Tigers sweep Yanks, move into tie of 1st

Sunday September 12 at Tiger Stadium. Ron Guidry -v- Mickey Lolich.

The Tigers jumped on Guidry in the 3rd, capitalizing on two walks, but the big blow was a Ray Boone three run homer (4).  Boone added a two run homer in the 7th and the Fat Man took a 6 run lead into the 8th.  To this point Lolich had dominated the Yankee lineup but in the 8th things fell apart.  Skowron led off with a walk and the next 5 Yankees singled.   Joe DiMaggio grounded out for the first out, driving in the 4th run.  After an intentional pass to pinchhitter Graig Nettles, John Hiller closed the door on the Yankee 8th.  In the ninth Ekston Howard struck for his 1st homerun off closer Willie Hernandez but with a two run lead Willie was good enough (s, 6).  Lolich got the win (4-4, 5.25)  Guidry took the loss ((1-3, 4.45)
Tigers 6  Yankees 4

Monday September 13 at Tiger Stadium  Allie Reynolds -v- Jack Morris.

One the reasons Hall of Fame voters constantly overlook Jack Morris is the complaint that he always seemed just good enough.  well, he was just good enough, often enough to be one the of the winningest pitchers of the 80s.  But the thing that gets overlooked is that sometimes being just good enough requires you to be outstanding.  Today Morris was.  He didn't keep the Yankees off the base path, giving up 2 walks and 6 hits.  But through 8 innings he kept the Yankees off the board.  The offense?  Norm Cash, Home run (8).  That's right Mr. Euker, "One lousy run."  Reynolds came into the game at 5-0 and was nearly as good as Morris, but there was no offensive help for him.  Hernandez again closed out the ninth for his 7th save.  Morris got the win (6-1, 2,45)  Reynolds took the loss (5-1, 1.61). Compounding the Yankees woes was the fact the Joe D. joined Rickey Henderson on the injured list and will be unavailable for about ten days.  Tigers 1  Yankees 0

Tuesday September 14 ay Tiger Stadium  Mel Stottlemyre -v- Hank Aguiree. 

The Tigers scored first in the second inning when Harvey Kuenn grounded out with the bases full to force in a run.  In the third, Cash singled, went to third on George Kell's double and scored on Bill Freehan's sacrifice fly.  The Yanks picked up a run in the 4th on a Phil Rizzuto double and Mickey Mantle single.  Cash led off the fifth with his ninth homerun and there things stood into the 9th.  Again the Yankees would face Hernandez and once again a Yankee catcher would homer, this time Thurman Munson, his first/  but again Willie came in with a two run lead and was just good enough (s, 8).  Aguirre was the winner (1-0, 5.16)  Stottlemyre took a loss he didn't deserve (5-1, 305)  Tigers 3  Yankees 2

--submitted by Tom “Crash” Davis--

Dodgers take 2 of 3 from ‘Spos

Game 1 in Montreal saw Don Sutton for the LA Dodgers taking on Bryn Smith for the Montreal Expos.

Montreal struck first in the bottom half of the 1st inning when Delino DeShields Doubled and Andre Dawson then doubled him home. But, that would be all that Montreal enjoyed in this Game. LA jumped all over Smith by scoring 2 runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings, then scoring another 3 runs in the 4th inning by way of 9 hits in that span, including a pair of Homeruns from Carl Furillo. LA also added an insurance run in the top half of the 5th inning - for a solid 8-1 lead after 5 innings of play - and held thru 8 innings. Charlie Hough took over the 9th inning for Sutton and gave up a
solo HR to Dawson.  Game 1: LA wins 8-2.

Game 2 shifted to LA, where Fernando Valenzuela took the mound to face Charlie Lea for Montreal.

This game would turn into a pitching duel that had Dodger fans on edge.  But, the Dodgers jumped out front with a 2-run blast from Steve Garvey.  Valenzuela held until the 6th inning, when Montreal scored a run on a Double from Gary Carter that scored Andre Dawson. Down 2-1, Montreal scored 2 more runs and took the lead off Valenzuela in the 7th inning when Delino DeShields singled home Tim Foli and Marquis Grissom. Montreal was pitching by committee to hold off the Dodger bats, with Lea going 6 innings, Joe Hesketh and Tim Burke going 1 inning each, and Woodie Fryman and Jeff Reardon handling the 9th inning. In that 9th inning, the Dodgers had the bases loaded with no outs and they could not get it done - they had an infield out, a line out, and Duke Snider striking out to end the game.  Game 2: Montreal wins 3-2

In Game 3, LA came out with a sense of purpose after letting Game 2 slip away. They started Sandy Koufax against Scott Sanderson for Montreal.

