Sunday, April 12, 2020

Redbirds Split Hard-Fought Series with Jints

Game #1 August 24 at Candlestick Park  - Tim McCarver's (1) 3-run blast in the 4th proved to be the game-winner in a 7-5 Cardinals win. The homer sent Sam Jones (0-1) to the showers.  Ray Washburn (1-0) started and won for the Redbirds. He tossed 5 IP and gave up all the Giants runs, including HRs to Tom Haller (1), Willie McCovey (3) and Orlando Cepeda (2). Three St. Louis relievers, including closer Ron Willis (1) kept zeros on the board for the home team over the last 4 innings.





Game #2 August 25 at Candlestick Park - Harvey Kuenn smacked a PH, 3-run double in a 4-run bottom of the 8th leading to a 6-2 Giants win. Jim Davenport added 2 hits and 2 runs. Juan Marichal (1-1) scattered 2 runs and 11 hits over 8 IP and earned the win over Bob Gibson, now a surprising 0-2.






Game #3 August 26 at Busch Memorial Stadium - San Francisco belted 3 more home runs on their way to a 6-3 win. Ed Bailey (1), Jim Ray Hart (4) and Willie McCovey (4) all cleared the wall. Gaylord Perry (1-1) slobbered his way through 6.1 innings and did enough for the win. Billy Pierce and Bob Shaw (1) pitched a shut out the rest of the way.

Game #4 August 27 at Busch Memorial Stadium - Bill White (3 hits), Dal Maxvill, and Julian Javier hit back-to-back-to-back singles off Jack Sanford (0-3) in the B13 leading to a 6-5 St. Louis walk-off winner. Willie Mays (3 for 5) helped stake the Giants to a 5-4 lead heading into the B9, but Charlie James (1) took Frank Linzy deep to tie it. Dick Hughes (2-0) pitched an inning in relief and notched the W.

Thursday, April 9, 2020








Cubs take 3 of 4 from the Pirates



Game 1

Cubs@Pirates

Ellsworth v. Gibbon

Cubs scored 4 runs in the first inning with 2 coming on an Altman triple.  Ellsworth tosses 8 shutout innings and the Cubs cruise to a 5 to 0 victory. Altman was the hitting star going 2 for 4 with a double, triple, and 2 rbi.  Hoak and Alley each had 2 hits for the Bucs.




Game 2

Jenkins v. Friend

The Cubs score 2 runs in the first, second, and 5th innings and Jenkins tosses a a 6 hit shutout while striking out 9 on 141 pitches.  Billy Williams continued his hot hitting going 2 for 4 with 3 rbi and a HR while Jenkins helped himself going 2 for 4 with a double and 2 rbi. Willie Stargell went 1 for 3 with a double for the Pirates.


Game 3

Law v. Jackson

Cubs jump out to an early 2 to 0 lead on a run scoring single by Altman and Santo's firat HR of the Season. The Pirates send 7 batters to the plate in the 4th and tie the game at 2 on run scoring sigles by Stargell and Virdon. The Cubs strike back with 2 runs in the 5th on a Santo sac file and a Williams rbi double.  The games was 4 to 2 heading to the 8th when the Pirates (aided by a Becket error) plated 2 runs on ground outs to tie the game.  In the 9th the Pirates score a run on 3 hits with Clemente getting the rbi single. The Cubs threaten in the bottom of the 9th, but Steve Blass was able to shut the door as Mazeroski makes a fine play up the middle to end the game. Face gets the W for the Bucs while McDainel  suffers the loss for the Cubs.  The Pirates hold the Cubs to just 4 hits. Hoak, Clemente, and Stargell all had 2 hits and Virdon added two rbi for the Pirates.


Game 4

Hands v. Veale

Cubs again score in the first inning plating a run on a single by Altman.  The Cubs add 2 more in the second to end the scoring for the game.  Hands tosses a 5 hit shutout for his second win of the season. The Cubs pitching shut the Pirates out 3 times in the series and move into first by 1 game of the Pirates.    Burgess had 2 hits in the loss for the Pirates.




Wednesday, April 8, 2020

LA takes 3 of 4 from Redlegs

Dodger Stadium
GAME 1
Tsitouris vs Osteen
LAD 6, CIN 5



Both teams errupted for a combined 7 runs in the opening inning.  LA scored 2 more in the home half of the 3rd to take a 5-4 lead.  Both teams exchanged runs in the 4th and then all of a sudden the offense went on hiatus.  Despite giving up 4 in the first LA's Claude Osteen hung on to get the complete game victory.  LA's tablesetters:  Maury Wills (3-5) and Willie Davis (2-4) scored 2 runs each with Norm Larker (2-3) knocking in 2.

GAME 2
Maloney vs Koufax
LAD 9, CIN 5



For the second day in a row both teams combined for 7 runs in the first inning.  Dominant starters like Maloney and Koufax got battered around like pinatas.  Koufax was able to hang on by a thread to get his first win of the season.  He fanned 7 in 8 innings and gave up 5 runs.  His season ERA is 3.91, close to 2 runs more than his historical numbers.  Maloney was even more of a victim giving up 9 runs in 5 innings to balloon his ERA to 6.62.  Wally Moon (2-4) knocked in 4 and scored twice.  Both he and Jim Lefebvre (2-3) homered as LA took both home games in this series.

