Week 24 Results (09/18/1967 - 09/24/1967)

Monday, September 18, 1967 

Transactions:

 

Kansas City third baseman Weldon ""Hoss"" Bowlin made his Major League Finale on 09/17/1967. Kansas City outfielder Danny Cater made his Season Finale on 09/17/1967. Kansas City outfielder Rick Monday returned to play on 09/19/1967

 

San Francisco pitcher Joe Gibbon made his Season Finale on 09/17/1967

Houston infielder Bob Lillis made his Major League Finale on 09/17/1967

 

St. Louis infielder Steve Huntz made his Major League Debut on 09/19/1967. Huntz had previously been recalled from Tulsa (PCL)

 

Boston pitcher Bill Landis returned to the mound on 09/19/1967

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Bob Moose made his Major League Debut on 09/19/1967. Moose had previously been recalled from Columbus (IL)

 

New York (NL) pitcher Les Rohr made his Major League Debut on 09/19/1967. Rohr had previously been recalled from Durham (CARL)

 

Chicago (NL) outfielder Lee Thomas returned to play on 09/19/1967

 

New York (AL) 5 Baltimore (H) 2

 

The Orioles crept ahead early and stayed there until late-season call-up Frank Fernandez crushed a two-out three-run homerun (1) in the top of the ninth to put the Yankees in the lead. Al Downing (10-13, 2.31) got the win in a rare relief appearance, with Eddie Fisher (3-3, 1.66) taking the loss.

 

Chicago (AL) 2 California (H) 1

 

Ken Berry gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead with a homerun (7) in the third and then Chicago added a run in the sixth for a 2-0 lead. The Angels finally scored in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a wild pitch and two Chicago infield errors, but it wasn't enough. Cisco Carlos (4-1, 1.17) got the win, but had plenty of help from the Chicago bullpen.

 

Boston 4 Detroit (H) 1

 

Detroit started the week knowing it was now or never if they were ever going to make a move on first-place Boston and two home games versus the Red Sox was an opportunity. George Scott put Boston up 1-0 with a solo homerun (21) in the second, and later a two-run double in the sixth that essentially iced the game for the visitors. Jerry Stephenson (2-0, 1.85) went five innings and got the win with John Wyatt picking a two-inning save (14). With this win, the Red Sox have lowered their Magic Number to three.

 

Kansas City (H) 2 Minnesota 0

 

Catfish Hunter (19-10, 2.26) outdueled Jim Kaat (13-12, 3.32) for the shutout victory, plus Hunter lined an RBI single in the eighth to provide himself some additional padding for his slender lead on his way to victory.

 

Atlanta (H) 2 Cincinnati 0

 

Pat Jarvis (14-7, 3.08) may have struggled through much of the second half of the season but he twirled a three-hit shutout today, much to the delight of the Braves fans. Mel Queen (12-68, 2.42) only allowed four hits, but one of them was a two-run homerun (1) off the bat of recent call-up Felix Millan for the game's only runs.

 

Pittsburgh 10 Houston (H) 6

 

The Pirates led 8-0 after the third and were on their way to an easy romp, especially since Tommie Sisk (12-12, 3.04) had only allowed one hit in the first five innings. Things changed quickly when Sisk walked the first three Astros batters in the sixth and then Rusty Staub unloaded a three-run double. That was enough to get Sisk out of the game, but before the inning was over Doug Rader cracked a three-run homerun (3), a six-run inning that made the score 9-6. Both bullpens were able to keep things relatively quiet for the final few innings and the Pirates had their win.

 

Los Angeles 10 New York (NL) (H) 6

 

The Dodgers brought their hitting shoes to New York and while they only had twelve hits in the gamer, they made them all count for a ten-run explosion. John Duffie made his first start, but couldn't complete five innings, so Jim Brewer (7-6, 2.30) entered the game and went the rest of the way for the win. Brewer also smacked a two-run double in the Dodgers five-run eighth, cementing the win over Tom Seaver (16-12, 2.91).

 

Philadelphia (H) 8 St. Louis 6

 

The Cardinals scored three times in the top of the first, but the Phillies jumped on Bob Gibson (10-10, 3.45) for five runs in the bottom half of the inning, as Gibson just couldn’t get the third out, plus he committed an error on an infield bouncer that extended the inning. Philadelphia was able to add on from there, and Dick Ellsworth (9-10, 4.54) settled down from there to pick up the win.

