Motown beats Coldtown 2 out of 3

Red Oldham won his 5th game of the year in Game 1, 5-1. Tony Oliva's 9th inning homer (2) was the Twins only run. Game 2 saw the Twins reverse the score on the Tigers with Camilio Pascual picking up his fourth win. He was backed by homers by Bob Allison (3) and Earl Battey (1). In game 3 the Tigers scored 6 unanswered runs in the early going including homers by Bobby Veach (10) and Lu Blue (2). Howard Emhke gave up two runs late to win his fourth, 6-2.
--submitted by Tom "Crash" Davis--

Jints sweep Friars

The New York Giants swept a series for the first time this season winning all three from the San Diego Padres. Ruben Gomez threw his third one hitter of the season in Game 1 easily handling the Padres, 6-0. He was backed by homers by Monte Irvin (4) Don Muellar (1) and Bobby Hoffman (1). Game 2 saw Dave Koslo win his third against no losses. The two teams traded three run outbursts in the early going but Hank Thompson's third homer of the season in the third inning put an end to the scoring and the Giants won 4-3. Gene Richards led off Game 3 for the Padres with a homer (1) to give the Padres a lead for the first time in the series. The Giants tallied single runs in the 3rd and 5th to take a lead but Sal Maglie surrendered a homer in the top of the 9th to Terry Kennedy (5) to tie the game. Hank Thompson would come through again getting his second consecutive game winning RBI with a single in the bottom of the 9th to secure Malie's first win of the season.
--submitted by Tom "Crash" Davis--

Bucs sweep Rox...take 1 game lead in NL East

Justin Ryan - 06 Colorado, Jesse Elicker - 73 Pittsburgh

GAME 1: 73 Pit 9-1 - Sept 17 - Rooker vs. Cook.

Jim Rooker threw a complete game and went 4 for 5 to lead the Bucs to a 9-1 win. Al Oliver's 2-run double in the first put Pittsburgh up 2-0. In the 5th, Oliver was walked intentionally to get to Milt May. May belted a 3-run HR to increase the lead to 5-1. The Pirates pulled away in the final 3 innings to finish at 9-1.

GAME 2: 73 Pit 5-4 - Sept 18 - Briles vs. Jennings.

The scoring came early in this one with Todd Helton's double in the first giving the Rock's a 1-0 lead. Pittsburgh answered with 3 in the 2nd. An error, a single, and RBI single by Dave Cash, and Gene Alley's 2-run double accounted for the runs. No matter, back came Colorado in the bottom of the frame, scoring a pair on Clint Barmes' 2-run HR to tie the game at 3. The lead didn't last long. Richie Hebner led off the 3rd with a single followed by a Richie Zisk double. Willie Stargell singled in a run, and another scored on a double play. This put the Pirates up 5-3. The Rockies made it 5-4 on a pair of singles and Barmes' ground out in the 4th. Then the scoreboard went silent. The Pirates managed only 1 hit in the final 5 innings, while the Rockies had 4, but none in the 8th or 9th. The key play in the game may have come in the 6th when Garrett Atkins led off with a single, then was thrown out stealing. Yorvit Torrealba followed that with a double, which may have tied the game. For the Pirates, Dave Giusti pitched the 9th to earn another save.

GAME 3: 73 Pit 7-4 (11 innings) - Sept 19 - Francis vs. Moose

A wild game indeed. Colorado went up 2-0 in the 3rd on Todd Helton's 2-run double, set up by a pair of walks off starter Bob Moose. The Pirates tied the game in the 4th on Bob Robertson's 2-run HR, 2-2. Bottom of the 6th, the longball helped Pittsburgh again...Willie Stargell hit a 2-run HR to put the Pirates up 4-2. Top of the 7th, Bob Johnson in for Moose. Matt Holliday singles, and one out later so does Yorvit Torrealba. Clint Barmes follows with a sac fly to cut the Pirate lead to 4-3. 8th inning, Dave Giusti on for what hopes to be a 2-inning save. Forget that...lead off batter Cory Sullivan homers to tie the game at 4! Nothing the rest of regulation so it's on to extra innings. Nothing in the 10th. 11th inning, the Pirates are down to McKee, who gets a 1-2-3 inning. For the Rockies, it's Tom Martin, who gets two quick outs. Then Mike Venafro enters and intentionally walks Stargell. He leaves in favor of Ramon Ramirez, who unintentionally walks Bob Robertson. Out goes Ramirez, in comes Brian Fuentes. Up steps Al Oliver...bang! 3-run HR to end the game, 7-4 Pirates.

