Week 25 Results (09/25/1967 - 09/31/1967)

Monday, September 25, 1967 

Transactions:

 

Los Angeles pitcher Jim Brewer made his Season Finale on 09/24/1967. Los Angeles pitcher John Duffie made his Major League Finale on 09/24/1967

 

Cleveland infielder Larry Brown made his Season Finale on 09/24/1967. Cleveland outfielder Jim King made his Major League Finale on 09/24/1967

 

Baltimore pitcher Wally Bunker made his Season Finale on 09/24/1967. Baltimore pitcher John Buzhardt (Team Finale 09/24/1967) was sold to Houston on 09/25/1967 in return for cash

 

New York (NL) pitcher Al Schmelz made his Major League Finale on 09/24/1967

 

Houston pitcher John Buzhardt (Team Debut 10/01/1967) was acquired from Baltimore on 09/25/1967 for cash

 

Washington 5 Baltimore (H) 4 (14)

 

Ken McMullen smashed a three-run homerun (17) in the top of the seventh to give the Senators a 4-0 lead, but Washington couldn’t hold the lead and by the end of the eighth, the Orioles had tied the score at 4-4. No further runs were scored until McMullen singled home a run in the top of the fourteenth and this time the Senators bullpen set the Orioles down without any noise in the bottom half of the inning.

 

Minnesota (H) 1 California 0

 

Jim Merritt (11-11, 2.16) and the Twins bullpen held the Angels to five hits as they combined to shut out the visitors from the west. Both teams did a good job of attempting to clear their benches as they both scrambled to get an advantage.

 

New York (AL) (H) 5 Detroit 0

 

Al Downing (12-13, 2.24) and the Yankees bullpen scattered three hits and got a shutout victory over visiting Detroit. The Yankees scored four runs off Earl Wilson (20-14, .282) in the bottom of the fifth, with Downing having a two-run single to cap off the scoring in the big inning.

 

Philadelphia 8 Houston (H) 6

 

The Phillies scored three runs in the top of the second to take a 4-0 lead, and even though Philadelphia was able to add to their lead, when the Astros scored three times in the bottom of the seventh they were able to tie the score at 6-6. In the top of the eighth Tony Taylor hit his first homerun of the season to giver the Phillies an 8-6 lead, and Turk Farrell went the final two innings for the save (15).

 

Pittsburgh 6 Los Angeles (H) 1

 

A three-run homerun (21) by Willie Stargell in the top of the sixth was the big hit in this game and Jim Shellenback (1-0, 1.54) was able to make his first start of the season a good one. Bill Singer (12-10, 2.16) took the loss.

 

New York (NL) 5 San Francisco (H) 3

 The Mets scored three times in the top of the first, they added two more in the fifth and Danny Frisella (2-5, 5.22) and the New York bullpen held the hometown Giants to only four hits. One of the Giants' four hits was a three-run homerun (33) by Willie McCovey, but that was the extent of San Francisco's offense today.

 

Tuesday, September 26, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

Baltimore shortstop Luis Aparicio made his Season Finale on 09/25/1967. Baltimore pitcher Paul Gilliford made his Major League Finale on 09/25/1967

New York (AL) outfielder Ross Moschitto made his Major League Finale on 09/25/1967

 

Boston pitcher Ken Brett made his Major League Debut on 09/27/1967

 

Los Angeles pitcher Alan Foster was recalled from Spokane (PCL) before 09/27/1967

 

Cleveland infielder Gordy Lund was recalled from Portland (PCL) before 09/27/1967

 

Baltimore (H) 3 Washington 1

 

Frank Howard smacked a solo homerun (43) in the top of the fourth, but that turned out to be the Senators' only hit and run of the game as Jim Hardin (9-2, 2.09) shut down the Washington attack. Curt Motton hit a two-run homerun (4) in the bottom of the fourth and Hardin took over from there.

 

Boston (H) 5 Cleveland 1

 

The Indians were nursing a 1-0 lead until Dalton Jones smacked a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth, necessitating a pitching change, but Rico Petrocelli greeted them with a three-run homerun (8). With his twentieth win now seemingly secure, Gary Bell (20-5, 1.84) gave way and let the Boston bullpen close things out.

