Cubs Blow Out Mets To Take Three of Four

The Cubs, expected to contend for the NL crown, come into the series with a dismal 7-16 record. They proceed to blow away the dangerous Mets in three of the four games, finally showing signs of life as the calendar turns to May.

Game One: Cubs 9, Mets 0
W: Holtzman (1-4)
L: Gentry (0-2)

Kenny Holtzman finally wins his first game after a disappointing season start, pitching a complete game shutout on three hits. The Mets' Gary Gentry walks eight and looks shaky. Billy Williams finally hits his first homer of the year but all the Cubs join in the offensive attack.

Game Two: Cubs 6, Mets 0
W: Jenkins (3-3)
L: Ryan (0-1)

The Mets continue to find it impossible to score runs, as Fergie Jenkins pitches a complete game shutout to even his record at three apiece. Williams continues his red hot series with a key two-run double off Nolan Ryan, and Al Spangler drives in two.

Game Three: Mets 3, Cubs 1 (12 innings)

W: Taylor (4-0)
L: Regan (1-2)

Tom Seaver and Ron Taylor finally shut down the Cubs hitters in the first game of the doubleheader. Cubs' starter Bill Hands is equally effective, only allowing one Mets run in eight innings off a rare Ron Santo error. The game is finally won by the Mets in the 12th, as Ken Boswell pounds his first homer by lining a pitch from reliever Phil Regan into the rightfield stands. Taylor goes to 4-0 in relief.

Game Four: Cubs 21, Mets 4
W: Selma (1-0)
L: McGraw (-05)

The Cubs roar back from the loss by plating 21 runs off a shellshocked Tug McGraw and Jim McAndrew. Williams hits his second longball of the series and Jim Hickman strokes a long homer to left and drives in five. McGraw gives up 12 runs in his 4.2 innings of work (in the literal sense), while the Cubs' Dick Selma, who came over in the offseason, wins his first in a Cubs uniform.

Expos take rubber game

Montreal, May 1, 1969:  Mack Jones continues his hot hitting going 2 for 2 with 2 runs and 2 RBI as the Expos took the series finale over the Mets 9-4.   Jones reached base five times as he walked the other 3 times he was at the plate.  Donn Clendenon's bat continues to show life as he went 2 for 5 with 2 runs, 3 RBI and hit his second home run of the series.  Third sacker Coco Laboy added 3 hits to the Montreal attack.

Stoneman picks up his first win

Montreal received another solid performance from their starting pitcher as Bill Stoneman (1-3) went seven strong innings to pick up his first win of the season.  The righthander allowed only 6 hits and 1 run, with 8 strikeouts while allowing only 1 walk.  Don Cardwell (1-2) struggled with his control walking 6 in 5 innings.

Expos get past Mets in 13

Montreal, April 30, 1969:  It took 13 innings and Tom Teriffic had long since taken his showers but the Expos won the game Seaver started.  The Mets righthander certainly did his part, allowing one run in 10 innings of work.  Veteran first sacker Donn Clendenon excited the Montreal faithful with a solo blast to lead off the top of the second.  The lead held until the top of the seventh   Yesterday's hero Cleon Jones started off the inning with a single.  He stole second and moved to third on a Ed Kranepool fly out to right.  Ron Swoboda then hit a grounder that Montreal starter Mike Wegener could not handle allowing Jones to score and tie the game.  The score remained tied at one until the bottom of the 13th.  Maury Wills singled to start the inning.  Mota then followed with a run and hit single, moving Wills to third.  After a Staub fly out to shallow center, Mack Jones' seeing eye single between first and second plated Wills with the winning run.

Clendenon gives Expos early lead



Montreal benefitted from outstanding pitching this game.  Expo starter Mike Wegener threw seven innings of one run ball, walking only one with five punch-outs.  Four Montreal relievers threw six scoreless innings of relief.  Don Shaw (1-4) picked up his first win of the season.  Mets reliever Tug McGraw(0-4) suffered the loss.