SERIES MVP: Al Oliver. 5 for 10, 3 runs, 5 RBI, big 3-run HR in game 3.

--Submitted by Jesse Elicker--

LA takes 2 of 3 from Cubbies to get to .500 and 1 game of NL West Lead

1979 LA DODGERS Rousel Glaciano and 1996 CHICAGO CUBS Mike Kenny

GAME 1: CHC 5 LAD 7

The two aces would take the hill in Game 1 but the batters must have forgotten in this see-saw affair. The Dodgers would hammer out 12 hits. Davey Lopes went 3 for 3 with 3 RBI'S and the three,four,five hitters combined to go 6 of 15 and 4 RBI's. Sutcliffe didn't have hit best outing but he has his bullpen mates to thank for his 5th win as they shut the door on any potential rally by the Cubs. The Cubs were lead by Scott Servais who went 2 for 3 and slugged his first HR.

GAME 2: CHC 2 LAD 4

Second verse, same as the first? Not quite as GM 2 produced the pitchers duel we expected in GM 1. Frank Castillo pitched quite possibly the best game of his career for the Cubs. 7 innings of 2 hit ball in just 69 pitches. Don Sutton was also on his game going 8 innings and scattering 5 hits and 1 walk. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 8th when usually dependable Cub reliever Rodney Myers would give a Gary Thomasson double to give the Dodgers a 2-0 Dodgers lead. The Dodger BP would prove less reliable this time and allowed a couple walks to come across in the 9th tying the game at 2-2. After Ron Cey walked and 2 outs later Mr.Thomasson would come to the plate again. This time against Cub ace reliever Turk Wendell he would work the count and would deposit a Wendell fastball in the LF seats for a walk-off HR his 1st of the year.

GAME 3: LAD 4 CHC 5
The Cubbies desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive would send ever steady Steve Trachsel to the hill. He didn't disappoint allowing only 3 hits in 5 IP and 3 W but no ER. The BP would again betray Chicago but their offense didn't erupting for 5 runs in their half of the 7th. The Dodgers would rally for 3 themselves in the top of 8th. This time Wendell shut the door and protected a 5-4 lead gaining his 5th save. Sandberg and Grace each went 2 for 4 to lead the Cubbies. Jerry Reuss dropped to 1-4 scattering 11 hits in 8 IP.

--submitted by Mike Kenney--

Reds Expose Montreal as Pretenders

GAME 1 - Riverfront Stadium - CIN 4, MON 0:

The Reds scored an unearned run in the 3rd when Pete Rose singled home Woody Woodward from second and Hubie Brooks airmailed the ball to the backstop. Both teams settled into an offensive rut until Cincinnati broke it open with 3 in the bottom half of the 6th. Tommy Helms led off with double and scored when "Doggie" Tony Perez singled to right and Hubie Brooks made his second throwing error of the game. Expo starter Scott Holman was rattled and as evidence he gave up consecutive doubles to Bench and Carbo and yielded 3 runs in the inning before all was said and done. Cincy starter Gary Nolan was on his game for 7 1/3 innings of no run ball. The normally shaky Red bullpen came on to get the next 5 outs and preserve the shutout.

GAME 2 - Riverfront Stadium - MON 7, CIN 1:

Montreal evened the series behind a solid 2 hit/8 inning performance by El Presidente', Dennis Martinez. Cincy's only run came in the first as Martinez, who rarely makes mistakes, walked Rose and balked twice. At that point the Reds realized that the only way to score off of Martinez was to manufacturer runs and shutout the Expos. They would do neither the rest of the way. Montreal came right back to tie it in the second when Tim "Eli" Wallach doubled home Hubie Brooks. With the score 3-1 the Expos scored 3 in the 8th to put the game out of reach. Up by 5 Martinez left the game and Tim Burke closed it out without incident. The big blow in the 8th was a 2 run shot by Brooks. Don Gullett gave up 6 (3 earned) for the Reds.

Game 3 - Olympic Stadium - CIN 5, MON 2:

For 7 innings Jim McGlothlin and Pascual Perez dueled it out. Perez left after the 7th on the short side of the ledger down 2-1. Cincy exploded for 3 in the 8th when Johnny Bench hit a 2 out 2 run homer off Expo reliever Jeff Parrett. Hal McRae followed it up with a solo shot for insurance. The Expos had big threats in both the 8th and 9th, but failed to hit the knock out blow as McGlothlin flirted with danger, but never got stung.

