1971 Season Coming Soon!

Season starting in late January.

The 1971 Major League Baseball season was the final season for the Senators in Washington, D.C., before the team's relocation to the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb Arlington for the following season, as the Texas Rangers, leaving the nation's capital without a baseball team of its own until 2005.

This was the final season the majority of MLB teams wore wool flannel uniforms. The Pirates and Cardinals wore double knit uniforms of nylon and rayon throughout 1971, and the Orioles gradually phased out flannels, going all-double knit in time for the ALCS. By 1973, flannel uniforms completely disappeared from the MLB scene.

World Series MVP Roberto Clemente

Three of the four division races were anticlimactic; the only race was in the N.L. West between old rivals Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. The Giants led by 8.5 games on September 1 but the Dodgers chipped away. In mid September, the Dodgers won 8 in a row, including 5 over the Giants to narrow the gap to one game. But they could get no closer; ultimately both teams won on the final day of the season and the Giants won the division by 1 game.

World Series:

• October 17 – Pitcher Steve Blass throws a four-hitter and Roberto Clemente homers as the Pittsburgh Pirates win Game Seven of the World Series over the Baltimore Orioles, 2–1, becoming World Champions for the first time since 1960. Clemente is named the Series MVP. Game Four of this World Series was the first night game played in Series history.

Awards and honors

• Most Valuable Player
  • Vida Blue, Oakland Athletics (AL)
  • Joe Torre, St. Louis Cardinals (NL)
• Cy Young Award
  • Vida Blue, Oakland Athletics (AL)
  • Ferguson Jenkins, Chicago Cubs (NL)
• Rookie of the Year
  • Chris Chambliss, Cleveland Indians (AL)
  • Earl Williams, Atlanta Braves (NL)

Cincinnati SWEEPS Baltimore to Capture World Series Crown

The Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Reds squared off in the 1970 Series.

  Both teams had defeated powerful opponents in the League Championship 

Series, and both featured powerful offenses (Cincinnati was first in the majors

 in OPS, Baltimore fifth), strong pitching (Baltimore first in ERA, Cincinnati 

eight.

Game 1 (Gary Nolan vs Jim Palmer)

Cincinnati jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 2nd as Bench, Helms, and Concepcion

 strung together hits off Palmer. Cincinnati would make the lead 5-0 in the top 

of the 7th, as Tolan singled, stole second, and scored on a Bench single. Lee 

May then hit a 2-run homer to clear the bases.

Baltimore threatened in the bottom of the 7th, as two singles and a walk to 

lead off the inning chased Nolan. Wayne Granger was summoned from the 

Reds pen to face Davey Johnson with the bases loaded and no outs. Johnson 

would drive in a run with a sac fly, but Mark Belanger grounded into a double 

play to end the threat.

Baltimore would get one more run in the bottom of the 8th, but never seriously 

challenged again.

WP: Nolan LP: Palmer S: Granger

HR: May

 Game 2 (Tony Cloninger vs Dave McNally)

 Neither team scored in the first 3 innings, but the Reds broke out for 6 runs in 

the top of the 4th. Tony Perez led off the inning with a home run. After Bench 

struck out, Lee May doubled, Hal McRae singled, and Tommy Helms popped 

out, Dave Concepcion came to the plate with two on and two out. The Reds 

offense then exploded, as Concepcion doubled, pitcher Cloninger singled, 

Rose singled, Tolan singled, and Perez capped off the sequence with another 

single. The inning ended with the Reds on top 6-0. The Reds held on to win 7-3.

WP: Cloninger LP: McNally S: Gullett

HR: Perez

Game 3 (Tony Cloninger vs Dave McNally)

The Reds once again jumped on Orioles’ pitching early, as Rose and Perez 

scored on a Bench double in the bottom of the 1st. Cincinnati added 4 more 

in the bottom of the 3rd as Bench hit a 3-run homer followed by a Lee May 

solo shot. Cincinnati scratched out another run in the 4th, and added 3 more 

in the 8th as Tolan singled Woodward home and Perez followed with a 2-run 

homer. Davey Johnson hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 9th, but the Orioles

 never really threatened in this one.

WP: McGlothlin LP: Cuellar

HR: Perez, Bench, May, D. Johnson

Game 4 (Gary Nolan vs Jim Palmer)

The Reds again jumped out to an early lead, as Perez, May, and Carbo singles 

sandwiched a Bench walk to generate 2 runs. The Reds added another run in the 

3rd as Perez once again homered.

The Orioles would now bow out quietly in this one, however. In the top of the 6th, 

Don Buford singled, Boog Powell doubled, and Frank Robinson doubled them both

 home to make the score Reds 3 Orioles 2. The Orioles added another 2 runs in the

 top of the 7th to take the lead against Reds reliever Don Gullett. The Reds tied the 

game in the bottom of the 7th, as pinch hitter Pat Corrales singled home May with 

the tying run.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the 11th. Against Orioles reliever Eddie 

Watt, Perez doubled to lead of the inning. Bench was intentionally walked. Lee May

 struck out, followed by a walk to Jimmy Stewart. With the bases loaded, Reds 

manager Schneider was forced to send up pitcher Jim McGlothlin as a pinch hitter 

due to an empty bench. McGlothlin predictably struck out, bringing Woody Woodward 

to the plate with two outs. Woodward forced a walk to complete the Reds sweep.

WP: Wilcox LP: Watt

HR: Perez

Series MVP was Tony Perez, who hit 3 home runs in 4 games to go along with a .450 

average and 6 RBIs.

Baltimore Trumps Twins in ALCS 3-2

The Minnesota Twins and the Baltimore Orioles battled to the end but the O's hung on to move to the World Series with a 3-2 win.  It is the second year in a row the both teams faced each other for the right to move on to to the big show.  Baltimore looked like they may sweep Minnesota by winning games 1 (4-2) and 2 (6-3) on the road and having to travel back to Memorial Stadium for game 3 left Oriole fans feeling like it was a done deal for their team.  However, Minnesota captured the next two games (3-1 and 4-1) leaving the Baltimore faithful feeling stunned.  But the Baltimore bats came alive in game 5 rocking out 15 hits and 9 runs to capture the ALCS title.

In 1969 the Orioles defeated the Twins 3-1, only to end up losing to Pittsburgh in the World Series.  This time Baltimore will face Cincinnati for the right to wear baseballs elusive crown.

Cincinnati defeats Chicago in 5 games

Cincinnati downs the Cubs in five hard-fought games to advance to the 1970 ARAIG World Series. The difference was Cincinnati's pitching, which held the Cubs' powerful offense to one run or fewer in three of the five games. Of course, the Reds' hitters also played their part, blasting nine home runs in the series.

The Cubs had a great year, nonetheless. Picked to be an also-ran in the NL East, they rose from six games in back of the Mets on Sept. 1 to win the division by a game. Then, by taking the favored Reds to the brink, they at least proved that they belonged with the big boys.

The Reds look to be a tough team to beat in the series, with the great Rose, Perez, Bench, Lee May and others and pitching led by Gary Nolan, Jim Merritt and Jim McGlothlin (with Clay Carroll and Don Gullett in the pen) that is also worth its mettle.