Jones powers Mets past Expos

Montreal, April 29, 1969:  Cleon Jones three run homer in the top of the 6th gave Jerry Koosman and the Mets enough breathing room to get by the Expos 4-2.  New York held a 1-0 lead after the fifth.  Shortstop Bud Harrelson chopped a single between short and third to lead off the inning.  After a Gaspar sacrifice, Ken Boswell grounded a single into right, moving Harrelson to third.  Then the Mets leftfielder turned on one that went over the leftfield fence and just missed the fair pole. Earlier, Jones drove in the Mets first run in the fourth inning.  Jones finished 2 for 4 with a HR, and drove in all four of the New York runs. 

Jones leads Mets over Expos

New York southpaw Koosman went the distance improving his record to 3-0.  Montreal starter Mudcat Grant fell to 1-2 on the season.

San Diego Sweeps LA

San Diego Stadium,

Game 1,

Joe Niekro went the distance but yielded 2 runs in the top of the ninth inning to knot the game at 3. However, in the bottom of the inning, San Diego struck for the game winner on a bases loaded walk to catcher Chris Cannizzaro. Niekro moves to 1-0 and the loss was credited to Jim Brewer 0-1.  Padres 4....Dodgers 3.

Game 2,

Nate Colbert hit a 2 run homerun, his second of the year, during the 2nd inning to lead the Padres to a quick 2 game sweep against the visitors from up the the freeway.  Al Santorini threw wonderfully as he improved to 2-0. Santorini did require relief help from Tommie Sisk to preserve the victory.  Joe Moeller(0-1) got the loss. Padres 4...Dodgers 2.

Reds Sweep Padres

San Diego Stadium,

Game 1,

Lee May Smacked his 7th homerun of the season and veteran Jim Maloney pitched a masterful performance as Cincinnati blanked the Padres. Maloney pitched a complete game shut out while allowing only 2 singles in the stellar outing. Maloney remains perfect at 3-0. Reds 4....Padres 0.


Game 2,

Merritt and Dick Kelley both struggled in a hitter's match in the second game of the series.  Bobby Tolan connected for two homeruns as Cincy outlasted the Padres.  Gary Nolan earned his 4th win as the last reliever to pitch for the Reds during the game. Dick Kelley lasted six innings as he coughed up 5 runs. Star outfielder Pete Rose went 3 for 4 to improve his average to .406. Bobby Tolan kept pace with Rose with 3 hits of his own and maintain an identical .406 batting average.  Reds 7....Padres 5.


Game 3,

Cincinnati banged out 15 hits including 4 by super fuego Bobby Tolan to knock off the Friars.  Alex Johnson went 4 for 5 and drove in 4 runs in support of Jack Fisher. Fisher earned his first victory of the season to even his record at 1-1.  The loss went to veteran south paw Johnny Podres (1-3).  Reds 7...Padres 1.


Game 4,

Cincinnati erupted for 3 runs in the top of the ninth to break a 2-2 tie.  Friar reliever Jack Baldschun was the recipient of the big Red bats as they abused him for 4 runs on 7 hits through 1.2 innings of relief work to fall to 1-2. Clay Carroll blew the save for the wins but picked up the victory (2-0).  Reds 5...Padres 2.

Braves win two against the Padres

San Diego Stadium,

Game 1,

Hank Aaron and Felix Millan each drive in a pair as Atlanta easily upends the Padres.  Ron Reed pitched a complete game as he surrendered only one run as he scattered 8 hits for the game to up his record to 2-1. The hard luck loser was Johnny Podres (1-2). Roberto Pena was the bright spot for San Diego. Pena banged out three safeties in the defeat. Braves 6...Padres 1.

Game 2,

Pat Jarvis has had it rough in the early going as he lost his first three games. He got the ship righted against the expansion Padres to get into the victory column.  Jarvis went surrendered only 3 hits through 6 innings for his initial triumph of the infant season.  Bob Tillman connected for a two run homerun(his second on the campaign) to support the right hander's performance.  Lefty Dick Kelley got tagged with the loss and falls to 0-2.  San Diego shortstop Roberto Pena had another 3-hit performance to go 6 for 8 during the short two game series.  Braves 3...Padres 2.