Nats break 8 game losing streak and take 2 of 3 from A's

GAME 1 (Oakland Colliseum) - WAS 6, OAK 4
Oakland looked to have this locked with a 3-1 lead and the ball in the hands of ace hurler Dave Stewart. Washington scored 4 runs in the 3rd, which isn't so strange, but hitting 2 homers in 1 game let alone 1 inning was the strange part. The "twig" Wayne Terwilliger led the inning off with the long ball. Mickey Vernon then hit a 3 runs shot after Jim Busby doubled and Eddie "the walking man" Yost walked (he had 3 on the day). The Nats added an insurance run in the 8th when DH Bob Porterfield doubled home Clyde Volmer. Chuck Stobbs went the distance and notched his third victory on the year. Stobbs has been the only Washington hurler to receive adequate run support this season.


GAME 2 (Oakland Colliseum) - OAK 7, WAS 1
Clyde Vollmer led off the second with a solo shot to give the Nats their only lead of the game. Oakland put the pedal to the metal and turned this one into blowout city by scoring the next 7 runs. Curt Young was masterful for the A's, going the distance and allowing just that solo shot by Vollmer. Washington let their starter, Masterson, take one for the team as he went the distance and was responsible for all 7 runs allowed. They A's banged out 12 hits in all. Part timer Dwayne Murphy went 3 for 3 with an homer, a double and 2 RBI's.


GAME 3 (Griffith Stadium) - WAS 1, OAK 0
So often in this great game of baseball one team will score a bushel full of runs the night before and then get shut out the following night. This was the case in the rubber match of this series. Sadly this adversely affected Oakland starter Jose' Rijo who allowed only 1 unearned run in 7 2/3 innings worth of work. Spec Shea was brilliant for the Nats as he scattered 8 hits over 9 innings worth of work, as he recorded his second win of the season and his first shutout. The lone run of the game was scored in the the bottom of the 4th inning, when Jim Busby led off with a double off the base of the right center field wall. Pete Runnells bunt attempt was mishandled by Oakland catcher Terry Steinbach, who threw the ball into right field, which allowed Busby to score. Eddie Yost followed up with a single, which would have scored Busby anyway, but one can't predict if that would have happened if Steinbach's error did not already occur.

Bombers season a Royal Flush

72 Royals (Milo Miller), 73 Yankees (Ed Mikhli)

GAME 1: Royals 6, Yanks 0

The Yankees sent righty George "Doc" Medich against the Royals Paul Splittorf in Game 1 of the 3 game series. The Royals scored all their runs in the 1st inning, stringing together 7 straight singles for 6 runs. From there on the story was Paul Splittorf. Splittorf went the distance, scattering 4 hits and striking out 5 for the complete game shutout.

GAME 2: Royals 13, Yanks 2

The Yanks tried to rebound in Game 2 sending righty Steve Kline against Jim Rooker. The Royals jumped on Kline for 2 in the 1st on an Ed Kirkpatrick homer. The Royals put it away in the 4th scoring 6 times, 3 crossing on Kirkpatrick's 2nd homer of the game. Jim Rooker pitched 9 strong innings for the victory, yielding 2 runs.

GAME 3: Royals 4, Yanks 3

Sam McDowell took the hill for the Yanks in the series finale against the Royals Dick Drago. John Mayberry's RBI single made it 1-0 in the top of the 1st. The Yanks came right back, plating 2 of their own on Bobby Murcer's double and Thurman Munson's Sac Fly. The Royals evened it in the 2nd on a Freddie Patek roller to 3rd. The Royals built a 4-2 lead after 4, scoring single runs in the 3rd and 4th innings. The score stayed this way until the bottom of the 9th when Bobby Murcer singled with 1 out and came around to score on pinch hitter Jim Ray Hart's double. But Ted Abernathy struck out pinch hitter Mike Hegan to end the game.

TURNING POINT: Was the offensive production of the Royals.
SERIES MVP: Ed Kirkpatrick- 10 AB's4 Hits2 HR's6 RBI's

--submitted by Milo Miller--

Triple Play...KOD6 First Ever

Buccos take 2 of 3 from Hou to move to within 1 game of NL East lead

MANAGERS: Paul Johnson - Houston 74, Jesse Elicker - Pittsburgh 73
GAME 1: Hou 2 at Pit 6 (Three Rivers Stadium)

Back-to-back HR in the 7th by Richie Zisk and Willie Stargell iced a 6-2 Pirate win. The Buccos rapped out 14 hits and scored 6 times in 7+ innings off Claude Osteen, while Nelson Briles held the Astros to 7 hits and 2 runs in 8 innings. Houston did make a serious threat in the 9th. Lee May walked to lead off the inning. One out later, Bob Watson singled. That brought Dave Giusti to the mound. He walked Milt May to load the bases. Giusti struck out Doug Rader, then did the same to PH Cliff Johnson to end the game.