LA jumped to a 4-run lead by jumping all over Sanderson in the bottom 2nd inning on 5 Singles and 1 Double - and Sanderson only lasted those 2 innings. LA provided Koufax with more of a cushion with another 2 runs in the bottom half of the 6th inning that started with a Single and followed by 3 Walks. With a 6-0 lead, Koufax gave up a solo HR to Gary Carter in the 7th inning. Koufax would go on to give up 2 more solo shots to Hubie Brooks
and Andre Dawson in the 8th inning. But, LA scored again on a solo shot from Gil Hodges in the bottom half of the 8th inning and Koufax sealed the 9th inning to preserve the win. Koufax fanned 11 to get his 6th Win of the season.
Game 3: LA wins 7-3.
--submitted by Georges Bseraini--

Standings with 15 Games left to play

Motown take 2 of 3 in Beantown

9/8 - GAME 1 - Fenway Park
Jack Morris vs Roger Clemens
Red Sox 3, Tigers 2
Both hurlers were spot on.  "The Rocket" had himself a shutout until the top of the 9th when the Tigers bats finally came alive.  Kirk Gibson, who's not a stranger to big 9th inning homers slammed a lead off shot to make it 3-1.  Lou Whitaker hit a mile high pop up in front of home plate that backstop Sammy White dropped, which allowed Whitaker to cruise into second.  Roger Clemens threw a perfect splitter to Harvey Kuenn for the strikeout, but the ball got past White and Whitaker strolled over to third.  The turning point of the game was Al Kaline's at bat.  Clemens was visibly rattled by the events of the inning and looked ready to crack.  He was given one more batter (Kaline) and with one swing almost gave away the ball game.  Clemens tried to overpower Kaline, who turned on the fastball and hit a blast to the deepest part of the park (420).  Dom DiMaggio tracked it down for the second out of the inning as Whitaker easily scored to make it 3-2.  With Norm Cash due up Clemens was lifted for lefty Sparky Lyle who fanned Detroit's lefty hitting first baseman to end the contest.  Boston scored all 3 of their runs in the 4th thanks to two passed balls charged to Lance Parrish and a two run double by Jim Rice.

9/9 - GAME 2
Denny McLain vs Dennis Eckersley
Tigers 16, Red Sox 5
The "Eck" came into the game sporting a 5-0 record and a tidy ERA.  He left the game a beaten victim, who was sent to the showers before registering 3 outs in the top of the first.  Detroit's 7 run barrage saw 12 hitters come to the plate.  Eckersley allowed lead off singles to Whitaker and Kuenn then walked the next 3.  Kirk Gibson's 2 run double made it 4-0 and Bill Freehan's 3 run homer finished off Eckersley's day.  Bruce Hurst came in from the pen in an uncomfortable role as long reliever and went 3 2/3 and gave up just 1 run.  In the meantime the Bosox battled back with 2 in the 4th and 3 in the 6th off of McLain to make it an 8-5 ball game.  Bob Stanley replace Hurst and until the 8th he was doing fine.  Detroit bulldozed Stanley for 8 runs over the final 2 innings to seal the deal in a game where they scored 16 runs on 20 hits.  Kirk Gibson and George Kell both had 5 RBI days.  Havey Kuenn went 4 for 5.  Norm Cash was the only Tiger regular w/out a hit.

9/10 - GAME 3
Jim Bunning vs Mel Parnell
Tigers 4, Red Sox 3
Jim Bunning and his national debt-like ERA was on a tight leash in a must win game for both teams who are trying to keep pace with the Evil Empire.  Mel Parnell got himself into a bit of a bind in the top of the second, when 3 of the first 4 batters he faced singled to load the bases.  An error by Johnny Pesky at short on Alan Trammell's sinking liner allowed George Kell to score.  Kirk Gibson would score on Ron LeFlore's grounder to second.  Detroit carried that 2-0 lead into the 4th when Bunning ran into trouble and got the quick hook.  With runners on the corners and nobody out the "splendid splinter", Ted Williams, lined a single to right to score Jim Rice.  Yaz would score three batters later on a groundout by Goodman, but Mark "the Bird" Fidrych would minimized the damage to two runs and go on to pitch almost 3 scoreless innings of long relief.  Detroit would regain their lead in the 5th when Ray Boone tripled home Al Kaline and George Kell, who went 3 for 4 on the day, singled home Boone.  Hank Aguirre and Mike Henneman would take over for "the bird" and keep the status quo until the bottom of the 9th when they handed the ball off to closer Willie Hernandez.  Pesky and Boggs both grounded out and Hernandez was 1 out away from putting the game away.  Jim Rice stepped to the plate and hit one right over the green monstah to make it a 1 run game.  Yaz followed and all of a sudden the tension began to mount on both pitcher and hitter.  Hernandez got the upper hand and played Yaz like a fiddle by changing speeds and striking him out with a slider.  Detroit took 2 of 3 in this all important AL East matchup.

‘Stros take 2 of 3 from Friars

GAME 1 - 9/8 - Astrodome
Bruce Hurst vs Larry Dierker
Astros 4, Padres 0
Larry Dierker had a 5 hit shutout after 10, but was removed for a pinch hitter (Joe Morgan) in the 8th.  Joe Sambito and Dave Smith gave up 2 hits and no runs to close it out for the home team.  Dickie Thon had a 3 for 4 day.  Rusty Staub, who replace the injured Glenn Davis, went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs.  Tony Gwynn had 3 of SD's 7 hits.

