Pittsburgh Captures Title in 4-1 route of Orioles

Bob Veale pitched his way into a WS MVP and his team into their first World Series Championship
in Pirates history.  Veale garnered 2 wins in his 14 inning 10 strikeout series performance to handcuff the O's into submission. 
Boxscores:
 http://www.sportsattic2.com/araigBB/archives/69WS.htm

ALCS: Orioles Move Past Twins in 4

GAME 1 - Memorial Stadium
Orioles 5, Twins 1
J.Perry vs Cuellar

Cy Young award winner Mike Cuellar was masterful scattering 6 hits and allowing just 1 run in the top of the 4th.  Baltimore jumped out to a 3-0 lead when they batted around in the bottom of the 1st.  The O's added 2 insurance runs in the bottom of the 7th and never looked back.  Frank Robby had the big stick going 2 for 4 with 3 RBI's.  Mark Belanger chipped in with 2 hits from the 8 hole.
Orioles lead series 1-0

GAME 2 - Memorial Stadium
Twins 4, Orioles 2
Boswell vs McNally

The Twinkies struck back by breaking a scoreless tie in the 6th with 3 big runs off of O's starter Dave McNally.  Bob Allison's two out two run double broke the ice and Rich Reese's triple scored Allison.  The O's made it 3-1 on a two out pinch hit single by Chico Salmon.  Tony Oliva's solo blast in the top of the 8th put the Twins back up by 3.  The O's answered back with one in the bottom of the inning, but never again threatened.  Dave Boswell went 6 strong innings for the win and the troika of Bob Miller, Ron Perranoski and Dean Chance (who got the save) held the mighty O's at bay over the final 3 frames.
Series tied 1-1

GAME 3 - Metropolitan Stadium
Orioles 8, Twins 2
Palmer vs B.Miller

Up 4-1 after 7 innings the O's blew it open with 4 runs in the 8th off of lefty reliever Tom Hall.  Frank Robby's 3 run shot was followed by Boog Powell's solo blast, which account for all the damage.  Jim Palmer gave up just 1 run on 5 hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.  Pete Richert finished off the 7th inning to get Palmer out of trouble.  Jim Hardin came on board for the final 2 once the game was out of reach.  Frank Robby looked like a true MVP going 3 for 4 with 5 RBI's and 2 runs scored thanks to 2 huge long balls.
Orioles lead series 2-1

GAME 4 - Metropolitian Stadium
Orioles 1, Twins 0
Cuellar vs Perry

Facing elimination the Twins handed the ball to 20 game winner Jim Perry, who pitched his guts out scattering 5 hits and allowing just 1 run.  Unfortunately for Perry, that one run was a solo homer by Boog Powell (3-4).  With Mike Cuellar flirting with a no hitter and baffling the mighty Twins lineup that solo shot looked like a ten spot.  Cuellar finished the day with a 1 hitter (Leo Cardenas single in the 5th).  Cuellar who was dominant in both the series opener and the final was easily the series MVP as the O's move on to the Fall Classic.
Orioles win series 3-1

Congrats to Kurt for playing a gr8 series and doing better with twins than they did in RL.

Cincinnati 6 Atlanta 5

Cincinnati reached Atlanta starter Ron Reed for 4 home runs to build a big lead. Cincinnati “fireman” (term used loosely) Wayne Granger just about coughed it up in bottom of 9th, as Atlanta scored 4 to shrink lead to 6-5. Rookie Dennis Ribant came on to squelch the rally and send Cinci to face one of the beast of the East.

Thanks to Bruce for staying up late to get this one in.

Bill

Pirates 6 Mets 5

The miracle Mets had no miracles left as the Bucs walked off in the bottom of the 9th before a packed house at Forbes Field.

Game pitching matchups

Tom Seaver vs Bob Veale

Tom Terrific Seaver got the start for the Mets opposed by Bob Veale.  The game was scoreless until the bottom

of the 3rd when Richie Hebner hit a 3 run homerun to give the Bucs an early 3-0 lead.  The Mets responded by scoring 3 in the top of the 5th to tie the game 3-3.  Ken Boswell hit a single to drive in 2 and Cleon Jones also had a run scoring single.  The Mets would break the tie in the 6th as Bud Harrelson lined a triple into right scoring Jerry Grote to give them a 4-3 lead.  The Bucs offense went to sleep for 5 innings.  The Mets added another run in the 9th to take a 5-3 lead as Cleon Jones tripled home Tom Seaver.  The Mets needed just 3 outs to close it out.  The first 2 batters for the Bucs went down meekly and they were down to their last out.  The Bucs brought up Jose Pagan to pinch hit for their last hope.  Jose hit a homerun to left and now suddenly the Pirates only trailed 5-4.  Tom Seaver still in the game trying to close it out but laboring.  Gene Alley was the next pinch hitter and he lined a single to keep the rally going.  Tug McGraw was brought in to face lefty hitting Matty Alou.  Matty hit a single sending Alley to 3rd and the Bucs had men on first and 3rd still fighting.  The crowd was going crazy and stood on their feet as Roberto Clemente came up.  The crowd sensed something good would happen with their best player up to bat.  The Mets brought in Ron Taylor.  Roberto grounded a single into left between 3rd and SS to bring home Gene Alley and tie the game.  The next batter was Richie Hebner who homered earlier in the game.  The crowd was now yelling and screaming and it looked like 1961 world series again.  Hebner lined a single up the middle to score Matty Alou with the winning run as the Pirates walked off with the win 6-5.  The improbable happened to the Miracle Mets as the Bucs scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs on 5 straight hits.  The Bucs advance to the playoffs to face their arch rival the Reds.  

National League Battles to TIE

Guys:

Congrats on a great season...can't believe we are this far already.  After the 162 game grind, the NL (both divisions) finished in a tie for 1st.  The Pittsburgh Pirates and the NY Mets both finished at 100-62 and likewise, the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves finished at 90-72.  According to playoff tiebreaking rules for 1969:

Tiebreaking Rules:

1) 1 game playoff, played as a regular season game, will determine the division winner

2)  Coin flip will determine home filed advantage.

3) Game is to be played the NEXT day after the regular season has ended

Under those rules, the following games must be played before I can send out the playoff disk.

Cincinnati at Atlanta (1 game playoff)

NY Mets at Pittsburgh (1 game playoff)

These games must be played head to head (if you can not, please find a sub for your team) and since it is a regular season game, all player fatigue and roster limits will be accounted for as if they were on the last game of the regular season.  Please set your lineups and starting pitcher however you wish....but make sure to check pitcher fatigues

Good luck!

Pilots sweep twin-bill from Pale Hose

Pilots 3, White Sox 2 (11 inn)
W - Lockwood 1-0, L - Murphy 2-2

Seattle turns a first inning triple play then wins the game in 11 on a John Donaldson RBI single to take the first game of the twin bill.  Tommy Harper went 2 for 3 with 2 walks and stole his 69th, 70th and 71st bags of the season.  Bill Melton hit his 24th roundtripper for the Pale Hose in a losing effort.









Pilots 5, White Sox 2
W - Fuentes (1-0), L - Peters

A 3 run pinch hit homer by Jerry McNertney off Chisox starter Gary Peters turned a 1 run deficit into a 2 run advantage.  Reliever Bob Locker came on and made it interesting, but still found a way to wiggle out of trouble and notch his 5th save as the Pilots found a way to sweep this twi-light double header.

Royals take 3 of 4 from reeling Pilots

KCR 2, SEP 1 (16 inn)

W - Cisco (2-0, 2.13), L - Segui (8-9, 4.39)

Luis Alcaraz' infield single scored Lou Piniella in the top of the 16th for what turned out to be the eventual winning run.  Piniella led the inning off with a single, but reached second on a error by centerfielder Steve "Orbit" Hovley.  Seattle made 5 errors on the day with the final one contributing to this heartbreaking extra inning loss.