Crosley Field
GAME 3
Drysdale vs Nuxhall
LAD 5, CIN 4




Once again there were fireworks in the 1st inning.  LA jumped out to a 4-1 lead.  Cincy chipped away at it, but wound up coming up 1 run short.  Don Drysdale (3-0, 1.88) staked his claim as one of the early favorites for the NL Cy Young Award.  Ed Roebuck came on board to get the final 4 outs and his 2nd save of the season.  Wes Parker (2-4, 2RBI) doubled twice.  Charlie Neal, Jim Gilliam and Tommy Davis also had 2 hit games as LA took their 3rd game in a row.

GAME 4
Podres vs Purkey
CIN 5, LAD 3

Needing to salvage at least one game to avoid the sweep the Redlegs got a great performance from starter Bob Purkey (8IP/2ER).  Combine that with Tommy Helms' (4-4) perfect day at the plate and Johnny Bench's (2-4) clutch hitting performance (2R/2RBI) and you have a winner for the Queen City.  Maury Wills (3-4) was on base all day, but the strong right arm of wunderkind Johnny Bench froze Wills right in his tracks on 1st.

Twins and O's split

GAME 1
Merritt vs Barber
BAL 5, MIN 2

MIN 2nd: Scored 1 run on a hit & walk
 MIN Bob Allison scored on a PB by Triandos to take the lead.  MIN 1 BAL 0.
 BAL 3rd:   BAL Jackie Brandt singled scoring Bowens to tie the score.  MIN 1 BAL 1.
 MIN 5th: Failed to score on 3 walks
 MIN 7th: Harmon Killebrew hit a fly ball scoring 1 to take the lead.  MIN 2 BAL 1.
 BAL 7th:  Bob Johnson hit a fly ball scoring 1 to tie the score.  MIN 2 BAL 2.
 BAL Luis Aparicio singled scoring 2 to take the lead.  MIN 2 BAL 4.
 BAL Jackie Brandt hit a grounder scoring 1.  MIN 2 BAL 5.
MIN   Earl Battey: 1 for 4, 2 errors.
BAL  Steve Barber pitched a solid 7 innings for the win: 2 earned runs, 5 hits, 6 BB, 0 K. He's 1-0 on the year.
BAL  Dick Hall pitched a shutout the final 2 innings earning his 1st save.
MIN  Jim Merritt pitched 6.1 innings and took the loss: 7 hits, 1 BB, 3 K. He gave up 0 Earned Runs.  He drops to 0-2 on the year.

GAME 2
Kaat vs Bunker
MIN 4, BAL 3
BAL 4th:
 MIN 5th:
 MIN Jim Kaat singled scoring Reese to take the lead.  MIN 1 BAL 0.
 MIN Zoilo Versalles singled scoring 2.  MIN 3 BAL 0.
 MIN Lenny Green hit a fly ball scoring 1.  MIN 4 BAL 0.
 BAL 5th:
 BAL Gus Triandos doubled scoring 2.  MIN 4 BAL 2.
 BAL 6th:
 BAL Mark Belanger singled scoring Johnson.  MIN 4 BAL 3.
BAL  Mark Belanger: 3 for 5.
BAL  Gus Triandos: 3 for 3, 2 doubles, 2 RBI.
MIN  Jim Kaat pitched 5.2 innings to earn the win: 3 earned runs, 9 hits, 2 BB, 6 K. He's 2-1 on the year.
MIN  Bill Dailey pitched a shutout 9th to earn his 3rd save of the year.
BAL  Wally Bunker pitched 5 innings and took the loss: 4 earned runs, 5 hits, 0 BB, 0 K. He drops to 0-1 on the year.

Game 3
McNally vs Stigman
BAL 7, MIN 5

MIN 2nd:
 MIN 3rd:
 MIN Harmon Killebrew hit a 2 run HR(1) to take the lead.  BAL 0 MIN 2.
 BAL 4th:
 BAL Gus Triandos doubled scoring Brandt.  BAL 1 MIN 2.
 BAL Paul Blair singled scoring Triandos to tie the score.  BAL 2 MIN 2.
 MIN 5th:
 MIN Harmon Killebrew hit a 2 run HR(2) to take the lead.  BAL 2 MIN 4.
 BAL 6th:
 BAL Boog Powell hit a solo HR(1).  BAL 3 MIN 4.
 BAL Paul Blair hit a solo HR(1) to tie the score.  BAL 4 MIN 4.
 BAL 7th:
 BAL Jackie Brandt hit a solo HR(1) to take the lead.  BAL 5 MIN 4.
 BAL Dave McNally injured, out today.
 BAL 9th:
 BAL Sam Bowens hit a 2 run HR(1).  BAL 7 MIN 4.
 MIN 9th:
 MIN Bob Allison singled scoring Green.  BAL 7 MIN 5.