GAME 2 - 9/9
Randy Jones vs Nolan Ryan
Astros 6, Padres 3
The "Express" struck out 7, threw 138 pitches and went the distance as the Astros doubled up the Friars 6-3.  Nolan Ryan notched his first win in a season where run support has been almost non-existent.  Randy Jones had another bad outing for SD and was removed in the middle of the 2nd, where the Astros scored 4 runs.  After Dickie Thon's RBI single, Jones hit the showers.  Clay Kirby came on board and promptly served up a bases clearing double to Craig Biggio to make it 4-1.  Houston never looked back.

GAME 3 - 9/10
Eric Show vs Joe Niekro
Padres 13, Astros 4
No sweep for the 'Stros as Joe Niekro, Ken Forsch, JR Richard and Don Wilson all threw BP.  SD posted 17 hits in total.  Dave Winfield hit his 9th homer in a 4 for 6 day that included 4 RBI's and 3 runs scored.  Tony Gwynn's 3 for 6 day culminated in 4 runs scored and 2 RBI.  Padre shortstop Garry Templeton, who went 2 for 5, was the only regular not to have an RBI.  He did score two runs.  Show got the win with 7 solid innings and Hawkins finished out the final 2 frames with the game already out of reach.

Amazin’s take 2 of 3 from Cubbies

GAME 1 - 9/8 - Wrigley Field
Tom Seaver vs Ferguson Jenkins
Mets 9, Cubs 8
Something's wrong in both Metland and Wrigleyville when HOF starters like Seaver and Jenkins pitch batting practice day in and day out.  Both were victimized for 8 runs in 6+ innings of work and both now have ERA's in the mid 5's.  After 6 the Cubbies had an 8-6 lead, but no lead is safe when the wind is blowing out in the "friendly confines".  Jenkins would start the 7th clinging ever so tightly to a tenuous 2 run lead. After getting 2 quick outs the hard throwing right hander from Canada looked to be in good shape.  Three consecutive singles by Backman, Mex and McReynolds + an error by Santo at third made it 8-7.  A walk to Straw re-loaded the bases and a single by HoJo tied it at 8-8.  Lee Smith was brought in to get Carter out and end the inning.  Bud Harrelson would lead off the 8th and work out a walk.  Pinch hitter Felix Millan grounded out to short as Harrelson moved up 90 feet.  Maz walked to put runners on 1st and 2nd and an error by Banks at short loaded the bases for Mex (Keith Hernandez), who lifted a sac fly to right to give the Mets their first lead since the top of the first.  Roger McDowell started the 9th and delivered his famed sinker ball to Ryno who hit a one hopper to second that Backman booted.  Hank Sauer, who has hit some big clutch homers this season, hit a bullet to Backman who stepped on second and flipped one over to first for a DP.  Andre Dawson would keep Chicago's faint hopes alive with a clean single to center, but Jesse Orosco would come in from the pen and fan Rick Monday to end the game.

GAME 2 - 9/9
Dwight Gooden vs Bill Hands
Mets 6, Cubs 1
Doc Gooden (5-2, 2.56) was flat out dealin'.  Doctor K struck out 11 and walked only one in 7 2/3 innings of work.  Ron Taylor would pitch the final inning and a third for his 3rd save.  Chicago actually carried a 1-0 lead into the 4th courtesy of a solo shot by "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks in the bottom of the 1st.  Bill Hands looked to be up for the challenge of dueling with Gooden until he hit a speed bump in the 4th.  Maz lead the inning off with a walk and when Randy Hundley botched Backman's sac bunt attempt all hands were safe.  Mex singled to load the bases.  Kevin McReynolds followed that with an RBI single, but Backman got nailed at the plate by a great throw by Billy Williams for the first out.  Darryl Strawberry's double off the ivy plated to more to give New York a 3-1 lead.  HoJo's solo shot in the 7th made it a 3 run lead and solo shots by Straw and Carter in the 9th put it out of reach.

GAME 3 - 9/10
Jerry Koosman vs Rick Reuschel
Cubs 5, Mets 2
Chicago knocked Kooz out of the box with 3 big runs in the first.  El Sid came on and gave up 2 more runs over the next 3 to give Chicago a comfortable 5-1 lead that was never in jeopardy.  Chicago salvaged the final game of this disappointing home series vs the struggling Amazin's.  Andre Dawson hit his 11th homer and Ernie Banks hit his 15th.  Rick Monday was the only Cub regular not to notch a hit.  Bruce Sutter pitched a perfect 9th and recorded his 7th save of the season.  Hojo had 3 hits in a losing cause.

Dem bums sweep de Jints

GAME 1 - 9/8 - Ebbets Field
Gaylord Perry vs Sandy Koufax
Dodgers 9, Giants 4
Sandy Koufax went the distance fanning 11 and giving up just 4 hits.  Those 4 hits accounted for 4 runs as Willie Mays hit his league leading 14th homer and Matt Williams hit his 3rd.  The rest of the scoring was all Dodgers, who hit 4 round trippers themselves.  Duke Snider (6), Steve Garvey (7), Roy Campanella (4) and Gil Hodges (10) all went deep.  Maury Wills had 3 hits, but didn't need to pilfer any bases with the Dodgers going deep.  Koufax increased his record to 5-1 with a 2.69 ERA.  Perry, who didn't make it to the 5th gave up 7 runs even though he did fan 7.