SEP 4, KCR 3

W - Brabender (6-13, 4.41), L - Butler (11-9, 3.01), S - Locker (4)

Mike Hegan's two run blast in the bottom of the 5th handed Gene Brabender a 1 run lead.  The big righthander struggled all day with his control before yielding to reliever Bob Locker in the 8th.  Locker set the Royals down 1-2-3 in the 8th, but ran into trouble in the 9th by loading the bases.  In a mano y mano battle with Lou Piniella Locker narrowly escaped as the 1969 ROY candidate hit a bullet to short that luckily found Ray Oyler's glove for out number 3.

KCR 8, SEP 3

W - Bunker (6-14, 3.50), L - Meyer (0-2, 6.60)

KC jumped all over the Pilots and got an 11 strikeout performance from Wally Bunker.  The offensive highlight for the Royals was an inside the park homer off the bat of light hitting shortstop (.214) Jackie Hernandez.

KCR 2, SEP 1

W - Rooker (7-9, 2.85), L - Brunet (2-4, 5.40)

A sac fly by Joe Foy and a RBI double by Buck Martinez in the top of the 1st were all the runs that Jim Rooker would need.  Lefty Rooker went the distance scattering 8 hits and allowing just 1 run vs the anemic Pilot offense.  His opposing number, George Brunet, held the Royals scoreless for the following 7 innings, but all his teammates could do was rally for a solo run in the bottom of the 3rd, when Tommy Harper worked out a walk and stole 2nd followed by an RBI single by Jim Hegan.

Sox-OBirds Split

GAME ONE – Jim Palmer (8-3) and Dave Leonhard combined on a 4-hit, 6-0 shutout of the White Sox. Merv Rettenmund (2) had 3 RBI with one long hit. Frank Robinson banged out 3 hits.

GAME TWO – Bill Melton’s (23) 2-run 5^th inning homer turned out to be the game winner in a 6-3 Pale Hose victory. Gary Peters (10-10) evened his season mark with 8 strong innings. 

Bucs Ransack Atlanta

GAME ONE – Al Oliver (12,13) banged out two home runs including a grand slam in the T9 to lift Pittsburgh to a 8-5 win over Atlanta.

GAME TWO – After a rain out the day before, the Braves hosted the Pirates again on a drippy day and played like it. Dock Ellis (15-6) took a no-hitter into the 6^th and finished off a complete-game 9-1 win. Offensively, Ellis contributed 3 hits to a 19-hit Buc attack. Roberto Clemente collected 4 to raise his average to .384. Willie Stargell (18,19) mashed a pair of taters.

Pale Hose Corral Tribe

GAME ONE – Cleveland plates runners in the 8^th and 9^th to come from behind and nip the White Sox 4-3. Vern Fuller (4) and “Hawk” Harrelson (19) earlier “put it on the board” with solo homers for the Indians. Ed Herrman (5) went yard for the Pale Hose.  

GAME TWO – ChiSox even the series with a 4-2 victory. Bobby Knoop’s (8) 4^th inning 2-run bomb was the biggest blow. Wilber Wood tossed the 9^th for his 15^th save.

GAME THREE – Tommy John (7-15) fired a complete game shutout as Chicago won the finale of the series and of August, 5-0. Luis Aparicio and Ron Hanson banged out 3 hits each. John himself contributed 2 hits and an RBI

Cubs Swoon; Braves Pow-wow

GAME ONE – Rico Carty and Bob Didier smacked 3 hits apiece to lead Atlanta to a 6-2 win. Jim Hickman’s (16) 2-run HR plated both runs for the Cubs.

GAME TWO – Hank Aaron’s (33) 2-run HR powered the Braves to another 6-2 win – their 7^th straight. It also gave the “Hammer” hiss 100^th and 101^st RBI on the year.

GAME THREE – Cubs explode for 6 runs in the 9^th for a come-from-behind 7-4 win. They did it with 6 singles, a walk and an HBP. Randy Hundley drove in Billy Williams and Ernie Banks with his knock. Phil Niekro (18-9) had a no-hitter going until Ron Santo’s (15) solo tater with 2 outs in the 7^th. Aaron hit his 34^th and Carty (11) extended a hitting streak to 12 with 2 hits, including a round tripper.

Braves Clip Redbirds

GAME ONE – Bob Gibson (7-16) yielded 6 runs to Atlanta in the first two innings, then got nasty. He blanked the Braves for next 6 innings before tiring in the 9^th and giving way to Mudcat Grant (3). Meanwhile, the Cardinals bats went into high gear eventually leading to an 11-7 St. Louis win. Joe Torre drove in 5 with 3 2Bs. Lou Brock rang up 4 hits.

GAME TWO – Rico Carty’s (10) 3-run bomb in the T9 sealed the deal for another victory for Phil Niekro (17-8). The Braves had earlier come roaring back with 5 runs in the7th to overcome a 4-run deficit. Torre (17) had gone deep for the Redbirds.

GAME THREE – Hank Aaron and Clete Boyer each drove in a pair to make Pat Jarvis (10-8) a 4-2 winner in the rubber game of the series. Vada Pinson (13) clouted a 2-run HR for the St. Louis runs. 

Redbirds Sweep Away Wigwams

GAME ONE – Nelson Briles (12-10) out-dueled Ron Reed (11-9), 3-2 in a good solid baseball game in the midst of the Dog Days of Summer. Mike Shannon (13) hit a solo HR for the Cardinals in the 2^nd. Tony Gonzalez (6) hit a 2-run knock for the Braves only runs in the B3.

GAME TWO – Déjà vu with new characters Bob Gibson (6-16) [Are you kidding me?] and Jim Britton (7-5) repeating a 3-2 St. Louis victory. Joe Torre’s (16) 2-run, 1^st inning bomb was the big blow.

GAME THREE – Steve Carlton (10-4) twirled the 3^rd consecutive complete-game win for the Cardinals, beating the Braves 5-1. Shannon (14) went deep again among his 3 hits. Julian Javier also rang up 3 safeties. St. Louis gets the sweep.

Bombers-Pale Hose Split 4

GAME ONE – The Bronx Bombers did just that in an 18-5 thumping of the slumping White Sox. The Yankees did it without the long ball, but Gene Michael banged out five hits and Bobby Murcer had 4 RBI. Al Downing (4-5) went the distance to improve his record.

GAME TWO – Mike Kekich (1-10), on in relief of Fritz Peterson (oh, the jokes that could be inserted here!!), failed to contain the ChiSox as Gail Hopkins singled in Luis Aparicio with the winner in the 10^th. Aparicio had tripled to open the inning. He also homered among his 4 hits in a 3-2 Chicago win. Danny Murphy (1-0) notched his first major league W.

GAME THREE – The White Sox plated one run in the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th to comeback and beat the Yankees 3-2.

GAME FOUR – Joe Pepitone’s (30,31) two home runs and 4 RBI helped power New York to an 8-5 win and a split in the series. Michael also chipped in 3 hits and 3 RBI. Bill Melton (22) went deep in one of his 3 hits and drove in 3.   

Homer Happy Phils Bury Braves

GAME ONE – Felix Millan (3) sent the home fans home happy and allowed the Braves to walk off victorious 5-3 with a 2-run blast inside the LF foul pole in the B9 in the opener of a DH. Millan also had a 2-run double earlier for a 4 RBI game. The “Launching Pad” lived up to its name with Orlando Cepeda (17) also homering for Atlanta. Deron Johnson (12) and Larry Hisle (20) went back-to-back for the Phillies in the 2^nd. Tony Taylor (4) had an inside-the-parker in the 7^th.

GAME TWO – The Phillies and Jerry Johnson (5-6) wind up splitting the double dip with a 10-7 victory in the nightcap. After yielding Millan’s tater in the opener, Johnson started game two and hurled 6 2/3 innings, while his teammates built an 8-0 lead. Deron Johnson (3 hits, Don Money (3 hits) and Hisle (HR, 3 RBI) did the most damage. Hank Aaron (3 hits, 3 RBI, HR) led a late, gallant comeback attempt by the Braves.

GAME THREE – Woodie Fryman (15-4) continued his surprising year with a 5-0 whitewashing of the Braves. The Phils continued with the long ball with Hisle (21,22) adding two more and Johnson (13) and Dick Allen (22) going solo. 