GAME 2: Hou 12 at Pit 5 (Three Rivers Stadium)

The final score does not tell the story. Houston DEMOLISHED the Pirates, getting 24 hits in what appeared to be an eruption of frustration by the Astros. Bob Watson's 2-run HR in the 1st started the beating, and his sac fly in the 9th ended it. In between he added a 2-run single to end with 5 RBI on the day. Tommy Helms had 5 hits, Doug Rader had 4, and Roger Metzger, Greg Gross, and Milt May each added 3. Don Wilson went the distance for Houston. The lone Pirate highlight - Willie Stargell's two 2-run HR.

GAME 3: Pit 4 at Hou 2 (Astrodome)

Still hungover perhaps from the beating of yesterday, the Pirates sent a fatigued Dock Ellis to the mound, and the Astros took the early advantage. In the 2nd, with 1 out, Milt May singled, Bob Watson walked, and Cesar Cedeno singled to load the bases. Ellis fanned Doug Rader, but he couldn't foil Astro starter Tom Griffin, who singled in 2 runs to put himself up 2-0. Doubles in the 3rd by Gene Alley and Dave Cash cut the lead in half 2-1. Things settled down until the 6th when the Pirates tied the game at 2. Richie Hebner drew a 1-out walk. One out later, Milt May's double scored Hebner to tie the game. (Confused? Milt May played for both clubs. He was pretty tired!!) The Pirates took the lead in the 7th. Manny Sanguillen doubled, moved to 3rd on a sac bunt, then scored on PH Vic Davalillo's sac fly. Dave Cash followed with a single, and Al Oliver doubled, with Cash holding 3rd. Mike Cosgrove replaced Griffin and uncorked a wild pitch to score Cash, 4-2 Pirates. From there the Bucs' pen took over. Ramon Hernandez worked a perfect 7th and 8th, and Dave Giusti closed out the 9th. 4-2 Pittsburgh.

Milt May's 2-out double in the 6th of game 3 (for Pittsburgh) that tied the game at 2.
Willie Stargell - 5 for 12, 5 RBI, 3 HRDave Giusti - 2 saves

--submitted by Jesse Elicker--

KC takes 2 of 3 from DET

Game One saw Jim Rooker earned his second win of the season as 6 Royal pitchers were needed to stave off the Tigers ina 9-8 win. Schienblum twice, Kirkpatrick and Mayberry all hit homers from the winners.

In Game Two, 4 Tiger pitchers scattered 6 Royals hits as the Tigers tied the series with a 2-0 victory. Bobby Jones hit a homer for the Tigers.

The rubber match went ten innings before a winner was decided. Veach and Heilman hit solo homers for the Tigers but it was Lou Piniella's 10th inning double driving home Amos Otis that gave the Royals a 3-2 win

--submitted by Tom "Crash" Davis--

'Spos can't hold a Candaele to Bravos

MANAGERS: 88 Montreal - Marc Weiss, 06 Atlanta - Terry Priest

GAME 1 - ATL 0, MON 1

El Presidente blanks Atlanta 1-0 on 3 hits Dennis Martinez dominated the Braves with a complete game 3 hit shutout. The lone run was scored in the 6th when Horacio Ramirez plunked Todd Jones with an inside fastball. Tim Raines pinch ran for Jones and with 2 outs Tim Wallach singled him home. Martinez shut the Bravos down for the rest of the way, earning his 4th win lowering his ERA to 1.47. Ramirez pitched well for 6 and 2/3 but was tagged with his 2nd loss of the season.

GAME 2 - ATL 12, MON 11 (12 innings)