 

Tuesday, September 19, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

Pittsburgh pitcher John Gelnar made his Season Finale on 09/18/1967

 

Baltimore pitcher Dave McNally made his Season Finale on 09/18/1967. Baltimore pitcher Tom Fisher made his Major League Debut on 09/20/1967. Fisher had previously been recalled from Rochester (IL). Baltimore pitcher Paul Gilliford made his Major League Debut on 09/20/1967. Gilliford had previously been recalled from Elmira (EL)

 

Atlanta first baseman Felipe Alou made his Season Finale on 09/18/1967 (bone chips in elbow). Atlanta pitcher Claude Raymond made his Season Finale on 09/18/1967. Atlanta pitcher Jim Britton made his Major League Debut on 09/20/1967. Britton had previously been recalled from Richmond (IL)

 

Washington pitcher Buster Narum made his Season Debut on 09/20/1967. Narum had previously been recalled from Hawaii (PCL)

 

New York (NL) pitcher Billy Wynne returned to the mound on 09/20/1967

 

Baltimore (H) 6 New York (AL) 2

 

Jim Palmer (5-1, 3.40) threw six scoreless innings and the Orioles rolled over the Yankees. Curt Motton stroked the first of his two homeruns (7, 8) in the bottom of the second to get the scoring started and then Baltimore scored three times in the sixth, all unearned, to lock this one up.

 

California (H) 1 Chicago (AL) 0

 

Jim McGlothlin (11-12, 2.80) held Chicago to three hits and picked up the win, with Minnie Rojas coming in to pick up the save (26). Joe Horlen (13-12, 1.58) only allowed two hits, but Jim Fregosi singled home Bobby Knoop in the bottom of the sixth for the game's only run.

 

Washington 10 Cleveland (H) 0

 

Phil Ortega (4-23, 4.34) went all the way for a complete-game four-hit shutout victory. The Senators took the early lead and then continued to add on against everyone they faced. Frank Howard did smack a solo homerun (42), one of many key Washington hits in the game.

 

Boston 4 Detroit (H) 3 (12)

 

Dalton Jones hit a solo homerun (1) in the top of the ninth to give the Red Sox a 3-1 lead and it came in handy when the Tigers loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the inning and scored two runs to tie the score at 3-3 and send the game into extra innings. Reggie Smith waited to give Boston the lead with a solo homerun (15) in the twelfth. Dan Osinski (5-2, 2.42) went through the final two innings and picked up the win, this win taking Boston's Magic Number down to two.

 

Minnesota 7 Kansas City (H) 3

 

The Twins jumped out with five runs in the top of the second, the big hit being a two-run double by Dave Boswell (14-12, 3.07), and then Boswell went all the way for the win.

 

Cincinnati 3 Atlanta (H) 0

 

Cincinnati kept themselves in the pennant hunt as Gary Nolan (14-7, 2.47) shut down the first-place Braves on four hits. The Reds broke open a scoreless tie with two runs in the top of the seventh and went on to hand Phil Niekro (13-7, 1.96) the tough loss.

 

Chicago (NL) (H) 1 San Francisco 0

 

Ron Santo singled home Don Kessinger in the bottom of the first and Ferguson Jenkins (21-10, 2.37) made that single run stand up as he went all the way for the complete game victory over Mike McCormick (14-13, 2.95) and the Giants.

 

Pittsburgh 8 Houston (H) 4

 

The Pirates put down a six-spot in the top of the third, then the Astros got the score back to 6-4, but then Pittsburgh added a few late runs to walk away with the easy win. Bob Moose (1-0, 6.35) not only got the win but he went 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and a triple.

 

Los Angeles 2 New York (NL) (H) 0

With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh Lou Johnson bounced a grounder to short and Bud Harrelson let the ball get past him and allowed two unearned runs to cross the plate. Bill Singer (12-9, 2.03) and Phil Regan combined for the shutout win, with Les Rohr (0-1, 0.00) taking the hard-luck loss in his Major League Debut.

 

Philadelphia (H) 5 St. Louis 3

A rough day for the Cardinals as three errors led to four unearned runs and Jim Bunning (18-13, 2.16) and the Phillies came away with the win. Dick Hughes (10-11, 2.24) pitched well but was let down by his defense in this one.

