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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

LA takes 2 of 3 from rivals to the north

LA 7, SF 0

Drysdale (6-4) vs McCormick (3-6)

4-4 plus his 2nd HR of the season

Big D tossed a nice 3 hit shutout vs his rivals from the north.  Wes Parker (4-4) carried the offense with a big 2 run shot to break the ice and some fantastic play in the field.  Not surprising, Torborg was the only member of LA's starting 9 not to record a hit.

SF 5, LA 2

Perry (6-3) vs Singer (3-6)

With 2 out in the top of the first San Fran recorded 5 straight singles to score 3 runs.  Both teams exchanged 2 spots in the 4th and Gaylord Perry cruised to a 5-2 victory.  Willie Mays was 2-4 with a RBI triple, while tracking down at least 3 gappers that a mere mortal would not have even thought of catching.

LA 4, SF 1

Sutton (5-3) vs Marichal (2-8)

Once again the light hitting Dodgers found a way to score runs off the Dominican Dandy.  San Fran opened the scoring in the first on a Dave Marshall RBI single.  That would be all the scoring the Jints would post as Don Sutton got stingy for the next 6 innings.  Jack Billingham and Jim Brewer combined to shut the door.  The Jints had runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 out in the 9th, which facilitated the need for Brewer to come in and put out the fire, which he did by getting Ty Cline to bounce back to the originator to end it.

Reds Down Phillies in Series

May 31, 1968
Nolan vs Jackson
Philadelphia 2 Cincinnati 0
Gary Nolan and Larry Jackson both came today to pitch and neither one deserved to lose. The Phillies got the only run they would need in the second inning without the benefit of a hit. Johnny Callison led off the inning with a fly ball to deep center field that Vada Pinson dropped for a 2 base error. One out latter Callison advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home on a ground ball to second base giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead. The only other run scored in the game was a solo homerun by Callison in the seventh which also happened to be Philadelphia's first hit of the game. Their only other hit was a Roberto Pena single in the eighth. Jackson pitched a terrific game of his own as he tossed a 4 hit complete game shutout striking out 5 and not issuing a walk. After giving up a hit in each of the first 3 innings Jackson retired 19 out of the next 20 batters before giving up a single to Chico Ruiz in the 9th. The only batter he failed to get during that stretch was safe on a Pena error.
June 1, 1968
Pappas vs Fryman
Cincinnati 8 Philadelphia 1
Like Gary Nolan the previous day, Reds pitcher Milt Pappas threw a great game to beat the Phillies 8-1. Unlike Larry Jackson the previous day, Phillies starter, Woody Fryman was horrible and took an early shower after 1.2 innings of work in which he gave up 7 hits and 6 runs. Like Philadelphia in the first game of the series, Cincinnati got all the runs they would need in the first inning when they scored 3 times by putting together 3 singles, a walk and a SF. They duplicated that run production again in the second with 4 singles and 2 walks and took a 6-0 after 2 innings The Phillies only run came in the 5th on a Callison homerun. The Reds added 2 meaningless runs in the 9th on a 2 run double by Lee May. In throwing the complete game Pappas gave up 1 run, 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 9.

June 2, 1968
Maloney vs Wise
Cincinnati 5 Philadelphia 3
Cincinnati catcher, Johnny Bench, led his team to a win in the get-a-way game for both teams. Bench hit his 16th double of the season in the second and came around to score when Pete Rose did the same. Later in the game, Bench banged a 2 run homerun in the 6th that gave the Reds the lead for good 4-3. They added an insurance run in the 8th when Vada Pinson led off with a single, stole second and scored two batters latter on a Fred Whitfield single. Philadelphia had taken a 3-1 lead after 5 when they scored 2 in the 4th on a pair of singles, a pair of walks, a wild pitch and a SF and 1 in the 5th on a Bill White homerun. After seeing such great starting pitching the first 2 games Maloney and Wise seemed disappointments in this game. Fact of the matter is they both pitched well and both went 6 innings with Maloney giving up 8 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) in getting the win while Wise gave up 6 hits 4 runs (1 earned) and suffered the loss.