GAME 2 - 9/9
Juan Marichal vs Don Drysdale
Dodgers 9, Giants 3
For the second day in a row fans were treated to a HOF pitching  matchup.  Marichal (1-3, 3.89) was not at his best despite fanning 5 in 6 2/3 innings.  During that same stretch he allowed 5 runs, while his counterpart, Don Drysdale, kept damage to a minimum (3 runs over 8 IP).  The Dodgers took the lead in the bottom of the second with a 2 run blast from Reggie Smith and a solo shot by Gil Hodges.  Alvin Dark's 2 run shot in the top of the 3rd cut the Dodger lead to 1.  Duke Snider's grand slam in the bottom of the 8th blew the game wide open.  The "Duke of Flatbush" 7th homer of the season was served up by reliever Bobby Bolin.  One the Dodgers broke it open, Drysdale was removed for a pinch hitter and Charlie Hough finished out an uneventful 9th.

GAME 3 - 9/10
Larry Jansen vs Orel Hershiser
Dodgers 3, Giants 2
Duke Snider's 3rd homer in successive games staked "the Bulldog", Orel Hershiser, to a 3 run lead that he would take to the bank.  Jansen and his understudy, Jim Barr were able to shut the famed Dodger offense down the rest of the way, but the Giant offense could only muster 2 runs of their own thanks to a 2 run blast by Jim Ray Hart in the top of the 4th.  The Giants next threat would come when Kevin Mitchell doubled with 2 outs, but Hershiser caught Hart looking at a called strike three to end the inning.  Pinch hitter Dick Dietz hit one to the warning track in the 9th, but Hershiser held on to ensure that his team completed the coveted 3 game sweep vs their bitter rivals.

Royals take 2 of 3 from A’s

GAME 1 - 9/8 - Royals Stadium
Bob Welch vs Bret Saberhagen
Royals 10, A's 7
After Bob Welch imploded all game the A's were left for dead until Saberhagen left the game and Mark Gubicza decided to allow Oakland back into it.  4 runs in the top of the 8th made it a 9-6 game, but the A's just couldn't get any closer.  "Famous" Amos Otis had himself a 4 for 5 day with 3 Rib-eye steaks and Al Cowens went 2 for 4 hitting behind him.  Sal Bando's 2 run shot in the 8th put a scare into KC.

GAME 2 - 9/9
Catfish Hunter vs Kevin Appier
A's 4, Royals 2
Catfish kept the Royals hitters off stride all day, but back to back innings (4th/5th) where KC scored runs looked to be his ruination.  That was until KC made 3 colossal errors in the top of the 8th, which led directly to two Oakland runs.  After Reggie and Ferris Fain led off the inning with singles, George Brett booted one at third to allow the bases to be jammed.  Pinch hitter Vic Power popped out to short, but pitcher Dan Quisenberry mishandled a comebacker and turned it into a run to tie the game for Oakland.  Eddie Joost grounded out back to the box and Quiz this time went to the plate for the force and the second out.  Rickey Henderson hit the third consecutive ball back to the box and once again Quiz played it poorly, which allowed Oakland to take a lead.  Fain would hit a solo shot in the 9th to make it 4-2 and in the bottom of the inning the Royals got a dosage of Mr. Automatic, Dennis Eckersley, who became the first KOD reliever to hit the 10 save plateau this season.

GAME 3 - 9/10
Vida Blue vs Larry Gura
Royals 6, A's 4
"Sweet" Lou Piniella's 2 run shot in the 3rd broke the ice and provided Larry Gura with all the runs he would need on the day.  A 4 run bottom of the 8th put the game completely out of reach.  For all his troubles, Vida Blue pitched well until his fielding let him down in the 8th and he sunk with the ship.  Gury was spectacular allowing just 6 hits while going the distance.  McRae, the days hitting star (2-3, 3 RBI) wasn't even in the starting lineup.  When Amos Otis jammed his wrist diving for a ball in the second McRae was inserted into left and Willie Wilson moved over to center.  In part time action vs lefties Piniella is hitting .421.  As a team the powerless Royals are hitting .302.

Expos boot series over to Phigtin’s despite Rogers 1 hitter

GAME 1 - 9/8 - Olympic Stadium
Chris Short vs Bill Gullickson
Phillies 10, Expos 6
Gullickson gave up 12 hits in 6 innings of work, yet the blame for his loss lies strictly on the shoulders of Expos terrible defense.  4 huge errors prolonged innings, which is not something you want to do when facing the Phillies and their .281 team batting average.  Ellis Valentine, Delino DeShields and Larry Parrish (2) booted everything in site.  Parrish's error in the 6th help open the floodgates, which broke open the game and erased a 5-5 stalemate.  After Parish's error Garry Maddox and Larry Bowa cashed in with RBI singles, which was followed by an RBI double by John Kruk, who was a homer short of a cycle.  Philly banged out 18 hits and won this walking away.