Cleveland Snaps Oriole 9 Game Win Streak

3 for 4 with 1 RBI

Game 1: Cleveland 7  Baltimore 6 10 innings
WP: Juan Pizzaro (1-0, 2.70 ERA)
LP: Dick Hall (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
SV: Horacio Pina (1)
GWRBI: Jose Cardenal

The 2-8 Indians entered Memorial Stadium facing a red hot Baltimore squad who had just run off 9 wins in a row.  It looked like the Orioles would continue their good fortunes as they would swiftly jump out to a 3-0 lead.  But a big 4th inning by Cleveland would have things knotted up and into a back and forth affair for the remainder of the game.  With the score tied at 6-6, heading into the top of the 10th, Cleveland would put together some slap hit singles combined with some poor timed walks by Oriole pitching, to eak out a run and eventually the game.  Baltimore would have runners at 1st and 3rd, with one out, in the bottom half of the 10th but could not capitalize.

Game 2: Baltimore 5 Cleveland 1
WP: Tom Phoebus (2-1, 1.50 ERA 5Ks)
LP: Stan Williams (0-3, 6.30 ERA, 3Ks)
GWRBI: Merv Rettenmund

Game MVP Merv Rettenmund went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs to put Baltimore back on its winning ways as the Orioles downed the Indians 5-1.  The game was close until the 5th and 6th innings when Baltimore blew the game open.  Frank Robinson would chip in with a home run (3rd) and 3 RBIs to aid in the win.  The victory improves the Orioles to 13-3 while the Indians drop to 3-9.

EARL WEAVER QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Every time I fail to smoke a cigarette between innings, the opposition will score."

Jones stays hot as Expos sweep Chicago...

April 20, 1969 Montreal:  Expos leftfielder Mack Jones went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI as Montreal gains their first series sweep in team history.  Jones raised his average to .342 on the young season.  Shortstop Maury Wills did what he does best, getting on base with two walks, scoring two runs and stealing a base.

Young righty Carl Morton improved his record to 2-1, holding the Cubs scoreless for six innings.  Fergie Jenkins saw his record fall to 1-2 as he struggled with his control in the April Canadian weather allowing seven walks in eight innings.

Wegener helps Expos make it two in a row...

April 20, 1969 Montreal:  Righthander Mike Wegener debuted with seven strong innings as Montreal downed Chicago 5-2 in the first game of a twin-bill.  Wegener (1-0) allowed five hits and two runs while walking one and striking out two.  Lefty Dan McGinn picked up his first save with two scoreless innings of relief.  Joe Niekro (1-1) suffered the setback.

Secondbaseman Gary Sutherland sparked the offense going 2 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI.  Coco Laboy added his second HR of the season.

Laboy powers Expos to 6-3 win

April 19, 1969  Montreal:  Expos score five runs in the third inning to down the Cubs 6-3 in the series opener.  Thirdbaseman Coco Laboy powered the offense going 2 for 4 with a 2b and 3 RBI.  Mack Jones then followed with a 2 run HR.

Montreal starter Jim Grant (1-1) picked up the win going 6 innings with relievers Dan McGinn and Carroll Sembera closing the door.  Cub starter Ken Holtzman (0-3) suffered the loss.

Dodgers drop opener, then take next two from ‘Stros

Dodger Stadium
4/18/1969 - HOU 2, LAD 0
D.Wilson vs Drysdale

A two out two run single by Jesus Alou scored Dennis Menke and Johnny Edwards to break a scoreless tie.  Don Wilson easily protected his newfound lead for the complete game five hit shutout.  Don Drysdale, who hasn't been himself at all during this young season, fell to a very un-Drysdale-like 0-3.

4/19 - LAD 3, HOU 2
Dierker vs Sutton

A 3 run rally in the bottom of the 7th turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead for the Dodgers.  Up until that point Larry Dierker was spotless.  LA capitalized on some luck and a Astro mistake.  The luck came in the way of a botched hit and run by Bill Haller, which wound up being a stolen base by lead footed Andy Kosco.  Haller then doubled home Kosco for the first run of the inning.  The normally surehanded Doug Rader booted a slow roller off the bat of rookie Ted Sizemore to setup a 2 run double by pinch hitter Len Gabrielson.  Don Sutton got the win with 8 solid innings of work.  Jim Brewer earned the save with 2 perfect innings of relief and Larry Dierker was the hard luck loser.