Here's a recap:

Game One: Cubs' ace Fergie Jenkins came to play, striking out 13 Reds while his counterpart, Gary Nolan, couldn't find the strike zone. Nolan walked six before departing in the fifth inning. The Cubs walked to a 5-1 lead early, in large part due to a three run third that featured two Nolan walks and a scorching single from Randy Hundley that plated two. But Jenkins also gave it back late, as Tony Perez wallopped a three run homer in the seventh that made it 5-4. But Jenkins then settled down for the complete game win. While the Reds outhit the Cubs 10-6, the Chicagoans take Game One 5-4.

Game Two: Cincinnati strikes back with a vengeance, scorching four home runs in the easy win. Jim Merritt keeps Cubs hitters at bay all day, shutting them out through six, while Clay Carroll comes in and continues to overpower the North Siders. Milt Pappas isn't bad for Chicago, only giving up three runs in the first seven innings, two on solo homers from Pete Rose and Lee May. But when reliever Jim Colburn comes in, the floodgates open, as the Reds score six in the eighth to pour it on. The final: Reds, 9, Cubs 1. 
Game Three: Cincinnati plates a pair of runs in both the second and sixth to provide the difference in this one. Reds' starter Jim McGlothlin is sharp, only allowing three Cubs hits in 6.1 innings. McGlothlin also hits a key RBI triple and subsequently scores to provide the early cushion. Cubs' 21-game winner Bill Hands is not so effective, giving up four runs and seven hits (while walking five) in six innings. Chicago barely threatens, as Gullett again pitches masterfully late in 2.1 innings of shutdown ball. Reds 4, Cubs 1.  

Game Four: Needing a win to stay alive, the Cubs go with youngster Kenny Holtzman, and he delivers with 7.2 innings of gritty work against a hard-hitting lineup. This one was a seesaw affair. Cincy takes an early 3-0 lead behind pitcher Tony Cloninger, as Hal McRae homers and Bobby Tolan doubles and later scores. But the Cubs come back with four in the fifth, led by a triple from Don Kessinger down the right field line that plates two and is followed by Cloninger's departure. The Cubs get two more in the eighth, as Kessinger drives home both runs with a single, for a 6-3 lead. But then Cincinnati responds on a Tolan RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to cut the lead to 6-4.

But the Cubs get some insurance in the top of the ninth as Joe Pepitone smacks a two run shot, his third of the series, to make it 8-4. The Reds come back with two more in the bottom of the ninth and have runners on first and second with one out, but the Cubs' Larry Gura gets Rose to ground into a DP to end it. Cubs 8, Reds 6.

Game Five: A game one rematch between Nolan and Jenkins. Nolan is on his game this time,  only allowing three hits and striking out seven in seven innings. While Jenkins is also sharp, he is victimized by a Perez run scoring double in the first and a two out single, after a wild pitch, that scores another in the fourth, as the Reds take a 2-0 lead. The Cubs again can't get any hitting done against Reds pitching, however, as Wayne Granger pitches shutout ball in the eighth and ninth. Meanwhile, Johnny Bench and Lee May go yard against Jenkins in the eighth to increase the Cincinnati lead to 4-0 and ice the game. The Reds take the series by shutting out the Cubs in the finale. Final in game five: Reds, 4, Cubs 0.

Thanks to Bill Schneider for getting these in tonight, and congrats to piloting his Reds' squad to the World Series. 

League Championship Series - Coming Soon!

Week 27 - League Championship Series
Date	1970 Schedule	Home Manager

ALCS
3-Oct	Baltimore @ Minnesota	Kurt Schaden
4-Oct	Baltimore @ Minnesota	Kurt Schaden
5-Oct	Minnesota @ Baltimore	Brian Macri
6-Oct	Minnesota @ Baltimore	Brian Macri
7-Oct	Minnesota @ Baltimore	Brian Macri
NLCS
3-Oct	Cincinnati @ Chicago(N)	Joe Pryweller
4-Oct	Cincinnati @ Chicago(N)	Joe Pryweller
5-Oct	Chicago(N) @ Cincinnati	Bill Schneider
6-Oct	Chicago(N) @ Cincinnati	Bill Schneider
7-Oct	Chicago(N) @ Cincinnati	Bill Schneider

Redbirds Stun Jints with Sweep

August 14, 1970 (Game #1) at St. Louis – Jose Cardenal (7) blasted a solo HR in the B8 off Juan Marichal (7-10) to lift the Cardinals to a 5-4 win in the lid-lifter of a dog-days double dipper. Frank Linzy (1-3) earned his first W of the year. Willie McCovey and Lou Brock added 3 hits apiece for their respective ball clubs.

August 14, 1970 (Game #2) at St. Louis – Joe Torre (10) highlighted a 3-run 6^th inning for the Redbirds with a 2-run home run to lead them to a 4-3 win and DH sweep. Jerry Reuss (4-5) got the win the Chuck Taylor (5) notching the save.

August 15, 1970 at St. Louis – Nelson Briles (2-8) pitched 8 shaky innings, but got some 9^th inning help from Frank Bertaina (1) as St. Louis won 9-6. The Redbirds overcame home runs and 3 RBI each from Willie Mays (23) and Ken Henderson (11).

August 16, 1970 at St. Louis – Dick Allen doubled in a pair of runs in the B7 to lead St. Louis to a 3-2 win and a sweep of the series. Tom Hilgendorf (1-0) notched the win in relief with Taylor (6) getting his second save of the series. 

Redbirds Roast Friars

August 11, 1970 at St. Louis – It may have been a “meaningless” game in the standings, but don’t tell that to the batters on these two clubs. They combined for 37 hits in a wild 13-10 St. Louis win. Jose Cardenal (5-2-5-5), Joe Torre (5-2-4-0) and Dick Allen (5-3-3-3) paced the Redbirds (19 team hits). Dave Campbell (5-3-4-0), Cito Gaston (5-2-3-2) and Ollie Brown (5-1-3-4) led the Padres (18 team hits).

August 12, 1970 at St. Louis – Bob Gibson (16-7) fanned 12 through 7 2/3 IP to lead the Cardinals to an 8-2 victory. Cardenal again led the offense with 2 hits and 3 RBI.

August 13, 1970 at St. Louis – Al Ferrara and Ollie Brown drove in 3 runs apiece as San Diego salvaged the final game 8-7. Clay Kirby (6-15) was the winner on the hill. Jack Baldshun (1) earned the save.

Cardinals win 3 "Meaningless" Games

August 7, 1970 at St. Louis – Dan McGinn (6-10) pitched a CG, 7-hit shutout and Jim Fairey went 4-5 as Montreal whitewashed the Cardinals 8-0.

August 8, 1970 at St. Louis – Harry Parker (1-0) and Frank Linzy (2) returned the favor on Les Expos, blanking them 2-0 to even the series. Lou Brock and Ed Crosby had RBI hits

August 9, 1970 (Game #1) at St. Louis – Lou Brock bolted for the plate just as soon as 2B Gary Sutherland released his throw to 1B to retire Crosby. Brock’s speed was the difference as he led off the B10 with a triple, then defied the drawn in infield. His daring led to a 5-4 Cardinals win. John Bateman (17,18) accounted for all of the Expos runs with a pair of 2-run homers.

