was log jammed at 1-1 and had to go into extras to decide the contest.  The winning tally resulted in the bottom of the 10th. Joe Gibbon toed the rubber for San Francisco and promptly walked Felix Millan with one out.  Hank Aaron grounded a single to right but Millan stayed at second because of a laser throw to third by right fielder Bobby Bonds.  Tito Francona walked and that brought up outfielder Mike Lum.  Lum is batting a pitiful .185 against lefties this year however the portsider bout went to the feisty Lum, who lined a single back through the box to plate Millan and complete the 3 game sweep of the visiting west coasters. Claude Raymond pitched for the second straight day and improved to 5-4.  Braves 2..Giants 1 (10 innings)

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Braves Take Two from the 'Stros!

Jackson goes 4 for 4 in game 1.
Atlanta,

Game 1,

Light hitting shortstop Sonny Jackson provided the punch to push the Braves over the Astros in the first game of the series.  Jackson collected 4 hits and drove in the winning run to give Pat Jarvis his 12 win of the season.  Both teams were knotted at one a piece going into the bottom half of the ninth inning. That changed with one man down, Tito Francona slashed a single to center.  Francona was erased on a ground out by Mike Lum.  Johnson then followed with a basehit allowing Lum to race to third. That brought up Sonny Jackson. Jackson ended matters with a clean single up the middle. Braves 2....Astros 1.



Game 2,

Knuckler Phil Niekro went the distance to earn his 15th triumph of the season.  Niekro was aided by a strong offensive surge as Atlanta batters pounded Houston pitchers to a tune of 17 hits.  Torre, Millan, and Felipe Alou led the charge with 3 safeties a piece.  Niekro scattered 10 hits and allowed only one run over the duration of the game. Braves 6...Astros 1.


Game 3,

Giusti strikes out eleven Brave hitters.
Dave Giusti and Milt Pappas were locked into a strong pitching match as both hurlers would not give an inch for most of the contest.  The tough right handers were tossing goose eggs frame after frame until Houston broke through in the top of the ninth.  Bob Aspromonte grounded a single on the left side to plate Julio Gotay to put Houston up 1-0.  That was all the scoring that was needed in this game as Giusti shut down the Brave batters with eleven strikeouts over 9 innings.  Astros 1...Braves 0.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Cubs Sweep Astros to Continue NL Surge

The Cubs, recently moving into sole possession of second place in the NL, continue their surge by sweeping Houston, 3-0.

Chicago's Ernie Banks becomes the first 1968 Cubbie to hit 30 home runs (with Santo and Williams poised to join him soon). Houston's Jimmy Wynn hits a home run in each of the three games, putting him at 22 for the year. Chicago is now 75-64, while last-place Houston drops to 51-87.

Game 1: Cubs 4, Astros 2
W: Jenkins (19-9)
L: Dierker (10-11)
S: Regan (21)

"Mr Cub" drives in three, including a solo shot to left center for Banks' 30th home run. Fergie Jenkins wins his 19th but needs another great relief outing from Phil Regan to nail it down late.
Phil Regan is among the league leaders
with 22 saves and a sparkling 1.89 ERA.

Game 2: Cubs 3, Astros 2
W: Reynolds (3-0)
L: Wilson (8-17)
S: Regan (22)

Houston can't hold onto a 2-1 lead early, even as Astros pitcher Don Wilson and "Toy Cannon" Wynn both blast solo homers off Joe Niekro. In the eighth, Santo strokes a double, two batters are walked, and Randy "Rebel" Hundley (who goes four-for-four) and Don Kessinger single in two runs. Regan again nails it down after putting two on in the ninth.

Game 3: Cubs 9, Houston 1
W: Hands (12-11)
L: Lemaster (4-15)

A close one turns into a laugher late as Chicago scores six times in the bottom of the seventh off a hard-hit Denny Lemaster. The big  blow is a bases clearing single from Kessinger, who goes three-for-four and records his seventh triple in the process.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Braves and Bucos Split a Pair

Pappas earns his 7th win.
Atlanta,

Game 1,

Marty Martinez and Felix Millan each pound out 3 hits in a 10 hit Atlanta attack that sunk the visiting Pirates.  Steve Blass was not sharp and fell to 15-7 as he gave up 5 runs through six innings.  Milt Pappas improves to 7-2 but needed help in the ninth from Cecil Upshaw, who earned his 12th save of the year. Braves 5....Pirates 2.


Game 2,

Wills swipes three bags.
Pittsburgh erupted for a four run 7th inning to erase a Brave lead.  Roberto Clemente added a solo homerun in the ninth inning for some insurance. Tommie Sisk earned his 5th win in relief with three innings of two hit, shutout ball.  Claude Raymond ( 4-3) got tagged with the loss for Atlanta.  Maury Wills smacked out 3 hits and stole three bags in the Pittsburgh victory.  Pirates 5...Braves 4.


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Braves Get Back on Track Against the Phillies

Atlanta,
                                                             Game 1,

Cookie crushes round tripper.
The visiting Phillies slam four homeruns off Pat Jarvis to take the first of a 3-game series in Atlanta.  Infielder Cookie Rojas hit his 9th homerun of the year in the third inning to get things going. Dick Allen clubbed a another long blast a batter later. Clemens and White also added homeruns to put the game out of reach.  Rick Wise improved to 5-15 while Pat Jarvis" The Launching Pad" gave up 6 earned runs to sink to 10-10.  Phillies 6....Braves 4. 



Game 2,

Stone clubs Phillie batters.
George Stone pitched a complete game shutout to make his record at 4-2.  Stone had very little stress in this game as the Braves plated nine runs including a five spot in the seventh inning as Atlanta strung together seven singles in the frame to make it a blowout.  Felipe Alou and Felix Millan banged out 3 hits to lead the charge.  Braves 9...Phillies 0.


Game 3,

Phil Niekro's famous knuckle ball was dancing all over the place as the Phillie batters had a difficult time getting good wood on the ball.  Millan drove in a run with an RBI single in the third and that was the only scoring until the bottom of the eighth inning.  Felipe Alou reached base on the second of two errors on the night by Bill White. Millan followed the White with a base on balls. Aaron then drove in White with a basehit. Francona finished the scoring an RBI on his own.  Niekro was the star with a complete game victory to even his record at 12 wins and 12 losses.  Braves 3....Phillies 1.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Cubs and Braves Split

In four tight games, the Cubs and Braves split the series, 2-2, as each look to make up ground on the first-place Cards. Atlanta -- behind the red-hot hitting of Felipe Alou and Felix Millan at the top of the order -- is now 65-62 while the Cubs -- sporting three players (Williams, Banks and Santo) with at least 25 HRS and 75 RBIs - sit at 68-61.

Game 1: ATL 3, CHIC 1
W: Stone (3-2)
L: Holtzman (11-10)
S: Kelley (3)

Atlanta's George Stone, working his way into the starting rotation in August after recently being called up,  only allows one run in 6.1 innings for the win. Red-hot Felipe Alou goes three-for-four and moves his hitting streak to 10 games.