Improbable Comebacks and Split Personalities as Braves win 12-11 in 12 Innings. The bats for both teams got started early as Montreal led 4-3 going to the home half of the 4th. Casey Candaele led off the bottom of the inning with a bunt single down the 3rd base line. Chipper Jones came up lame after trying to make the play and had to be replaced. At this point Candaele decided to be the runner at 1B and the batter simultaneously. No amount of coaxing by Expos manager Marc Weiss could convince the second basemen to vacate the batters box as Candaele stubbornly tried to be both batter and runner. The game was temporarily postponed while the Montreal trainer found Casey's medication. When the game resumed Candaele did stay in the batters box but would allow himself to be pinch run for. The Expos then continued their assault on Atlanta starter Lance Cormier adding 3 runs and taking a 7-3 lead. Another Montreal run in the 6th took the game to the 9th inning leading 8-3. After Jeff Francoeur and pinch hitter Pete Orr went quietly to start the 9th the Braves began an improbable 2-out rally. Giles and Diaz singled and then Wilson Betemit, who took over for the injured Chipper in the 4th, went yard to make the score 8-6. McCann singled, LaRoche walked and Andruw Jones tied the game with a double. Renteria then struck out to end the inning with the score now tied 8-all. After a quiet bottom of the 9th the game went to extra innings. In the 11th Matt Diaz singled and Brian McCann poked his 4th homer of the year to put the visiting Bravos up 10-8. The lead wouldn't last as the Atlanta bullpen and defense broke down. Tim Raines singled with one out and Andres Galarraga moved him to 3rd with a base hit to right that Francoeur booted allowing Big Cat to go to second. After Brooks struck out Tim Wallach tied again the game with a 2-out single sending the game to the 12th. Renteria lead off the Braves 12th with a triple. Francoeur then attoned for his fielding with a bomb into the LF stands to put the Braves up 12-10. Montreal mounted another comeback when Rex Hudler scored Mitch Foley from 3rd with a sacrifice fly. But this time the rally fell short as Tyler Yates struck out Tim Raines to end the game. Paronto received his 3rd relief win this season and Yates recorded his 1st save. Youmans was saddled with his first loss.

GAME 3 - MON 4, ATL 5

Braves Hold On for 5-4 Win. The series finale moved to Atlanta with John Dopson of the Expos squaring off against John Thomson of the Braves. Hubie Brooks put the visitors out in front with a solo HR in the 2nd. The Braves scored 3 in the 4th and 2 in the 5th, taking a 5-1 lead into the 8th. Once again the fiesty Montreal club fought back, scoring 1 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th to make the score 5-4. The Braves collectively exhaled as Franceour gloved Tim Raines line drive to end the game. Dopson took his 1st loss of the season, Thomson got his 2nd win and Bob Wickman recorded his 6th save.

TURNING POINT: The series turned around with 2 out in the 9th of game 2 with the Braves 5-run comeback.
SERIES MVP: Casey Candaele should split the series MVP award with himself but Jeff Francoeur gets the honors with 4 for 9 batting, 4 RBIs, a HR and the game winning RBI in both Braves victories. --submitted by Terry Priest--

Padres "Show" Mets no Love

Managers: Mets Jim Walden, 1982 Padres Joey Scigliano

Game 1..Padres 9....Mets 3 at Shea

Eric Show went the distance for the Padres as he surrendered three runs on ten hits. Tim Flannery was the hitting star for San Diego as he compiled4 hits, and drove in 3 runs. Ruppert Jones smacked out 3 hits as well. Seven different Padres drove in runs as they manhandled the host Mets


Game 2..Mets 3...Padres 1 at Shea

The Mets exacted their revenge in game two as Brett Saberhagen shut down the Padres on on one run and eight hits. Saberhagen went the distance. Brett helped himself at the plate as he drove in a big run for the Mets. Stinnett, Segui, Everett, and Brett Butler all had two hits a piece to lead the offense charge for the New Yorkers.


Game 3..Padres 5...Mets 3 at San Diego

Alan Wiggins was the offensive star of this game as he collected two hits, drove in two runs, and stole two bases. Wiggy also got help from second baseman Joe Pittman as he smashed out two hits including an RBI single in the 4th innings as the Padres erupted for 4 of their 5 runs in the game. Chris Welsh started for the Padres and pitched well into the 7th inning but was removed after 6.67 innings when he started to tire. Luis Deleon came on in relief and put out the fire. Gary Lucas came in the ninth and earned his 4th save of the season despite surrendering a pinch homerun to Todd Hundley. Bill Pulsipher(2-3) got hung with the loss for the Mets.


SERIES MVP: Eric Show for pitching a complete game victory in game 1. --submitted by Joey Scigliano--

Cubbies Coors Rox to fold

1996 Chicago Cubs by Mike Kenny & 2006 Colorado Rockies by Justin Ryan

GAME 1: Chicago 2 Colorado 1 Wrigley Field:

What was expected to be an offensive series turned out to be a pitchers duel. Sosa homered to tie the game at 1 and Luis Gonzalez homered for the Cubbies which would prove to be the game winner. Frank Castillo was terrific against the vaunted Rockies offense holding them to 5 hits in 7 innings with 7 strikeouts. Josh Fogg pitched well in the loss for Colorado surrendering only 4 hits in 8 innings of work but walked 4 batters.

