The Senators Make Athletic Strides Against Oakland

An impressively powerful Oakland club comes into RFK Stadium but can only manage a four game split against the undermanned Washington squad, which remains at .500.

Game One: OAK 12, WAS 6

W: Hunter (1-4)
L: Cox (3-2

Oakland gets a good start to the series, roughing up the previously impressive Casey Cox to give Catfish Hunter his first win. Joe Rudi, Sal Bando, Don Mincher and the Catfish himself each scorch Washington for two RBIs, as Mincher smacks his fifth homer and Reggie Jackson his sixth.

Game Two: OAK 4, WAS 0
W: Downing (2-1)
L: Coleman (1-4)

Veteran ex-Dodger Al Downing continues to shine for Oakland, going eight innings of six hit, shutout ball with seven Ks. Jose Tartabull knocks in two with a ninth inning double to break open a game that sees Oakland lead 1-0 through eight.

Game Three: WAS 3, OAK 2
W: Shellenback (2-2)
L: Dobson (2-3)
S: Hannan (1)

Despite only allowing four hits in eight innings, Chuck Dobson gives up a two run homer to Washington's Bernie Allen that gives Washington a lead it won't relinquish. Jim Shellenback only allows two runs in seven innings, while newly acquired Jim Hannan shuts down Oakland on one hit in the latter two frames.

Game Four: WAS 2, OAK 1
W: Bosman (3-1)
L: Odom (2-2)
S: Pina (3)

Dick Bosman pitches 8.1 innings of one run ball and gets relief help from Horacio Pina to win his third game. A Frank Howard RBI single and a subsequent triple by Mike Epstein lead to Washington's only two runs of the game in the fifth, but Bosman does the rest.

Redbirds take 3 from Astros down Memory Lane

May 1, 1970 at St. Louis – A dandy May Day matchup between Larry Dierker (1-2) and Steve Carlton (2-2) was just that until the 7^th inning when the Cardinals exploded a tight 2-1 Astros lead, scored 6 runs and went on to win 7-3. Dick Allen singled to score two runs in the St. Louis 7^th. Leron Lee brought home 3 with a bases-clearing double. Carlton added the complete game.

May 2, 1970 at St. Louis – Bob Gibson (2-2) scattered 8 hits for a complete-game 3-0 shutout.  Simply, Gibby at his magical best.

May 3, 1970 (Game #1) at St. Louis – Another strong pitching performance by a Cardinals hurler as Nelson Briles (1-1) goes 8 innings, yielding just 1 run on 6 hits in a 4-1 victory. Sal Campisi (1) nailed down the save. Lee had two more knocks to drive in a pair of runs.

May 3, 1970 (Game #2) at St. Louis – Jimmy Wynn (4) homered and drove in 2 runs to salvage a 4-2 win for the reeling Astros. Denny Lemaster (3-3) went 7 ½ IP for the win. Fred Gladding (4) finished it up.  

I must say, this series brought back magical memories for me. The first game I ever saw away from Chicago was a July, 1972 matchup between the Redbirds and Stros. My memories include an old-timers pre-game between the ’64 Cardinals and Yankees. Mantle blasted one out over the wall at Busch. Honestly, can’t remember who won the game, but vividly remember Mantle and my first time seeing astro turf. Still have my 110 camera memories. 

Pale Hose Yank Tigers' Tail

May 1, 1970 at Chicago – A wild one at Comiskey Park goes 16 innings before Ed Herrmann plates Buddy Bradford with a sac fly off a tiring Mickey Lolich (1-4). Chicago wins 7-6. The clubs were tied 2-2 heading into extra frames. Three times the Tigers forged in front, only to have the ChiSox answer with 1 in the 12^th, 2 in the 14^th and yet again with one in the 15^th. Lolich (8^th Det. Pitcher), who entered in the 15^th, walked 3 men before giving up the game-winner. Don Secrist (1-2) got the win for the Pale Hose. Not sure I've ever seen 3 blown saves in 1 game before.

May 2, 1970 at Chicago – Second verse, same as the first. Except this time there weren’t as many verses so the song wasn’t as long. Detroit grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first. That was erased by Herrmann’s (3) 3-run blast in the 2^nd. The Tigers plated 5 in the 5^th powered by a bases-clearing double by Willie Horton. Chicago tied it at 7-7 in the bottom of the frame thanks to a 3-run bomb by Gail Hopkins (1). A Ken Berry 2-run double and an infield RBI in the B8 made sure this one wouldn't see overtime. Sox win 10-7. Wilbur Wood (3-1) pitched 3 power innings in relief for the win.

May 3, 1970 at Chicago – Once again the Detroit hitters did their job, but this time the Tigers hurlers were able to shut down the ChiSox enough for an 8-4 win. Al Kaline drove in 3 runs to pace the offense. Mike Kilkenny(1-1) earned his first W of the season. Jerry Robertson, Tom Timmermann and Earl Wilson held the White Sox to just 1 run over the final 5 innings.