Red Hot Sox Sweep Pale Hose

GAME ONE – Mike Nagy (8-7) went the distance as Boston crushed Chicago 11-2. It was the 10^th consecutive win for the Red Sox. Rico Petrocelli drove in 3 runs. One of George Scott’s (10) two hits stayed in the ballpark. Bill Melton’s 20^th dong of the year accounted for both White Sox runs.

GAME TWO – Carl Yastrzemski cracked his 40^th home run of the year and chipped in a single and double to help power the BoSox to their 11^th straight win, 8-4 over the ChiSox. Mike Andrews (8) added a 3-run clout to the Red Sox attack. Sonny Siebert (12-4) continued his fine season.

GAME THREE – The Red Sox remain Red Hot. Reggie Smith (18) swatted a 3-run blast and Ray Culp (10-14) tossed 9 strong innings to complete the sweep of the White Sox, 5-1. Tony Conigliaro went 3-for-4 and Russ Gibson (3) also went yard.

Angels win a road series in Detroit

Game 1:
Detroit 3  California 2
W: E Wilson (10-10)  L: May (5-5)  S: Hiller (2)

Jim Northrup smacked 2 home runs and drove in all 3 runs for the Tigers

Game 2:
California 3  Detroit 0
W: Messersmith (13-6)  L: Kilkenny (6-6)  S: Tatum (15)

Andy Messersmith shut down Detroit over 8 dominant innings.
Bubba Morton went deep for California

Game 3:
California 7  Detroit 4
W: Tatum (5-1)  L: McLain (17-9)

Rick Reichardt hit a pinch hit home run in the top of the ninth off reliever John Hiller, breaking a 4-4 deadlock and giving the Angels the win in both the game and the series. It was his 7th homer.
Hiller had just relieved Denny McLain, who was trying for his 18th win of the season.
Tom Tresh hit his 9th homer of the year for the Tigers.

Possible Playoff Parry

GAME ONE – Jerry Koosman (15-2) fired a complete-game, 2-hitter as the New York Mets won the opening contest of a double dipper, 5-1. Ken Boswell (4) and Ron Swoboda (6) each swatted 2-run home runs. Art Shamsky went 3 for 3.

GAME TWO – Hank Aaron’s (30) walk-off 2-run blast in the B9th overcame a 1-0 deficit and the Braves captured the nightcap 2-1. Ron Reed (11-8) was the winning pitcher and Gary Gentry (8-8) the loser as both tossed complete games. Shamsky’s 12^th knock of the year was the lone Mets run.

GAME THREE – Orlando Cepeda (15,16) smacked his second solo HR of the game in the B9 to lift Atlanta to a 4-3 win. Aaron (31) provided the other runs for the Braves with a 2-run blast in the 1^st. Ron Taylor (8-1) suffered his first loss of the year. Cecil Upshaw (6-6) carded the win in relief.

GAME FOUR – A classic case of leaving a pitcher in too long. Braves hurler Jim Britton (7-4) had a no-hitter through 5 and a 1 hitter into the 8^th. That’s when the Mets exploded for 6 and went on to win 7-2. Ed Charles had a 2-run double in the 8^th. Shamsky (13) hit a 2-run bomb.    

Motor City Kittys Soil Sox

GAME ONE – Joel Horlen (7-11) tossed 8 innings for a 3-2 White Sox win in the lid lifter of a double header against Detroit. Wilbur Wood (14) pitched a perfect 9^th. Tigers Tom Tresh (8) had the game’s only round tripper.

GAME TWO – Mike Kilkenny (6-5) went the full 9, whitewashing the Pale Hose, 4-0 in the nightcap. Willie Horton (13) drove in 3 runs with a 2-run HR and a double. Don Wert (7) also went yard for the Bengals.

GAME THREE – Denny McLain (17-8) was brilliant, twirling a 4-hit shutout over the White Sox. Jim Northrup’s 9^th inning RBI 2B plated the only run of the game as Detroit won 1-0.

GAME FOUR – Norm Cash (21) swatted a 2-run homer to tie the game in the 8^th. Bill Freehan (17) gave Detroit the lead with a 2-run blast in the 9^th. The Tigers win the series with a 5-2 victory. Mickey Lolich (14-5) hurled 8 strong innings to improve his season mark.

Sens/Sox Split Pair

GAME ONE – Bad ending to a good game. Carlos May raced home from 3^rd on a passed ball by Washington catcher Paul Casanova in the 13^th inning, handing the White Sox a 4-3 win. May was issued a base on balls by Darold Knowles (1-3), went to second on an error, third on a bunt sacrifice.

GAME TWO – Del Unser’s (4) grand slam highlighted a 12-run, 10 hit 8^th inning for the Senators as they cruised to a 15-4 victory to earn a split in the series.

Bums/Cards Split Early August Tilt

GAME ONE – Steve Carlton (7-4) pitched 8 innings and banged out 3 hits and 2 RBI to lead St. Louis to a 10-2 win over Los Angeles. Lou Brock (3) and Julian Javier (7) each homered and drove in 3 apiece.

GAME TWO – St. Louis forced extra innings when Phil Gagliano came through with a 2-out PH RBI single to tie it 5-5. But 3 singles (Willie Davis, Andy Kosco, Tom Haller) and a SF (Bill Sadakis) plated a pair for LA in the T10 and the Dodgers won 7-5.

GAME THREE – Claude Osteen (16-7) fired a complete-game, 2-hitter as the Dodgers won 2-0. Ted Sizemore (3) had 2 hits, including a home run to lead the Bums offense.

GAME FOUR – Vada Pinson (11) rocked a 2-run homer in the 6^th and the Redbirds split the series with a 4-2 victory. Nelson Briles (10-10) evened his season mark. Haller collected 3 hits to lead the Bums.

Pilots sweep Sens with 3 late game rallies

7/29/1969
J.Coleman vs Brabender
Pilots 6, Senators 0

John Donaldson's one out double in the bottom of the 7th broke a scoreless tie.  Tommy Davis (single) and Don Mincher (IBB) both scored easily.  The Pilots scored 4 more in the bottom of the 8th as Gene Brabender (4-9, 3.64) cruised to a 5 hit complete game shutout.

7/30/1969
C.Cox vs Segui
Pilots 6, Senators 2

Four unanswered runs in the bottom of the 8th propelled the Pilots and Diego Segui (8-5, 5.16) to a 6-2 victory.  Steve "Orbit" Hovley and Greg Goossen each had big RBI knocks.  Del Unser's error in center helped extend the inning.  Bob Locker pitched a scoreless 9th in a non save situation.  Hovley (3-4) and Goossen (2-4, 2 RBI) had 5 of Seattle's 7 hits.

7/31/1969
Shellenback vs Talbot
Pilots 8, Senators 3

Game 3 of this series mirrored the first 2 games.  Both teams battled to a standoff until the Pilots found out that their lumber could be useful.  Today the game was tied 1-1 until the Pilots sent 13 ment to the plate and scored 7 runs.  Tommy Davis turned the clock back to the earlier part of the decade when he was a hitting machine for the Dodgers.  Davis (3-4) had a homer and 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored.  Fred "Paternity" Talbot was solid giving up just 1 run in 7 innings, but left the game with a no decision.  Reliever John Gelnar (4-1, 2.84), who was not overly effective in 2 innings of work (2 ER) got the gift win as the Pilots pulled off the unlikely sweep at home vs Washington.

Diamond Dust:  Seattle (46-56) had a real life record of 43-59 on July 31, 1969 and is playing +3 above their real life pace.

Braves Prenez Trois de Expos

GAME ONE – Hank Aaron (27), Clete Boyer (8) and Rico Carty (4) each banged out 2-run home runs as the Braves win 6-2 in the first game back from the All-Star Break. Coco Laboy (5) went yard for the Expos.

GAME TWO – Sonny Jackson’s single in the B12 plated Felix Millan to lift Atlanta to a 3-2 victory. Montreal’s backup 2B Angel Hermosa led all ballplayers with 4 safeties.