GAME 2 - 9/9
Steve Carlton vs Steve Rogers
Expos 5, Phillies 0
The Phillies stepped into Mr. Rogers' neighborhood and got completely mugged by the dominant righty.  Rogers carried a no hitter into the 9th and looked to become part of KOD history.  Pinch hitter Richie Allen grounded out to Parrish at third for the first out.  Maddox went down swinging for the second out, but the pesky Larry Bowa spoiled the day with a blooper to right for Philly's only hit of the day.  Rogers went 8 2/3 innings, but could not seal the deal.  Johnny Callison would ground out to short to end it giving Rogers a 1 hit shutout.  It took Steve Rogers just 93 pitches to accomplish this fine performance.  Montreal's 4 run 4th gave Rogers a nice cushion to work with.  Ellis Valentine's RBI double got the scoring started.  Tim Raines' sac fly put the finishing touches on the inning.  Valentine's solo shot in the second put the Expos on the board first.

GAME 3 - 9/10
Terry Mulholland vs Dennis Martinez
Phillies 9, Expos 7
Mulholland came into this game looking like a Cy Young candidate.  After giving up 6 runs in 2 innings of work he said "sayanora" to those chances.  Luckily for him Jim Konstanty came out of the pen and pitched 4 solid innings giving up just 1 run.  The rest of the pen, Jack Baldschun/Tug McGraw, blanked the Expos who had woes of their own.  Once again Dennis Martinez was ineffective at best, which meant that he was gone before the 4th inning started.  Steve Renko, was victimized by the Philly bats and his defense to the tune of 3 big runs, which turned out to provide the Phightin's with all they needed to eek out a victory.  On the day Montreal would commit 4 more errors.  Ellis Valentine, Delino DeShields and the normally sure handed Tim Foli (2) made the Expos once again look like the '62 Mets between the white lines.  Clouded in this carnival atmosphere was Cookie Rojas' 4-5 day for the Phils.  Callison went 1 for 4 and saw his season average drop below .400 (.396), but he did hit a 2 run shot which was the margin for victory.

Tribe takes 2 of 3 from O’s

GAME 1 - 9/8 - Memorial Stadium
Bob Lemon vs Mike Cuellar
Indians 9, Orioles 5
Once again Baltimore's so called dominant left handed pitching faltered.  Mike Cuellar, who quite frankly can't get out of his own way, was rocked once again.  The Tribe toasted him for 5 runs in the top of the third, which put the O's far behind the 8 ball.  Bobby Avilla was the only Indian starter not to get a hit today.  Dale Mitchell and Joe Carter both had 3 RBI's.  Mitchell went 3 for 5 and also scored 2 runs.  Carter hit his 5th homer.

GAME 2 - 9/9
Bob Feller vs Mike Flanagan
Orioles 5, Indians 1
After feasting on one of Baltimore's "suspect" lefties the prior day, the Tribe's bats went cold.  Mike Flanagan put together a 2 hit performance over 6 innings that yielded just one solo run in the 6th.  That run came thanks to 3 walks sandwiched around an uncharacteristic fielding error by HOF'er Eddie Murray.  Not willing to press his luck with Flanagan, O's manager Martin King went to righty reliever Hoyt Wilhelm who scattered 3 hits over the final 3 innings to get his 3rd save of the year.  Gus Triandos and Murray both hit homers.  Triandos went 2 for 3.  Boog Powell went 2 for 4 and boosted his average to .307, which makes him the only O's regular with a BA over .300.

GAME 3 - 9/10
Mike Garcia vs Jim Palmer
Indians 9, Orioles 2
A scoreless tie was shattered in the top of the 4th when the Tribe rang up 4 big run off of Jim Palmer, who walked 3, threw a wild pitch and gave up a couple of hits.  Palmer would be replaced by Dick Hall after that inning, but Hall would also give up 4 runs, this time in the 6th.  Andre Thornton's 2 run single capped off the innings' fireworks.  Thornton would knock in 3 on the day as would Dale Mitchell.  Tito Francona would deliver 2 home safely as Mike Garcia and the Tribe would rout the O's in this rubber match.

Redbirds take 2 of 3 from Bravos

The St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves squared off in a three game inter-division series. They split the first two games, each tense, close, well played games in which the final margin of victory was a single run. The Cardinals then overwhelmed Warren Spahn and several relievers in the third game to win by a football-like 14-7 margin.

The opener in St. Louis saw Bob Gibson and Johnny Sain take the mound. After a scoreless first, Atlanta drew first blood on a single by Rico Carty, a walk to Joe Adcock, and a two-out single by shortstop Johnny Logan.

The Cardinals overtook the Braves by scoring 2 in the 3rd on a single by Tommy Herr, a sacrifice bunt by Gibson, and two out doubles by Curt Flood and Stan Musial. The Braves then leap-frogged back in front on a two-out, two run single by Billy Bruton, plating Joe Torre and Johnny Logan.

Each team tallied in the ninth, with the Cardinals leaving the potential tying run on third and winning run on first as Lou Brock grounded out to end the game.

The next two games switched to Georgia, and the Cardinals especially liked hitting in that ballpark. They started quickly in game two against Phil Neikro as Lou Brock singled leading off the game, and after Curt Flood grounded out, '40s era St. Louis swifties Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter hit back to back triples. Ken Boyer then plated the third run of the inning on a ground out.