4/20 - LAD 9, HOU 1
Lemaster vs Osteen

Houston wound up clearing the bench to rest the regulars as the Dodgers scored early and often.  Claude Osteen fanned 9 and gave up 1 run on 6 hits to complete the circuit.  Rookie Ted Sizemore had a 3 hit day.  Bill Sudakis homered twice and knocked in 4.

Pirates Buc-kle Down on Cubs

Pittsburgh came into Wrigley and carved up the Cubs, pirate fashion, to win the two game series.

Game One: Pittsburgh 7, Cubs 1

W: Veale (1-1)
L: Holtzman (0-2)

Roberto Clemente has a day at Wrigley, going five-for-five with two runs scored and an RBI, and is only a home run short of the cycle. But it is unassuming catcher Jerry May who has the big blast, a grand slam homer off loser Kenny Holtzman, who continues to struggle to open the season.  Bob Veale has it easy in 7.1 innings of one run work to even his record.

Game Two: Pittsburgh 5, Cubs 4
W: Ellis (1-0)
L:  Abernathy (0-1)
S: Dal Canton (1)

The Cubbies go up 3-0 early on Dock Ellis and the Pirates, thanks in part to a scorching double to left from Ron Santo that plates two. But Joe Niekro, working on short rest, gives up a sixth inning shot by Bill Mazeroski that ties up it. Pittsburgh unties it off reliever Ted Abernathy in the top of the eighth, as pinch hitter Carl Taylor slams a two run homer. Ernie Banks' fourth home run in the first eight games to make it close in the bottom of the inning. But Bruce Dal Canton nails it down with an easy ninth for his first save.

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Bailey powers Expos to first win.....

April 15, 1969 Montreal:  Behind the big bat of firstbaseman Bob Bailey and the pitching of youngster Carl Morton and company, the Expos picked up their first win in franchise history, 9-0.  A scoreless game with two out in the bottom of the third, Mack Jones grounded a single to right.  Bailey then hit his first of two home runs on the day to give Montreal a 2-0 lead.  The Expos extended their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth.  Bailey's RBI single scored Don Bosch, who picked up his first hit of the year to start the inning.  Thirdbaseman Coco Laboy put the icing on the cake with a three run homer to straight away center and a 7-0 Expo lead.  John Bateman finished off the scoring with a two run homer to left center in the bottom of the seventh.

Today's game was a game of first in franchise history.  First win, first multi home run game, and first shutout.  Morton went the first six innings allowing six hits, with three walks and seven strikeouts before giving way to a trio of relievers.  Veteran Don Shaw threw one scoreless inning.  Expo manager Gene Mauch then brought in young lefthander Dan McGinn who he thought would finish out the game.  McGinn threw a scoreless eighth but showed some immaturity questioning home plate umpire Al Barlick's call to Curt Flood on a 3-2 pitch which resulted in McGinn's unscheduled exit and a potential fine from ARAIG Commissioner Chad Weyenberg.  Regardless, veteran righty Carroll Sembera was able to pitch out of a bases loaded situation as Cardinal catcher Tim McCarver grounded into a game ending double play. 

Skid extends to seven as Cards take series opener.....

April 14, 1969  Montreal:  Visiting St. Louis scored four runs in the top of the third inning to break a 1-1 tie.  Former Cardinal and Expos starter Larry Jaster gave up a home run to his opposing number, Nelson Briles to lead off the inning.  Lou Brock then followed with a double.  Flood then bunted Brock to third.  After Pinson walked to put runners at the corners, it looked like Jaster was going to work his way out of the jam as he induced Joe Torre to pop out to firstbaseman Bailey for the second out of the inning.  But a Mike Shannon home run over the left center filed fence gave St. Louis a 5-1 lead.

That would be all Briles would need as he went the distance in the 6-2 Cardinal victory.  The St. Louis righty gave up only two runs on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts.   Expos left fielder Mack Jones provided most of the little offense Montreal could muster going 2 for 4 with his first home run of the season.