 

Minnesota (H) 2 California 1

Jim Kaat (14-13, 3.31) took a 1-0 shutout into the ninth but Johnny Werhas hit a pinch-hit triple and then scored on a passed ball to tie the score at 1-1. The Twins came back to snatch the victory when Rod Carew singled home Tony Oliva with the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth.

 

Detroit 2 New York (AL) (H) 0

 

Mickey Lolich (17-5, 2.67) held the Yankees to one hit and went all the way for the shutout victory. Dick McAuliffe hit a solo homerun (23) in the top of the fourth for the Tigers' first run of the day and then McAuliffe tripled home an insurance run in the top of the eighth.

 

St. Louis 7 Chicago (NL) (H) 0

 

The Cardinals scored single runs in each of the first two innings but it was a five-run explosion in the third that locked this game away. The big hits were a three-run homerun (34) by Orlando Cepeda and then a two-run homerun (8) by Mike Shannon, and Steve Carlton (12-8, 2.29) was able to cruise home with the complete-game shutout victory.

 

Cincinnati (H) 2 Atlanta 1

 

First-place Atlanta rolled into third-place Cincinnati with a Magic Number of four and with an essentially makeshift lineup thanks to a season's worth of accumulated injuries. The Reds scored a run in the first, but the Braves tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the fourth, and then both teams settled into a game-long pitcher's duel. Finally, in the bottom of the ninth, Art Shamsky slugged a pinch-hit triple to drive home Lee May with the game-winner.

 

Houston (H) 8 Philadelphia 6 (Grand Slam!)

 

The Phillies scored three times in the top of the first and then put up another three-spot in the top of the eighth to take a 6-2 lead, but then disaster struck in the bottom half of the inning. The Astros loaded the bases, a reliever got two outs with only run-scoring, and then Sonny Jackson doubled home two runs. The Phillies bullpen reloaded the bases, and then Jim Wynn slugged a grand slam homerun (42) to give Houston its first lead of the day. The ninth was a bit dicey, but Tom Dukes for the final out and picked up the Save (2).

 

Los Angeles (H) 7 Pittsburgh 2

 

The Dodgers scored single runs in each of the first three innings to take an early 3-0 lead, but after the top of the seventh, the Pirates had pulled to within 3-2. Los Angeles scored three times in the bottom half of the inning, the big hit being a two-run double by Willie Davis, and Don Drysdale (2-13, 2.70) was able to go all the way for this twentieth win of the season.

 

San Francisco (H) 3 New York (NL) 0

 

Ray Sadecki (16-6, 2.15) rolled right through the Mets, holding them to three hits, and was never really threatened. Jim Davenport drove in two runs for the Giants and hit a solo homerun (7), and Jim Ray Hart continued his homerun assault with a solo homerun (42) in the second that put San Francisco ahead to stay.

 

Wednesday, September 27 1967

 

Transactions:

 

St. Louis infielder Eddie Bressoud made his Major League Finale on 09/26/1967

 

Houston pitcher Dave Eilers made his Major League Finale on 09/26/1967

 

Pittsburgh outfielder Al Luplow made his Major League Finale on 09/26/1967

 

Boston (H) 5 Cleveland 4

 

Jim Lonborg was cruising along just fine in a close game but in the top of the eighth he gave up a two-run pinch-hit homerun to Lee Maye, and suddenly Cleveland had a 4-2 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the Red Sox came back with three runs of their own, the big hit being a two-run homerun (22) by George Scott to give the Red Sox the lead back, and John Wyatt pitched the ninth for the save (18), protecting the win for Ken Brett (1-0, 0.00).

 

Chicago (AL) 2 Kansas City 0 (GM 1)

 

Tommie Agee got the scoring started with a solo homerun (11) in the top of the sixth, and later Agee singled in the eighth and came around to score the second run of the game. Gary Peters (18-7, 1.75) got the win with the help of the Chicago bullpen.

 

Chicago (AL) 3 Kansas City 1 (GM 2)

 

The Athletics waited until there were two outs in the ninth before they scored their first run of the day on a four-base error, but Joe Horlen (15-12, 1.52) and the Chicago bullpen never left any doubts. Catfish Hunter (20-11, 2.27) took the Game Two loss.