Nelson Briles earned the start, his second of the year, after pitching brilliantly in his prior start, and was touched for two runs in the third on a Glenn Hubbard single, a sacrifice bunt, a wild pitch, then a walk to Jeff Blauser, and singles by the twin greats from the Milwaukee days, Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron.

The Redbirds padded their slim one run lead with two in the sixth on Musial's second triple of the game, and Ken Boyer's 5th home run of the season. The Braves got back to within a run again in the 7th on a single by Bruton, and a home run by the red hot Jeff Blauser. That ended Briles' day on the hill, as the Cardinals called on Al Hrabosky to finish the inning.

Curt Flood's 3rd home run of the year, off of Tom House who had come in to pitch the eighth, put the Cards on top by 2. But the Braves came back with a run of their own off Lindy McDaniel on a Del Crandall double, a single by Felipe Alou moving Crandall to third, and a sac fly by Dale Murphy.

After Dom McMahon pitched around two hits to put up a goose egg in the Cardinal ninth, Todd Worrell came on to save it. But he wasted no time in giving up the save as the first batter, Bill Bruton, homered to tie it.

The Cardinals didn't fold however, as Worrell did not allow the Braves to win it, thus sending the game to extra innings. Lou Brock lead off the 10th against Rick Camp, the fourth Brave hurler, with a single, and sped around the bases to score on a double off the bat of Flood.

That was all the visitors needed as Bob Forsch came on and struck out the side in the ninth, with a single by Alou in between Ks number one and two, to nail down the win.

Game three turned out to be a laugher as the Cardinals pounded out 20 hits and hit three home runs, scoring 14 times to coast to a victory. They had a 14-3 lead in the seventh when the Braves got off the deck and got four of their own to make it an offensive day all around.

Ken Boyer had 4 hits, including his sixth home run, while Joe Torre contributed three hits and his third homer to the Cardinal effort. Hank Aaron hit numbers 9 and 10 for Atlanta, with four hits of his own and four RBI. Curt Simmons probably had his worst start of the season, yet came away with a relatively easy win as Warren Spahn dropped to 2-4 on the season.

--submitted by Bike Mike--

Twins clobber Rangers

Allison	Kitty	Killer

Game 1:
After giving up 2 runs in the 1st, Dick Bosman held the Twins to 4 runs until the 6th inning. When Harmon Killebrew and Bobby Allison went deep to put Minnesota up 10-2. Minnesota added 4 additional runs to give Jim Perry his 6th win 14-2.

Game 2:
Minnesota jumped on starter Charlie Hough for 10 runs through 5 innings.  Twins starter Jim Kaat held Texas to 1 run through 8 innings to notch his 4th victory. Minnesota 11, Texas 2.

Game3:
Minnesota got to starter Doc Medich for3 runs in the 1st and 6 in the 3rd.  The Rangers, not to be out done, scored 5 runs and knock starter Jack Kralick out after 5.2 innings. The Twins added 3 more off reliever Jon Matlack while Texas added 4 runs off Bob Porterfield in relief.  Al Worthington and Rick Aguilera combined to shutout the Rangers in the final 1.1 innings to preserve the win for Kralick.  The Rangers bats smashed 8 HR's including 2 by Larry Parrish while the Twins knocked out 3 including 2 by Harmon Killebrew. Final score Minnesota 14, Texas 9.
--submitted by Marvin Sik--

Lumber Company takes 2 of 3 from Big Red Machine

Nothing says 70s baseball better than a Reds-Pirates series.  The first place Reds (NL West) take on the Pirates, battling it out in a three-team race in the East.

Sept 8 – Mario Soto vs. Vern Law

Pittsburgh scored single runs in the 1st, 4th, and 5th to take a 3-0 lead.  In the 6th, they scored four times with two outs to go up 7-0.  Bobby Bonilla’s 2-run double and Dave Parker’s 2-run HR were the key hits.  The Reds got a run in the 8th, and in the 9th all Al McBean needed with 3 outs.  Frank Robinson led off with a HR, 7-2.  A single and a fly out brought Vada Pinson to the plate...and he blasted a 2-run HR, 7-4.  Next Dave Concepcion singled off Kent Tekulve.  Johnny Edwards singled and Pete Rose doubled home two more to make it a 7-6 game!  A ground out moved Rose to 3rd with two outs.  Bob Veale replaced Tekulve to face PH Tony Perez.  Perez walked, bringing Robinson to the plate.  Robby hit a fly ball to left, and the park held it to end the game at 7-6.

Cin  6 12  1

Pit   7 13  1

W – Law (4-0), L – Soto (2-2), S – Veale (1).  HR – Bailey (2), Robinson (12), Piinson (4); Van Slyke 2 (4, 5), Parker (9)

Sept 9 – Doug Drabek vs. Tom Seaver

The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the 1st on Barry Bonds’ 2-run HR.  Bottom of the 4th, the Reds solved Drabek.  Johnny Bench’s 2-run HR tied the game at 2-2, then a walk, steal, and Pete Rose’s single made it 3-2 Reds.  Another two runs in the 5th put Cincinnati up 5-2.  Andy Van Slyke’s RBI single in the 6th  was negated by Gus Bell’s PH HR to lead off the 6th to make it 6-3 Reds.   On to the 8th when the Pirates lit up Don Gullett.  A 7-run inning, keyed by Dave Parker’s 2-run double and Willie Stargell’s 3-run HR put the game away, 10-6 Pittsburgh.  The Bucs scored two more in the 9th to close out a 12-6 win.