Dodgers and Friars split a pair

Padres 4, Dodgers 2
Podres vs Osteen

“Johnny Podres of the Padres ?”

Old Friend Johnny Podres returned to the scene of some of his greatest triumphs as a member of those great Dodgers teams of the late 50's and early 60's.  After taking a year off the master of the changeup returned to action with the expansion Padres to help provide leadership to his younger teammates.  LA could not do much against their former teammate who was in firm control until he was tossed from the game for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 5th.  Relievers Reberger, Baldschun and McCool combined to allow just 1 run over the final 4 innings to hand the 1955 World Series MVP his first win of the season.  7th and 8th place hitters Ed Spiezio (2-4) and Chris Cannizzaro (2-3) scored all 4 runs for the Friars.

Dodgers 4, Padres 0
Kelly vs Singer

“Singer sews up complete game shutout”

An Ed Spiezio single with 2 outs in the 8th ended Bill Singer's chances for a no hit bid.  Singer fanned 7 and went the distance to up his record to 2-0 with this complete game victory.  LA jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back.  Bill Sudakis hit a 2 run double off the left field wall to score Wes Parker and Andy Kosco.  Catcher Bill Haller hit a solo shot in the 6th to round out the scoring as both SoCal teams split this two game set in Chavez Ravine.

Pilots drop 2 games to 2 different teams

Royals 3, Pilots 0
R.Nelson vs M.Marshall

“Major Nelson”

KC won the battle of the expansion clubs today thanks to a 5 hit complete game shutout from Roger Nelson.  Mike Fiore (2-4) scored 2 and knocked in one with a solo blast in the 7th.

Twins 9, Pilots 4
Chance vs G.Bell

“Twins Ding Pilots”

The Twins chased Gary "Ding Dong" Bell from the hill by tagging him for 5 runs in the top of the second.  Replacement John Morris gave up 3 more before the bleeding stopped.  Dean Chance tried to go the distance, but gave up 3 runs in the 9th without getting an out.  Joe Grzenda finished it up easily.  Slugger Harmon Killebrew hit two homers in the 2nd off of two different pitchers.  Reese, Cardenas and Uhlaender also went deep.  Former Twins Don Mincher and Rich Rollins hit homers off of Chance in the 9th, but the game was long since over by then.

Tigers take 2 of 3 against Yankees

Game 1:  Yankees 4  Tigers: 0
W - Burbach (1-0)  L - E. Wilson (0-1)
HR - R. White (1)


Joe Pepitone had 3 hits, Roy White hit his first homer of the year and Burback combined with Kekich to shut down the Tiger bats.


Game 2:  Tigers 5  Yankees 0
W - McLain (2-0)  L - Stottlemyre (0-1)
HR - Cash 2 (3)


Tigers responded to getting shut out by throwing one of their own.  This time Denny McLain did the honors with a complete game 7-hitter.  Stormin' Norman Cash hit 2 bombs for Detroit.


Game 3:  Tigers 3  Yankees 2
W- Kilkenny (1-0)  L- Kekich (0-2)  S-McMahon (1)
HR - Northrup (1)  Wert 2 (3)


Jim Northrup hit a clutch eighth inning solo homer that broke a 2-2 deadlock and led the Tigers to victory.  Don Wert, not known for his home run power, hit 2 home runs and now has 3 dingers on the young season.  Don McMahon pitched a clean ninth for his first save.

Dick Woodson Throws No Hitter

Apr 11 - MIN 4, CAL 1 - Jim Perry allows 1 unearned run and 6 hits in the CG win.  Tony Oliva homers twice and Ted Uhlaender also homers.

Apr 12 - CAL 5, MIN 4 - Angels score 4 in the bottom of the 9th to steal a win.  Jay Johnstone's 2 run single after 3 consecutive walks wins it.  Harmon Killebrew and Cesar Tovar homer.

Apr 13 - MIN 9, CAL 0 - Dick Woodson throws a no-hitter. Oliva hits 2 more HR, Killebrew and Tovar also homer again.

Twins hit 9 homers in the series.  Angels hit zero and have 1 HR through the first 5 games.