GAME THREE – Jerry Robertson (5-5) out-dueled Pat Jarvis (8-6) 2-1 as both pitchers completed the game. Rusty Staub’s RBI single and Mack Jones’ RBI triple in the 1^st were all the runs Montreal would need. Tony Gonzalez (5) went deep for Atlanta’s lone tally.

GAME FOUR – The Braves battle back twice to defeat Expos 5-4 in 10 innings. Trailing 3-1 in the 9^th, Atlanta gets a home from Aaron (28) and an RBI double from Gonzalez to tie it. Bobby Wine (4) cracked a HR in T10 to give the Expos a short-lived 4-3 lead. In B10, Boyer scores on a wild pitch and Bob Didier raced home with the winner on a Gil Garrido ground out. 

Senators Filibuster Yankees At All-Star Break

GAME ONE – Del Unser tripled in a pair of runs in the 6^th inning to power a 4-run inning and a 6-5 win for Washington in the opener of this series. Mike Epstein (17) contributed a 2-run tater in the 4^th inning for the Senators.

GAME TWO – Senators out hit the Bombers 9-3, but it doesn’t translate to the scoreboard as New York wins the DH opener, 2-0. Mel Stottlemyre (13-6) blanks the visitors over 9.  

GAME THREE – Mike Epstein’s (18) 2-run blast in the T9 lifted Washington to a 5-3 win and a DH split. Epstein’s blast followed Bobby Murcer’s (19) 2-run blast in the B8 to tie the game at 3-3. Joe Coleman (8-5) notched the complete-game win for the Sens.

GAME FOUR – Roy White doubled twice and drove in 3 runs as the Yankees even the series with an 8-3 win. Bill Burbach (7-8) surrendered just 1 earned run over 7 innings for the W. 

ChiSox Nearly Sweep Royals

GAME ONE – Bobby Knoop’s 2-run double in the 6^th was the difference maker as Chicago took the series opener from Kansas City, 4-1. Carlos May (20) started things for the ChiSox in the 1^st with his 20^th blast of the year. Tommy John (6-11), Gary “Ding Dong” Bell and Wilbur Wood (13) did the chucking.

GAME TWO – Only 4 of the White Sox 12 runs were earned, nevertheless, they rack up the 12-7 win. May (21) blasted a 3-run HR and Tommy McGraw drove in 4 more with 3 hits to power the offense. Billy Wynne (3-1) was the beneficiary on the mound.

GAME THREE – Ken Berry and Knoop almost single-handedly handled the offense for the Pale Hose in an 8-3 win. Berry (4) blasted a grand slam in the 7^th. Knoop doubled in a pair and walked in another. Gary Peters (9-7) went the full 9 in the first game of this DH before the All-Star Break.

GAME FOUR – Lou Piniella drove in 3 runs with a 2-run triple and sac fly to help KC split the DH and salvage a win in the series, 5-3. Buck Martinez (1) added a long solo homer to the mix. May (22) finished a great first half for the White Sox with another round tripper.  

Friars - Braves Strike Truce

GAME ONE – The first game of a DH was an impressive win for the upstart Padres. They used 5 runs in the 4^th and 3 in the 5^th to whitewash the Braves 8-0. Al Santorini (7-6) tossed 8.2 innings. Larry Stahl drove in three.

GAME TWO – Clete Boyer’s (7) 2-run blast in the first was enough to carry the Braves to a 2-1 win and a split in the double dipper. Jim Britton (6-2) hurled 8 innings for the W with Cecil Upshaw (17) adding the save.

GAME THREE – Not surprising, a brilliant 8 innings of shutout ball was pitched by Niekro today. However, it was Joe (7-6) who turned the trick for the Friars. Billy McCool (4) notched the save. The lone run was tallied when Jose Arcia trotted home on a wild pitch from Paul Doyle (0-1).

GAME FOUR – Pat Jarvis (7-4) and Upshaw (18) pitched the Bravos into the All-Star Break on a winning note, 2-1. Rico Carty scored both runs for the home club and broke up Clay Kirby’s (2-11) no-hitter in the 6^th.  Chris Cannizarro’s (4) 7^th inning donk was the lone run for the Friars.

Pilots come from behind to take 2 of 3 from A's

Seattle pulls 2 miracle come from behind walk off wins out of thin air in games 1 and 2.  Wayne Comer hits the walk off grand slam in the opener.

Game 3 looked to be the same, but the Pilots couldn't get a run across with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th.

Cubs Phfell Phils in Three of Four

The Cubs win three of four fairly easily from Philadelphia but run into Woodie Fryman in Game Three, who shuts down their offense for the Phillies' only win. Glenn Beckert stretches his hit streak to 14 games in the series.

Game One: Cubs 8, Phils 7
W: Selman (5-3)
L: Champion (0-7)

S: Nye (1)

The Cubs batter the Phils' struggling pitcher, Billy Champion, as Kessinger, Beckert, Banks, and Willie Smith all have three hits. Chicago is up 8-1, but their porous bullpen almost blows it late, as Philadelphia comes back to make it 8-7. Larry Hisle cracks two homers (his 14th and 15th) to key the surge. But after Chicago's Phil Regan struggles again in the 9th to close it, Rich Nye gets the final out for his first save.

Game Two: Cubs 4, Phils 1
W: Jenkins (10-11)
L: Wise (8-5)

Fergie Jenkins finally gets to double digits in wins with his usually impeccable control, striking out seven in nine innings without allowing a walk. Two RBIs apiece from Billy Williams and Jimmy Qualls off Rick Wise provide just enough offense.

Game Three: Phils 2, Cubs 0

W: Fryman (11-3)
L: Holtzman (8-11)

Woodie Fryman stymies Cubs hitters, giving up no runs and no extra base hits in a complete game win. Kenny Holtzman matches Fryman,  going the distance and giving up only five hits -- but six walks.  The only run comes from a Deron Johnson RBI single early in the game.

Game Four: Cubs 9, Phils 0
W: Colborn (1-0)
L: Palmer (2-1)

The Cubs bounce back in game two of the doubleheader, pounding young Lowell Palmer for seven runs and 10 hits in five innings. Newly called up Jim Colborn and reliever Ted Abernathy only allow one Phillies hit, a single from Don Money. Billy Williams goes four for five, hits hits 8th and 9th homers, and drives in four. 

Halos and Pale Hose Split After July 4

GAME ONE – Independence Day DH in ChiTown and the Angels Jim McGlothlin (8-5) celebrates with a complete game. He scatters five White Sox hits and walks away with a 5-2 win in the lid lifter. Jim Spencer (3) went to deep for California. Carlos May set off the CF scoreboard fireworks for the home club.

GAME TWO – Joel Horlen (4-7) returns the favor as the White Sox split the July 4^th DH with an 8-1 victory. Horlen allowed just 2 hits over the 9 innings. Ken Berry had 3 of the ChiSox 14 hits and scored 3 runs. Walt Williams batted in 3.

GAME THREE – Catcher Don Pavletich drove in 4 runs with 3 hits. Luis Aparicio scored 4 runs with 3 hits. Carlos May (16) and Bill Melton (14) went yard as the White Sox won 8-4. Bubba Morton had 3 RBI for the Halos. Jay Johnstone had 3 safeties. Billy Wynne (2-1) notched the CG win for the Pale Hose.

GAME FOUR – California splits the series with a 4-2 win in the finale. Johnstone cracked a 2-run homer in the 1^st as the Angels put 3 on the board. Spencer (4) knocked a solo shot in the 4^th. Tom Murphy (9-6) earned the win on the bump with assistance from Ken Tatum (8). Tommy John (5-9) started and lost for the Pale Hose.

4 Tight Games Find Pale Hose Winning 3

GAME ONE – Ed Herrmann’s (2,3) 2^nd HR of the day was a 2-run bomb to right in the B10 to lift the White Sox a 4-3 win over Minnesota. The Twins had gone ahead 3-2 in T10 when Tony Oliva’s IF ground out plated Ted Uhlaender. Rod Carew and Ken Berry also enjoyed wonderful days at the dish with 4 hits apiece.