GAME 2: Chicago 8 Colorado 1

Another pitcher's duel from Wrigley until the bottom of the 5th when the Cubbies broke thru with 2 runs. Jim Bullinger pitched surprisingly well for the Cubbies despite his regular season ERA of 6.00 plus. He only allowed 2 hits in 5 innings of work and 0 ER. The Cubbies would break the game open with 6 runs in the bott of the 8th to break the game open including a pinch hit homerun by Terry Shumpert.

GAME 3: Chicago 13 Colorado 9

The Cubbies would continue their offensive punch at the expense of Rockies starter Ubaldo Jiminez who would last just 1 1/3 innings giving up 4 runs, all earned. Byung Kim would fare no better giving up 9 hits in 1 2/3 innings with 7 runs crossing the plate. The Cubbies would lead 13-5 with the Rockies mounting a late rally to trim the lead to 13-9 before the Cubbies bullpen would extinguish the fire. The Cubbies would end the day with 22 hits. Steve Trachsel would struggle but improve to 4-1 on the year. Allowing 7 ER in 7 innings of work. "If you walk their batters sooner or later you will be hurt by that lineup" stated Mike Kenny manager of the Chicago team.
--submitted by Mike Kinney--

Mariners big bats bash Nats

98 Seattle (Jeff Shelton), 53 Washington (Marc Weiss)

GAME 1: 11-8 Seattle

Edgar Martinez wakes up from season long slump hitting 2 homers and knocking in 5 . Bobby Ayala allows the Senators back in the game with 5 runs in the 7th inning then A-Rod hits his 8th him run to get Seattle a 11-8 lead which the hold on to .

GAME 2: 13-2 Seattle

Seattle scores 4 runs in the 1st inning and the "Big Unit", Randy Johnson goes the distance giving up 4 hits and not worrying about thre 4 Seattle Errors in the game to cruise to a 13-2 win

GAME 3: 5-0 Seattle

This contest saw Jeff Fassero toss a 3 hit shutout and Edgar Martinez goes deep in the 5th a 3 run shot which would be more than enough for him

TURNING POINT: Seattle's big bats Griffey , A-Rod , Martinez went a combined 14-35 .400 5 Hr's 13 Rbis
Series MVP: Edgar Martinez in 2 games 6-8 8 RBI's

--submitted by Jeff Shelton--

The Bucs weren't stopped here

71 Reds - Rick Tharpe, 73 Pirates - Jesse Elicker
Sep 10 - Pit 4-1, 11 innings - Bob Moose vs. Ross Grimsley

Both teams were getting men on base, but scoring was another issue. The Reds left 13 men on base in the game; Pittsburgh left 6. The Bucs scored a run in the 4th on Willie Stargell's 6th HR of the year. Cincinnati tied it in the 7th when Pete Rose reached an error, Tommy Helms singled, and Hal McRae hit a sac fly. Tied at 1, bottom of the 9th, PH Willie Smith led off with a double. Rose was intentionally walked, and Dave Giusti got Helms, McRae, and Lee May to get out of the jam. Top of the 11th, Richie Zisk hit a 1-out double off Steve Blateric. Greg Garrett came in to face Stargell, who walked. Clay Carroll replace him, and gave up a single to Dave Parker. Zisk scored, 2-1. A walk to Al Oliver loaded the bases, and Richie Hebner's single made it 3-1. Gene Alley delivered an insurance run with another single, 4-1. Bottom of the 11th, Bob Johnson gave up a 2-out walk but that was it as the Pirates took the opener 4-1.


Sep 11 - Pit 7-1 - Dock Ellis vs. Gary Nolan

Dock Ellis had his A game going, holding the Reds to 3-hits through the first 8, and finishing with a 7-1, 4-hit complete game. Ellis aided his own cause with a pair of hits and an RBI. The big inning for the Pirates came in the 4th. Up 1-0, Willie Stargell led off with a triple. A ground out plated him, 2-0. An out later, Bob Robertson drew a walk. An error allowed Rennie Stennett to reach, and Dock Ellis delivered his first hit to make it 3-0. A walk to Dave Cash loaded the bases. Richie Hebner singled, 4-0, with Stennett being thrown out at the plate to end the inning. Homers by Willie Stargell (7) and Richie Zisk (6) finished off the Bucs' scoring.


