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.