GAME TWO – Bill Melton singled home Carlos May (5 hits) in B13 to send another extra-inning crowd at Comiskey home with smiles on their faces. The Pale Hose prevailed 9-8. This was a wild one with both teams scoring in large chunks and banging out 18 hits apiece. Chicago struck first with 4 runs in the 2^nd. Buddy Bradford got things started with a 1-out double. After that, it was all 1-baggers that did the damage with Luis Aparicio’s bingo driving in 2. The Twins responded with 5 in the 5^th. Johnny Roseboro and Leo Cardenas doubled in runs. The ChiSox tied the game at 5-5 when May singled in Ron Hansen. In the 12^th, the Twins seemed to have the game in hand putting up a 3-spot. Charlie Manuel’s double was the highlight. But the Sox put 3 more of their own on the board in the B12. Three singles and 2 walks did most of the damage.

GAME THREE – Dave Boswell (7-8) yielded 2 runs and 2 hits in the 6^th inning and that was it. His CG effort gave the Twins a 3-2 win. Tony Oliva’s (23) 8^th inning solo shot was the difference.

GAME FOUR – Chicago wraps up 4-game series with a 4-3 victory. Bradford banged out 3 hits. Gary Peters (7-6) got the win. Wilbur Wood (10) recorded the save. Oliva’s (24) 2-run blast in the 6^th was the games lone long ball. 

Braves Sweep Redlegs off their Feet

GAME ONE – Phil Niekro (11-5) fired a complete game and Clete Boyer added 3 hits as Atlanta takes the opener 5-2.

GAME TWO – Hank Aaron homered twice, scored 3 times and drove in 3 runs as the Braves won 5-2 again.

GAME THREE – Jim Britton (4-0) and Claude Raymond combined on a 3-hit shutout. Atlanta blanks the Redlegs 5-0.

Expos split four games with Phillies

June 27, 1969 - Expos 5  Phillies 1
Righthander Steve Renko (1-0) debuts by throwing a complete game four hitter.  Renko allowed only one unearned run while walking three with nine strikeouts.  Montreal shortstop Bobby Wine drove in two of the runs.

June 28, 1969 - Phillies 9 Expos 2
Philadelphia secondbaseman Cookie Rojas hit a grand slam while driving in six as the Phillies romp.  Johnny Briggs added a two run homer.  Phillies lefty Woodie Fryman (10-2) went 8 and two-thirds to earn the win.  Fryman struckout 11 Montreal hitters.  Expo starter Bill Stoneman (1-10) was knocked out with two out in the fourth inning.  He allowed eight runs of which five were earned in three and two-thirds innings of work.

 June 29, 1969 - Expos 4  Phillies 3 (13)
With two out in the ninth and Montreal trailing 3-1, Jose Herrera singled and Adolfo Phillips deposited John Boozer's offering into the left-center field bleachers for a game tying homer.  The score remained tied at 3 until Kevin Collins two out solo homer in the bottom of the 13th ended the first game of the twin-bill.  Gary Waslewski (2-1) picked up the win with three scoreless innings of relief.

June 29, 1969 - Phillies 7  Expos 0
Lowell Palmer (1-0) threw 8 and one third scoreless innings as Philadelphia cruised by Montreal.  Phillies leftfielder Johnny Briggs hit his seventh home run while scoring three runs and driving in three.  Jerry Robertson (3-2) suffered the setback allowing seven runs, of which five were earned on nine hits in 5 and two-third innings.

Cubs Shuffle the Cards By Taking Four Straight

The Cubbies, off to a horrible start to the 1969 season, sweep four from St. Louis at Wrigley, bolstering their confidence by defeating the defending champs.

Game One: Cubs 3, Cards 0

Kenny Holtzman pitches his best game of the year, improving to 6-9, by going 8 innings with 10 strikeouts and shutting down the Cards' offense on six hits. Don Kessinger leads the charge in a game featuring no extra base hits, going three for five and driving in a run.

Game Two: Cubs 2, Cards 1

Bill Hands keeps up the dominating pitching for Chicago, allowing only a triple by St. Louis's Vada Pinson as the only Cardinal hit. His complete game masterpiece (with a gamescore of 84) is helped by an RBI single in the 8th by Randy Hundley that breaks a 1-1 tie and makes a loser of the Cardinals' Dave Guisti, who is now 6-3.

Game Three: Cubs 2, Cards 1 (11 innings)

Another low scoring game, this one features overpowering performances from the Cards' Bob Gibson and the Cubs' Fergie Jenkins. Gibson strikes out 10 and Jenkins 11 in 11 innings of work. But Gibson finally tires in the 11th, loading the bases for Chicago with two outs. Cards' reliever Joe Hoerner comes in and uncorks a wild pitch to win it for Chicago. Jenkins wins his 8th, but Gibson drops to an ugly 3-11 despite pitching well this year.

Game Four: Cubs 6, Cards 4

The Cardinals take an early 3-0 lead off Chicago's Dick Selma, and St. Louis spot starter Mudcat Grant is cruising along by striking out nine with only one walk. But the Cubs bats wake up in the eighth inning as they score five times on six hits in the inning, including back to back doubles by Ron Santo and Ernie Banks that knock out Grant. Phil Regan again has a rocky outing but only allows one Chicago run to gain the win in relief.

Bums Thrive in HotLanta

GAME ONE – Orlando Cepeda singled in the B8 to score Sonny Jackson, lifting Atlanta to a 3-2 win in the opener. Rico Carty contributed 3 hits. Los Angeles loaded the bases in the T9 before Paul Doyle (2) came on to fan Willie Crawford.

GAME TWO – Jim Lefebvre (3) swatted a 2-run homer highlighting a 4-run 6^th for LA as the Dodgers evened the series with a 5-1 win. Wes Parker drove in a pair of runs with sac flies. Don Drysdale (4-3) pitched 6 innings for the win.

GAME THREE – Claude Osteen (11-3) was magnificent on the mound and at the plate. He scattered 11 hits over 9 innings as the Dodgers beat the Braves 4-3. He helped himself with 2 hits and an RBI. Willie Davis added 3 hits. Phil Niekro fell to 10-5.

GAME FOUR – Bill Singer (11-4) tossed the second consecutive complete game for the Dodgers as they finish off the Braves 7-4 in the series finale. Andy Kosco (3 RBI) and Parker (3 hits) were the hitting stars. 

Cubs, Pirates Split a Four Gamer

The struggling Cubs cool down the streaking Pirates, taking the first two games of the series. But the Pirates powerful offense and bad Chicago pitching conspire to give the Pirates the next two.

Game One: Kenny Holtzman two-hits the Pirates in a complete game win, subsequently ending Matty Alou's 22 game hitting streak and Roberto Clemente's 14 game streak. Billy Williams' homer in the first off Bob Moose is the only scoring. Chicago 1, Pittsburgh 0.

Game Two: Williams goes three-for-four and Willie Smith drives a fifth inning three run homer to key the Cubs to a win. Cubs 5, Pirates 2.

Game Three: Chicago appears to be in control again, with a two run lead going into the ninth behind an 11 strikeout performance from Fergie Jenkins. But reliever Phil Regan blows the save in the ninth, as the Pirates score three that includes a Richie Hebner homer and a scratch single from Freddie Patek that gives the Bucs their first lead. Pirates 6, Cubs 5.

Game Four: The Pirates offense maintains its momentum, scoring eight runs as Clemente and Stargell both homer off Dick Selma and Dock Ellis goes the entire way. Pirates 8, Cubs 4.

Les Expos Take Trois from the Bad News Cubs

Chicago continues its nightmarish year, dropping to 26-43 and to last in the NL East by losing three of four to the expansion Expos, who look like a contender rather than a new team against the slip-sliding Cubs (who have only won two of their last 10).

Game One: Mon 1, Cubs 0

Jerry Robertson outduels Bill Hands in a game featuring only five base hits (four by the Expos). Rusty Staub's RBI double in the first is the only scoring.