Game 2: CHIC 4, ATL 0
W: Hands (11-11)
L: Niekro (11-12)

Up-and-down veteran Bill Hands pitches a masterpiece with a complete game three-hit shutout to even the series. Williams' 25th and Santo's 27 homers off Phil Niekro provide the cushion.

Game 3: ATL 9, CHIC 2 (11 innings)
W: Upshaw (3-1)
L: Upham (0-1)

In a game much closer than the score would indicate, the Cubs and Braves battle to a 2-2 tie through nine behind solid pitching from Milt Pappas and Fergie Jenkins (the ML strikeout leader fans nine more). But in the top of the 11th, the Braves scalp the Cubs at Wrigley with seven earned runs off relievers John Upham and Jack Lamabe, who combine to give up seven Braves hits in the inning.

Game 4: CHIC 6, ATL 5
W: Reynolds (1-0)
L: Upshaw (3-2)

For most of this game (the second of a twi-night doubleheader), the Cubs look to be beaten, as shaky starter Rich Nye gives up 10 hits and four runs in 6 innings (two RBIs from Braves shortstop Marty Martinez). But a Don Kessinger homer (his first of the year) off Atlanta starter Ron Reed fuels the comeback. Behind 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth and Braves closer Cecil Upshaw on the mound, all appears lost.

But pinch-hitter Jim Hickman gets the rally started with a single and Glenn Beckert raps a base hit to put runners on the corners with one out. Williams' single scores Hickman to close the gap to 5-4. With two outs, Santo walks and brings up Willie Smith. The baseball vagabond cheers the Cubs' faithful by rapping a bases loaded single to win it.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Cubs Climb Closer to Reds

The Cubs, recently dropping to fourth in the NL standings after series losses to the teams above them, take a home series from the Reds, 3-1, to move a bit closer. Chicago is now 66-59, while the Reds are 64-56.

Game 1: Cubs 8, Red 7
W: Hands (10-11)
L: Maloney (10-7)
S: Upham (1)

The Cubs jump to an 8-0 lead after five off struggling Jim Maloney, largely off home runs by Ron Santo (his 26th), Jim Hickman and Randy Hundley. But Bill Hands again breaks down late, allowing seven Reds  runs in the next three innings, with the key blow a three-run homer from Tony Perez (12). After usual closer Phil Regan struggles, pitcher/outfielder Jim Upham comes on to get the final outs, stranding two Reds in the bottom of the ninth.

Game 2: Cubs 6, Reds 1
W: Jenkins (17-9)
L: Cloninger (2-4)

Fergie Jenkins srikes out 10 to preserve his major-league lead in Ks, going to distance on a four-hitter. "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks drives in two with two doubles.
Alex Johnson has his hitting streak snapped
but is hitting .324 with 26 doubles 

Game 3: Reds 3, Cubs 1
W: Culver (12-8)
L: Nye (5-10)
S: Carroll (10)

George Culver breezes on a seven inning three-hitter to win his 12th, Tony Perez drives in two more and Alex Johnson smacks his 26th double. Rich Nye is again knocked around, this time for 13 hits in five innings. It would have been worse, but three Reds baserunners are thrown out at the plate in this one.

Game 4: Cubs 5, Reds 3
W: J. Niekro (9-8)
L: McCool (3-4)
S: Regan (20)

The Reds's Gary Nolan shuts down the Cubs early, while his counterpart, Joe Niekro, gives up solo homers to Pet Rose (15), Mack Jones (10) and Leo Cardenas (3) to stake Cincy to a 3-0 lead. But then Nolan departs in the fourth after reaching his low pitch limit. Billy McCool (the best name in baseball) can't find the plate, allowing seven walks and three baserunners to cross the plate via the base on balls. Phil Regan has a good two-inning outing to save his 20th.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Cardinals take on Braves

Atlanta,

                                                                Game 1,
Gibson lowers ERA to 1.33
Bob Gibson was simply overpowering as he won his 14th game of the year and lowered his ERA to 1.33. Felipe Alou and Felix Millan were the only Braves to get a hit off the dominant right hander. Orlando Cepeda hit a homerun in the 9th inning to account for the only run in the game for either team. Phil Niekro was the hard luck loser and goes to 10-11 on the season. Cardinals 1....Braves 0.



Game 2,

John Edwards smacked a homerun and whacked out 3 hits to lead the bird offense in the second game of the series.  Julian Javier crushed a 2-run homerun to erase a 2-1 Brave lead.  Nellie Briles went the distance scattering 9 hits and 2 runs and improves to 10-8.  Cardinals 3...Braves 2.


Game 3,

Deron Johnson crushed two homeruns and drove in 7 RBI.
Lefty Steve Carlton was roughed up by a struggling Brave offense. Atlanta plated 3 runs in the third and put up a five spot in the fourth inning.  Carlton was not helped by the Cardinal offense as 6 of his 10 runs given up were unearned. St. Louis committed 3 costly errors to keep rallies alive for Atlanta.  Deron Johnson had a huge day as he drove in seven runs on two homeruns. Johnson came to bat in the third inning with 2 men on and deposited a long fly into the seats. If that was not enough, Johnson tagged Carlton again in the 4th inning. This time the bases were juiced as Johnson gave the fans another souvenir on a grand slam. Pat Jarvis pitched seven solid innings as he evened his record at 9-9. Braves 10.....Cardinals 5.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Orioles Respond To Weaver Challenge

Skipper Earl Weaver shows his disagreement with head
umpire Andy Kaiser after Kaiser ejected starting pitcher
Jim Hardin in the 5th inning. 
After losing 3 of 4 to the Minnesota Twins just a few days ago, the Baltimore Orioles were issued a challenge by head skipper Earl Weaver, "*&##$!!!!   or get off the pot!"  The Baltimore players responded with a 3-0 sweep of the visiting California Angels.  Weaver who had been ranting and raving since the Twins debacle, continued to release his venom on veteran umpire Andy Kaiser,  after Kaiser ejected starting pitcher Jim Hardin for arguing a ball 4 call on Angel outfielder Joe Davalillo.  Hardin was 5.2 inning in and had only allowed 2 hits, 1 run and struck out 4 when he chest bumped Kaiser in a heated disagreement of the call.   Weaver would follow the aggressive starter to the showers as Kaiser would give him the hook as well.  After the game Weaver was upset at starter Hardin for his ejection, "The job of arguing with the umpire belongs to the manager, because it won't hurt the team if he gets thrown out of the game."  "Hardin pitched a fine game but could have hurt the squad with his antics."  However, Pete Reichert would replace Hardin with a fine performance as he would earn the win in the 2-1 ballgame, before giving way to Eddie Watt who would earn the save.  Baltimore pitchers would strike out 19 Angel hitters in the series and Orioles took home a 4-0, 3-1, 2-1 victories.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Phillies win 2, Giants salvage game 3

Game 1: Philadelphia 5 San Francisco 4 (10 innings)
W: Wagner (5-3)  L: Linzy (2-4)
Linzy blows the save in the 9th, then loses the game in the 10th.

Game 2: Philadelphia 4 San Francisco 1
W: Jackson (7-6)  L: Perry (13-8)
Giants got their only run and 3 of the 7 hits in the 1st inning.  Jackson was basically untouchable after that point.