Cubs Keep Expos WInless as a Franchise

Les Expos battle hard - at least a little bit - but lose three to the Cubbies and are still looking for franchise win #1.

Game 1: Chicago 7, Montreal 3
W: J. Niekro (1-0)
L: Morton (0-1)

Youngster Carl Morton -- a future Rookie of the Year candidate (hint) in 1970 -- needs some seasoning, allowing eight hits and six runs in 3.2 innings. Joe Niekro isn't great, allowing 10 hits in seven but gets ample run support for the win. Centerfielder Don Young crashes a 407 foot homer to pace the scoring attack.

Game 2: Chicago 4, Montreal 3 (10 innings)
W: Regan (1-0)
L: Shaw (0-2)

Montreal's Mudcat Grant continues to prove that he belongs as a starter, no hitting the Cubs through four until Ernie Banks pounds the first of his two homers on the day. Montreal leads 3-1 going into the top of the ninth, scoring three off Cubs starter Fergie Jenkins in the eighth, fueled by Coco Laboy's clutch single. But Banks hits a dramatic, tying two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth to send it to extras. In the bottom of the 10th, Don Young singles and goes to second, setting up a two-run RBI single by Glenn Beckert to send the Wrigley faithful home happy.

Game 3: Chicago 6, Montreal 0
W: Hands (1-1)
L: Stoneman (0-2)

This one is all Cubs, scoring three off Montreal starter Bill Stoneman, who is effective but can't shake the lack of offensive support. Jim Hickman's two-run shot in the sixth puts the Cubs up 3-0 for starter Bill Hands, who had perfect control while striking out six and walking none in a complete game. Three eighth inning runs by the Cubs off a wild Carroll Sembera ice the game.

San Diego,
Game 1,

Willie McCovey collected 3 hits including a first inning two run homerun off Clay Kirby to lead the Giants to a series opening victory. South paw Ray Sadecki earned the win while Clay Kirby got hung with the loss. Giants 7....Padres 4.


Game 2,

San Diego crushed three homeruns including a game winning 2 run pinch hit bomb by Nate Colbert.  Jack Baldschun won the game while Tommie Sisk earned the save. The loss went to Frank Linzy in relief. Padres 9...Giants 7.

Game 3,

The final game took 13 frames to decide when San Francisco plated two runs in the top of the inning off several Padre relievers.  Giant second sacker collected 3 hits in the victory. Frank Linzy evens his record at 1-1 with the relief win. The loss was hung on Padre hurler Tommie Dukes. Giants 4...Padres 2 (13 innings)

Washington CAPITALizes on Hitting to split with Baltimore

Game 1:  Baltimore 2  Washington 1
WP: Hardin (1-0, 1.13 ERA, 4Ks
LP: Barry Moore (0-1, 2.35 ERA)
SV: Eddie Watt (2)
GBRBI: Paul Blair

The Senators racked up 11 hits but only scored 1 run as they dropped the first game of the series to their cross town rivals.  9 of the hits were only singles, which helped Oriole pitchers work out of innings and eventually give the game to Baltimore.  Pitcher Jim Hardin was the star for the "O's" only allowing 1 earned run in 8 innings of work to get the win.

Game 2: Washington 8  Baltimore 3
WP: Camilo Pascual (1-0, 8.10 ERA)
LP: Dave McNally (1-1, 7.82 ERA)
GBRBI: Frank Howard

Washington put up another double digit hit parade (11) but this time pounded Baltimore for 8 runs.  Veteran Dave McNally was knocked out of the game after 5.2 innings of work allowing 7 of total tally. Senators Frank Howard went 3 for 4 hitting his 1st homer of the season.  Ellrod Hendricks hit his 1st for Baltimore

Jim Palmer

Game 3: Baltimore 3  Washington 0
WP: Jim Palmer (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 Ks)
LP: Joe Coleman (0-1, 2.63 ERA, 4 Ks)
GBRBI: Don Buford

Youngster Jim Palmer threw a gem, striking out 7 en route to a complete game shut out of the Washington Senators.  Palmer, after allowing Washington 22 hits in the first 2 games, limited the Senators to only 6 and struck out 7 in the 3-0 win.  Don Buford hit his first homer of the season for Baltimore.