Game Two: MON 5, Cubs 2

Fergie Jenkins continues to struggle after a stellar 1968, dropping to 7-10 while allowing 10 Montreal hits. Mack Jones leads the scoring with two RBIs and a double behind a wild but effective Howie Reed (1-0).

Game Three: Cubs 11, MON 3

Don Kessinger stops the pain for one game by going four-for-four with four RBIs with two doubles (he now has 15 on the year), as the Cubbies win big and batter Montreal starter Gary Waslewski.

Game Four: Mon 13, Cubs 9

Montreal jumps all over Cubs spot starter Archie Reynolds in the second game of the doubleheader, scoring nine runs in Reynolds' 3.2 innings of work. The Cubs attempt a late comeback, knocking out the Expos' Mike Wegener but have too big a hole to climb. Bob Bailey is the hitting hero with two doubles and three driven in.

Giants-Braves Battle Even

GAME ONE – Mike McCormick (5-3) and Frank Linzy (4) combine on a 4-hit shutout as the Giants blank the Braves 1-0. Willie McCovey’s (12) 4^th inning blast was the lone run.

GAME TWO – Rico Carty (2) and Orlando Cepeda (12) each hit 2-run home runs as Atlanta evened the series with a 6-2 win. Phil Niekro (10-4) went the distance to reach double figures in wins.

GAME THREE – Juan Marichal (11-1) was simply magical in a 3-0 whitewashing of the Braves in the lid-lifter of a Sunday DH. The Dominican Dandy surrendered just 3 hits. McCovey (13) and Jim Ray Hart (1) cracked back-to-back taters in the 6^th.

GAME FOUR – Atlanta gained the split in the twin bill and the series with a come-from-behind 4-3 win. Linzy (3-3) failed to hold the lead for the Giants, surrendering a game-tying wild pitch and an RBI single to Sonny Jackson in the 8^th. Pat Jarvis (5-3) started and won for the Bravos. Paul Doyle (1) got the save. 

Stros - Braves Split Wild Series in HotLanta

GAME ONE – In a battle of aces, Larry Dierker (6-7) went the distance for the Astros and Phil Niekro (9-4) struggled mightily to control his knuckler (9 walks). Houston won the DH opener 10-4 with Sandy Valdespino (5 hits) and Doug Rader (4 RBI) the hitting stars.

GAME TWO – The ‘Stros explode for 6 runs in T9 and sweep the Monday DH in Atlanta. Denis Menke doubled and homered with his 3 hits and drove in 3 runs. Marty Martinez also had 3 safeties. Fred Gladding (6-1) notched the win in relief.

GAME THREE – Cecil Upshaw (2-4) hit for himself in B10 and singled in Bob Aspromonte to give the Braves a 4-3 win. Tony Gonzalez, Rico Carty and Bob Didier all had 3 hits as Atlanta squandered numerous opportunities earlier in the game.

GAME FOUR – Henry Aaron (18) sent the die-hard fans home happy with a 2-run walk-off HR in B14th on a wild, steamy not in HotLanta. The Braves won 8-6, but not before the two clubs combined for 29 hits (Atl. 15) and 27 runners LOB (Hou. 17). Milt Pappas (5-6) faced 1 batter, got him to hit into a DP, and earned the win. Felipe Alou had 4 hits for the home club. Martinez equaled that mark for the visitors.

Pilots Cruise by Chicago

GAME ONE – Billy Wynne (1-0) tossed 8 1/3 innings of shutout ball in his first start of the 1969 season to lift Chicago to a 1-0 win over the Seattle Pilots. Wilbur Wood (7) retired the final two hitters for the save. The Navs managed just 3 hits total. Wynne also scored the only run of the contest when he trotted home on a Carlos May infield out in the 3^rd. Mike Marshall (2-10) was the hard-luck loser.

GAME TWO – Mike Hegan singled in Jerry McNertney (4 hits) in the 12^th to hand Seattle a 5-4 win in the led-lifter of a DH on the South Side of Chicago. Bob Locker (1-0) was the winner in relief. The two teams combined for 25 total hits, but just 1 extra-base hit; Bill Melton’s double in the 8^th which tied the game at 4-4.

GAME THREE – Don Mincher’s (16) 2-run blast in the 5^th was the difference maker in a 6-4 Pilots win for a DH sweep. Mincher got a cookie from tiring former teammate Gary “Ding Dong” Bell and crushed it to RF. Diego Segui got the W in relief with Jim Bouton (2) going the final two frames for the save.

GAME FOUR – Marty Pattin (6-4) scattered 4 hits over 9 innings cruising to an easy 11-0 win as Seattle took 3 of 4 from the ChiSox. Pattin fanned 7 and walked no one. John Donaldson went 3-5 with 3 RBI to pace the offense. Chicago’s defense helped out with 4 errors. 

O's Fly Past White Sox

GAME ONE – The visiting Orioles piled up 16 singles to defeat the White Sox 6-4 on a rainy night in Chicago. Mark Belanger led the way with 3 knocks. Mike Cuellar (8-1) grabbed the win on the mound; Gary Peters (6-4) the loss. Carlos May donned the Golden Sombrero with 4 strikeouts. 

GAME TWO – “Beltin” Bill Melton’s (12) 2-run blast in the B9 evened the series as the ChiSox walked off with a 6-4 victory. Baltimore had plated 3 runs in the 8^th to take a 4-2 lead with Paul Blair’s 2-run single being the biggest blow. Chicago’s response in the 9^th began with back to back doubles by Bob Christian and Woodie Held off Jim Palmer (5-2). Ron Hansen pinch ran for Held and scored on a Tommy McGraw single. One out later, Melton ended it.

GAME THREE – Dave McNally (9-4) went the distance allowing just 1 run on 3 hits as the O’s took the DH opener 4-1. McNally helped himself offensively with 2 hits, and RBI and a run scored. Dave Johnson chipped in 3 hits. 

GAME FOUR – The Orioles sweep the double header taking an early 6-1 lead and cruising to a 12-6 win. Chico Salmon (3 hits) and Clay Dalrymple (2 hits) led the offensive attack with a homer each and 3 and 4 RBI, respectively. Melton and Ed Herrmann went yard for the Pale Hose on a windy day in Chitown.

Braves Take Two from Cubs

GAME ONE – “Hammerin Hank” (15) sent the Atlanta folks home with smiles on their faces with a 3-run blast in the 10^th inning. The Braves won 6-5 over the Cubs. The Aaron homer ended a wonderful game that saw Bob Tillman (7) answer Randy Hundley’s (4) 9^th inning solo HR in the B9 to send the game to extras tied 3-3. In the T10^th Willie Smith (3) cracked a 2-run shot, only to be trumped the O Henry.

GAME TWO – Phil Niekro (9-3) fanned Ron Santo, Ernie Banks and Willie Smith in the 9^th to preserve a 3-2 Braves win. Niekro K’d 11 for the game and walked just 1. Orlando Cepeda (10) blasted a 2-run homer in the 5^th for the game winner. Bill Hands (5-8) was the tough luck loser for the Cubs.

GAME THREE – The Cubs showed no mercy on rookie starter Garry Hill (0-1) plating 8 runs in the first two innings. The shell-shocked rookie was seen leaving the ballpark still in his uniform. He was never heard from again. You can look it up. Randy Hundley and the powerful Paul Popovich had 3 hits apiece. Hundley and Billy Williams (3-run HR) had 3 RBI each. Dick Selma (3-1) was the beneficiary on the mound for Chicago as the Cubs went on to an 11-6 win. Cepeda had 3 hits and knocked in 4 runs for the Bravos.  

Pale Hose Sweep Tribe

GAME ONE – PH Woodie Held (1) smacked a Jack Hamilton (0-4) fastball over the RF wall for a 5-3 walk-off winner for the White Sox. Bill Melton’s (10) 3-run blast in the 2^nd gave the Pale Hose their other runs. Cal Peterson’s 1^st inning double plated a pair for the Indians, The tying run was an unearned run in the 8^th.