Game 3: San Francisco 4 Philadelphia 3 (10 innings)
W: Monbouquette (1-1)  L: Boozer (4-2)
Mays drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th with a walk off single.

Baltimore Bats Struggle - Twins take 3 of 4

Earl Weaver demands changes with struggling
ballclub.
Baltimore fans continue to watch their team struggle as they drop 3 of 4 with the Minnesota Twins. The Orioles team batting average continues to plummet to the bottom of the league (.218) as they were outscored 13-8 in the series. Aging veterans like Frank Robinson (.257 avg 3HR) and Brooks Robinson (.262 avg 12 HR) were reported to have had a closed door meeting with head skipper Earl Weaver, after the series, to try and motivate the team down the stretch run.
Weaver was quoted after the series, "A manager's job is simple. For one hundred sixty-two games you try not to screw up all that smart stuff your organization did last December." However, the cagey manager is finding it hard to live up to those prophetic words as his ball club now sits at 49-62 on the season. Weaver finished the interview by stating, "We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow."

Baltimore will see if they can turn their luck around as they will play host, in an upcoming weekend series, with California. The Twins, who sit at 3rd place in the division (62-48) travel to New York to take on the Bronx Bombers.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Giants win 2 of 3 vs. Bucs

Game 1: Pittsburgh 2 San Francisco 1 (14 innings)
W: Henry (1-2)  L: Herbel (3-3)
Gaylord Perry pitched 4 hit ball through 10 innings, but Willie Stargell hit his 24th homerun in the 6th and scored the go-ahead run in the 14th to give Pittsburgh the win.

Game 2: San Francisco 7 Pittsburgh 1
W: Sadecki (10-9)  L: Veale (10-8)
Willie Mays hit 2 homeruns and had 5 RBI's as SF evened the series.

Game 3: San Francisco 4 Pittsburgh 3
W: Bolin (5-2)  L: Bunning (5-9)
Mays' 3 run homerun staked the Giants to a 4-0 lead, then they held on as the Bucs scored 2 in the 9th and had the tying run on 3rd with one out, but could not push it across. 


Braves Sweep Reds!

Atlanta,

Game 1,

Marty Martinez singled in Bob Johnson and that was the only scoring as both team's bats were silenced by fantastic pitching.  Ron Reed improves to 9-8 with a complete game shutout. Reed allowed only 3 measly hits. The hard luck loser was Gary Nolan. Braves 1....Reds 0.


Game 2,
Pat Jarvis strikes out 13 Red batters.

In the night cap it was another nail biter. Cincy took an early 2-0 lead on Pete Rose's 13th dinger of the year.  Atlanta came back with a run in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth.  Felix Millan gathered 3 hits to lead the Brave attack.  Pat Jarvis went the distance striking out 13 members of the Big Red Machine lineup.  George Culver falls to 10-7. Braves 3...Reds 2.




Game 3,

Alou's late hit drives in winning tally.
Tony Cloninger and Phil Niekro were tossing zeros for most of the game. When Cloninger began to tire, Ted Abernathy came in to relieve. However, Abernathy did not have the same mojo as his teammate and coughed up the winning tally in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Lum led of the 9th with a hit and back to back walks loaded the bases with Felipe Alou coming to the plate.  Alou grounded a sharp ground ball between Leo Cardenas and Tony Perez that brought around Lum to end the game and give the 3 game sweep to the Braves. Phil Niekro evens his record at 10-10 and Ted Abenathy gets the loss to fall to 7-2. Braves 1.....Reds 0.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Dodgers and Cubs Split Behind Solid Pitching

The Cubs and Dodgers, both vying to move up in the NL West, split a four-game series, marked by strong starting pitching in each game. The Cubs are now in third place at 55-48, while the Dodges also hold a winning record at 52-50.

Game 1: Cubs 4, Dodgers 1
W: Hands (7-10)
L: Singer (7-12)

Bill Hands tosses a six-hitter, with LA scoring its lone run in the ninth. Red-hot Billy Williams smacks a three-run shot off Bill Singer in the third to deflate the Dodgers.

Game 2: Dodgers 7, Cubs 0
W: Osteen (6-13)
L: Jenkins (14-7)

It's Claude Osteen's turn to shine, as he spins a complete game shutout. Cubs ace Fergie Jenkins is shelled for six runs in seven innings, allowing two homers from Jim Lefebvre (6, 7) and a two-run blast from Willie Davis (8).

Game 3: Cubs 5, Dodgers 2
W: J. Niekro (8-6)
L: Drysdale (13-7)

Young knuckleballer Joe Niekro outduels Dodgers ace Don Drysdale, striking out nine in eight innings of work. Billy Williams stretches his hit streak to 13 games (a streak that would end the next game), going four-for-four with four RBIs and smashing his 22nd homer. Jim Lefebvre hits another for LA in a losing effort.
Billy Williams has eight homers and a .307 average in July.

Game 4: Dodgers 6, Cubs 2
W: Sutton (7-4)
L: Holtzman (10-7)

21-year-old Don Sutton looks like a future ace. It's his turn to go nine, striking out six and only allowing seven hits. Ted Savage knocks in four, including a three-run homer (3). Willie Davis plunders his 31st base, and first-sacker Ron Fairly goes four-for-five off a frustrating day for the Cubs Ken Holtzman.


Sunday, May 12, 2013

American League Makes it Two In A Row

AL All Stars 3  NL All Stars 2, Astrodome - Houston, TX
Tony Oliva homers in the 6th to help AL
to a 3-2 win over the NL in the 1968
All-Star Game.
After a 9-4 whooping of the National League in 1967 the American League All Stars took the field looking to make it two in a row.  Behind the lumber of powerhouse hitters featuring Frank Howard, Reggie Jackson, Carl Yaztrazemski and Tony Oliva the AL All-Stars pounded out 9 hits en route to a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning.  Tony Oliva belted a 342 foot bomb off of NL's Tom Abernathy in the 6th inning to get the ball rolling for the American League.  But the NL would not give up easily.  A lead off single by Tom Haller followed by a Curt Flood single would put the NL All-Stars in a situation to make things tight in the bottom of the ninth.  SS Gene Alley would then single between third and short to load the bases for Tommy Helms with no outs.  Helms would respond with a  laser up the middle, driving in two runs, but Gene Alley would be thrown out at third trying to leg out an extra base.  However, things still looked good for the NL as Willie Mays and Willie Stargell both would have chances to tie things up with only 1 out.  Mays would take one deep off a Dean Chance fastball but not deep enough as AL CF Reggie Smith would glove it at the wall.  Dave McNally would then take the mound to face down Willie Stargell and the NL's final chance.  McNally would win the battle getting Stargell to ground out to 2nd and clinching the AL's 2nd straight win in as many years.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Chicago takes 2 of 3 from SF

Game 1: Chicago 5 San Francisco 4 (11 innings)
W: Stoneman (1-0)  L: Monbouquette (0-1)
Bill Monbouquette gives up go ahead homeruns in the 10th and 11th to give the game to the Cubs.