August 9, 1970 (Game #2) at St. Louis – Ed Crosby had 3 hits and drove in 2 to lead St. Louis to a 7-2 victory, a sweep of the steamy (99 degrees) Sunday DH and a win in the series. Jerry Reuss (3-5) tossed 8 innings for the W.

ChiSox - Halos Divide Blessings

August 7, 1970 at Chicago – Bart Johnson (3-1) and Wilbur Wood (19) combined on the hill to beat California 2-1. Johnson tossed 6 shutout innings. Wood floated through the final 3. Syd O’Brien led the Sox offense with 3 hits.

August 8, 1970 at Chicago – Mel Queen (2) k’d Carlos May with the bags full in the B9 to preserve a 4-3 win for the Angels. Rudy May (9-7) started for the Halos and got the W. Jim Fregosi’s (23) 2-run bomb in the 1^st off Bob Miller (2-4) got things started for the visitors.

August 9, 1970 (Game #1) at Chicago – Luis Aparicio (5) and Bill Melton (22) left the yard and Tommy John (9-10) hurled a complete game as Chicago won the DH opener 6-3. Bobby Knoop and Duane Josephson chipped in 3 hits for the winners. Sandy Alomar had 3 safeties for the Halos as Clyde Wright (15-6) lost a rare game.

August 9, 1970 (Game #2) at Chicago – Jay Johnstone’s (10) solo blast in the top of the 8^th was the difference maker as California earned a split in the DH and the series with a 4-2 win. Alex Johnson (12) also went yard for the Halos. Ken Tatum (17) pitched 2 innings of 1-hit relief for the save of Tom Murphy’s (8-14) win. 

Mets Sweep Redbirds to the Bottom

August 5, 1970 at St. Louis – Danny Frisella (4-1) and 3 other hurlers combined on a 5-hit blanking of St. Louis. Donn Celndenon (13) and Ron Swoboda (8) each homered and drove in a pair of runs as the Mets won 5-0.

August 6, 1970 at St. Louis – Tommie Agee and Art Shamsky pounded out 3 hits apiece to lead the Mets to a 5-3 win and sweep of the Redbirds. Tom Seaver (15-6) was terrific over 8 innings for the W. Ron Taylor (15) tossed the 9^th for the save.

ChiSox Give Royal Flush out of Chicago

August 3, 1970 at Chicago – Gail Hopkins tripled to lead off the B9 for Chicago and scored on Syd O’Brien’s single to give the White Sox a 5-4 win. Wilbur Wood (10-6) had blown the save in the T9 when Lou Piniella (4-5, 2RBI) singled in a run to make it 4-4.

August 4, 1970 at Chicago – The ChiSox have now won 7 consecutive as they shellacked the Royals 15-8 to complete a 2-game sweep. Bill Melton (19,20) clubbed a pair of 3-run home runs to power the offense. Duane Stephenson (3) and Bob Spence (4) also went yard. Luis Aparicio had 4 hits and scored twice. Tommy John (8-10) earned the win on the hill. 

Pale Hose Sweep Wahoos

July 31, 1970 at Chicago – Bill Melton (17,18) blasted 2 HRs and drove in 5 runs as the White won 6-2. Tommy John (7-10) went the distance on the hill for the win.

August 1, 1970 at Chicago – Bobby Knoop (2) homered and knocked in 3 to lead the ChiSox to a 6-1 victory. Gerry Janeski (7-11) tossed a complete 9 for the W.

August 2, 1970 (Game #1) at Chicago – Ed Herrmann (20) hit a 2-out home run in the bottom of the 5^th to break up Rich Hand’s (5-8) no hitter. Herrmann singled and scored a run in the 7^th as did Gail Hopkins and the White Sox came back to win 3-2 in the lid-lifter of a Sunday Double Dipper. Jerry Crider (2-3) earned the W for Chicago with 7 innings of work. Wilbur Wood (18) finished up the final 2.

August 2, 1970 (Game #2) at Chicago – The White Sox complete the sweep of the DH and the series with a 3-0 blanking of the Indians. Floyd Weaver (3-1) pitched 8 innings allowing just 2 hits. Lee Stange (1) recorded the final 3 outs. 

Brock's Cycle Earns Redbirds Split with Stros

July 22, 1970 at St. Louis – “The Toy Cannon” Jimmy Wynn (13) sent a solo shell over the wall in the 1^st to ignite himself and his Astros mates. Wynn went on to complete a 5-4-4-2 line as Houston bombed the Cardinals 12-3. Cesar Cedeno had 3 hits and 2 RBI. Doug Rader had 2 hits and 3 RBI. Larry Dierker (5-13) pitched the complete game on the bumb.

July 23, 1970 at St. Louis – Lou Brock (4) hit for the cycle as St. Louis cruised to a 16-4 win and a split in the short series. The Redbirds sent 9 batters to the plate in the 1^st and tallied 5 against Jack Billingham (5-6). It was almost over, but the crying then with Bob Gibson (14-5) on the hill for St. Loo. Gibby would go the distance.  Brock singled in the 1^st, K’d in the 2^nd, doubled in the 4^th, and also homered with two men on as the Cardinals plated 9 that inning. He tripled to lead off the 7^th.                                                               

Big Red Machine Sweep Redbirds off Busch Carpet

July 20, 1970 (Game #1) at St. Louis – Lee May and Johnny Bench clobbered 3 hits apiece as Cincinnati outlasted St. Louis 8-5 in the opener of a double dip. Lou Brock and Joe Torre had 3 hits each for the Cardinals as both teams finished with 15 safeties.

Ju1y 20, 1970 (Game #2) at St. Louis – The Redbirds doubled up on the Reds in hits (12-6), but still fell short 4-3 on the scoreboard as Cincy swept the DH. Tony Cloninger (5-0) remained undefeated. Wayne Granger (14) notched the save.

July 21, 1970 at St. Louis – Bobby Tolan (14) collected 3 RBI on 3 hits, including a 459-foot clout that cleared the green hitter’s backdrop in straightaway CF. This one was all Cincy has they swept the Redbirds with a 7-2 tally. Wayne Simpson (13-4) went the distance on the bump. 

ChiSox Surprise O's with DH Sweep

July 19, 1970 (Game #1) at Chicago – Luis Aparicio (3) doubled, homered and drove in 2 runs to power Chicago to a DH opening win, 6-3. Bobby Knoop also had 2 hits and 2 RBI. Jim Palmer (15-6) and Joel Horlen (8-11) were the pitcher’s of record and tossed complete games. Palmer (1) also cracked a solo HR in the game.

Ju1y 19, 1970 (Game #2) at Chicago – Ken Berry (5) homered and drove in 3 runs to lead Chicago to an improbable DH sweep of the Orioles with a 5-4 win in the nightcap. The ChiSox overcame a 4-0 deficit after 4.5 innings. Floyd Weaver (2-1) pitched well in relief for the W. Wilbur Wood (15) secured the save.