 

Wednesday, September 20, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

Kansas City pitcher Jack Aker made his Season Finale on 09/19/1967. Kansas City pitcher Bill Stafford made his Major League Finale on 09/19/1967

 

Chicago pitcher Chuck Hartenstein made his Season Finale on 09/19/1967

 

Baltimore pitcher Jim Palmer made his Season Finale on 09/19/1967. Baltimore pitcher Dave Leonhard made his Major League Debut on 09/21/1967. Leonhard had previously been recalled from Rochester (IL)

 

Cleveland pitcher Tom Kelley made his Season Debut on 09/21/1967. Kelley has previously been recalled from Pawtucket ((EL)

 

Atlanta pitcher Ron Reed made his Season Debut on 09/21/1967. Reed had previously been recalled from Richmond (IL)

 

St. Louis shortstop Jimy Williams made his Season Debut on 09/21/1967. Williams had previously been recalled from Arkansas (TL)

Chicago (AL) 4 California (H) 2

e score was tied at 1-1 after the second, and there the score stayed until Tommy McCraw smashed a two-run homerun in the top of the eighth. Tommy John (9-15, 2.96) went all the way for the win, with Bill Kelso (7-4, 2.74) taking the loss out of the bullpen.

 

Boston 6 Cleveland (H) 4

 

In the first three innings of the game, Sam McDowell (7-20, 3.94) struck out eight, walked five, and threw two wild pitches, and the visiting Red Sox had a 5-1 lead. Jim Lonborg (18-6, 2.411) often struggled and was eventually ejected for retaliation to a HBP but got the win. With this win, Boston reduced its Magic Number to one, and they are currently huddled in the Cleveland dressing room awaiting the results of the Baltimore and Detroit games.

 

New York (AL) 4 Detroit (H) 3

 

With the Tigers looking to stave off elimination, Joe Sparma (14-14, 3.30) faltered out of the chute, allowing three first innings runs and the Yankees led 4-0 after the second. Detroit came back to make it close, but Al Downing (11-13, 2.31) held them off with Dooley Womack coming into the game in the ninth and picking up the save (13).

 

Minnesota (H) 5 Kansas City 4

Both teams scored twice in the first but then Harmon Killebrew slugged homerun #42 and the Twins rolled to a tough win over the A's. Dean Chance (15-12, 2.72) got the twin and the Minnesota bullpen stumbled its way to the end, with Al Worthington eventually getting the save (14).

 

Washington (H) 4 Baltimore 3 (GM 1)

 

Tom Phoebus (14-10, 3.16) had one bad inning and the Senators scored four times in the bottom of the third and then Dick Bosman (3-1, 0.94) and the Washington bullpen took over, finally holding off the Orioles for the Game One win.

 

Note: This loss, combined with Detroit's loss and Boston's win, means that the Red Sox have clinched the AL pennant.

 

Baltimore 7 Washington (H) 2 (GM 2)

 

The Orioles started fast with two in the first and then a five-spot in the third, and Marcelino Lopez (2-2, 4.19) went seven strong innings to collect the win over Buster Narum (0-1, 27.00).

 

Cincinnati 5 Atlanta (H) 2

 

Tony Perez socked a two-run homerun (30) in Cincinnati's three-run first and then Milt Pappas (15-12, 3.19) and the Reds bullpen held off the Braves for the victory. Jim Britton (0-1, 9.82) made his Major League Debut and pitched well after a rough start but took the loss.

 

San Francisco 6 Chicago (NL) (H) 0

 

Gaylord Perry (14-17, 2.68) went all the way, throwing a six-hit shutout, and getting the win over Rich Nye (11-10, 3.33). The Giants clobbered four homeruns on the day, including two by Jim Ray Hart (39, 40).

 

Pittsburgh 20 Houston (H) 3

 

The Pirates collected twenty-nine hits on the day, pounding the Astros pitching staff with a seven-run second, a six-run seventh, and finishing with five runs in the top of the ninth. Three-run homeruns by Bob Robertson (1) and Bill Mazeroski (14) were the big hits, all in support of Bruce Dal Canton (1-0, 0.75).

 

Los Angeles 5 New York (NL) (H) 2

 

Ron Hunt led the way for the Dodgers with a two-run homerun (8) that put Los Angeles ahead to stay and then Hunt added an RBI double in the ninth to help ice the win. Don Drysdale (19-13, 2.73) got the win and Ron Perranoski got the Save (17).

 

Philadelphia (H) 3 St. Louis 2

 

The Cardinals scored first with a run in the fourth, but a Don Lock homerun (14) tied it at 1-1 in the sixth. In the bottom of the ninth Rick Joseph led off with a single, advanced to third on a single by Gary Sutherland, and then Gene Oliver wasted no time and immediately smacked a game-winning single to complete Philadelphia's three-game home sweep over St. Louis.