Game 2: Chicago 5 San Francisco 2
W: Jenkins (14-6)  L: Marichal (4-17)
Chicago hits 3 homeruns off of Marichal (2 by Ernie Banks) to hand the SF ace his 17th loss of the season.

Game 3: San Francisco 1 Chicago 0
W: Perry (13-6)  L: Holtzman (10-6)
Gaylord Perry pitched a 4 hit shutout to nail down his 13th win and help SF avoid the sweep.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Aaron Brothers team up to beat down the Bucos.

Atlanta,
Game 1,

Despite a pair of two-run homeruns by Pops Stargell, Atlanta manage to upend the Pirates in the first of a two game set.  Stargell hit his first homerun with a runner on base in the first inning off starter Ron Reed to give Pittsburgh an early 2-0 lead.  However the Braves were able to push across single runs in the second, third, and 5th innings to take the lead.  Stargell smashed another homerun in the top half of the seventh inning to regain the lead for the Pirates.  Atlanta tied the game at 4 in the 8th inning on a Felix Millan single to right.  The game went into extras and was won the in the 10th inning.  Johnson led off the 10th for Atlanta with a boomering double to right center and moved to third on a hard hit to center field.  The next batter, was pinch hitter Deron Johnson, who lifted a fly to deep right center to drive in Bob Johnson with the winning run. Braves 5...Pirates 4 (10 innings)


Game 2,

Hank and Tommie Aaron did most of the damage in the second game as the brothers combined for five hits and 5 RBI to lead the Braves past the Pirates.  Phil Niekro went the distance to improve to 8-9 on the season with a four-hit shutout.  Braves 8....Pirates 0.


Game 3,

Pittsburgh managed only 5 hits in the third game but it was good enough for two runs and that was all Steve Blass and three Pirate hurlers needed to defeat the Braves and prevent a sweep.  Blass improves to 11-4 while the victim was Milt Pappas who fell to 1-2 on the season.  Donn Clendenon hit his 9th homerun of the season in the sixth inning for insurance. Pirates 2...Braves 0.


Saturday, May 4, 2013

Giants and Braves Split A Pair

Atlanta,

Game 1,

Willie McCovey crushed a two-run homerun in the first game of a short 2 game set in Atlanta. San Francisco scored a pair of runs in the eighth inning to pull past the Braves.  Joe Gibbon(4-5) got the win in relief while Frank Linzy recorded his 7th save.  Giants 4....Braves 3.



 Game 2,

Second sacker Felix Millan knocked out 3 hits including his first homerun of the year and contributed 3 RBI to lead the Braves past San Francisco.  Phil Niekro improves to 7-9 while Cecil Upshaw getting his 8th save of the year.  Braves 5....Giants 4.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Dodgers Sweep Struggling Bravos.

Atlanta,

Game 1,

Jim Lefebvre and Popovich hit homeruns to lead the Dodgers past the Braves in the first game of a three game set at Fulton County Stadium.  Claude Osteen, the starter for Los Angeles has had a difficult year but was fantastic today with a complete game triumph to improve to 5-10. The hard luck starter for Atlanta, Phil Niekro, was tagged for fives runs in eight innings to fall to 6-9. Dodgers 7.....Braves 1.


Game 2,

Don Drysdale pitched 8 strong innings for his 11th win of the year.  Atlanta held a narrow 1-0 lead in this pitching duel between the veteran Dodger right hander and Jim Britton but Los Angeles struck for three runs late to seal the victory.  Brewer earned his 12th save for the Dodgers and Britton fell to 4-5.  Dodgers 3...Braves 2.

Game 3,

The final game of the series was another pitching duel that lasted for 12 innings.  Bill Singer and Pat Jarvis were the starters but were not around long enough to earn the "W".  The game was knotted at 3-3 until Tom Haller grounded a single to right field to score Tommy Davis with the go-ahead and eventual winning tally. Dick Kelley (3-8) got the loss in relief while the win went to Johnny Purdin (4-0).  Len Gabrielson homered for the Dodgers, and Joe Torre hit his 5th dinger of the season for Atlanta.  Dodgers 4....Braves 3 (12 innings).

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Astrodome Plays Host to '68 All Stars

Willie Horton was the top vote getter  in the
majors for the upcoming all-star game.
The Houston Astrodome will play host to the best players in major league baseball as the National and American league square off on July 9th.  The National League, lead by leading vote getter Ernie Banks, will be host to Willie Horton and the American League.  This game will be coached by the 1967 World Series managers, Erick Nelson (Philadelphia) and Larry Reeves (Detroit).

NL ROSTER
AL ROSTER

ACTUAL GAME BOXSCORE FROM 1968 AS Game

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Cubs Take Five-Gamer from Pirates

Overcoming some middling pitching in this series with a hard-hitting offense, the Cubs takes the Pirates 3-2 in a five-game series before the All Star break. The Cubs go into the break at 44-40, while the Pirates sit squarely at .500 with a 41-41 record.

Game 1: Cubs 7, Pirates 6
W: Regan (4-1)
L: Veale (9-4)

Phil Regan saves the Cubs , as "The Vulture" pitches four innings of relief for ineffective starter Rich Nye. Chicago rallies from an early 3-0, first-inning hole by scoring five in the fifth off Bob Veale. Ernie Banks hits two homers, including a solo eight-inning shot that breaks the tie. "Mr. Cub" now has 16 home runs this year in another great season for the ageless veteran.

Game 2: Cubs 5, Pirates 3
W: Jenkins (10-6)
L: Walker (2-2)

Cubs great Fergie Jenkins gets to double-digit wins in a complete game victory. A three-run fourth inning off Luke Walker does the trick, and doubles by Santo, Beckert, and Gene Oliver help support Jenkins.

Game 3: Pirates 5, Cubs 3
W: McBean (6-6)
L: Lamabe (2-1)
S: Face (6)

The Pirates, losers of five straight, pull out this game after it is tied 3-3 in the eighth. Freddie Patek goes three-for-five and Willie Stargell hits a monstrous ninth-inning shot (17) to put the Bucs ahead, as reliever Al McBean pitches four innings of shutdown relief.

Roberto Clemente heads into the All Star break hitting .333
Game 4: Pirates 12, Cubs 10
W: Blass (8-4)
L: Holtzman (9-4)
S: Face (7)

Steve Blass and Ken Holtzman both start on three-days rest, and the fatigue shows as both offenses erupt, with the Pirates scotching 23 hits and 12 runs and holding 12-3 lead in the sixth. The Cubs try to make a game of it with 19 hits of their own but fall a bit short, as Elroy Face again shuts them down in the ninth. The Pirates blast four homers tossed back onto the field from the Wrigley faithful,  two by Roberto Clemente (9, 10), while Manny Mota goes four-for-five and hits his first roundtripper of 1968.

Game 5: Cubs 5, Pirates 1
W: Hands (5-8)
L: McBean (6-7)

Cubs starter Bill Hands saves the series with a complete game. The Cubs are in control the entire game, led by two homers (16, 17) from Chicago's great 3B Ron Santo.


Braves and Astros Battle to a split in Hotlanta!