 

Minnesota (H) 8 California 6

Harmon Killebrew hit his 44th homerun early in the game but it was his two-run single in the bottom of the eighth that ultimately made the difference in this game. The game went back and forth several times, but Jim Roland (2-2, 3.04) finally got the win and Ron Kline got a 1-2-3 ninth for the save (3).

 

Houston (H) 5 Philadelphia 1

 

Jimmy Wynn hit a two-run homerun (43) in Houston's four-run sixth and Mike Cuellar (17-12, 2.37) outdueled Jim Bunning (19-14, 2.23) for the win and left Bunning still searching for his twentieth win of the season.

 

Los Angeles (H) 1 Pittsburgh 0 (11)

 

With two outs in the bottom of the eleventh, pinch-hitter Ron Hunt came into the game and promptly hit a no-doubter (9) into the left field bleachers for the game's only run. Ron Perranoski (4-2, 1.52) got the win over Steve Blass (3-8, 5.52) after the starters, Alan Foster for LA and Bob Veale for Pittsburgh, took the scoreless game into extra innings.

 

San Francisco (H) 9 New York (NL) 1

 

The Giants only had nine hits in the game, but they collected seven walks, plus the Mets chipped in with four errors, resulting in five unearned runs, all to the benefit of Mike McCormick (16-13, 2.81) who went all the way for the win.

 

Thursday, September 28, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

Cleveland pitcher Bob Allen made his Major League Finale on 09/27/1967. Cleveland infielder Pedro Gonzalez made his Major League Finale on 09/27/1967

 

Minnesota catcher Earl Battey made his Major League Finale on 09/27/1967. Minnesota outfielder Carroll Hardy made his Major League Finale on 09/27/1967. Minnesota catcher Hank Izquierdo made his Major League Finale on 09/27/67

 

San Francisco pitcher Ron Bryant made his Major League Debut on 09/29/1967. San Francisco pitcher Rich Robertson made his Season Debut on 09/29/1967. Robertson had previously been recalled from Phoenix (PCL)

 

Cincinnati (H) 3 Atlanta 2 (GM 1)

 

Johnny Bench smacked a single in the bottom of the ninth that brought home Tommy Helms with the game-winner to keep Cincinnati's post-season hopes alive. Jim Maloney (11-11, 2.99) got the win plus it was Maloney's double in the bottom of the fifth that set up a two-run rally that originally tied the score at 2-2.

 

Atlanta 6 Cincinnati (H) 4 (GM 2)

 

A pair of homeruns from Tito Francona helped power the Braves to an early 6-1 lead and then Pat Jarvis (15-8, 3.19) was able to go all the way for the Game Two win and the doubleheader split.

 

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

New York led 2-0 after the top of the third but that was all that Tom Seaver (18-12, 2.82) needed as he held the Dodgers to four hits and went all the way for the shutout victory. His win also prevented Claude Osteen (19-14, 2.94) from reaching his twentieth win of the season.

 

San Francisco (H) 4 Philadelphia 3 (11)

 

Jim Ray Hart slugged his 43rd homerun to help give the Giants an early 3-0 lead, but the Phillies came back and tied it at 3-3 with a three-run fifth, and there the score stayed until the game moved into extra innings. In the bottom of the eleventh, Ollie Brown tagged Turk Farrell (2-5, 2.70) with a one-out solo homerun to give San Francisco the win.

 

Friday, September 29, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

Washington pitcher Buster Narum made his Major League Finale on 09/28/1967

 

Atlanta pitcher Ed Rakow made his Major League Finale on 09/28/1967

 

Chicago (NL) pitcher Rick James made his Major League Debut on 09/30/1967. James had previously been recalled from Tacoma (PCL)

 

Atlanta Manager Billy Hitchcock was fired and Ken Silvestri was named interim manager for the remainder of the season. Note: Obviously, in a season where the Braves were leading the NL with only three games remaining to be played, I have serious doubts they would be thinking about firing their manager. Regardless, I am leaving this here merely for historical purposes.