Sep 12 - Pit 10-7 - Don Gullett vs. Jim Rooker

The Reds scored in the 1st to take an early 1-0 lead. Hal McRae hit a lead off double, moved to 3rd on Pete Rose' single, and scored on Tony Perez' single. Rooker avoided disaster by striking out Lee May and George Foster before getting Johnny Bench to fly out. In the 5th, McRae led off with a HR (3). Rose singled, Perez doubled him in, 3-0 Reds. Again it was McRae and Rose in the 6th, a double by Hal and Pete's single to put the Big Red Machine up 4-0. The Pirates finally scratched out a run in the bottom of the 6th. A Dave Cash single and a walk to Rennie Stennet put two on...and two outs later Bob Robertson's single broke the shutout, 4-1. Then in the bottom of the 7th, Cincinnati imploded. Al Oliver and PH Dave Augustine singled. A walk to PH Jackie Hernandez chased Gullet, and Wayne Granger entered. Cash singled to score two, making it a 4-3 game. One out later, Richie Zisk's sac fly tied the game at 4. Then Willie Stargell hit is 8th HR of the campaign to put the Pirates up 5-4. If that weren't bad enough, in the bottom of the 8th, things really went bad for the Reds. Manny Sanguillen singled. Two outs later, Jackie Hernandez singled. An error on Pedro Borbon loaded the bases, and Richie Hebner followed with a grand slam, number 6 on the year, and the Bucs went from being down 4-0 to leading 10-4. Cincinnati put together a good rally in the top of the 9th, with four singles and three runs, but they fell short, 10-7.

Turning Point - Maybe Stargell's HR in game 3, or Hebner's slam?
Series MVP - Willie Stargell - 6 for 12, 3 HR, 5 RBI Richie Hebner - 5 for 9, 1 HR, 7 RBI
--submitted by Jesse Elicker--

Nats drop first 2 to Twinkies...Game 3 to be played later

64-MIN (Marvin Sik), 53-WAS (Marc Weiss)

GAME 1 (Metropolitan Stadium): MIN 5, WAS 3

MIN: Horace "Mudcat" Grant (4-1, 5.20) vs Bob Porterfield (3-3, 2.77)

The Twinkes tallied first in the bottom of the second with a huge 3 run shot by Zoilo Versalles off of Hard Luck Porterfield. Jimmy Hall and Bobby Allison led off the inning with back to back singles. Yost and Vernon were in at the corners expecting the Versalles to sacrifice the runner up. Instead Zoilo swung away and hit one deep into the left center pavilion. Washington scratched back to respectability as Pete Runnels tripled home Wayne Terwilliger in the 3rd and Jackie Jensen hit a solo shot in the 4th. The score remained 3-2 until the bottom of the 6th when pinch hitter frank Kostro his a 2 run shot off of Porterfield to make it 5-2. Washington added a solo shot by Gil Coan in the 7th, but could not get any closer. Grant notched his 4th win of the season despite his baloon like ERA and the fact that he had to leave the game in the 7th with one out due to arm trouble.

GAME 2 (Metropolitan Stadium): MIN 3, WAS 2

MIN: Camilio Pascual (3-3, 3.56) vs Connie Marrero (0-2, 4.67)

Earl Battey led off the second with a one hop double off the centerfield wall just left of the flagpole. Light hitting Bernie Allen bunted him over to third and pitcher Camilio Pascual doubled him home. Washington hurler, Connie Marrero settled down and got the next 2 batters (Rich Rollins & Tony Oliva) to end the inning and strand Pascual on 2nd. Minnesota added a second run in the fourth when Bobby Allison hit his first homer of the year. Minnesota manager, Marvin Sik, has wondered aloud how a guy who hit 32 long balls in real life would have to wait until game 23 to hit his first. To say Allison has been an enigma to the Twins offense is an understatement. The true turning point of the game occured in the vistor's half of the 6th. Pete Runnels led off with a sharp single. Marrero walked on 4 pitches and Jim Busby then singled to load the bases with nobody out and the Twins up 2 zip. Pascual struck out Terwilliger for the first out, but yielded a bloop single to Yost to plate Runnels and cut the deficit to 2-1 and only 1 out and the bases still jammed. Pascual rose to the occasion and fanned the heart of the order (Vernon / Jensen) to get out of the inning. This was the make or break point in the game and Pascual definitely made it. Minnesota got the run back in the bottom of the frame, when Bernie Allen doubled home Versalles. The score held at 3-1 until the top of the 9th, when Vernon led off with a single and Jackie Jensen, who executed the perfect hit and run, singled him home. With nobody out and a man on second Pascual answered the gut check and struck out the rest of the side (Vollmer, Pitz Gerald and Runnels) to end the game and give the home town fans a great win.

Oh, Da-Da-Deer !