Atlanta,
Game 1,


Both teams had trouble generating any offense as Mike Cuellar and Ron Reed were able to wiggle out of jams for most of the game.  Neither team was able to touch home plate until the 11th inning when the Houston ball club got to lefty Dick Kelley for four runs.  Norm Miller smacked a run scoring double off the right field fence to crack the tie.  Miller came around to score when Red Staub found right field with ground ball single to right. The Toy Cannon--Jimmy Wynn walked and a free pass to Dennis Menke plated another run. Tom Dukes earned his 4th win and John Buzhardt got his second save. Dick Kelley falls to 3-7. Astros 3.....Braves 0 (11 innings)

Game 2,

Phil Niekro went the distance and all he got to show for it was his 8th loss( 6-8).  The nifty knuckler had trouble locating his pet pitch. It was either feast or famine as he struck out 9 Astro batters but most of the time the slow pitch just rolled up to the plate and Houston tagged it to the tune of seven runs on thirteen hits.  John Bateman and Doug Rader each had 3 hits. Dick Simpson connected for a pinch homerun.  Dave Giusti earned the win to improve to 3-8. The save went to Danny Coombs.  Astros 7.....Braves 4.

Game 3,

Right hander Pat Jarvis threw a dominant game as he pitched a complete shut out allowing only three singles, no walks, and six punch outs.  The offense in the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Braves struck quickly off lefty starter and former Brave, Denny LeMaster.  Tommie Aaron drove in the first run with a single and then run scoring singles by Tillman and Sonny Jackson sealed the victory.  Jarvis moves to 6-7 while LeMaster sinks to a horrible 2-9. Braves 3...Astros 3.

Game 4,

It appeared that Houston was on their way to taking 3 of 4 in Atlanta but the Braves put on a little magic in the ninth inning.  Tommy Dukes was on the mound for the Astros when Joe Torre lead off the inning. The score was 6-4 in favor of Houston but Torre made it closer with his 4th homerun of the year.  Then with two outs, Deron Johnson hit a clutch homerun to tie the game and send it into extras.  The game was decided in the bottom of the tenth of a sacrifice fly to deep center field off the bat of Hank Aaron to plate Felipe Alou for the winning tally.  Jim Britton evens his record to 4-4 and Tommy Dukes falls to 4-6. Braves 7...Astros 6 (10 innings).

SF surprises St.Louis taking 2 of 3.

Game 1: San Francisco 6 St.Louis 2
W: McCormick (6-9)  L: Carlton (7-6)
 Willie Mays drove in 3 runs and scored 1 run.

Game 2: St.Louis 7 San Francisco 1
W: Gibson (9-6)  L: Marichal (4-14)
SF scored an early run off of Gibson, but then he shut the door.  Bobby Tolan's 2 run homer in the 8th sealed the win.

Game 3: San Francisco 6 St.Louis 1
W: Perry (10-5)  L: Jaster (7-5)
Gaylord Perry notches his 10 win as SF takes the rubber game of the series.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

SF and Atlanta split a 4 game series

Game 1: Atlanta 6 San Francisco 5 (11 innings)
W: Raymond (4-2)  L: Herbel (3-2)
Giant's bullpen gives up go-ahead runs in 9th, 10th, and 11th.

Game 2: San Francisco 3 Atlanta 1
W: Marichal (4-13)  L: Jarvis (5-7)
Marichal was sharp, striking out 10 for just his 4th win of the season.

Game 3: Atlanta 7 San Francisco 0
W: Pappas (2-0)  L: Perry (9-5)
Milt Pappas had a no hitter through 8-1/3 innings before PH Jesus Alou grounded a single to right to break it up, and save the Giants from further embarrassment.

Game 4: San Francisco 1 Atlanta 0 (12 innings)
W: Gibbon (3-4)  L: Stone (0-1)
Ray Sadecki pitched 10 shutout innings allowing just 4 hits, but SF could not push a run across until the 12th when Jack Hiatt lined a single to center scoring Davenport.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Dodgers take 2 of 3 from Braves


GAME 1 - Dodger Stadium
Pappas vs Kekich
Dodgers 2, Braves 1

A Willie Davis sac fly in the top of the 8th finally got the Dodgers on the board and tied the game at 1 apiece.  A 1 out Ron Fairly single in the bottom of the 9th scored Len Gabrielson in walk off fashion.  John Purdin (3-0) got the win in relief.  Milt Pappas looked to be the winner until the Dodgers tied it on an unearned run in the 8th.

GAME 2
K.Johnson vs Osteen
Braves 3, Dodgers 2 (11).

LA managed to rally back from a 2-0 deficit only to see the Braves in it in 11.  Hank Aaron (3-5, RBI) and Joe Torre (3-4, 2 RBI) were the offensive show.  Jim Britton (3-4, 2.21) had 3 scoreless innings out of the pen to nab the win.

GAME 3
R.Reed vs M.Grant
Dodgers 6, Braves 2

A two run blast by Dodger starter Jim "Mudcat" Grant was one of 3 long balls hit out of Chavez Ravine today.  Jim Lefebvre and Ken Boyer also his monster shots off of Brave starter Ron Reed

SF wins 2 of 3 against Cincinnati

Game 1: San Francisco 6 Cincinnati 2
W: Perry (9-4)  L: Cloninger (1-1)
A 3 run home run by 'Stretch' McCovey in the 1st and a solo shot by Ron Hunt in the 2nd turned out to be all the runs Gaylord Perry would need to post his 9th win.

Game 2: San Francisco 5 Cincinnati 1
W: Sadecki (7-8)  L: Nolan (2-3)
Ray Sadecki held the Reds scoreless until the 8th, then Frank Linzy came on in the 9th with the bases loaded and got a double play to end the game.

Game 3: Cincinnati 8 San Francisco 2
W: Culver (7-5)  L: McCormick (5-9)
Pete Rose went 5-5 to extend his hitting streak to 30 games and Don Pavletich hit 2 homeruns to give the Reds an easy win in the series finale.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Braves drop two to Phils!

                                                             Atlanta,
                                                             Game 1,

Ron Reed and Grant Jackson battled in a classic pitchers' duel on a hot, humid southern night.  Veterans Cookie Rojas and Bill White drove in runs to lead Philly past the host Braves.  Jackson went the distance to win his 5th game of the year.  Hard luck Ron Reed got the loss to move to 7-5 despite pitching very well. Phillies 2...Braves 1.


Game 2,

Rick Wise has had a difficult year for the Phillies but he was on his "A" game tonight with a complete game, five hit, shutout to earn his 2nd win of the year.  Johnny Callison homered off Phil Niekro for his 14th bomb of the season.  Outfielder Tony Gonzalez banged out 3 hits to lead an 11 hit Phillie attack.  Niekro (6-7) got the loss. Phillies 4....Braves 0.

                                   

Game 3,

Philadelphia went for the sweep in the third game and for the first seven innings it looked like it was going to happen.  Southpaw, Chris Short was throwing a strong game and had a narrow 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning.   Felipe Alou led off the inning and crushed a game tying homerun to center to ignite a four run inning for the Braves.  One out later, Hank Aaron narrowly missed a homerun when he hit the ball off the right center field fence for a double.  Tommie Aaron added a 2-run single to make the score 3-1 in favor of Atlanta.  Sonny Jackson concluded the scoring with an RBI single of his own.  Dick Kelley got the win in relief to improve to 3-6 while the loss went to Short (7-4). Braves 4....Phillies 1.