GAME TWO – A wild and windy day on the South Side of Chicago saw the Sox blow away the Tribe 22-8. Five baseballs went flying out on a 30+ mph jet stream to RF. Tommy McGraw, Luis Aparicio and Gail Hopkins went deep for the Sox. Ray Fosse and Ken Harrelson had dingers for Cleveland. McGraw and Pete Ward banged out 4 hits each to lead a 20-hit ChiSox attack. Carlos May (5) and Buddy Bradford (4) had 9 RBI between them. Chicago had 3 2B, 3 3B and 3 HR. The home club put crooked numbers on the board in every inning except the 2^nd and 3^rd when they were blanked. Lou Klimchock had 4 of the visitors’ 16 hits. Wilbur Wood (1-3) earned his first win of the year with 3 1/3 innings of relief.

GAME THREE – The White Sox complete the sweep as McGraw singled home Bobby Knoop (3 hits) in the 10^th for a 5-4 victory. Cisco Carlos (2-1) got the win in relief. Hawk Harrelson homered for the Tribe.

The Big Red Machine Paints the Cubs Blue

Cincinnati shows off its powerful offense and gets just enough pitching to take the series 2-1 at Wrigley over the Cubs.

Game One: Cin 4, Chi 2
W: Cloninger (5-4)
L: Holtzman (4-9)
S: Granger (7)

Alex Johnson slugs two homers and drives in three of the four Cincy runs, as the Cubs Kenny Holtzman continues to struggle this year. The Reds' Tony Cloninger only gives up two runs despite walking seven, and Wayne Granger sets down the Chicago batters in 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.

Game Two: Cin 5, Chi 2

W: Merritt (4-3)
L: Hands (5-7)
S: Granger (8)

It's Tony Perez's turn to hit two Reds' homers in a game at Wrigley; "Mad Dog" now has 10 on the year. Bill Hands is the latest Cubs' starter to struggle, as he gives up 12 hits in eight innings. Granger works another 2.1 innings of scoreless relief as the tall righty again thwarts Cubs batters.

Game Three: Chi 3, Cin 0
W: Jenkins (7-7)
L: Culver (2-2)

Fergie Jenkins assumes his ace role by stopping the Cubs' slide, pitching a complete game four-hit shutout against the potent Reds lineup. Don Kessinger's double and two runs scored help drive the scoring as the Cubs do enough damage to support Jenkins' outstanding effort.

Bucs - Bravos Split Treasure

GAME ONE – The Pirates used the “Launching Pad” to rocket 4 long balls out against Phil Niekro (8-3) and take the opener 8-0. Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguilen, Jose Pagan (4 hits) and Freddie Patek all went deep. Dock Ellis (4-3) yielded just 4 hits in 8 innings pitched. 

GAME TWO – Orlando Cepeda (8,9) homered twice and drove in 4 as the Braves evened the series with a 10-5 victory. Mike Lum, Sonny Jackson and Clint Didier contributed 3 hits each to an 18-hit Atlanta siege. PHs Carl Taylor and Jerry May went yard for the Bucs.

GAME THREE – Jose Pagan’s 7^th inning 3-run blast was the difference maker as Pittsburgh topped the Braves 6-5 in the lid-lifter of a DH. Matty Alou had a trio of singles. Jim Bunning (4-5) got the W with Bruce Dal Canton (7) adding the save.

GAME FOUR – Henry Aaron hit his 14^th HR of the season among his 3 hits. Bob Tillman (6) cracked a 3-run bomb in the 3^rd as Atlanta split the DH and the series with a 10-4 win. Gil Garrido also had 3 safeties for the victorious Bravos. Milt Pappas (4-5) earned the win. 

Miracle Mets take two from expansion Padres

San Diego Stadium,

Game 1,
The Padres connected for three homeruns off Met rookie right hander Gary Gentry.  Nate Colbert hit his 10th homerun leading off the second inning. Chris Cannizzaro smashed his second dinger of the year to lead off the following inning. Finally Al "The Bull" Ferrera hit a solo shot in the fourth inning. With all the homeruns leaving the park for San Diego, the bullpen had to stave off a ninth inning rally by the Mets. New York scored two runs in the last frame and had the tying runners on base with Cleon Jones coming up. Frank Reberger struck out the young slugger and preserved the win for the Padres.  Padres 5...Mets 4.

Agee's homerun downs Padres

Game 2,
Jerry Koosman has been stellar so far this year for the surprising Mets. Things did not change in this game as Koosman was spectacular. The young left hander gave up only 4 hits and one run. With Koosman mowing them down, he still needed help from this offense. San Diego was leading 1-0 to begin the ninth inning when Rod Gasper singled and scored when Tommie Agee smacked a deep homerun to left center to give the Mets a 2-1 lead. That was all Koosman needed as he shut down the Padres the rest of the game.  Johnny Podres was the hard luck loser as he sinks to 1-6. Koosman improves to 5-1. Mets 2...Padres 1.

Game 3,

Seaver wiffs 11 Padres

Mets ace Tom Seaver has been up and down. Today he was up...way up! He was simply overpowering as he struck out 11 Padres and did not allow one friar to touch home plate.  Met catcher J.C. Martin went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI to lead a New York 13 hit attack to improve the Mets record to 27-24. Seaver evens his record at 5-5 while Al Santorini falls to 4-2....Mets 7...Padres 0

Long Ball Grounds Pilots as Orioles Sweep Through Seattle

Game 1: Baltimore 5 Seattle 2: WP McNally (8-3)  LP Bell (3-4)
Game 2: Baltimore 3 Seattle 2: WP Palmer (5-1) LP Brabender (1-6)
Game 3: Baltimore 5 Seattle 2: WP Cuellar (7-1)  LP Barber (4-3)

The Baltimore Orioles amassed 23 hits and 7 home runs over 3 games to help sweep the Seattle Pilots at Memorial Stadium.  The 3 game series saw Frank Robinson rip 3 homers (one in each game) to collect 14, 15 and 16 on the season.  Brooks Robinson added 2 to his total as well.  The Orioles got complete games from all their starting pitchers.  7 of Baltimore's total Runs came in the first inning of play.  Seattle did make it close in game 2 as Ex-Oriole Gene Brabender gave up 3 first inning runs only to shut down the Baltimore hitting machine after that.  However, a 2 run 2nd inning for the Pilots would not be enough to catch the Eastern Division leaders.  Baltimore improves their record to 43-12 and Seattle drops to 22-29.

ROBERTSON COOLS SD BATS

Tosses three hit shutout

June 1, 1969 Montreal:  With a three game skid staring the Expos in the face, righthander Jerry Robertson (1-1) tosses a gem in Montreal's 2-0 win.  Robertson allowed only three singles while walking four and striking out two.  Veteran Johnny Podres (1-5) also went the distance for the Padres allowing only two runs and seven hits. 

The Expos scored single runs in the second and third innings which was all Robertson needed.  Maury Wills and Rusty Staub each collected two hits for Montreal. 

SAN DIEGO TAKES GAME TWO IN 11

11th inning HR dooms Expos

May 31, 1969 Montreal:  Al Ferrara doubled with two out in the 11th and Ed Spiezio followed with a shot over the right field fence as the Padres downed the Expos 5-3.  Spiezio finished the game with three hits and two RBI.  Ferrara homered earlier and finished with three hits and two RBI as well.

Expos rightfielder Rusty Staub continued his hot hitting with three hits and a run scored.

San Diego reliever Frank Reberger (4-3) throws two scoreless innings to garner the win.  Expos reliever Don Shaw (1-5) is tagged with the loss.

PADRES FLEX MUSCLES IN SERIES OPENER

Enjoys three hit game

May 30, 1969 Montreal:  In the first series between the two newest members of the National league the Padres overcome a 2-0 deficient with a six run outburst in the top of the sixth.  San Diego banged out five consecutive singles with the big blow being a two run single by Roberto Pena.  Catcher Chris Cannizzaro known more for the intangibles he brings behind the plate had three of the Padres 16 hits.

San Diego added three solo homers in the 9th as Nate Colbert and Ollie Brown went back-to-back and Cito Gaston went deep one out later.