Braves Turn Out Astros

Atlanta,

Game 1,

The Braves won the game in extra innings when Felipe Alou scored when pitcher Danny Coombs fumbled a ground ball back to the mound.  Alou had a big day as he banged out two hits and drove in three runs in the victory.  Braves 6....Astros 5.

Game 2,

Another close game however this one was settled in regulation.  Deron Johnson crushed his 4th homerun of the year off Mike Cuellar to lead the Bravos passed Houston.  Ron Reed went the distance to earn his 5th victory of the year.  Cuellar falls to 0-2 and rumors abound that he may be traded to the Orioles.  Braves 4....Astros 3.

Motton Majic! Baltimore Sweeps Washington

Motton Majic.  A grand slam by Curt Motton
was the capper on a 10 hit in 15 AB series for
the Oriole Outfielder.

A little known hero stepped forward for the Orioles this series as Curt Mouton single handedly smashed the Washington Senators and Baltimore stole a 4 game series at Memorial Stdm.  Motton, who was struggling around the Mendoza line for the year stepped forward with 10 hits in 15 ABs including a grand slam and a single shot homer in game 4.  Motton also hit a homer in game 3 and with his 10 total hits has now boosted his season average to a robust .221.  Washington's Frank Howard, after going hitless in the first two games, responded with home runs number 10 & 11 in game 3 & 4 respectively.  With the 4 wins Baltimore has now strung together 8 straight and improves their record to 19-22.  The Senators hit a 7 game skid, dropping to to 19-23.

Braves Top Amazins'

Atlanta,

Game 1,

Ron Reed went the distance to earn his 4th victory of the season. The game was knotted up at one a piece until Tito Francona came to bat in the bottom half of the 6th inning.  Young fire baller, Nolan Ryan was tossing the pill for the Mets and was doing just fine until he hung a curve to Franconca, who crushed it deep into the seats to edge the Mets. Francona's 3 run shot was all Reed needed for the win. Braves 4....Mets 1.

Game 2,

Hank Aaron hit his 10th homerun of the season to lead the Braves past the Mets.  The only offense for New York was Ed Charles. Charles collected 3 of the Mets 4 hits off Atlanta pitching. The Glider's last hit of the game came with 2 outs in the ninth inning and it landed in the seats in right to break up the shutout.  Lefty Dick Kelley(2-4) went eight innings but need relief help from Cecil Upshaw in the ninth. Upshaw earned his 5th save of the year. The loss was credited to Jerry Koosman (2-4). Braves 3....Mets 1.

Game 3,

Two of the league's best right handed hurlers fared against one another in the series finale. Tom Seaver for the Mets and Phil Niekro of Atlanta were not around for the decision as the game went 12 innings before it was decided.  Bob Tillman and Deron Johnson connected for dingers off young Seaver but the Mets rallied for four runs in the 8th inning to chase Niekro and tie the game at 5. The game remained tied until the 12th when the Mets tallied 3 runs capped by a solo blast off the bat of big Ron Swoboda.  Ron Taylor(2-1) earned the victory and the loss was given to Tony Cloninger (1-1)....Mets 8....Braves 5 (10 innings)

Cubs Win Streak Reaches Nine Games

The Cubs sweep the Giants at Wrigley. After a slumbering start to the season, they have won nine in a row. The North Siders continue to pound the home run ball -- Ernie Banks now has nine big flies in May and has had two two-homer games this week. Billy Williams is also on a tear, scorching eight homers this month while hitting .313. The youngster, Kenny Holtzman, has lowered his ERA to 0.89. The Cubs move to 24-19, while the disappointing Giants drop to 17-26.

Game 1: Cubs 1, Giants 0
W: Holtzman (5-1)
L: Marichal (2-7)
S: Regan (6)
MVP: Holtzman (4)

Ernie Banks is having a great month of May.