 BAL  Paul Blair: 2 for 4, HR, 2 RBI.
 BAL  Sam Bowens: 1 for 1, HR, 2 RBI.
 BAL  Jackie Brandt: 1 for 4, HR, 2 runs.
 MIN  Harmon Killebrew: 2 for 3, 2 HRs, 4 RBI, 2 runs, 2 W.

 BAL  Dave McNally pitched 6.1 innings to earn the win: 4 earned runs, 7 hits, 4 BB, 5 K. He's 2-1 on the year.
 BAL  Stu Miller pitched the 9th to earn his 2nd save.
 MIN  Dick Stigman pitched 8 innings and took the loss: 5 earned runs, 6 hits, 2 BB, 3 K. He's now 1-1 on the season.

GAME 4
Pappas vs Pascual
MIN 3, BAL 2
 MIN 1st: Scored 1 run on a hit
 MIN Tony Oliva hit a solo HR(3) to take the lead.  BAL 0 MIN 1.
 MIN 2nd: Scored 1 run on 2 hits
 MIN Rich Rollins doubled scoring Green.  BAL 0 MIN 2.
 MIN 4th: Sent 7 batters to the plate, but scored just 1 run
 MIN Zoilo Versalles walked scoring Green.  BAL 0 MIN 3.
 BAL 5th: Sent 8 batters to the plate scoring 2 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk
 BAL Dick Brown singled scoring Adair.  BAL 1 MIN 3.
 BAL Brooks Robinson singled scoring Brown.  BAL 2 MIN 3.

 BAL  Jim Gentile: 0 for 2, 3 W.
 MIN  Tony Oliva: 2 for 4, double, HR.

 MIN  Camilo Pascual pitched 7.2 innings to earn the win: 2 earned runs, 10 hits, 3 BB, 4 K. He's 2-0 on the year.
 MIN  Al Worthington held Baltimore hitless the final 1.1 innings to record his 2nd save of the season.
 BAL  Milt Pappas pitched 7 solid innings but took the loss: 3 earned runs, 6 hits, 3 BB, 4 K. He drops to 2-1 on the year.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

METS TAKE THREE OF FOUR FROM THE ASTROS


Game 1 at Shea Stadium
NY 6 HOU 4

Mets come from behind with 4 in the 8th to win it. Trailing 4-2, Cleon Jones hits a huge 2 run HR off Larry Dierker to tie the game. The Mets get 2 more in the inning scoring on a grounder by Swoboda and a bases loaded walk to Jerry Grote, before Elio Chacon hit into an inning ending DP.

Houston led 4-0 before the Mets rallied with 2 in the 6th, before scoring 4 in the 8th. Houston starter Larry Dierker helped his own cause with a first inning RBI single to make it 1-0. Houston scored three in the top of the 6th with the big hits being an RBI double by Chuck Harrison (2-3) and a single by the pesky Sonny Jackson.

Galen Cisco pitched 8 innings in his first start of the year to get the win. Dierker (1-1) took the loss. Tug McGraw picked up the save with a shutout 9th

Game 2  at Shea Stadium
NY  3 HOU 2

Mets do it again in the 8th inning as Joe Christopher comes through with an RBI single scoring Cleon Jones to break a 2-2 tie. The hit extended Christopher's hitting streak to 10 games.

Houston took a 1-0 lead on a second inning HR by John Bateman off Tom Seaver. Cleon Jones singled in a run in the third to tie it. Then in the 4th Johnny Lewis doubled in a run to make it 2-1 Mets. In the 7th a Bud Harrelson error led to an unearned run – setting the stage for Christopher's game winning hit.

Ron Taylor won it in relief with 2 scoreless innings. Bob Bruce started for Houston and took the loss.

Game 3  at the Astrodome
HOU 3  NY 2

The Mets rallied once again tying the game with 2 in the top of the 9th, while using every single position player on the roster! But in the bottom of the 9th, Ron Hunt's throwing error allowed leadoff batter Al Spangler to get to second. He took third on a wild pitch by Tug McGraw and then came on to score on a game winning single by Sonny Jackson.

The Mets trailed 2-0 going to the top of the 9th when manager Raylesberg pulled out all the stops with pinch hitter after pinch hitter. Ed Kranepool pinch hit a double to make it 2-1 and then Charley Smith, who was pinch hitting for a pinch hitter, greeted Woodeshick with a single to tie the game.

Jackson was 3-4 with 2 RBIs. Chuck Harrison was 3-4 with a single, double and triple. Hal Woodeschick won it in relief. McGraw, who came on in the 9th for starter Jerry Koosman took  the loss.

Game 4 at the Astrodome
Mets 4, Astros 0

Dennis Ribant (1-2) pitched a 5 hit complete game shutout, walking only one and striking out 7 as the Mets take the series 3-1.  Cleon Jones singled in a run in the 3rd and the Mets added another, off starter and loser Don Wilson, in the 5th to take a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 9th, Johnny Lewis hit a mammoth 2 run HR to give the Mets two big insurance runs.


The Mets are now 6-6. Houston is 5-7. Next week: Mets play the Dodgers while the Astros take on the Cardinals
--submitted by Alan Raylesberg--