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Los Angeles takes 2 of 3 from San Francisco

Game 1: Los Angeles 5 San Francisco 0
W: Osteen (4-9)  L: Sadecki (6-8)
Osteen was too much for SF bats.

Game 2: San Francisco 4 Los Angeles 2
W: McCormick (5-8)  L: Drysdale (9-5)
Giants spoil Drysdale's chance for 10th win.

Game 3: Los Angeles 8 San Francisco 2
W: Singer (7-7)  L: Marichal (3-13)
Dodgers blow open a 2-2 game with 4 runs in the 8th.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Reds Pounce on Braves!

Atlanta,

Game 1,
Jim Maloney earned his 6th victory of the year as the Reds took the first game of a 4 game set in Atlanta.  Maloney also helped his cause with a homerun with a runner on base off Pat Jarvis.  Heavy hitter Lee May also added a homerun-his 9th of the year. Johnny Bench collected 3 hits including two RBI for the day. Reds 5...Braves 2.
                                   

Game 2,
Felipe Alou and Hammrin Hank hit homeruns but it was not enough as Pete Rose went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored
. Johnny Bench added his 8th dinger of the year.  Ted Abernathy pitched a scoreless inning in relief of starter Tony Cloninger. Abernathy earned the win to improve his record at 5-0.  The loser was Ken Johnson, who was tagged for six runs through 6 and 2/3 innings pitched. Reds 6....Braves 5.


Game 3,
Ron Reed was on his game with an 8 inning- 2 hit performance to improve to 7-4.  Fred Whitfield hit a two-run homerun to aid the Braves in the win.  Marty Martinez and Felipe Alou added 3 safeties a piece as Atlanta banged out 15 hits. Braves 6....Reds 3.


                                                             Game 4,
The finale was a test in endurance! Both teams had not plated a run through 15 innings. 5 hours and 22 minutes later we had a winner.  In the top half of the 16th frame, Johnny Bench lined a low laser over the right field fence off reliever Claude Raymond to break the tie.  Bill Kelso (2-1)  pitched two innings of relief for Cincinnati to earn the victory while Raymond (3-2) got the loss.  Reds 3...Braves 0 (16 innings)


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

SF comes to life and wins 3 of 4 vs. Pirates

Game 1: Pittsburgh 4 San Francisco 2
W: Veale (6-3)  L: Marichal (2-10)
Pirates scored all of their runs in the 1st inning and Veale limited SF to just 3 hits to pick up his 6th win of the season.

Game 2: San Francisco 5 Pittsburgh 1
W: Sadecki (4-7)  L: Blass (4-4)
Ray Sadecki scattered 6 hits and Jim Ray Hart hit his 2nd homer in two days as the Giants picked up only their second win in 10 games.

Game 3: San Francisco 6 Pittsburgh 3
W: Bolin (3-0)  L: Bunning (2-5)
A 1st inning homerun by Willie Mays got the Giants started and a 3 run shot by Hart gave Bolin a 5 run cushion to work with.  Pittsburgh scored 3 in the 6th and had the bases loaded in the 9th, but Willie Stargell popped out to end the game.

Game 4: San Francisco 6 Pittsburgh 1
W: Perry (7-4)  L: McBean (4-4)
Willie Mays jump started SF again with a 2 run blast in the 1st inning.  A four run 4th gave Gaylord Perry all the runs he needed to nail down his 7th win.






The Hard-Hitting Reds Continue Hold on First Place

Cincinnati continues to show off its power against the Cubs, pounding 10 long balls on the way to a 3-1 series win. The Reds are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have surged past St. Louis to lead the National League. The Cubbies suddenly are moving the other direction, going 4-6 in the past 10.

Pete Rose now has a 13-game hitting streak and is batting .342, while Vada Pinson has a big series and a 12-game hit streak of his own.

Game 1: CIN 7, CUBS 1
W: Nolan (1-1)
L: Holtzman (7-3)
MVP: Nolan

20-year-old Gary Nolan wins his first game of the year by coming of age in dramatic fashion, piecing together a complete game with nine Ks. Four homers, including two from Pete Rose (6, 7) finish off Ken Holtzman and the Cubs.

Game 2:  CUBS 7, CIN 4
W: J. Niekro (6-3)
L: Culver (5-4)
MVP: Phillips

The Cubs storm back behind a three-run first-inning home run from Adolfo Phillips and seven runs off Reds starter George Culver.

Game 3: CIN 5, CUBS 4
W: Maloney (5-3)
L: Jenkins (7-4)
S: Carroll (1)
MVP: Pinson

The best game of the series. Cincinnati takes an early lead off Fergie Jenkins behind a two-run shot from Tony Perez (8) but the Cubs start hitting Jim Maloney to tie it at three in the fifth, with Billy Williams blasting his 13th big fly. But with Chicago leading 4-3 in the top of eighth and a man on for the Reds with one down, Vada Pinson hits a heart-breaking two-run homer (2) that is the eventual game winner. The Cubs put Al Spangler on second with one out in the ninth off Clay Carroll, but Glenn Beckert hits it back to the pitcher on a hit and run. Carroll proceeds to double off Spangler, who was running on the play.

Game 4: CIN 7, CUBS 4
W: Cloninger (1-0)
L: Reberger (0-1)
MVP: Bench

After a quiet series, Johnny Bench breaks out with a two-run homer off spot starter Frank Reberger, as the Reds take an early 6-2 lead. The Cubs try to make a comeback off a wild Tony Cloninger but a shaky Bill Lee closes it out fpr the Reds.


Phillies Sweep 'Stros in Short Series

June 11, 1968
Dierker vs Wise
Philadelphia 5  Houston 3
The Phillies jumped out to a quick 2-0 in the first on the power of a Richie Allen 2 run homerun to left center field.  Houston tied the game in the 4th on singles by Bob Aspromonte and Julio Gotay along with doubles by Jim Wynn and Larry Dierker.  Rick Wise was lifted in the 6th inning in favor of Grant Jackson after giving up one out hits to Dierker and Ron Davis, however, Jackson gave up a SF to Dennis Menke and the Astros had the lead at 3-2.  Dierker was gone an inning later after not being able to hold the lead.  With one out, Richie Allen tied the game at 3 with his second HR of the game this time depositing it into the left field bleachers.  Johnny Callison followed with a single and Bill White worked a walk to put men on first and second.  Tony Taylor than followed with a single to left field but with one out the third base coach decided not to test Jim Wynn's arm in left.  Gary Sutherland came to the plate to PH for light hitting catcher Clay Dalrymple and delivered a double to left center field that plated the final two runs of the game.  Gary Wagner pitched a scoreless 9th inning to earn the save and a Philadelphia win.