July 20, 1970 at Chicago – Baltimore took the series finale, 7-5, with Brooks Robinson collected a couple of 2-baggers and driving 4. Mike Cuellar (16-5) tossed the complete game.

Tigers Outlast ChiSox in 1st Game, Complete Sweep

July 16, 1970 at Chicago – Mickey Stanley tripled for his first hit of the ballgame in the top of the 20^th. He tagged and scored on Al Kaline’s deep fly to RCF giving Detroit a 5-4 marathon victory. Just what the players wanted coming back from the All-Star Break. Tigers used 22 players from their 25-man active roster.

July 17, 1970 at Chicago – Norm Cash and Cesar Gutierrez produced RBI singles in the T7 to lift Detroit to 7-6 win. The Tigers battled back from a 3rd inning grand slam by Gail Hopkins (6).

July 18, 1970 at Chicago – Mickey Lolich (8-9) breezed through 7 innings, gave up 4 in the 8^th, but with the help of Tom Timmermann (9) in the 9^th, won the game 6-4 and completed the sweep for the Tigers. Bill Freehan (14) and Willie Horton (20) each homered and drove in 2 runs to pace the offensive attack.

Braves Chop Away 3 W's in St. Louis

July 16, 1970 at St. Louis – Tony Gonzalez doubled with the bases loaded in the T7 to plate all 3 runs and deliver a 4-1 win for Atlanta in the first game back from All-Star break. Pat Jarvis (11-6) pitched the CG.

July 17, 1970 at St. Louis – Hank Aaron (23) hit a decisive 3-run homer in the 7^th and drove in 4 for the game as the Braves won again 8-5. George Stone (8-9) tossed 8 innings for the win.

July 18, 1970 at St. Louis – Dick Allen (27) went 2-4 with a HR, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored to lead the Cardinals to a 6-4 victory. Bob Gibson (13-5) pitched 8 strong innings. Sal Campisi (5) recorded the 27^th out for the save.

July 19, 1970 at St. Louis – Julian Javier had 3 ground balls hit to him by the first 3 batters in the game. He booted all 3 of them!! That was the beginning of the craziness that resulted in 6 errors total for the Redbirds in the game and a 15-8 final score in favor of Atlanta. Rico Carty led the offense with 3 hits and 4 RBI. Orlando Cepeda (22) chipped in 2 hits and 3 RBI, including one long one. Ron Reed (1-2) picked up his first win of the year in easy fashion. Non-pitchers Ed Crosby and Mike Shannon were forced to take the hill for the Cardinals in the 8^th and 9^th in order to save the arms.

Cubs Pilfer Two of Three from Phils

The Cubs, now finding themselves in second place behind NL East leader New York, attempts to right the ship by winning two of three from Philadelphia.

Game One: Chicago 4, Philly 3. W: Jenkins (10-10); L: Selma (4-4)

The Phils take an early 3-1 lead off Fergie Jenkins, who has been struggling lately, after a Larry Bowa single scores two. But Jenkins settles down to go nine. The Cubs come back with RBI singles in the seventh from Glenn Beckert and Jim Hickman off reliever Dick Selma to win it. Johnny Callison hits two homers to pace Chicago in the tight victory.

Game Two: Cubs 3, Philly 0. W: Hands (14-5); L: Bunning (6-8)

Bill Hands is having an all-star season, winning his 14th game with a complete game five hitter, adding 12 Ks. The Cubs lead 1-0 for most of the game off sharp, 39-year-old Jim Bunning but gets two runs late on RBI singles from Don Kessinger and Billy Williams.

Game Three: Philly 13, Cubs 11 (11 innings). W: Hoerner (4-0); L: Pizzaro (0-1); S: Selma (15)

A wild one at Wrigley. The game starts off with each team scoring four runs in the first inning, as both Kenny Holtzman and Chris Short are banged around. But the Cubs keep up the scoring in the middle innings to take a comfortable 11-5 edge going into the 7th. The Phils aren't done, however, as Larry Hisle's homer moves the score to 11-8 Cubs going into the ninth. Phil Regan comes on to close it for Chicago (after Larry Gura allows two runs to make it 11-10) and promptly surrenders a  tying homer to Tony Taylor with two outs. In the top of the 11th, youngster Juan Pizarro comes in for the Cubs and gives up RBI singles from Denny Doyle and Deron Johnson for the Phillies win.

Philly had 20 hits and Chicago 15 in the long game. Bowa and Taylor had four hit apiece for Philadelphia, while Ron Santo drove in five for Chicago, including his 14th homer. Billy Williams, who also leads the league in homers and RBIs, now has a 14 game hitting streak.

Bucs-Redbirds Split 4 in Steamy St. Loo

July 9, 1970 at St. Louis – Roberto Clemente went 4-4 with 2 RBI and Manny Sanguillen went 3-5 with 5 RBI to lead Pittsburgh to an easy 7-2 victory. Cruising through the entire 9 innings (though we are not sure on what substance) for the W was Dock Ellis (10-5).

July 10, 1970 at St. Louis – Bob Gibson (12-5) went the distance for the Cardinals in a 3-2 win. Joe Torre (7) doubled and homered among his 3 hits to lead the St. Loo offense. Bill Mazeroski’s (5) 2-run blast in the 7^th tallied the only runs for the Bucs.

July 11, 1970 at St. Louis – Carl Taylor went 3-3 with a pair of doubles, 3 RBi and 3 runs scored to account for all 6 of Redbirds’ marker in a 6-4 win. This, despite the 2-HR, 3 RBI performance by Clemente (6,7). Al Hrabosky (1-1) notched the win in relief. Sal Campisi (4) nailed down the save. Bob Veale (8-9) took the loss on the hill for the Pirates.

July 12, 1970 at St. Louis – The visitor’s found the “Lumber Company” banging out 19 hits to earn a split in the series with a 12-5 victory. Matty Alou (5-6, 3 RBI) and Sanguillen (4-5, 3RBI) led the way. Luke Walker (4-2) won in relief with 3.2 IP of shutout ball. Mike Torrez (6-11) started and lost for the home club. 

Athletics Attack White Sox

June 30, 1970 at Chicago – Catfish Hunter (11-7) threw 7 2/3 innings of 2-hit, shutout ball as Oakland pounded the White Sox 8-1. Sal Bando (8) homered and drove in 3. Bert Campaneris had 3 hits.

July 1, 1970 at Chicago – Syd O’Brien had 3 hits to lead the ChiSox to a 5-3 win. Stan Spence (1) hit his first HR of the year. Gary Janeski (6-8) notched the win over Rollie Fingers (4-5). Wilbur Wood (13) got the save.

July 2, 1970 (Game #1) at Chicago – Diego Segui (5-2) fires a complete-game, 3-hitter as Oakland takes the rubber game 8-1. Reggie Jackson (19) bombed a 3-run Home run in the 5-run 5^th. 

Phillies Bury Redbirds under the Arch

June 26, 1970 at St. Louis – Philadelphia leap frogs St. Louis in the standings as Rick Wise (8-4) bests Bob Gibson (10-5) 5-2 in the opener of this 4-game set. Dick Selma (11) got the save. Tony Taylor led the Phillies offense with 3 hits.