A true classic. Holtzman and the Giants' Juan Marichal duel. Marichal pitches a no-hitter into the fifth, but "Mr. Cub," Ernie Banks, strokes a double between first and second that gets to the alley. He later advances to third and scores on a groundout. That turns out to be the game's only run. Marichal is great, only allowing three hits in a complete game. But the Giants are frustrated. Holtzman seemingly runs into jams each inning, putting at least one runner on base in seven frames, but the Giants can't capitalize, stranding nine on base and not recording an extra-base hit. Despite his record dropping to 2-7, Marichal lowers his ERA to 2.86.

Game 2: Cubs, 10, Giants 3
W: Jenkins (6-1)
L: Sadecki (3-4)
MVP: Banks (4)

The two major league strikeout leaders clash, with Fergie Jenkins getting the better of Ray Sadecki. Ernie Banks again provides the lift, hitting his ninth and 10th homers and his 14th double, while driving in five and scoring three. Williams hits his eighth. The Cubs are up 9-0 in the eighth before pinch-hitter Willie McCovey hits a three-run bomb, his 10th.

Game 3: Cubs 8, Giants 4
W: Hands (2-3)
L: McCormick (3-5)
MVP: Beckert (2)

It looked like the Cubs' winning streak would finally be snapped. San Fran has a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth, hanging four on a struggling Bill Hands. Hands also has to deal with a shoddy defense giving up three errors, including a bunted ball that catcher Randy Hundley sails into center field. Giants pitcher Mike McCormick helps his cause with a surprise home run to right on a wind-blown day at Wrigley. But then he starts falling apart in the sixth, as Williams hits his ninth to bring the Cubs within a run. The Cubs score five more in the seventh and eighth, with Glenn Beckert hitting two doubles and everyone else seeming to single off McCormick, who gave up 11 hits. Meanwhile, the Giant bats quiet down, as they can only hit one single after the sixth inning. 

Cubs Take A Game Each from Phils, Bucs

Billy Williams is on a home-run tear.

A strange two-game weekday set at Wrigley with all-PA teams. The Cubs first beat up the hapless Phillies on a Tuesday and then win a tight one on Wednesday vs. the Pirates. The Cubs are finally winning, moving up to 21-19 on the season.

Game 1: Cubs 10, Phillies 3
W: Nye (2-5)
L: Wise (0-5)
MVP: Banks

Young Rick Wise was again victimized in a game that started close but turned ugly. The home runs were flying. The Cubs' power trio of  Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Ernie Banks hit back-to-back-to-back shots to left in the first, followed by a two-run blow from the Phils' Rick Joseph in the top of the second. But then Banks hit another, his eighth, and so did Williams. Rich Nye pitched a four-hit complete game.

Game 2: Cubs 4, Pirates 3
W: J. Niekro (4-3)
L: Bunning (2-3)
MVP: Williams

Billy Williams hit his eighth home run, his third in two days, and Santo also chipped in another big fly, while Willie Stargell hit two of his own (6, 7). The Cubs hang on, even with Joe Niekro struggling with eight hits allowed in 6.1 innings and a 3-2 lead. Cubs reliever Jack Lamabe held down the fort in the seventh and eighth, and Glenn Beckert added an insurance run with a single in the eighth. Phil Regan almost blows it in the ninth. "The Vulture" gave up Stargell's second shot of the game and put men on first and second before Gene Alley grounded out to end it. 

G-Men and Braves split a 4 Gamer!

Atlanta,
Game 1,

Phil Niekro hit his third homerun of the season and Atlanta put up a 5 spot in the 7th inning to motor past the visiting Giants.  Atlanta hammered out 14 hits in support of Niekro, who earned his 5th victory of the season....Braves 8...Giants 6.

Game 2,

The second game of the set had far less offense as both teams were held scoreless after 9 innings.  Ray Sadecki and Jim Britton were just too much for the batters and when they tired, the relief corps entered the fray.  The Giants used 5 relievers to shut down Brave batters to the tune of no runs through 14 innings even though Atlanta smacked out 16 hits.  San Francisco broke the scoreless tie in the 14th on a pair of solo homeruns by the incomparable Willie Mays and catcher Dick Dietz.  Bobby Bolin earned the victory to improve to 2-0 and the loss was hung on Claude Raymond, (2-1).....Giants 2....Braves 0 (14 innings)

Game 3,

Hal Lanier, and Jim Davenport hit run scoring singles in the top of the 9th inning to take the lead and win it in 9 innings.  Hank Aaron hit his 9th homerun of the year but it was not enough to help Pat Jarvis. Jarvis dropped to 3-4 on the year while Ron Herbel improved to 2-1 with the save going to Frank Linzy(3)...Giants 3...Braves 2.