June 13, 1968
Giusti vs Short
Philadelphia 6  Houston 5
For baseball fans who like the longball they got what they wanted today as the warm air carried 7 balls through the night air into the stands. Houston got on the board first when Bob Watson lauched the first HR of the evening down the left field line in the top of the second.  Bill White returned the favor in the bottom of the evening when his HR went down the right field line.  In the bottom of the 3rd Cookie Rojas gave the Phillies the lead with his solo HR down the left field line to the bleachers.  Then in the top of the 4th Rusty Staub got in the act and tied the game again with a solo homerun down the right field line making the score 2-2 with all runs coming on solo homeruns.  The string was finally broken when Philadelphia regained the lead in the bottom of the forth on a SF by Clay Dalrymple. Things settled down for 2 innings until the top of the 7th when the fireworks began again with a John Bateman solo HR into the left field bleachers to knot the score at 3 but Philadelphia took the lead in the bottom of the inning on a Johnny Briggs single.  The see-saw battle continued when Dennis Menke hit Houston 4th solo HR of the evening to tie the score at 4.  When Rusty Staub followed with a double Chris Short was lifted and John Boozer came on.  After a Boozer error Julio Gotay got a 2 out single to score Staub and give the Astros a 5-4 lead in the 8th.  Giusti came on to pitch the bottom of the inning and after getting the first man out he allowed a single to Bill White.  Giusti got the second out and that brought PH Johnny Callison to the plate as the potential winning run and he didn't disappoint the fans.  Callison drove a 1-0 pitch to the left center field stands.  His HR was the 7th of the evening and the first that was not a solo shot.  It gave Philadelphia a 6-5 lead and Turk Farrell came on to get the save.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Baltimore Swept by Visiting A's

Game 1 Baltimore 2 Oakland 3

WP Jack Acker
LP Eddie Watt
SV Tony Pierce
MVP: Blue Moon Odom

Oakland holds off a ninth inning push by the Orioles, on a soggy day at Memorial, to take game 1 of the double header.  A 56 minute rain delay forced both starting pitchers to have stinted lives in the game, but it was Blue Moon Odom who with the slight advantage eaking out 6.1 innings and only allowing only 2 hits and 1 run.  The A's put up 2 ninth inning runs to take a 3-1 advantage before closing out Baltimore with 1 run of their own.  Bert Campaneris continues to be a a base path nuisance to Baltimore as he steals two more bases "running" his total to 18 for the season (A's stole 4 on the day).

Game 2 Baltimore 1 Oakland 7
Jim Nash strikes out 12.
WP Jim Nash
LP Bruce Howard
MVP: Jim Nash

The A's smacked the Orioles around in the 2nd game of the doubleheader, scoring 3 1st inning runs, and not letting off the gas peddle until it was over.  Jim Nash struck out 12 batters en route to giving a complete game effort and picking up his 5th win of the season.  The only shining spot for the Orioles was a Brooks Robinson "so what" single shot homer in the ninth (his 5th of the season).  Reggie Jackson (7) and Webster (2) hit homers for Oakland.  Bert Campaneris is now on a 12 game hitting streak.

Game 3 Baltimore 1 Oakland 3
Bert Campaneris extends
hit streak to 13.
WP Catfish Hunter
LP Dave McNally
MVP: Catfish Hunter

Bert Campaneris extends his hitting streak to 13 games going 2 for 5 and picking up his 19th stolen base of the season.  Reggie Jackson's 8th homer of the season, in the 2nd inning, gave the A's a 3-0 lead, one which they would not relinquish.  Catfish Hunter went the distance, striking out 5 and allowing only 5 runs, picking up his 3rd win of the season.  Curt Mouton hit his 8th homer for the Orioles only run.  The sweep of the Orioles improves Oakland's record to .500 at 27-27.  Baltimore drops closer to the bottom of the AL at 23-31.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Braves Take Series to Tie Cubs in Standings

Atlanta sweeps a doubleheader to win two of three from da Cubs, tying them with identical 30-24 records and only 2 games off the pace of NL-leading St. Louis. The Braves have won six of seven from Chicago this year, this time snapping Chicago's recent string of series wins.

Game 1: CHIC 11, ATL 2
W: J. Nieko (5-3)
L: Jarvis (4-5)
MVP: Williams

The series started off well for the Cubs, as Billy Williams again had a day, going three-for-four with five Ribbies, three runs scored and a long home run (12). Banks (12) and Santo (7) also hit the long ball, as Chicago's trio of boppers drives in 10 of the 11 runs. Pat Jarvis doesn't stand a chance, giving up 10 runs in 5.2 innings.


Game 2: ATL 7, CHIC 0
W: Johnson (6-1)
L: Jenkins (7-3)
MVP: Johnson

33 years old and having pitched in the bigs for 10 years, Ken Johnson is having quite the season. As a spot starter, he continues to dominate, lowering his ERA to 1.30 with a CG shutout. Felipe Alou is pounding the ball; Atlanta's leadoff man goes four-for-five with three RBIs and two runs scored, hitting a homer (2) and double for an added bonus. Fergie Jenkins is belted for 11 hits and all seven runs.

Game 3: ATL 2, CHIC 1
W: Reed (6-3)
L: Hands (3-4)
S: Upshaw (7)
MVP: Reed

After two blowout games, this one is a white-knuckler. Rangy righty Ron Reed of Atlanta holds the Cubs bats at bay, only giving up a run and five hits in seven innings, while reliever Cecil Upshaw allows no baserunners in 1.2 innings of work for his seventh save in eight chances. Chicago's Bill Hands is also sharp, with a perfect game through five. But Braves 2B Felix Millan is the difference-maker, poking a two-out RBI single in the eighth that provides the winning margin after Alou is intentionally walked.

Short Stuff


GAME 1:  Chris Short was one Roberto Pena error at short away from a perfect game.  Philly's left hander still managed to fan 7 and notch a No-Hitter vs LA.  The game was scoreless until the Phightin's got in gear and scored 7 runs over the final 3 innings vs Claude Osteen and reliever Mike Kekich.

GAME 2:  A Johnny Callison home run off Mudcat Grant wins this contest in the 11th.

GAME 3:  Down three-zip after just a half inning of play the Dodgers needed to start scoring runs or they risked being swept at home by Philly.  LA answere with 3 unanswered runs of their own in the bottom of the 3rd off Woodie Fryman to tie the score.  Solo runs in the 5th and 7th game the Dodgers the lead.  Bill Singer (4-6, 2.79) fanned 9 in 7.  Jim Brewer (8th Save) pitched the final two scoreless frames.  Ken Boyer was 2-4 with 2 RBI's.

Mets add to Giant's woes

Game 1: New York (N) 7 San Francisco 3
W: Ryan (7-2)  L: Sadecki (3-7)
Giants commit 6 errors.  Nuff said.

Game 2: San Francisco 5 New York 3
W: Herbel (3-1)  L: Koosman (2-6)
Mays hits 2 homeruns to bailout Herbel who had blown the save.  3 more errors for SF.

Game 3: New York 2 San Francisco 1
W: Cardwell (3-5)  L: McCormick (3-8)
Don Cardwell handcuffs SF bats on 4 hits.  10 errors for Giants in the series.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Reds Take 2 of 3 from Braves

The Reds stayed within striking distance of the National League leading Cardinals as they took 2 of 3 from a well-balanced Braves team.