June 27, 1970 at St. Louis – Mike Compton’s (2) grand slam in the 7^th highlighted a 5-run explosion for the Phils as they win again 10-5. Woodie Fryman (2-10) earned just his second W of the season. Jerry Reuss (0-2) remains winless for the Redbirds. Philly SS Larry Bowa chipped in 4 hits, 2 2Bs, and 2 runs scored.   

June 28, 1970 (Game #1) at St. Louis – Mike Torrez (6-8) and Sal Campisi (3) combine on a 6-hit shutout as St. Louis gets off the schneid with a 2-0 victory in the first of a Sunday Double Dip. Torrez had the RBI single in the 2^nd that proved to be the game-winner.

June 28, 1970 (Game #2) at St. Louis – Ron Stone tripled in a pair of runs in the T1 to highlight a 3-run inning for the Phils before the fans have returned from the concession stands for the night cap. Cards answered with 1 each in the 2^nd and 3^rd. Phillies plate one each in the 3^rd and 4^th. A late-inning rally is snuffed out by Selma (12) and Philly takes the series with a 5-4 win.  Chris Short (2-9) started a won for Philadelphia on the hill. 

Twinks Take 3 from ChiSox; Lead AL with 50 Ws

June 26, 1970 at Chicago – George Mitterwald banged out 4 hits and 4 RBI to pace a wild 17-9 Twins win. Leo Cardenas also added 4 hits to the 26-hit attack. Tony Oliva (19) also drove in 4, including a massive 436-foot 3-run bomb. Jim Kaat (11-2) was the WP. Bob Miller (1-1) was the LP. Syd O’Brien had 4 hits in the losing effort for the Sox.

June 27, 1970 at Chicago – Cesar Tovar wasted no time extending his hitting streak to 14 games with a single to lead off the game. Two batters later, Harmon Killebrew (20) gave the Twins all the runs they would need with a 2-run blast. Bert Blyleven (6-0) K’d 10 through 7 IP. Ron Perranoski (16) fanned two more as Minnesota won 2-1. O’Brien (5) provided the only run for the ChiSox with a solo shot in the 6^th.

June 28, 1970 (Game #1) at Chicago – PH Rick Renick (6) hit the first knuckler he saw from Wilbur Wood over the LF wall to lift Minnesota to a 8-6 win in first game of a twin bill. Killebrew (21) also had a 3-run blast in the 5^th. Oliva led all hitters going 5-5. Stan Williams (5-0) kept his slate spotless with a win in relief. Perranoski (17) added to his league-leading saves total. It was win #50 for Minnesota, which continues to pace the entire American League.

June 28, 1970 (Game #2) at Chicago – Ken Berry (4 hits) singled in PR Tommy McGraw in the B9 to salvage a 9-8 win for the Pale Hose. Wood (9-4) got the win in relief. Perranoski took the L. Apparently; a 20-25 mph wind blowing in from LCF had little effect as 6 balls went flying out of the yard: Brant Alyea (10) and Rich Reese (4) for the Twinkies; Luis Aparicio (2), Carlos May (10), Bill Melton (13) and Ed Herrmann (18) for the ChiSox. 

Cubs Take Division Lead by Winning Series from Mets

The Mets came to Wrigley with a slim, half game lead over the Cubs, but lost four of five. Four of the games were very close, with the first two going to extra innings The Cubs now lead the Mets in the NL East by 2.5 games.

Game One: Cubs 7, Mets 6, (10 innings)

W: Jenkins (9-7)
L: Folkers (1-1)

The Cubs find themselves down 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth after the Mets explode for four runs in the top of the eighth off Cubs ace Fergie Jenkins, punctuated by Tommie Agee's 10th homer. But the Cubbies rally for the tying run off Mets reliever Rich Folkers in the bottom of the ninth, on a Johnny Callison double down the right field line and RBI single by Ernie Banks. The Mets' Art Shamsky hits his second homer of the day in the top of the 10th to give NY a 6-5 lead.

But then, in the bottom of the 10th, with Folkers still in, Paul Popovich doubles and Billy Williams follows with a two run homer. He leads the league with 28 round trippers. Jenkins goes all the way to win his 9th.

Game Two: Cubs 2, Mets 1 (11 innings)
W: Aguirre (1-2)
L: Cardwell (0-3)

The Mets' Ray Sadecki and the Cubs' Joe Decker hook up in a pitching duel, tied at one after nine. But in the bottom of the 11th, Don Cardwell hits Ernie Banks and allows a single from Cleo James with two outs. The next batter, Jack Hiatt, scorches a double down the left field line to finally win it. Both teams recorded 10 strikeouts, with the Cubs' Jim Hickman hitting the only longball, his 12th of the year.

Game Three: Mets 9, Cubs 1
W: Ryan (6-2)
L: Reynolds (0-1)

The Ryan Express comes in and blows away the Cubs in a complete game, with young Nolan striking out six and only allowing five hits to move to 6-2. The Cubs start youngster Archie Reynolds, who doesn't fare well and and is gone in the fifth after surrendering eight runs. Wayne Garrett provides the big bat for the Mets, hitting a grand slam and driving in six while going three for four.

Game Four: Cubs 5, Mets 4

W: Hands (11-5)
L: Seaver (9-6)
S: Regan (3)

A premier pitching matchup between Tom Seaver and Bill Hands in the second game of a doubleheader. Seaver, however, is not sharp, walking four and allowing six runs in seven innings. Billy Williams, having a magnificent season, scorches Seaver for a two run homer in the seventh to lead to an early shower for Tom Terrific. Hands is also not superb, giving up five runs and 12 hits in eight innings but giving the Cubs some needed length in innings pitched. Phil Regan shuts down the Mets in the ninth for his third save. Don Kessinger and Williams both drive in two, while the Mets are led again by Garrett, who goes three for three.

Game Five: Cubs 11, Mets 0
W: Holtzman (10-5)
L: Koosman (4-5)

The Cubs accent their series win by blowing out the Mets in the fifth series game. The game is closer than the score indicates, with the Mets' Jerry Koosman only allowing four runs in his six innings of work and leaving with a 4-0 deficit. But Mets reliever Rich Folkers is again blasted, this time for seven runs total in the seventh and eighth innings. Ernie Banks hits two more homers and now has 12, while Ron Santo knocks his 11th. Kenny Holtzman goes all the way for the Cubs to record his 10th win. 

Yanks Split with ChiSox

June 16, 1970 at Chicago – It’s mid-June and as the weather heats up, so do the bats. The Yankees and White Sox each banged out 13 hits in a wild one on the South Side. Chicago took a 7-1 lead, only to have the Bombers hit back with 6 in the top of the 7^th. Two errors and a wild pitch allowed the ChiSox to tally 3 in the bottom of the 7^th, and then held on for a 10-7 win. Carlos May paced the Sox with 4 hits. Ed Hermann (14) had 3 hits, including a 3-run bomb. Thurman Munson led the Pinstripes with 3 bingos.