 

Thursday, September 21, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Dennis Ribant made his Season Finale on 09/20/1967

 

Boston pitcher Billy Rohr was recalled from Toronto (IL) before 09/22/1967

 

Baltimore catcher Vic Roznovsky returned to play on 09/22/1967

 

Cleveland (H) 3 Boston 2 (10)

Vic Davalillo doubled in Larry Brown in the bottom of the tenth to get a win for Steve Bailey (3-6, 6.95) over the slightly hungover Red Sox. Sparky Lyle (1-4, 2.85) took the loss out of the bullpen.

 

Minnesota (H) 2 Kansas City 1

 

The Twins suddenly came alive in the bottom of the ninth when they scored two runs and walked away with the come-from-behind victory. Russ Nixon stroked a pinch-hit single to score Rod Carew with the game-winner, with Jim Perry (8-7, 3.43) getting the win in relief.

 

Washington (H) 4 Baltimore 2

 

Paul Blair swatted a two-run homerun in the top of the first but Bob Priddy (5-7, 2.45) and the Senators bullpen shut down the Orioles for the remainder of the game and Washington came back to get the win.

 

St. Louis (H) 5 Atlanta 4

 

A two-run homerun (15) by Joe Torre in the top of the fifth put the Braves ahead 3-0, but then the Cardinals crawled back into it and took a 5-3 lead when they scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh. It was an adventure right down to the end, but Joe Hoerner got the save (11) to protect the win for Ron Willis (5-7, 3.01).

 

Friday, September 22, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

Cleveland pitcher Steve Hargan made his Season Finale on 09/21/1967. Hargan had been plagued with elbow tendonitis over the course of the season

 

Washington pitcher Dick Nold made his Major League Finale on 09/21/1967

 

St. Louis shortstop Jimy Williams made his Major League Finale on 09/21/1967

 

Cincinnati pitcher John Tsitouris made his Season Debut on 09/23/1967. Tsitouris had previously been recalled from San Diego (PCL)

 

The New York Mets released manager Wes Westrum and named as interim replacement Salty Parker.

 

Baltimore (H) 6 Boston 3 (GM 1)

 

Carl Yastrzemski hit a homerun (42) in the top of the first to give the Red Sox the early lead, but it was all Orioles after that and then Frank Robinson crushed a two-run triple in the bottom of the seventh to lock this one up for Jim Hardin (8-2, 2.14) with the Game One win.

 

Baltimore (H) 3 Boston 0 (GM 2)

 

Larry Haney knocked a two-out two-run double in the bottom of the second to give Pete Richert (15-9, 2.70) all the run support he would require on his way to picking up the Game Two win.

 

Cleveland (H) 4 Chicago (AL) 2

 

Luis Tiant (14-10, 2.54) didn't allow a run until the top of the ninth and went all the way for the win. The Indians only had five hits in the game, but they bundled most of them up in the second to score three runs and Tiant did the rest.

 

Kansas City (H) 5 California 3

The A's put up a three-spot in the bottom of the first but couldn't hold the lead, but then Bert Campaneris bailed them out with a two-run homerun (2) in the bottom of the seventh. Catfish Hunter (20-10, 2.27) got his twentieth win of the season, getting the victory over Jim Coates (1-4, 3.69) in relief.

 

New York (AL) 6 Minnesota (H) 3

 

Roy White (5) and Mickey Mantle (27) hit back-to-back homeruns in the Yankees three-run fifth to give the visitors a 5-1 lead and Fritz Peterson (14-12, 3.04) and the Yankees bullpen held on for the tough road win. Jim Kaat (13-13, 3.42) took the loss.

 

Washington (H) 3 Detroit 2 (GM 1)

 

Hank Allen smacked a two-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth, which came in handy when Lenny Green hit a two-run homerun (1) in the top of the ninth to make it close, but the Senators bullpen got the third out and Dick Lines got the save (3) for Frank Bertaina (9-7, 2.19).

 

Detroit 12 Washington (H) 3 (GM 2)

 

Al Kaline smoked a two-run homerun (25) in the first and ended up going 3-for-6 (.322) with two runs scored and four RBIs, paving the way for Mickey Lolich (16-5, 2.79) to pick up the Game Two win.