Game 4,

Felipe Alou doubled off the wall down the left field line to plate Tillman and Felix Millan. That was the only scoring for both teams.  Ken Johnson threw eight innings of 3 hit, no run baseball to move to 4-1.  Gaylord Perry got hung with his 3rd loss as went the distance in a gallant effort.  Braves 2...Giants 0.

Orioles Sweep Pale Hose

Orioles Jim Hardin gives wife Donna Hardin the
game ball after a 7-1 Baltimore win over Chicago.

Game 1 Baltimore 7  ChiSox 1
WP: Jim Hardin (2-3, 3.88 ERA)
LP: Jack Fisher (0-3, 5.50 ERA)
MVP: Jim Hardin

Control problems by White Sox pitcher Jack Fisher  led to 6 Oriole runs in the 1st inning.  Baltimore then put it on cruise control to take the game 7-1.  Brooks Robinson hit home run number 4 on the season.  Jim Hardin had his best outing of the season going the distance and striking out 6.

Game 2 Baltimore 1  ChiSox 0
WP: Gene Brabender (2-2, 5.88 ERA)
LP: Joe Horlen (1-4, 1.91 ERA)
SV: Eddie Watt (1)
MVP: Gene Brabender

Baltimore has not won two games in a row, from the same team, since April 27-28 (Boston).  But costly errors by Chicago (3) helped the Orioles achieve this in a 1-0 win over the White Sox. The only run of the game came in the 3rd inning when Andy Etchebarren reached on an error by 3B Pete Ward, and after being bunted over to 2nd, found his way home when pitcher Joe Horlen would throw a ball into the 1st row of the seats on what should have been a routine ground out.  Gene Brabender threw a complete 9 innings, striking out 8, to earn his 2nd win of the season.  Sox Joe Horlen, who must have the worst run support in the league, went 7 innings, giving up 0 earned runs in the loss.

Cubs sweep 4 game series with Giants

Game 1: Chicago 2  San Francisco 1
W: Lamabe (2-0)  L: Sadecki (3-3)
Billy Williams broke a 1-1 tie with a lead-off homerun in the 9th to secure the win for Chicago.

Game 2: Chicago 3  San Francisco 0
W: Holtzman (4-1)  L: McCormick (3-4)
Ken Holtzman hurled a 2 hit shutout completely handcuffing the Giant's bats.

Game 3: Chicago 2  San Francisco 1
W: Jenkins (5-1)  L: Linzy (0-2)
Fergie Jenkins scattered 6 hits and struck out 10 batters as the Cubs made it 3 in a row over the home team.  Frank Linzy again failed to hold the opposition in a late game situation.

Game 4: Chicago 4  San Francisco 3
W: Hartenstein (2-4)  L: Linzy (0-3)
Giants led 3-1 in the 9th, but the bullpen gave up 2 runs to waste a 12 strikeout effort by Bobby Bolin.  In the 11th, Frank Linzy gave up the eventual winning run to lose both ends of the doubleheader.

Dodgers and Cubbies split a 4 game set

Cubs traveled out to the coast to split a 4 game set with the Dodgers.

Highlight of the series was Zolio Versalles stealing home in the 7th inning of game 4 to break a 2-2 deadlock.  Wes Parker also played brilliant defense and went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored in the game.  Chicago took the first 2 games and LA took the final 2.

Astros take 2 of 3 from slumping Giants

Game 1: Houston 8 San Francisco 4
W: Giusti  L: McCormick
A 3 run shot by Dennis Menke and 3 SF errors spelled defeat for the Giants.

Game 2: Houston 4 San Francisco 2 (10 innings)
W: Dukes  L: Linzy
Good pitching duel between Lemaster and Perry, but Giants bullpen blew the game in the 10th.