June 17, 1970 at Chicago – Fritz Peterson (9-4) scattered 10 hits through 8 IP, but did not allow a run as New York split the series with a 4-0 win. Roy White’s 2-run double in the 1^st would prove to be plenty.

Senators (must be Republican) Sweep Out Chicago Machine

June 12, 1970 at Chicago – Joe Pryweller and Ted Williams (Joe, did you ever think you would be written about in the same sentence as Teddy Ballgame?) have the Senators playing above .500 ball. They moved their 1970 record to 28-27 with a 4-1 win over Chicago. Paul Casanova and Ed Brinkman banged out 3 hits apiece. George Brunet (3-3) tossed 6.0 IP for the W. Darold Knowles (4) pitched 2.0 for the save.

June 13, 1970 at Chicago – Washington sent 9 batters to the plate in the T1 and scored 4 times. It held up as Senators win again 4-3. Mike Epstein tripled in 2 and Bernie Allen (3) homered in 2. Joe Gzenda (1-2) hurled 6 for the win. Knowles (5) again tossed the final 2 for the save.

June 14, 1970 (Game #1) at Chicago – The Sens made it 3 consecutive with a 6-4 win in the lid-lifter of a Flag Day double header. Aurelio Rodriguez (3) led a quartet of Washingtonians with 3 hits with his 2 2Bs and a HR. Epstein, Del Unser, and Lee Maye also chipped in 3 knocks to the total of 16. Dick Bosman (9-2) got the win with Knowles (6) adding another S. Walt Williams (2) and Ken Berry (3) went yard for the ChiSox.

June 14, 1970 (Game #2) at Chicago – A display of in-game fireworks by the Senators pre-ceding the scheduled post-game ones, led to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory and a DH and series sweep. Rodriguez (4,5) again led the way with solo shots in the 4^th and 6^th. Big Frank Howard (11) also went yard in the 6^th with bases empty to give Washington a 3-2 advantage. In fact all five runs were scored on solo blasts on a hot, muggy day on Chicago’s South Side. The White Sox took a 4-3 with two runs in the B6. It stayed that way until two outs in the T9 when Rick Reichardt (5) and Unser (2) went back-to-back. 

One for Red; One for White

June 9, 1970 at Chicago – Bill Melton’s (9) 2-run blast in the 1^st held up for a 2-1 White Sox victory. Gerry Janeski (5-4) out-battled Sonny Siebert (2-8) for the win. Wilbur Wood (11) added the iron-man 3-inning save.

June 10, 1970 at Chicago – Mike Nagy (2-2) hurled 8 strong innings for a 4-1 Red Sox victory, including a vital 8^th inning show-down with Melton. With 2 outs and the bases loaded and the Carmines leading 4-1 in the B8, Melton sent a 1-1 pitch deep down the LF line, but just foul. The next pitch was sent into almost the exact spot. The next was just hit into fair territory, but landed in Yaz’s glove at the warning track. Sparky Lyle (9) nailed down the save. Yaz (14) hit a 418-foot, 2-run HR in the 4^th. Tony Conigliaro (11) followed with a solo blast  

Cards Win 2 of 3 with White-washings of Padres

June 5, 1970 at St. Louis – Mike Torrez (5-6) and Pat Dobson (3-6) locked horns in a dandy pitcher’s duel. Joe Hague’s (5) solo shot in the 2^nd inning was the only tally in a 1-0 Cardinals win.

June 6, 1970 at St. Louis – Steve Carlton (5-5) evened his 1970 record with a CG, 7-hit, 4-0 shutout over the Padres. Lou Brock (3) smashed 3 hits, including a solo HR in the 7^th. Dick Allen (15) also went deep in the 7^th. Steve Huntz contributed 3 hits for the Friars.

June 7, 1970 at St. Louis – Danny Coombs (1-4) turned the tables on Bob Gibson (8-3) and the Redbirds with his first W of the year. Coombs tossed 6 innings, yielding just 1 run before tiring in the 8^th. San Diego won the series finale 8-5. Al Fererra led the Friars offense, diving in two with 3 hits. Jose Arcia also chipped in 3 hits. 

Braves sweep home series vs Mets

Game 1:
Atlanta 4  NY Mets 2
WP - P Niekro (4-6)  LP - Gentry (5-3)
HR: NY - Agee (7), Boswell (3)  
       ATL - Gonzalez (2), Aaron (15), Carty (7)

The Braves edged the Mets in a game that featured 5
homers, all solo shots that accounted for all but one of
the runs.  Phil Niekro picked up his 4th win on the
season with a complete game, striking out 6 Mets.
Gary Gentry also pitched the whole game with 6
strikeouts, but he was victimized by the long ball and
took the loss.


Game 2:
Atlanta 5  NY Mets 3
WP - Jarvis (8-2)  LP - Seaver (7-5)  
S - Wilhelm (6)
HR: NY - None  ATL - Aaron (16)

Pat Jarvis picked up his NL leading 8th win on the year,
beating Tom Seaver and the Mets. The Mets jumped out
to an early 2-0 lead in the first, but Jarvis settled down
after that, pitching 8 innings before giving way to Hoyt
Wilhelm who finished the game off for his 6th save.
Hammerin' Hank Aaron's 3-run homer in the 5th put the
Braves out in front for good.  Aaron is now up to 16
home runs on the season.

HOFers Perry, Gibson Win in Series Split

June 2, 1970 at St. Louis – Bobby Bonds (10) hit a solo home run in the T8 and Ron Hunt walked with the bases juiced in the T9 to lift San Francisco to a 5-3 win. Gaylord Perry (5-5) evened his record on the season with 8 IP. Frank Linzy (0-2 suffered the loss for the Cardinals in relief of Steve Carlton.   

June 3, 1970 at St. Louis – Bob Gibson (8-2) fanned 8 and scattered 7 hits for a CG, 5-0 shutout victory. Gibby helped his own cause with 2 base knocks and an RBI. Dick Allen had 3 hits and a pair of RBI.

Cubs Claw to Series Win Over Padres

The Cubs lose the first game of a doubleheader against San Diego but take the next two. Billy Williams hit 13 homers in May and now has 20 on the season. San Diego's Ollie Brown has a nine game hit streak and knocked three homers in the series, including a grand slam.

Game One: San Diego 7, Cubs 4

W: Kirby (3-6)
L: Holtzman (6-5)
S: Dukes (1)

Kenny Holtzman allows a single, hits a batter and walks another in the first, before giving up Brown's grand slam for a 4-0 San Diego lead. The Padres tack on more, including a Cito Gaston homer. Youngster Clay Kirby strikes out nine in the San Diego win.

Game Two: Cubs 8, San Diego 6
W: Decker (6-2)
L: Dobson (3-5)
S: Colborn (1)

San Diego again jumps out to a first inning lead, 3-0, behind doubles from Al Ferrara and Brown. The Pads' Pat Dobson gets into trouble in the third, giving up a three run homer to Williams and a solo shot to the next batter, Jim Hickman. The Cubs' Joe Decker settles down and strikes out nine (with only one walk), and the Cubs continue to add to the lead for the win. Williams hits his second homer of the game later as he continues to be on fire.