Game 1
Braves hurler Ken Johnson continued his strong season by holding the Reds to 1 run over 7 innings, and Clay Carroll (soon to be a Red, rumors have it) closed out the game despite yielding 5 hits in 2 innings of work. The first 5 Braves reached base off of Reds ace George Culver, as the Braves took a 3 run lead they would not relinquish in the top of the 1st. The Reds actually out hit the Braves 14-13 but couldn't get enough runs on the board to make the game tight.

Game 2
The Reds knocked Braves starter Ron Reed around to the tune of 6 runs in the 3rd, as 5 Reds singled to lead off the inning followed by a bases-clearing triple from P Gerry Arrigo. The Reds would get 2 more hits in the inning to bring their total to 8 in the inning.

Every member of the Reds lineup would get at least one hit, while Arrigo pitched a 6-hit, 2-run complete game for his 6th victory of the season.

Game 3
Braves ace Phil Niekro squared off against second year fireballer Gary Nolan in Game 3. The Reds struck first for a run in the bottom of the 3rd, but the Braves quickly followed in the 4th with  2 runs on the strength of 2 singles a walk, a ground out, and a sac fly. Neither team scored again until the bottom of the 7th, when Rose doubled home Bench to tie the game.

Boyer doubled home Tito Francona in the next inning to give the Braves a short-lived lead, but Vada Pinson and Alex Johnson doubled, Lee May singled, and Tony Perez hit a sac fly to give the Reds the 4-3 lead. Reds relief ace Ted Abernathy picked up the win as he held the Braves scoreless in the 9th.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Fergie Jenkins KO's 14 as Cubs Take Series

The Cubs and Mets, two of the up-and-coming teams in the National League, squared off in a three-game set, dominated by good pitching on both sides. The Cubs ended up taking the series 2-1. Game One featured one of the best pitching performances of the year, from the Cubs' Ferguson Jenkins, while Tom Seaver was also masterful in Game Two for the Mets. The Cubs remain close on the heels of first-place St. Louis at 29-22 and have won seven of their last 10. The Mets are now 24-26, as they attempt to get over the .500 mark.

Game 1: Cubs 4, Mets 1
W: Jenkins (7-2)
L: Koosman (2-5)
MVP: Jenkins
It's early in the month, but Glenn Beckert is hitting .450 in June.

Cubs ace Fergie Jenkins pitches a complete game five-hitter with 14 Ks, his fifth game of the year with at least 10 strikeouts. Red-hot Glenn Beckert and Adolfo Phillips both go three-for-four, and Lou Johnson's ringing double (11) breaks open a tight game.

Game 2: Mets 7, Cubs 1
W: Seaver (6-5)
L: Nye (3-6)
MVP: Seaver

Tom Seaver and the Mets' offense return the favor from Game 1, as Seaver goes nine, strikes out seven, and only allows six Cubs hits. Cubs starter Rich Nye was blasted for seven runs early, the big blow coming on a three-run homer by Tommie Agee (3) that started the scoring drive.

Game 3: Cubs 3, Mets 1
W: Holtzman (7-2)
L: Selma (2-3)
S: Regan (8)
MVP:  Regan

Kenny Holtzman joins Jenkins as a seven-game winner, but it wasn't easy. He only goes five before tiring, after giving up a long homer to Ed Charles (4). But Lou Johnson answers back with a two-run shot (2) off  24-year-old Mets starter Dick "Mortimer Snerd" Selma, who otherwise was in command by allowing no walks in his 7.2 innings. Saving the Cubs in this game was Phil "The Vulture" Regan, who goes the final four innings and only allows one hit. Regan has been a welcome sight in an otherwise dismal Cubs 'pen since coming over from the Dodgers.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Phillies sweep hapless Giants

Game 1: Philadelphia 2 San Francisco 0
W: Short (5-2)  L: Sadecki (3-6)
Chris Short gave up 2 hits and struck out 10.

Game 2: Philadelphia 8 San Francisco 4
W: Jackson,L (4-4)  L: McCormick (3-7)
Gonzalez, Lock, White, and Taylor all with 3 hits.

Game 3: Philadelphia 2 San Francisco 1
W: Farrell (2-3)  L: Perry (6-4)
Tying run gets throw out at plate in bottom of 9th.

Game 4: Philadelphia 8 San Francisco 7
W: Jackson,G (4-0)  L: Marichal (2-9)
Marichal gives up homeruns to 3 hitters that entered the game with 3 combined.  Juan and McCormick both well on their way to 20 loss seasons. 

Baltimore Takes 3 of 4 From California


Game 1: California 0 Baltimore 2
McNally improves to 6-1.
W: Dave McNally (6-1, 1.39 ERA)
L: Rickey Clark (2-3, 3.15 ERA)
MVP: McNally

Dave McNally allows only 3 hits to go the distance ina 2-0 win for Baltimore.  The win is McNally's 6th in what appears to be an impressive start of the season for the 25 year old lefty.  Paul Blair upped his hitting streak to 8 games going to 2 for 4 including his 13th double of the season.

Game 2: California 0 Baltimore 2
W: Dave Leonhard (2-1, 4.70 ERA)
L: Sammy Ellis (2-8, 4.42 ERA)
MVP: Dave Leonhard

Dave Leonhard broke out of his pitching woes today as he pitched his finest game of the season in a 2-1 win for Baltimore over California.  Leonhard allowed only 4 hits and struck out 5 as he went the distance for the O's.  Paul Blair hit his 14th double of the season to push his hitting streak to 9 games.  The magic of Curt Motton continues as his 2 run homer in the 1st inning gives him 7 for the season.  California's Sammy Ellis had a nice performance completing 7 innings, allowing only 4 hits and 2 runs.


Game 3: California 2 Baltimore
8
W: Jim Hardin (3-3, 3.18 ERA)
L: Clyde Wright (0-5-4, 5.63 ERA)
MVP: Mark Belanger

Baltimore exploded to a 5 run first inning and then cruised home to knock off California 8-2 today.  Paul Blair improves his hit streak to 10 games as he goes 2 for 4 for the game.  Angles Clyde Wright continues his underperformance for the season as he still looks for his first win (dropping to 0-5).  Don Mincher hit his 6th homer of the season and was the Angels only bright spot of the game.  Game MVP Mark Belanger went 2 for 3 with 3 RBI's.


Game 4: California 5 Baltimore 3
Roger Repoz hits homer #10
W: Marty Pattin (1-2, 2.65 ERA)
L: Gene Brabender (3-4, 5.17 ERA)
MVP: Roger Repoz

The Angel drought came to an end off the bats of Don Mincher and Roger Repoz.  Both homered early to give California a quick 5 run lead by the 3rd inning.   Baltimore tried to battle their way back into the game but a home run by Ellie Hendricks turned out to be only a too little too late effort as the Orioles dropped the game 5-3.  Marty Pattin earned his first win of the season going 6 innings and only allowing 3 hits before tiring and being replaced by Tom Burgmeier.  Burgmeier would pick up his second save of the season as he held on for the Angles.  Baltimore improves to 23-28 on the season as they take 3 of 4 from California.  The Angels dropped to 18-35.