 

Washington 5 Chicago (AL) (H) 1

 

Phil Ortega (5-24, 4.11) scattered three hits and went all the way for the win over Tommy John (9-16, 3.01). Frank Howard smacked two solo homeruns (44, 45) and Ortega did the rest.

 

Kansas City 6 New York (AL) (H) 4 (GM 1)

 

The Yankees led 4-1 after the fifth but then a four-run uprising in the top of the seventh put the A's ahead and the Kansas City bullpen held on for the Gam One win. Jim Nash (14-15, 3.26) got the win

Fred Talbot (10-8, 3.12) in a relief role.

Kansas City 10 New York (AL) (H) 0 (GM 2) (No-Hitter!)

 

The A's jumped out early with a five-run first but when they came right back with a three-run second this game was essentially over. George Lauzerique (1-0, 2.08) walked eight in the game but gave up no hits, so when the ninth inning rolled around with his no-hitter intact the decision was made to bring in Lew Krausse to close the game out. Krausse walked two more Yankees batters, so the game was turned over to Paul Lindblad who preserved the no-hitter for the visiting A's.

 

St. Louis 7 Atlanta (H) 4 (Grand Slam!)

Joe Torre put the Braves up with a two-run homerun (16) in the bottom of the first, but this time Lou Brock had an answer as he slugged a grand slam homerun (19) in the top of the second, ans now armed with the lead, Bob Gibson (12-10, 3.31) struck out fifteen Braves' batters on his way to a complete-game victory.  Hank Aaron (35) and Clete Boyer (21) added late homeruns, but the Cardinals scored twice on an error in the top of the eighth to be able to salt this one away. With this win, the Braves lead is down to 0.5 games, and they have their final two games of the season remaining with the Cardinals.

 

Cincinnati (H) 9 Chicago (NL) 0

Rookie ace Gary Nolan (15-7, 2.38) threw eight innings of shutout ball and got the win over Ferguson Jenkins (22-11, 2.33). The Reds could still pass either Atlanta or St. Louis, but they can't pass them both, so they are technically eliminated from the NL pennant race.

 

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

 

John Roseboro buried a fastball in the bleachers in the bottom of the tenth for the game's first runs and a Dodgers win. Both starters were long gone, but Ron Perranoski (5-2, 1.47) got the win in relief. The Mets had three hits in the game, the Dodgers four, in a close battle.

 

Houston 12 Pittsburgh (H) 9

 

Bob Moose got the start for the Pirates and he promptly gave up four runs in the top of the first, but he was allowed to stay in the game and he followed that up with four scoreless innings. It helped that Pittsburgh scored three times in the first and then added three more in the second, and then they added two more in the fourth, with six of those eight runs all driven home by Willie Stargell. Moose tired, the Astros woke up, and Houston scored five times in the sixth, and then added on from there for the win. Howie Reed (2-1, 7.36) went 5.1 innings in relief and picked up the win. Jimmy Wynn slugged his 44th homerun of the season to cap Houston's five-run sixth,

 

Philadelphia 7 San Francisco (H) 2

 

Chris Short (15-7, 2.25) held the Giants to only two hits in the game, with San Francisco's two runs scoring on a two-run homerun (44) by Jim Ray Hart. Johnny Callison went 4-for-5 (.276) with two runs scored, two RBI's, three doubles, and a triple, to lead the Phillies offense.

 

Saturday, September 30, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

New York (NL) pitcher Bill Graham made his Major League Finale on 09/29/1967

 

Atlanta catcher Charlie Lau made his Major League Finale on 09/29/1967

 

Boston (H) 5 Minnesota 4

 

Harmon Killebrew hit a solo homerun (45) in the top of the first to help stake Minnesota to a 2-0 lead, but Boston held tight and finally tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh. Rod Carew then hit a two-out two-run homerun (13) in the top of the eighth, but in the bottom of the ninth relief ace Al Worthington (1-7, 4.01) gave up three runs, the final two coming home thanks to a pinch-hit double off the bat of Joe Foy.

 

Washington 3 Chicago (AL) (H) 2

 

Ken McMullen slugged a two-run homerun (18) in the top of the ninth to put the Senators ahead 3-2 and Darold Knowles came in for a 1-2-3 ninth to nail down the win for fellow reliever Casey Cox (4-3, 3.55).