Rusty Staub paced the Expos offense with two hits and three RBI.  Mack Jones hit his 10th home run of the season.

Southpaw Dick Kelly (2-3) hurled six innings of two run ball to pick up the win.  Montreal starter Mike Wegener (1-4) suffered the defeat.  Wegener allowed nine hits and six of the runs in five and one third innings.    


Red Birds Fly Over Braves

GAME ONE – Former Brave Joe Torre went 5-5 with 8 RBI, including a 3-run HR, as St. Louis scalped Phil Niekro (7-2) and the Braves 11-4. Julian Javier also had 3 hits and 3 runs scored. Hank Aaron was most of the offense for Atlanta with a pair of jacks. Nelson Briles (6-3) was the WP for the Cardinals.

GAME TWO – Former Cardinal Orlando Cepeda ended this marathon in the bottom of the 15^th with a sac fly scoring Bob Aspromonte for the 5-4 win. Aspromonte led off the inning and dribbled one back to the mound where lefty Mel Nelson (1-2) fumbled it. Felix Millan (3 hits) executed the hit and run leaving runners on the corners for Cepeda with 1 out. Earlier in the game, Aaron (11,12) demonstrated he is in a “groove” with a pair of 2-run bombs for the Bravos. Mike Shannon (8) went deep for St. Loo  in the 6^th to briefly give them a 5-4 lead.  Tim McCarver and Curt Flood rapped out 3 base knocks for the Redbirds.

GAME THREE – Joe Torre’s (6) solo shot in the 7^th proved to be the game winner as St. Louis takes the series with a 3-2 victory. Steve Carlton (2-1) went the distance besting Milt Pappas (2-3). 

Bombers and ChiSox Split Pair

GAME ONE – Mel Stottlemyre (6-3) went the distance in a 4-3 Yankees series opening victory. Gene Michael had 3 hits and scored 2 runs. Joe Pepitone went oppo for his 12^th HR of the season.

GAME TWO – Final game of a short series is all White Sox as they unload on three Yankees hurlers (Burbach, Aker, Downing). Walt “No-Neck” Williams is the biggest bat with 3 hits and 3 RBI. 

Pale Hose Take Series from Carmines

GAME ONE – Reggie Smith banged out 3 hits including a bases clearing triple in the 9^th to lead the Red Sox to a 7-5 win over the White Sox.

GAME TWO – Gary Peters (5-2) fired a 3-hit shutout as the Pale Hose evened the series with the Carmines with the 3-0 victory.

GAME THREE – Bill Melton’s single in the B8 scored Walt Williams and Luis Aparicio as the ChiSox come from behind for a 3-2 win.  

Padres split four with Cubs.

San Diego Stadium,

Game 1,

Sipin goes deep.

San Diego scored three runs during the 3rd inning; that would be all they would need to upend the visiting Cubbies.  Nate Colbert smashed a single past first to plate the initial Padre tally that evened the game at 1.  Cito Gaston grounded a basehit between short and third to score Colbert and Tony Gonzalez.  Gary Ross was the starter and winner for San Diego as he pitched 7 innings while scattering 8 hits to up his record at 1-4. The loser for Chicago was former Padre Dick Selma (2-1). Jack Baldschun collected his 3rd save of the year. Padres 3...Cubs 1.

Game 2,

Dick Kelley was on top of his game for San Diego. Kelly pitched a complete game shutout as the upstart Padres breezed past the Cubs 3-0.  Both teams were only able to muster 4 hits each but the home town team made good use of their safeties.  Young San
Diego second sacker, John Sipin hit his first homerun of the season in the sixth inning with a runner on base to up the Padre lead to 3-0. Sipin's homerun was a low liner that made it just over the 17 foot fence, caromed off the seats in the first row and bounced back on the field.  Kenny Holtzman was the hard luck loser for Chicago as he falls to 4-6 on the season. Padres 3...Cubs 0.

Game 3,

1st game of DH
Bill Hands was too much for the young Padre batters as he returned the favor of shutting out the San Diego club.  Hands only allowed three hits as he improves to 4-6. Joe Niekro took the loss for San Diego to sink to 3-2.  Cubs 4....Padres 0.

Nye cools Friar's bats.

Game 4,

2nd game of DH

Jim Hickman hit a boomering homerun in a 4 run 5th inning for Chicago. Hickman's mammoth shot went nearly 420 feet and it even drew admiration from his opponents.  Centerfielder Cito Gaston lamented, "I did not even have to move. I knew it was out. I just turned around to see how far it would travel."  Rich Nye went the distance for Chicago to move to 2-0. The loss was hung on veteran lefty Johnny Podres (1-4). Podres was not sharp as the Cub hitters tagged him for seven earned runs on 10 hits through only 5 innings. Cubs 7...Padres 1.

Deron Johnson Powers Philly Past Braves

GAME ONE – Milt Pappas (3-3) homered to help himself as Atlanta won 5-3. Bob Tillman (5) and Clete Boyer (5) also went deep for the Braves. Dick Allen swatted his 12^th of the year for the Phillies.

GAME TWO – Deron Johnson’s (5) 3-run bomb in the 8^th lifted Philadelphia to a 6-4 victory. Cecil Upshaw (0-2) suffered his 2^nd blown save. Larry Hisle (7,8), hitting in the 8^th hole, smacked solo HRs in the 3^rd and 8^th. Rick Wise (5-2) got the mound win.

GAME THREE – Deron Johnson (6) took Upshaw (0-3) over the wall again as the Phillies win 3-2 in 13 innings. Gary Wagner (1-4) was the beneficiary on the hill for the Phils. 

Frank Fernandez 4 Homer Day Knots Series 2-2

GAME ONE – Rich Reese doubled home Ted Uhlaender in the 10^th to lift Minnesota past New York 4-3. Cesar Tovar (3) led off the game with a homer as one of his 3 hits. Leo Cardenas also had 3 safeties. Horace Clarke (1) and Joe Pepitone (11) went deep for the Yanks. Ron Perranoski (2-3) bested Al Downing (0-2) in a relief battle.

GAME TWO – Ted Uhlaender banged out four hits and Jim Kaat (5-4) tossed 8 shutout innings as Minnesota wins easily, 4-0.

GAME THREE – Frank Fernandez (4,5) blasted 2 home runs, doubled and drove in 3 runs to help the Yankees take the opener of a DH, 6-1. Tom Tresh and Jim Lyttle added 3 hits apiece. Fritz Peterson (6-3) went the distance for the win.

GAME FOUR – Bronx Bombers complete the DH sweep and even the series as Fernandez (6,7) finishes a 4-homer day with two more bombs. He drove in all 5 runs in a 5-1 Yankees win. Stan Bahnsen (2-7) out-dueled Dick Woodson (1-3) on the mound.

Bucs Sweep Padres

San Diego Stadium,

Game 1,

Pittsburgh strikes for 3 runs in the ninth inning off Joe Niekro to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Niekro losses his first game of the season to fall to 3-1. The victory went to Bruce Dal Canton (4-0) and Chuck Haretenstein collected his 5th save. Pirates 3...Padres 1.

Moose has strong outing.

Game 2,

Roberto Clemente drove in two runs with a hit to help the Pirates win the second game of the series.  Bob Moose surrendered a measly three hits over 7.2 innings to improve his record at 3-2. Yesterday's winner, Dal Canton earned his 4th save.  Tommie Sisk falls to 1-3 for San Diego. Pirates 3...Padres 1.

Game 3,

Clemente drives in a pair.

Willie Stargell hit his 3rd homerun in the season to help erase a 5-1 San Diego lead. Pittsburgh struck for 4 runs in the 5th inning to knot the game at 5. However, Ollie Brown drove in Arcia in the bottom of the 5th to retake the lead for San Diego.  Pittsburgh tied the game in the ninth and won it in the 10th on a RBI single to left center by Al Oliver.  Chuck Hartenstein got the win (1-0) and Billy McCool got the loss (0-1).  Pirates 7...Padre 6 (10 innings)