Game 3: San Francisco 4 Houston 3 (11 innings)
W: Bolin  L: Wilson
Don Wilson had a 3-0 shutout going into the bottom of the 9th, but SF rallied for 3 runs to send the game into extra innings.  With 2 outs in the 11th, three straight singles brought home the winning run.

Braves, Phillies Split 2 Game Series

May 13, 1968
Niekro vs Short
Philadelphia 4  Atlanta 3

Philadelphia touched Atlanta starter Phil Niekro for 3 runs over the first 2 inning before settling down and blanking them for the next 6 innings.  Back to back doubles by Cookie Rojas and Johnny Callison and a SF by Bill White in the first along with another SF by Tony Taylor in the 2nd gave the Phillies the 3-0 lead.  However, Atlanta posted single runs in the 4th, on a Deron Johnson HR, the 5th on a Phil Niekro HR and in the 9th on a Tommy Aaron 2 bagger that drove home his brother, Henry, with the tying run off reliever Gary Wagner who had come on in the 9th to try and save the game for Chris Short.  Niekro was not able to make it through the 9th.  After giving up a lead off walk to Dick Allen, Niekro allowed Roberto Pena his 3rd hit of the day with 2 outs and was lifted in favor of Jim Britton who immediately walked PH Johnny Briggs, and with bases loaded, allowed the winning run to cross the plate by walking Tony Taylor.

 May 14, 1968
Reed vs Jackson
Atlanta 5 Philadelphia 0

Atlanta starter Ron Reed and reliever Clay Carroll scattered 7 hits as they combined to shutout Philadelphia 5-0.  Reed and Larry Jackson pitched well and after 5 innings the Braves led 1-0 but the Atlanta broke it open by scoring 2 unearned runs in the 6th and 2 more in the 7th on the strength of 3 singles and a walk to take a 5-0 lead that proved to be the final score.  Felipe Alou and Clete Boyer did most of the damage as the combined to go 5 for 10 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI.  

Indians Massacre Orioles

Game 1:  Cleveland 3  Baltimore 2  10innings

Luis Tiant struck out 12 and contributed to an
an Indians 35 strikeouts for the series.

WP Eddie Fischer: (1-2, 4.20 ERA)
LP: Bruce Howard (0-3, 4.01 ERA)
S: Hal Kurtz (4)
MVP: Sonny Siebert

Brooks Robinson hit his 2nd home run of the season to give the Orioles an early 2-0 lead.  But the Indians rallied to push this one into extra frames.  Indians Max Alvis (3rd) would smash the game winning homer in the 10th inning to set the stage for what was to be upcoming for the Orioles in this series.  Cleveland's Sonny Seibert (1.54 ERA)  got the start and struck out 8 batters in a fine performance.

Game 2:  Cleveland 8  Baltimore 0
WP Sam McDowell (3-1, 1.93 ERA)
LP: Gene Brabender (1-2, 6.30 ERA)
MVP: Sam McDowell

Sam McDowell struck out 12 and held the Orioles to just 5 hits as the Indians cruised to an easy victory.  Jose Vidal (.333 avg) hit his second homer of the season.  Cleveland has held Baltimore to just 8 hits in the first two games of the series.

Game 3:  Cleveland 2  Baltimore 0
WP Luis Tiant  (4-2, 1.20 ERA)
LP: Tom Phoebus (3-1, 1.97 ERA)
S: Hal Kurtz (5)
MVP: Luis Tiant

Another 12 strike out performance, this time by Luis Tiant, found the Indians on their way to another shut out of the hapless Orioles.  The Indians pitching dominance combined with Oriles woeful hitting made this game another painful experience for Baltimore fans.  Tiant's performance keeps him at the top of the major leagues in ERA trailing only St. Louis Bob Gibson (1.00 ERA).  Baltimore's hit total increased to 11 in 3 games.