 

Chicago (NL) (H) 3 Cincinnati 1

 

Joe Niekro (9-6, 3.18) gave up a solo homerun (31) to Tony Perez in the second but that was Cincinnati's only run as the Cubs came back behind an Ernie Banks homerun (24) to win the game. Jim Maloney (10-11, 3.08) pitched well but took the loss.

 

Philadelphia 5 Los Angeles (H) 2

 

The Phillies jumped on Don Sutton (7-17, 3.46) for four runs in the top of the first and Larry Jackson (14-15, 3.45) held off the Dodgers for the win.

 

Houston 10 New York (NL) (H) 1 (GM 1)

 

The Mets scored a run in the bottom of the first but then the Astros responded with a six-run second, eventually running Jerry Koosman (1-1, 6.62) and then they added on from there, Mike Cuellar (16-12, 2.45) struck out twelve New York batters on his way to a complete-game victory.

 

New York (NL) (H) 9 Houston 7 (GM 2)

 

A two-run first was followed by a four-run fourth for the Astros, with Wade Blasingame (4-10, 6.70) having the big hit, a three-run triple. The Mets responded immediately with a six-run outburst in the bottom of the second, Bob Johnson's two-out three-run double being the big hit for the Mets. Ed Kranepool knocked a two-run homerun (7) in the fourth, and the Mets bullpen held on to get the double-header split for the Mets,

 

Pittsburgh 9 San Francisco (H) 7

 

The Pirates led 4-1 thanks to a three-run fifth, but then they scored five times in the sixth to lock this game up. Donn Clendenon had five RBI's in the game, and his three-run homerun (15) in the fateful sixth put the game away for the visitors. Tom Haller hit a three-run homerun (12) in the bottom of the eighth to make it close and Willie Mays added a solo shot (25) in the ninth, but Roy Face got through the final innings for the save (16).

 

St. Louis (H) 5 Atlanta 4

 

A four-run fourth spurred the Cardinals on to victory, the big hit being a two-out two-run single by Dave Ricketts that also included a wild throw from the outfield that allowed an additional run to score. Mike Torrez (1-0, 1.50) went five innings and got the win and then the bullpen held off multiple Atlanta challenges in the final few innings to hold on for the win.

 

Saturday, September 23, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

Washington infielder Bernie Allen made his Season Finale on 09/22/1967. Washington pitcher Barry Moore made his Season Finale on 09/22/1967

 

Baltimore pitcher Tom Fisher made his Major League Finale on 09/22/1967

 

Atlanta infielder Denis Menke made his Season Finale on 09/22/1967

 

Boston pitcher Jerry Stephenson made his Season Finale on 09/22/1967

 

Boston 3 Baltimore (H) 2

 

Boston led 2-1 after the second and there the score stayed until both teams scored a run in the ninth, allowing Lee Stange (16-5, 1.79) to walk away with the tough road win over Gene Brabender (5-5, 2.58).

 

Chicago (AL) 5 Cleveland (H) 1

The White Sox scored twice in the first and took a 2-1 lead into the ninth, and then they added on three runs to provide insurance for Joe Horlen (14-12, 1.56) who went all the way for the win. Lead-off hitter Tommie Agee had two RBI's and #2 hitter Don Buford added three RBI's to lead the offense.

 

Kansas City (H) 6 California 1

 

The A's jumped on Jim Weaver (1-1, 5.51) for six runs in the bottom of the second and Tony Pierce (4-4, 3.76) and the Kansas City bullpen kept the Angels bats quiet and picked up the win.

 

Minnesota (H) 6 New York (AL) 2

 

Harmon Killebrew hit a two-run homerun (43) in the first but it was a four-run second inning that locked this game up. Mickey Mantle hit a two-run homerun (28) in the third, but Dave Boswell (15-12, 3.04) otherwise overpowered the Yankees today.

 

Chicago (NL) (H) 3 Cincinnati 0

 

Ferguson Jenkins (22-10, 2.30) drove in the first two runs of the game with a single in the bottom of the fourth and went all the way for the shutout victory. Jenkins pitched out of a lead-off triple situation, he pitched out of a bases-loaded/no-outs situation, and he finished up pitching out of a runner’s on second and third with no-outs situation.

 

Philadelphia 11 Los Angeles (H) 2

Jim Bunning (19-13, 2.16) held the Dodgers to four hits and went all the way for the complete-game win over Claude Osteen (19-13, 2.94). Of the four hits Bunning allowed, two were solo homeruns by Len Gabrielson, but the Phillies used a seven-run fifth to knock out Osteen and pave the way for Bunning.