 

Baltimore 9 Cleveland (H) 1

The Orioles led 2-1 after the fifth in a tight game but then the visitors exploded for seven runs in the top of the eighth, powered by a three-run homerun (14) by Curt Blefary and a two-run homerun (27) by Frank Robinson. Both teams ran deep into their bullpens, but Gene Brabender (6-5, 2.54) started and got the win for Baltimore.

 

California 4 Detroit (H) 2 (GM 1)

 

The Angels jumped on Mickey Lolich (17-6, 2.78) early and George Brunet (14-16, 2.97) and the Angels bullpen held off a belated Tigers rally to nail down the Game One win.

 

Detroit (H) 10 California 4 (GM 2)

Al Kaline hit his second homerun (27) of the day and the Tigers batters battered the Angels pitchers for the easy victory. Earl Wilson (12-14, 2.88) got the victory with Jack Hamilton (5-11, 3.93) taking the loss as he walked four batters in the first two-thirds of an inning, resulting in a five-run first for the Tigers.

 

New York (AL) (H) 9 Kansas City 4

 

The Yankees blew open a close game with five runs in the bottom of the eighth, three unearned,  off three different A's relievers to get the win. Al Downing (13-13, 2.25) picked up the win.

 

St. Louis 3 Atlanta (H) 1

 

Phil Gagliano was given a spot start at second base and his two-run homerun (3) in the top of the second put the Cardinals ahead and Dick Hughes (11-11, 2.20) kept the Braves off the scoreboard until Clete Boyer hit a solo homerun (22) in the bottom of the ninth.

 

Cincinnati (H) 10 Chicago (NL) 0

 

Pete Rose knocked a two-run homerun (13) in the fourth to give the Reds the early lead and then in the fifth, Milt Pappas (16-12, 2.99) surprised everyone with a two-out three-run homerun (2) to put the game out of reach. Cincinnati then exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth, knocking the Chicago bullpen around.

 

Los Angeles (H) 11 New York (NL) 4

 

Al Ferrara hit two homerun (17, 18) to give the Dodgers a good start and Lou Johnson added two more homeruns (10, 11) to power the Dodgers' strong finish. Don Drysdale (21-13, 2.68) gladly welcomed the run support, with Jim Hickman making a two-inning relief appearance.

 

Pittsburgh (H) 1 Houston 0

 

Willie Stargell scored on a two-out wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth for the game's only run and Jim Shellenback (2-0, 1.35) and the Pirates bullpen made the lead stand up for the win. Don Wilson (8-14, 3.12) took the hard-luck loss.

 

Philadelphia 15 San Francisco (H) 3 (GM 1) (Grand Slam!)

 

Larry Jackson (15-15, 3.45) allowed only one hit, a three-run homerun (6) to light-hitting Tito Fuentes in the bottom of the second, but Jackson and his bullpen mates were otherwise untouched while the Phillies offense pounded Ray Sadecki (16-7, 2.41) and the Giants bullpen repeatedly for the Game One win. Don Lock hit a grand slam homerun (16) to cap off the Phillies eight-run fifth.

 

Philadelphia 2 San Francisco (H) 1 (GM 2)

 

In a complete opposite of Game One, the Phillies squeaked out a win and a doubleheader sweep. John Boozer (4-6, 4.03) made a strong start and the Philadelphia pen successfully finished what he started, handing the tough loss to Bill Henry (2-2, 2.44).

 

Sunday, October 1, 1967

 

Transactions:

 

San Francisco pitcher Nestor Chavez made his Major League Finale on 09/30/1967

 

California pitcher Jim Coates made his Major League Finale on 09/30/1967. California third baseman Johnny Werhas made his Major League Finale on 09/30/1967

 

Pittsburgh infielder Andre Rogers made his Major League Finale on 09/30/1967

 

Boston (H) 4 Minnesota 2

 

The Twins finally lost their season-long battle to reach .500 as Rico Petrocelli struck a two-out two-run double in the bottom of the eighth to put the Red Sox ahead to stay. Jim Lonborg (20-6, 2.42) won his twentieth win of the season and struck out twelve batters along the way, while Dean Chance pitched well in his start, it was Al Worthington (1-8, 4.20) who took the loss.