Game 4:  Cleveland 4  Baltimore 1
WP Stan Williams  (2-0, 1.31 ERA)
LP: Leonhard (0-4, 7.61 ERA)
MVP: Stan Williams

Looking at the bright side for the Orioles, they only struck out 3 times this game but......again, only muster 4 hits in a 3 run loss to the Indians.  Cleveland sweeps the 4 game series allowing only 15 Orioles hits, striking out 35 batters and allowing only 3 runs.  Stan Williams threw 8 innings and allowed only 4 hits to earn the win.  Curt Blefary hit home run number 8 for Baltimore and was the ony bright spot of the game.  Baltimore has lost 8 of their last 9 games and drop to the bottom of the division in the AL with an 11-17 record.   Cleveland's sweep keeps them near the top at 17-11

Braves take 2 from the Dodgers

Game 1 at Fulton County Stadium,

Hank Aaron smacked his 8th homerun of the year in the first inning and it held up as the Braves took the first game of the series.  Ken Johnson and Don Drysdale pitched scoreless frames the rest of the way. Johnson improved to 2-1 on the young season as he surrendered 4 hits, no walks and struck out 8 on the day. Braves 1....Dodgers 0.

Game 2 at Fulton County Stadium,

Pat Jarvis and Claude Osteen dueled mightily. However it was Jarvis's bat that proved decisive as he singled in two runs in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie.  Braves 4....Dodgers 2.

Game 3 at Fulton County Stadium,

Willie Davis hit a 2 run homerun in the third and LA added two more runs in the seventh to help You Don Sutton to win his second victory of the season to even his record overall to 2-2.  Dick Kelley pitched well for Atlanta but fell to 1-3.  Atlanta made the game interesting with a 3 run rally in the seventh spear headed by a long blast by Bob Tillman that just missed by inches of going out.  Dodgers 4...Braves 3.

Cubs Take Three of Four from Mets

The Cubs' Bill Hands makes the Mets bats miss for his first win.

The Cubs are attempting to claw forward after early season woes, taking the first three of a four-game series with the Mets. Ernie Banks continues to find his home-run stroke, smacking two more in the series to give him five on the year and four so far in May. The Cubs are now 13-17 on the year, while the Mets drop to .500 at 14-14.

Game 1: ChC 2, NYM 1
W: Jenkins (3-1)
L: Koosman (2-3)
MVP: Jenkins

Ferguson Jenkins dominates the Metropolitans with a complete game and 7 Ks. Jerry Koosman and reliever Cal Koonce are also sharp for the Mets, and Jenkins has to hold off an eighth-inning rally, after a Ken Boswell double cuts to Cubs lead in half at 2-1. But Jenkins gets out of a two-men-on, one-out jam to preserve the tough win.

Game 2: ChC 5, NYM 2
W: Hands (1-2)
L: Seaver (3-4)
S: Regan (3)
MVP: Hands

Bill Hands picks up his first win of the season (finally), only allowing one hit (to Tom Seaver) and no runs through eigh, en route to striking out nine. Banks' three-run shot is the cushion that Hands needs. Phil Regan nails down his third save when Hands falters in the ninth. Tom Seaver doesn't have it, exiting after five innings and five earned runs.

Game 3: ChC 5, NYM 4
W: Lamabe (1-0)
L: Cardwell (1-4)
MVP: Banks

A see-saw game at Wrigley, with six ties or lead changes. Cleon James hits his first of the year to kick off the offensive fireworks in the top of the first off Rich Nye, and the Mets' Ed Charles chips two RBI singles for runs. But the Cubs keep answering back off Don Cardwell, punctuated with a two-run shot from Randy "The Rebel" Hundley (3)  and two runs scored by Banks. "Mr Cub" also provides the game-winning blow with a 370-foot home-run shot in the bottom of the eighth.  

Game 4: NYM 8, ChC 3
W: Selma (2-0)
L: Niekro (3-3)
S: Frisella (1)
MVP: Frisella

The Mets jump on Joe Niekro for four runs in the top of the first, aided by three walks and a two-run triple from Ron Swoboda. Tommie Agee and Art Shamsky each homer in the rout, while Danny Frisella pitches three strong innings in relief to tamp down any comeback attempts.