 

New York (NL) (H) 6 Houston 3

 

The Mets scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to open up a tight game and Tom Seaver (17-12, 2.91) was able to cruise all the way for the complete-game victory over Dave Giusti (12-13, 3.94).

 

San Francisco (H) 1 Pittsburgh 0

 

Jim Ray Hart singled home Jim Davenport in the bottom of the fourth for the game's only run and Mike McCormick (15-13, 2.87) got the win over Tommie Sisk (12-13, 2.99). The Pirates had only two hits, the Giants three, but San Francisco got the critical hit when they needed it.

 

St. Louis (H) 4 Atlanta 0

 

The Cardinals scored four runs in the bottom of the third, four different runners scored, four different players had an RBI, and Bob Gibson (11-10, 3.27) held the Braves to four hits and went all the way for the shutout victory. Pat Jarvis (14-8, 3.15) only had one bad inning, but that was enough to give St. Louis the win.

 

Sunday, September 24, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

Minnesota infielder Ron Clark returned to play on 09/25/1967

 

San Francisco infielder Don Mason was recalled from Waterbury (EL) before 09/25/1967

 

Boston 9 Baltimore (H) 1

 

The Red Sox scored four times in the third and then added four more runs in the fifth, the final three runs coming homer on a homerun (43) by Carl Yastrzemski. Jim Lonborg (19-6, 2.37) gave up a run in the first, but that was all the Orioles could do against home today.

 

Cleveland (H) 4 Chicago (AL) 0

 

Sam McDowell (8-20, 3.79) struck out twelve and held the White Sox to one hit and went all the way for the win. McDowell also singled home two runs in the Indians' two-run second.

 

California 5 Kansas City (H) 1

 

Rick Reichardt hit a three-run homerun (19) in the third and Clyde Wright (3-5, 4.25) and Minnie Rojas held off the A's, and the Angels got the win over Jim Nash (13-15, 3.19) and the A's.

 

New York (AL) 2 Minnesota (H) 1

 

Steve  Barber got the start for New York and he allowed seven walks to go with his six strikeouts in only four innings of work, but he only gave up one run and kept the Yankees in the game. The visitors finally got to Dean Chance (15-13, 2.72) for two runs in the top of the sixth, and the New York bullpen held on for the tough win in Minnesota.

 

Detroit 1 Washington (H) 0

 

Bill Freehan singled home Eddie Mathews in the top of the fourth for the game's only run and Joe Sparma (15-14, 3.17) went all the way for the shutout victory over Phil Ortega (4-24, 4.24).

 

Cincinnati 5 Chicago (NL) (H) 2

The Cubs took a slender 2-1 lead into the ninth when the Reds suddenly woke up and scored four times, the final two runs coming home on a Tommy Harper homerun (4). Rich Nye (11-11, 3.38) was cruising along but took the loss.

 

Los Angeles (H) 3 Philadelphia 2

The Phillies started the day on a seven-game winning streak and found themselves in third place in the NL, percentage points ahead of Cincinnati, and a half-game ahead of the fifth-place Dodgers. Philadelphia led 2-0 after the top of the seventh but then Al Ferrara smacked a two-out two-run pinch-hit homerun (16) in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score at 2-2.  Ron Fairly added a homerun (8) in the bottom of the eighth and the Dodgers held on to claim a come-from-behind victory.

 

New York (NL) (H) 4 Houston 2

 

The Astros scored the first run of the game in the top of the sixth, but the Mets responded by scoring four runs in the bottom half of the inning. From there the New York bullpen held the lead to advance their lead over Houston to 1.5 games. Les Rohr (1-1, 0.66) picked up the win over Chris Zachary (0-6, 8.71).

 

San Francisco (H) 14 Pittsburgh 0

 

The Giants brought their hitting shoes today as they pounded the Pirates all game long, scoring fourteen runs. Willie Mays went 2-for-3 (.222) with two walks, scored four runs, and drove in four runs to lead the offense, while Gaylord Perry (15-17, 2.60) scattered six hits and went all the way for the shutout victory.

 

Atlanta 3 St. Louis (H) 1

 

Atlanta hurler Phil Niekro (14-7, 1.92) stopped the Braves losing streak at five games plus it was his two-run homerun (1) in the bottom of the second that led Atlanta to its early 3-0 lead. The Cardinals tried several times to get back into the game, but Niekro was too much.