 

Washington 9 Chicago (AL) (H) 6

 

Both teams took the opportunity to clear their benches in this one, especially after Washington scored seven times in the top of the fifth, Frank Howard's three-run homerun (46) being the capper on their big inning. Bob Priddy (6-7, 2.43) got the win in relief over Joe Horlen (15-13, 1.63).

 

Cleveland (H) 5 Baltimore 4

 

The score was tied at 4-4 after the third, but then the relievers took over and both offenses shut down, but Tony Horton did slug a solo homerun (9) in the bottom of the fifth and Cleveland held on for the tough win. Stan Williams (2-3, 2.67) got the win in relief over Stu Miller (3-9, 2.53).

 

Detroit (H) 11 California 3 (GM 1)

 

The Tigers scored five times in the bottom of the third and then they poured it on from there. Al Kaline slugged a three-run homerun (28) and Willie Horton hit two homeruns (25, 26) to help put the game out of reach. Joe Sparma (16-14, 3.21) went six innings to get the Game One win.

 

Detroit (H) 13 California 1 (GM 2)

 

The Tigers fans wondered where this offense was all year long as the Tigers pounded the Angels for the third game in a row, going back to Game Two of yesterday's doubleheader split. Dick McAuliffe hit a three-run homerun (24) to get the offense started and Willie Horton added a three-run homerun (27), his third homerun of the day, plus Horton had five RBI's in both games, ten RBI's for the day. Denny McLain (14-17, 4.03) got the Game Two win, with both teams taking the opportunity to empty their benches.

 

New York (AL) (H) 7 Kansas City 5

 

Catfish Hunter (20-12, 2.41) had his worst start of the season and Mel Stottlemyre (12-17, 3.37) was able to go all the way for the complete-game victory. Tom Shopay went 3-for-4 (.300), however his two errors in left field kept the A's in the game, but Shopay's three RBI's did enough to help get the Yankees the win.

 

St. Louis 4 Atlanta (H) 3 (10)

The Braves scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first and then Mack Jones hit a two-run homerun (18) in the bottom of the fifth, but the Cardinals bullpen pitched tough to keep the lead where it was. The Cardinals jumped on Jay Ritchie in the top of the ninth and scored three times to tie the game at 3-3 and send the game into extra innings. Curt Flood led off the top of the tenth with a double, and then one batter later Orlando Cepeda singled him home with the game-winner. The Braves went down 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the inning and St. Louis completed their three-game sweep in Atlanta and clinched the NL pennant.

 

Cincinnati (H) 10 Chicago (NL) 4

 

Johnny Edwards knocked a pair of homeruns (4, 5) and Lee May added a homerun (10) and drove in four runs as the Reds pummeled the visiting Cubs. John Tsitouris (1-0, 5.59) went five innings and got the win, after which he turned the game over to the Cincinnati bullpen to close things out.

 

Los Angeles (H) 3 New York (NL) 0

 

The Dodgers scored single runs in each of the first three innings of the game and then Alan Foster (1-0, 0.00) made his second strong start, but his first one with a decision. Danny Frisella (2-6, 5.23) took the loss.

 

Pittsburgh (H) 10 Houston 6

 

The Pirates led 4-1 after the second and 6-2 after the fifth, but still, the Astros kept coming, eventually tying the score at 6-6 in the top of the eighth. Pittsburgh, then knee-deep in the middle of the Houston bullpen, scored four times in the bottom of the eighth to salt away the game. Bob Veale (15-14, 4.27) got the win following his one-third of an inning of relief in the eighth as both teams took the opportunity to empty their bullpens in today's game.

 

Philadelphia 6 San Francisco (H) 1

Jim Bunning (20-14, 2.21) got his twentieth win of the season but only gave way once the Phillies had built up a substantial lead. The Giants scored a run in the bottom of the first, but the Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth, and then they scored four times in the seventh to lock up the win for Bunning. Mike McCormick (16-14, 2.77) took the loss.