With the game on the line and an 2-2 count, Juan Guzman reared back and went for the big K. Rob Deer, who has more holes in his swing than the ozone layer is ripe for the strikeout. The law of averages says Guzman will win out. Not this time as Deer clouted a 2 run walk off homer to ensure a series split. Here is the PBP:

BAL 4, MIL 3 Inning 9 Out:1 On Base: 2, 2-2 count

Guzman delivers

Deer swings...he rips a deep fly balldown the left field line

it's got a chance to go

Surhoff back pedaling...home run!

he got a hanging curve!

number 8 on the season for Rob

a 331 foot shot

Bucos jolt Jints

Game 1 Bob Moose (2-1) vs Jim Hearn (0-4)
Moose was backed by three solo homers by Gene Alley (2), Dave Parker (1) Richie Hebner (4). Pirates win easily 6-3.

Game 2 Dock Ellis (0-1) vs Rueben Gomez (3-1)
This was all Dock Ellis as he completely shut down the Giants on three hits 6-0. Bob Oliver and Rennie Stennett each went 3-4 with 2 rbis.

Game 3 Dave Koslo (1-0) vs Jim Rooker (2-1)
Lefty Dave Koslo was masterful, allowing the Pirates but one run. The Giants hitting picked up as well, stroking 14 safeties off Pirate pitching. White Lockman was the star going 3-5 with two rbis. Bobby Thomson also chipped in two hits and 2 ribbies.

Game 4 Sal Maglie (0-3) vs Nellie Briles (2-1)
Monte Irvin opened the scoring in the third with a two run homer (2). Briles (1) answered with a two run of his own in the bottom of the frame. The Pirates would add two more and leave the third ahead 4-2. Wes Westrum (1) hit a solo shot in the fourth, but the Pirates tallied three in their half of the inning on Hebner's fifth homer of the year. Irvin (3) would hit his second dinger of the game in the fifth, then in the sixth, the Giants added three more to tie the game. That was how the game remained until the bottom of the 10th when Rennie Stennett doubled home Willie Stargell for the 8-7 win. --submitted by Tom "Crash" Davis--

Friars and 'Stros Split

Joey Scigliano 1982 Padres Paul Johnson 1974 Astros

GAME 1: Padres 10....Astros 4 (Astrodome)

Lee May smashed a grandslam homerun in the 3rd inning to give the Astros a 4-1. San Diego ate away at the Houston lead and tied the game in the 7th on a 2 RBI single by Sixto Lezcano. The Padres pulled away in the 9th as they plated 6 runs to put the game out of reach. Eric Show came in the 9th for the Friars to nail down the victory. Padre southpaw reliever, Gary Lucas earned the win to even his record at 1-1. Cosgrove, york and Forsch got hammered for 6 runs in only 2 innings in relief for the Astros. The loss went to Jim York who also blew the save opportunity. San Diego 10...Astros 4.

GAME 2: Astros 6.....Padres 5 (Astrodome)

No Update

GAME 3: Astros 3.....Padres 2 (San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium)

Another close game as Houston again jumped out to an early lead. Juan Eichelberger and Dave Roberts battled each other and matched scoreless frames for most of the game. However, the Padres plated a run in the 4th on Sixto Lezcano's 4th homerun of the year. San Diego tied the game in the 9th on a bases loaded walk to Ruppert Jones. The game went extras and was won on a Roger Metzger RBI hit off Luis DeLeon. Deleon suffered his second loss in the series.

GAME 4: Padres 3.....Astros 3 (San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium)

Chris Welsch and Don Wilson squared off in the series finale and again the Astros jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on Metzger and Helm's RBI hits. The Padres came back in the bottom of the seventh inning when Randy Bass, who came in an inning earlier on a double switch, got hold of a Wilson fastball and crushed it deep into the right field seats for a game tying 2 run homerun. The Padres added another run in the inning as Sixto Lezcano knocked in Gene Richards with a single. Gary Lucas came on in the ninth and immediately worked himself into a jam. Both Watson and Lee singled and was followed by a sacrifice bunt. Dangerous Doug Rader was the next hitter but Lucas came through with a clutch strikeout. Runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs and Cliff Johnson was the batter. Lucas got Johnson looking a fastball on the inside part of the plate for a game ending called third strike. Chiffer (1-0) earned his first win of the year and Lucas collected his 3rd save. The loss was hung on Don Wilson (1-3)

The Padres split the series but scored late in every game. Sixto Lezcano...he went 7 for 17 with 6 RBI's during the series. --submitted by Joey Scigliano--