Game 4: Washington 3  Baltimore 2
WP: Dick Bosman (1-0, 1.29 ERA, 3 Ks)
LP: Phoebus (0-1, 2.57 ERA, 6 Ks)
SV: Dave Baldwin (1)
GBRBI: Ed Brinkman

With all the power hitters in the Washington lineups it was SS Ed Brinkman who brought Baltimore to its knees today in the 2nd game of the double header.  Brinkman, who has less power than a 3rd world country, blasted a 312 foot home run in the 2nd to give the Senators a lead they would not relinquish.  Dick Bosman had a similar effort as Jim Palmer did in the 1st game of the double header only allowing 1 earned run in 7 innings of work. 

The split keeps the Orioles record slightly ahead of the Senators at 4-2 and 4-3 respectively.
EARL WEAVER QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July."

Pilots ring Chisox Bell to take 2 of 3 including home opener

GAME 1:  14,993 enthusiastic souls came to see major league baseball's first ever opening day in the Pacific Northwest.  After dropping a pair on the road to the Angels the newly minted Pilots, behind a complete game effort from Gary "Ding Dong" Bell, won their home opener 7-3.  Slugger Don Mincher (3-3) was perfect at the plate.  The big man from Huntsville, Alabama hit a 2 run shot and knocked in 4 of Seattle's 7 runs.  Tommy Harper (3-5) also blasted a homer and stole to bags.

Pilots 7, White Sox 3 - WP-Bell (1-0, 3.00), LP-Horlen (0-1, 7.50)

GAME 2:  Down 6-1 after 7 1/2 innings of play the Pilots were given up for dead. Then magically the home team's offense went on fire to score 7 runs over the final 2 innings to save starter Diego Segui from defeat.  Tommy Davis and Don Mincher both hit homers in the 8th off of embattled reliever Bob Locker with the former knocking in 3 on the day.  John Kennedy, who replaced Ray Oyler as a pinch hitter, was a perfect 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored.  Former Yankee Jim Bouton got the win with a shaky 9th inning performance.  Bouton floated knuckleballs and looked quite studious in the pen writing notes all game long.

Pilots 8, White Sox 7 - WP-Bouton (1-0, 6.00), LP-Locker (0-1, 36.00)

GAME 3:  The expansion Pilots jumped out to a 3 run lead after 2 innings and looked poised for the sweep of the Southsiders.  Overconfidence and lack of talent did the boys in as Marty Pattin, Jim Bouton and Gene Brabender combined to give up 11 runs to the Pale Hose.  Pete Ward, who's now hitting at a cool .444 clip banged out 3 hits and scored a run.  Backstop Don Pavletich knocked in 3.  Leadoff man Buddy Bradford was 2-3 with a walk and 2 runs scored as the Chisox broke up the sweep.

White Sox 11, Pilots 4 - WP-Peters (1-1, 4.50), LP-Bouton (1-1, 8.53)

Phillies Survive Opening Day Blowout to Take Series from Cub

Cubs 12, Philadelphia 1

W: Jenkins (1-0)
L: Short (0-1)

Fergie Jenkins goes nine and Ks nine, Santo and Hundley go deep, and the Cubs win in an easy win. The Phillies' aging lefthander Chris Short is bombed and looks to be near the end of a long career.

Philadelphia 4, Cubs 3

W: Wise (1-0)
L: Hands (0-1)

Normally light hitting catcher Mike Ryan drives in two, scores two, and wallops a triple as the Phils get to Cubs starter Bill Hands early to take a 4-0 lead. The Cubs come back in the ninth vs. Phillies starter Rick Wise but fall a run short.

Philadelphia 12, Cubs 3

W: Fryman (1-0)
L: Holtzman (0-1)

The Cubs' Kenny Holtzman is rocked for nine runs in seven innings, while groundball inducing Phillies starter Woodie Fryman keeps the Cubs off the scoreboard. Two homers and five ribbies from Phils great Dick Allen key the offense, which gets help from homers from Larry Hisle and pinch hitter Rick Joseph.