Game Three: Cubs 6, San Diego 5
W: Jenkins (6-5)
L: Rodriguez (0-1)

Fergie Jenkins gives up the longball, as Ollie Brown hits two and Nate Colbert adds his 13th for San Diego. But the Cubs also take advantage of the Wrigley winds, as Williams hits his 20th and Johnny Callison adds a two run shot off San Diego's rookie starter Mike Corkins. The game is tied at five in the bottom of the 9th when Ron Santo greets newly entered San Diego reliever Rich Rodriguez with his 8th homer of the year, a walkoff shot to win it for Chicago.

Senators Sweep Expansion Royals

Washington moves back to .500 by sweeping the three game series at RFK. KC's Amos Otis sees his 21 game hitting streak snapped.

Game One: Washington 7, KC 3
W: Coleman (3-5)
L: Rooker (0-4)

Washington gets five in the seventh inning to blow open a tight game, as Rick Reichardt doubles in two, to beat KC rookie Jim Rooker.

Game Two: Washington 4, KC 3
W: Bosman (7-2)
L: Burgmeier (1-2)

KC takes an early 3-2 lead, led by a second inning double from Joe Keough that leads to two runs off Washington ace Dick Bosman. But Washington grabs the 4-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth as reliever Tom Burgmeier blows his first save, allowing a two run single to catcher Paul Casanova. Bosman goes all the way to move to 7-2.

Game Three: Washington 4, KC 2
W; Knowles (1-1)
L: K. Wright (0-3)

KC and Washington are knotted at two after eight, as Polish Prince Moe Drabowsky wastes a 2-0 KC lead by giving up seventh inning singles from Ed Stroud and Frank Howard to tie the game. Big Frank then comes up in the bottom of the ninth with a man on and two out and pounds a two run homer, his seventh, off Ken Wright to win it.

Dodgers Reach 30 With Sweep of Cards

May 29, 1970 at St. Louis – Jim Lefebvre’s (2) 3-run blast in the T8 highlighted a 5-run inning for the Dodgers and gave them a come-back 6-5 win over St. Louis. Jose Pena (1-0) got the win in relief with Jim Brewer (11) nabbing the save. Willie Davis saved the score in the B8 by cutting down Vic Davalillo at the plate.

May 30, 1970 at St. Louis – LA sent 9 batters to the plate and scored 5 in the T1 and sailed from there to an 11-2 victory. (One of my favorite all-time names) Billy Grabarkewitz (2 hits) led the way offensively with a triple and 3 RBI. Davis chipped in 3 hits and scored thrice. Claude Osteen (5-6) tossed a complete game.

May 31, 1970 at St. Louis – Dodgers pick up the sweep and win #30 as May comes to a close. Sandy Vance (5-1), who is looking like the love-child of Sandy Koufax and Dazzy Vance, tossed 7 innings for the win. Brewer (12) hurled two for the save. Tom Haller drove in 3 runs on 2 hits in the 6-4 LA win.

Bucs' Bob Robertson Has A Big Series vs. Cubs

In a battle of rivals for the NL West title, Pittsburgh takes two of three from the Cubs, as many longballs are launched at Wrigley.

Game One: Cubs 8, Pirates 3

W: Holtzman (6-4)
L: Hartenstein (1-3)

Kenny Holtzman and Steve Blass hook up in a good pitching duel, tied at three after five. But then Blass tires, and reliever (and former Cub) Chuck Hartenstein and Bruce Dal Canton gives up five to the Cubs in the eighth, including a three run shot by Jim Hickman. Holtzman goes all the way.

Game Two: Pirates 5, Cubs 2 (10 innings)
W: Moose (4-2)
L: Jenkins (5-5)
S: Guisti (6)

Bob Moose and Fergie Jenkins battle in another close duel, tied at two after nine, with both pitchers still in the game. Bob Robertson gives the Pirates all their offense with two solo homers. In the top of the 10th, Jenkins tires, giving up three Pirates runs, including Gene Alley's second triple of the day to bring home two.

Game Three: Pirates 7, Cubs 4
W: Ellis (6-2)
L: Hands (6-4)
S: Dal Canton (4)

Bob Robertson tops his game two performance with three more home runs, giving him 12 on the season and five in the last two games. He also drives in six to help the Pirates take the series.

Oakland Takes 3; Weirdness Takes Final DH

May 22, 1970 at Chicago – Reggie Jackson’s (10,11) second home run of the day, a 2-run shot in the T10, lifted Oakland to a 9-7 victory. Don Mincher (9) also enjoyed a huge day, going 4-4 with a 2B and HR.  

May 23, 1970 at Chicago – Catfish Hunter (6-5) hurled 7 1/3 innings of 1-run ball as Oakland wins 6-1. The game was a tight 2-1 until the T9 when the Athletics piled on 4 more. Rick Monday (3 hits) and Bert Campaneris (2-run HR) were the hitting stars.

May 24, 1970 (Game #1) at Chicago – A wild one on the South Side as the two clubs combined for 31 runs on 40 hits and 8 home runs. Monday singled home Tito Francono in the T12 to give Oakland the 16-15 win. Campy went crazy with 4 hits and 7 RBI, including a grand slam. Sal Bando also drove in 4, including a 3-run bomb. Monday and Joe Rudi contributed 4 hits apiece.

For the ChiSox, Bill Melton homered twice and drove in 5. Carlos May drove in 4 with a 2B and HR after entering later in the game. Gail Hopkins chipped in 4 hits. To make the whole thing even more surreal, I was playing this game in the midst of a total solar eclipse at 11 a.m. in Poland. You got the feeling anything could happen.

May 24, 1970 (Game #2) at Chicago – Evidently the hitters wore themselves out in Game 1, because the White Sox took the nightcap, 2-1. Bart Johnson (2-0) out-dueled Blue Moon Odom (2-5). Ed Herrman and Syd O’Brien (RBI single in the 7^th) had the RBI for Chicago. 

Baltimore Finds Boston To Be "No Cup of Tea"

The Boston Red Sox rolled through Memorial Stadium taking 3 or 4 games from the division leading Baltimore Orioles.

Game 1 set the tone for the series as the Red Sox gave up 8 runs in the last two frames of regular innings to eventually outlast the Orioles in overtime.  The 11 inning affair ended in a 9-8 Boston win. Carl Yastrezemski (.340 avg, 11 HR) homered twice in the win.

Game 2 saw Baltimore hustle some late inning runs (3 in the last 3 innings) to, this time, steal one back from Boston 3-2.  Jim Palmer (9-1, 1.67 ERA) threw a complete game to earn his league leading ninth win of the season.

Game 3 (the first of a double dip) came down to the final inning as both teams were knotted at 3-3 going into the 9th.  Oriole skipper Earl Weaver felt confident as ace Mike Cuellar (6-3, 2.81 ERA) seemed to have plenty of gas in the tank.  But a line drive double, down the first base line, by Mike Andrews would eventually lead to the go ahead (winning run).  Reggie Smith would then hit a single to right, driving in Andrews, for the eventual winning run.   Baltimore could not respond in the bottom half of the ninth as the Orioles would bow out losers.