Pit 12 16 0

Cin  6 14 1

W – Blass (1-1), L – Gullett (0-4).   HR – Bonds (5), Stargell (11); Bench (12), Bell (2)

Sept 10 – Dock Ellis vs. Jim Maloney

The Reds’ Jim Maloney was unhittable for 7 innings and 5-run 7th sealed a 9-4 win for the Redlegs.  Both teams scored two runs in the first, and then in the 2nd, Dock Ellis suffered a lapse in control.  A 1-out double, and error, and a walk loaded the bases.  Ken Griffey singled in a run, and a walk to Joe Morgan forced in another to make it 4-2.  It stayed 4-2 until the 7th when the Reds broke out for 5 runs and a 9-2 lead.  Frank Robinson’s 2-run double was the big hit of the inning.  Maloney gave up solo HR in both the 8th and 9th, but went the distance for a 9-4 win. 

Pit  4  4  1

Cin 9 10 2

W – Maloney (5-0), L – Ellis (3-1).  HR – Parker (10), Stargell (12); Rose (1)

--submitted by Jesse Elicker--

Bombers sweep Halos

Game 1 - Yankee Stadium
May vs. Stottlemyre

The Angels started hot, scoring two runs in the second and one in the third. After an RBI single by Jim Fergosi in the fifth, the Angels carried a 4-2 lead into the ninth. But an RBI triple by Joe DiMaggio, who already had an RBI double in the fourth, and a sac fly by Yogi Berra sent the game into extra innings. Wally Joyner led off the California 12th with a solo shot, putting the Angels in front.. But in the bottom of the inning Phil Rizzuto doubled with two outs. After Mickey Mantle was intentionally walked, relief pitcher Frank Tanana managed to lose pinch-hitter Thurman Munson to load the bases. Then Joe DiMaggio came to the plate and smacked one into the right field porch for a walk-off grand slam with two outs. New York took the win 8-5 and DiMaggio drove in six.

Game 2 at Angels Stadium
Terry vs Brunet
Ralph Terry got the start in place of the ineffective Whitey Ford. HE got some support right away as Mickey Mantle hit a solo shot in the first. Willie Randolph hit an RBI double in the fourth. Howell led off the California fifth with a solo shot, which Joe DiMaggio answered in the sixth. DiMaggio then followed up with a two-run shot in the seventh to provide Terry some insurance. Then the Yankees blew it open in the ninth, with a two-run single from Yogi Berra followed by a two-run double by Clete Boyer. New York wins 9-2 as Terry allowed only four hits and two runs in eight innings.

Game 3 at Angels Stadium
Raschi vs. Wright 
It would be an agonizingly long night for the Angels. Moose Skowron started things off in the second with a two-run shot Mickey Mantle hit a two-run shot in the third, and then the roof caved in in the fourth. Clete Boyer led off with a home run, Skowron was his by a pitch, Rickey Henderson got a base hit, Phil Rizzuto walked, and Roger Maris send them all home with a grand slam. DiMaggio followed up with a solo home run. The Yankees led by ten and it was essentially over. Before it was done Angels pitching would have given up eight home runs. Skowron and DiMaggio hit two each. On the Angels side, Vic Raschi returned to his early-season form scattering five hits over nine innings with nothing coming across. The Yanks took home a lopsided decision 16-0. Joe DiMaggio had a dominant series, hitting .625 with five homers and 11 RBI.

--submitted by Michael Hopcroft--

Cincy takes 2 of 3 from Amazin’s

9/5 - Crosley Field
Reds 4, Mets 2
Ron Darling vs Jim Maloney
Both teams had 6 hits, but the Reds managed to be a bit more productive with their safeties.  Both teams exchanged 2 spots in the first.  Jim Maloney settled down and shut the Mets out the rest of the way and got within one out of getting a complete game.  After HoJo, who hit a 2 run shot in the first drove Ken Griffey back to the base of the wall Rob Dibble was called upon to get the final out.  "Dibbs jammed Dave Magadan who hit a slow roller to second to end the game.  Kluszewski and Ed Bailey hit solo shots for the Reds.  Maloney fanned 6 and walked none to capture his 4th win of the season.

9/6 - Shea Stadium
Mets 10, Reds 9
Jose Rijo vs Jerry Koosman
The Reds had a comfortable 9-4 lead heading into the 8th, but Pedro Borbon began pitching BP to the Mets and next thing you knew it the game was tie at 9-9.  Lee Mazzilli's 2 run pinch hit homer with 2 outs ignited NY's rally.  After Buddy Harrelson followed that with a single pinch hitter Kevin McReynolds also hit a 2 run shot to tie it.  Three consecutive walks by Johnny Franco in the bottom of the 9th looked to spell doom for the Reds, but Dibbs got Eddie Kranepool to ground into a 6-2 fielder's choice that nailed Mex at the plate.  John Stearns struck out swinging for the second out and it looked like the Reds were going to force extra innings.  Buddy Harrelson, who doesn't hit a heck of a lot began fouling off pitches left and right until Dibbs finally lost him to walk in the winning run.

9/7 - Shea Stadium
Reds 6, Mets 3
Gary Nolan vs Jon Matlack
Nolan (4-0, 2.51) went out and gave his team 7 2/3 innings of rock solid work.  NY's Jon Matlack, who usually thrives on home cookin' was not good at all yielding 6 runs in 8 innings.  Cincy jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 3 innings, which made it an uphill battle for New York the rest of the way.  Cincy's balance offense only had 3 more hits than NY's, but just like game #1 of the series, they again made them count.  "Doggie", Tony Perez, once again was an RBI machine going 2 for 3 with 2 RBI's and run score.  He also worked out 2 walks.  Concepcion also had 2 hits.  George Foster injured his rib cage swinging at a ball in the dirt and left the game in the 4th.  He is listed as day by day and is expected back no later than September 13.

Bucs stop Bums

Candy Man	Dock	Friend

Pittsburgh 6 Los Angeles 3

Candelaria vs Sutton

Bobby Bonds lead off the game with a triple. Groat brought him in with a sacrifice fly. In the 2^nd pitcher John Candelaria helped his own game with an RBI single.LA threatened with 4 singles and a walk but could only manage 1 run as Burgess threw out maury Wills on an attempted steal. Pittsburgh scored in he 5^th on a Alou single. In the 8^th Burgess came through again with a 2 run homerun. Down 6-1 LA tried to fight back with Jackie Robinson homering in the 8^th and a Davis sacrifice but Game MVP John Candelaria held on for the complete game win. Sutton took the loss.

Los Angeles 2 Pittsburgh 8

Newcombe vs Ellis

Los Angeles was out the gate when Reese scored on a Snider groundout. From that point on Pittsburgh went with the long ball. All 8 Pittsburgh runs were scored on 5 homeruns (Stargell,Mazeroski, Bonilla , and Bonds with 2). Los Angeles threatened in the 5^th with a Davis on 2^nd but for the 2^nd game in a row Burgess threw him out trying to steal 2^nd. Game MVP Dock Ellis went the distance for the win, Newcombe took the loss.

Los Angeles 2 Pittsburgh 4

Valenzuela vs Friend

A classic pitching duel through 4 ½ scoreless innings. In the bottom of the 5^th Pittsburgh sent 8 batters to the plate a 2 run single by Pena, and two run single by Alou was all the runs Pittsburgh scored in the game. A single in the 7^th by pinch hitter Scioscia scored 1 and Groat’s second error in the 9^th allowed another run. Bob Friend completed the Pirates sweep by shutting down the Dodgers to get the complete game win and game MVP. Valenzuela the loss. Los Angeles was in tough in this series as all 3 Pittsburgh starters pitched complete games and each received the Game MVP award.

--submitted by Robert Chisholm--

Special thanks to Mr. Chisholm and Frank Seders for subbing and playing this series.  Both guys are top notch.  Not only did Robert sub, but he even took the time to do the writeups.

Bosox sweep Rangers

Dewey	Splendid Splinter	The Spaceman

Boston 7 Texas 5

Eckersley vs Hough

Boston struck early building a 7-1 lead after 5 with home runs by Stephens, Evans, and Doerr. Texas tried to make a game of it by scoring 3 in the sixth and 1 in the 9^th but Eckersley held on for the win. Hough the loss. Game MVP Dwight Evans.

Texas 3 Boston 5

Matlack vs Tiant

Boston again struck early Rice and Williams had back to back home runs in the 2^nd and were up 4-0 after 3. Texas struck back with 2 in the 4^th when Sierra tripled and Howard brought him home with a homerun. Bill The Spaceman Lee came in the seventh to shutdown Texas to get the save. Tiant the win, Matlack the loss. Game MVP Ted Williams.

Texas 3 Boston 5

Ryan vs Kinder

Two leadoff walks followed by a single brought Ted Williams to the plate who singled giving Boston an early 2-0 lead. A squeeze play bunt by Sample made it 2-1. Ted Williams got it back in the bottom of the 3^rd with a solo homerun. Two more runs in the 6^th and 7^th put Boston up 5-1. In the eighth Texas threatened with 2 runs and a runner on second. And no one out. In came Bill ‘The Spaceman’ Lee and he shut the down to get the save. Kinder the win, Ryan the loss. Game MVP Bill The Spaceman Lee

--submitted by Robert Chisholm, who subbed for TEX--

Twins take 2 of 3 from Brew Crew

Kirby Puckett	Jim Colburn	Dave Boswell

Game 1:
Kirby Puckett hits back to back to back HR's in the 1st 3 innings as Jim Kaat notches his 3rd win. 

Game 2:
Jim Colburn pitches a complete game but gives up 4 ER's and the Twins take game 2.

Game 3:
Pitcher's duel between Teddy Higuera and Dave Boswell thru 5. Minnesota opened the 6th with 5 runs as Higuera left the game with an injury and Boswell notched his 2nd victory.

--submitted by Marvin Sik--