George Scott (3 for 5) and Rico Petrocelli (3 for 4) recorded 6 of Boston's 10 hits in Game 4 as the Red Sox rolled to a 7-2 easy win.  Sonny Seibert (2-5, 4.97 ERA) went the distance striking out 5 to get the win.

Baltimore finished the series with a 26-16 record while Boston improves to 20-19

Angels Bash White Sox with Halos

May 18, 1970 at Chicago – Andy Messersmith (3-4) may want to sue the league for free agency. He has no grounds to sue his own team for lack of run support. California destroyed the White Sox 27-3 with a 30-hit explosion. The top 6 hitters in the Angels lineup (Sandy Alomar, Jim Fregosi, Roger Repoz, Alex Johnson, Jim Spencer and Ken McMullen) each had 4 hits. Repoz hit 3 HRs and drove in 6. Fregosi also drove in 6 and scored 5 runs for a 7-5-4-6 line. Wow! In case you record geeks are wondering (yeah, I looked it up); The MLB record is 30 by Texas against Baltimore in 2007. The Red Sox in 1950 and the White Sox in 1955 had 29. The Cardinals had 28 in 1929. The Indians had 27 in 1923.

May 19, 1970 at Chicago – Bobby Knoop’s 2-run single in the B8 capped a 4-run inning for the White Sox and a come-back 6-5 win. Wilbur Wood (5-1) grabbed the win in relief.

May 20, 1970 at Chicago – Angels hitters had halos over their batting helmets again, winning 11-6 with 20 more hits. McMullen and Spencer each has 3 hits and a big fly. SP Tom Murphy (3-6) joined the act with 2 hits, 2 R, 2 RBI and a HR 

Cubs Come to St. Louis and Pour Beer on the Home Team

The Cubbies continue to be a strong contender in the NL East, sweeping the tough Cards squad and moving to 21-11. They won all three of these games pretty decisively, scoring boatloads of runs and holding down the Cards offense.

Game One: Cubs 10, Cards 3
W: Decker (5-1)
L: Torrez (3-4)

The Cards gave the Cubs a few gift runs, as St. Louis starter Mike Torrez walked five with no Ks in 5.2 innings, and the Cards played hot potato with three key errors. The Cubs worked their 10 hits efficiently (only one an extra base knock)  to score 10 times, as both Don Kessinger and Jack Hiatt knocked in two apiece in the balanced attack. Youngster Joe Decker goes to 5-1 and only allows four hits in six innings.

Game Two: Cubs 9, Cards 0
W: Holtzman (5-3)
L: Carlton (3-4)

Kenny Holtzman continues to round into good pitching shape, winning his third in a row and hurling a complete game masterpiece. While he was shutting out the Cards on six hits, the Cubs offense again was in full throttle. The great Billy WIlliams went three for four with two home runs, his 13th and 14th, and drove in four to lead the scoring. His veteran teammate Ernie Banks went three for five and continues to surprise with a solid campaign, as he's hitting around .315.

Game Three: Cubs 5, Cards 1
W: Jenkins (5-3)
L: Briles (1-2)

Fergie Jenkins followed Holtzman with another pitching gem for Chicago, throwing a complete game six hitter with six Ks. The Cards' Nelson Briles also was on command early, and the score was 2-1 Cubs going into the eighth. Dick Allen's bat finally awoke, as he hit his seventh homer of the year for the Cards' scoring. But Chicago put it away with three runs in the top of the eighth off reliever Sal Campisi, led by an RBI single from Banks and a ground rule double from Hiatt to plate two more.

The Sens Split with the O's

The Senators at least gain a moral victory, winning game one against the mighty Orioles team and making game two a close affair.

Game One: Washington 4, Baltimore 2. Dick Bosman only allows two runs in eight innings to move to 4-2, and the Sens get offensive help from Mike Epstein, who blasts his sixth homer, and Lee Maye, who hits his second. Tom Phoebus slides to 2-3 with the loss.

Game Two: Baltimore 3, Washington 1. The Orioles look like they are about to blow out Washington early on, as they touch suddenly hittable starter Casey Cox (3-5) for three early runs, including long shots from Brooks Robinson (6) and Davey Johnson (1). While Baltimore can't keep up the scoring, Washington can't do any damage against the formidable Dave McNally, who only allows three hits in nine innings to move to 4-2.

Herrmann; Sox Sweep Away Royals

May 15, 1970 at Chicago – Ken Berry (2) went 4-4 including a solo homer in the 7^th that lifted the White Sox to a 6-5 win over Kansas City in the opener of a 4-game set. The ChiSox struck for 4 runs in the opening frame, including a 446-foot bomb by Ed Herrmann (5) that just missed the RF rooftop. Joel Horlen (2-5) was strong on the bump in the early going, but yielded 1 in the 6^th and 4 in the 7^th to lose the lead. Syd O’Brien’s (1) solo shot tied the game for the Sox earlier in the 7^th, setting up Berry’s heroics 2 outs later. Wilbur Wood (6) got the final 3 outs and has now saved 6 of the ChiSox 10 wins in 1970.

May 16, 1970 at Chicago – Ken Berry singled home PR Rich Morales with 2 outs in the B10 to give the Pale Hose a 4-3 victory. Herrmann (6,7) kept the Sox in the game driving in 3 runs with two HRs into the lower level in RF. Wood (4-1) notched the win in relief. Amos Otis had 3 hits for the Royals.

May 17, 1970 (Game #1) at Chicago – Ed Herrmann (8) continued to feast on Royals pitching with a double, home run and 4 more RBI in a 10-7 Chicago win. He was joined at the table by O’Brien, Carlos May and Bobby Knoop who chomped 3 hits apiece. Joe Keough (3) went bat crazy for KC with 4-5, a HR and 5 RBI.  Otis had 3 more hits and extended a hitting streak to 11. Gerry Janeski (2-3) started and won for the home club. Dick Drago (5-1) suffered his first loss of the season.

May 17, 1970 (Game #2) at Chicago – Ed Herrmann (9) was weeping in the White Sox locker room after the game; he was so sorry to see the KC pitchers leave town. The Chicago backstop hit his 5^th HR in 4 games and added another single and 2 RBI in a 10-3 Chicago win, capping a sweep of the DH and the series. May and Walt “No-Neck” Williams chipped in 3 hits each. If not for the Royals’ Pat Kelly (2,3) and his two taters and 3 RBI, Bart Johnson (1-0) would have had a shutout in his first start of the year. 

Bucs - Cards Split Pair

May 13, 1970 at St. Louis – Bob Moose (2-2) was in the showers before most fans had the mustard and relish on their hot dogs. St. Louis scored 4 in the 1^st, 4 in the 2^nd and 7 in the 3^rd on its way to a 16-4 rout of the Pirates. Dick Allen (6) was the biggest hitting star with 3 hits and 5 RBI, including a double and home run. Bob Gibson (4-2) went on cruise control (if that’s possible for him) through 7 innings.

May 14, 1970 at St. Louis – Dock Ellis (4-2) scattered 9 hits and surrendered no earned runs as the Bucs split the short series with a 4-1 win. Al Oliver banged out 3 hits to lead the Lumber Company.