Bullpens Bomb As Orioles Take Series

The story of this series was the absolutely awful performances of both teams bullpens.  Each team could have easily closed out the series and taken all 3 games if there was some relief from the pens.  Game 1 saw Baltimore leading 2-0 going into the top of the ninth only to give up 3 runs and come out losers 3-2.  Game 2 saw Minnesota ready to clinch a two zero series lead only to hand the Orioles 6 runs in the last 3 innings to lose 7-5.  And finally game 3 had Twins head skipper Bill Rigney scratching his head as his bullpen again stumbled around giving Baltimore 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th in an eventual 5-3 victory for the Orioles.  Both teams lead their respective divisions but the two losses drop the Twins to 14-7 on the season while Baltimore improves to 15-7.  Baltimore's Earl Weaver was quote: " The only thing that matters is what happens on the little hump out in the middle of the field." "Nobody likes to hear it, because it's dull, but the reason you win or lose is darn near always the same - pitching."

Brewers, Senators Battle to Sudsy Standoff

The newly formed Milwaukee Brewers made their first trip to RFK Stadium to battle the up and coming Washington club.  The two teams battled to a standoff, with Milwaukee taking the first two but Washington coming back to take the latter pair, for a 2-2 series ties.

Washington at least snapped Tommy Harper's six game hitting streak. Harper is hitting an unreal .349 to start the season.

Game One: MIL 5, WAS 2

W: Pattin (3-1)
L: Coleman (1-3)

Marty "Duck" Pattin continued his hot season start, only allowing one run in 6.1 innings and lowering his ERA to 1.61. Joe Coleman again wasn't on his game, giving up key doubles to Steve Hovley, Danny Walton and Pattin as he was knocked around for 10 hits in seven innings. Pattin did walk six, including walking home a run, but worked around his control issues.

Game Two: MIL 3, WAS 0
W: Lauzerique (2-1)
L: Shelleback (1-2)
S: Locker (5)

The unheralded George Lauzerique, who never had success as a major leaguer, found the pot of gold against a weak hitting Washington club that is especially cold vs. lefties. Lauzerique and two releivers, including closer Bob Locker, shut down the Sens' offense on seven singles. Meanwhile, Mike Hershberger -- another unknown who hits lefties well -- and Walton pounded homers for Milwaukee off portsider Jim Shellenback for the win.

Game Three: WAS 11, MIL 3
W: Bosman (2-1)
L: Krausse (3-2)

Washington took some revenge as the hitters finally woke up and the starting pitching also responded. Dick Bosman pitched eight innings of three hit ball to move over .500, while Lew Krausse was bombed for eight runs, five in the first two innings, in his worst start of the year. Eddie Brinkman, Ed Stroud and Lee Maye all knocked in two runs, and Maye hit his fifth double of the year, as the veteran is off to a great start. Harper did get his sixth homer of the year in the loss.

Game Four: WAS 3, MIL 0
W: Brunet (1-1)
L: Bolin (1-2)

35-year old pitcher George Brunet, who had been shaky all season, threw like an ace, going all nine and shutting down the Brew Crew offense on three hits. Bob Bolin was effective for Milwaukee but was prone to the gopher ball. He gave up Aurelio Rodriguez's first homer as a Senator and back-to-back shots from Mike Epstein and Maye to give Washington the runs they needed.

Reds Take 2 of 3 from Redbirds

April 24, 1970 at St. Louis – Cincinnati extended its winning streak to 6 games with an exciting 5-4 win at Busch memorial Stadium. There was an interesting array of Reds heroes with Bernie Carbo (5) winning the Action vote for MVP. His 2-run blast in the 4^th tied the game at 3-3. Tommy Helms would have been a good choice with 4 hits. Cardinals’ manager Bruce Thomas credits CF Bobby Tolan whose throw in the B8 cut down Lou Brock at the plate to preserve a 4-4 tie. In the T9, it was Tolan’s hustle down the 1B for an infield single that allowed Pete Rose to score the winning run with 2 outs.

April 25, 1970 at St. Louis – Jose Cardenal (2) was the Cardinals show in an 11-1 rout over the Reds. The bushy-haired one had 3 doubles, a walk, a HR, scored 3 and drove in 3. Kudos should also be given to Steve Carlton (1-2) who tossed a complete-game 7-hitter.

April 26, 1970 at St. Louis – Jim McGlothlin (3-1) blanked the Redbirds on 5 hits through 8 IP. Wayne Granger (4) recorded the final 3 outs in a 3-0 Reds win. Dave Concepcion had 3 knocks and Johnny Bench extended his hitting streak to 13.

Cubs Maul Astros, Losers of Six Straight

Houston has now lost six straight games but still are managing a winning record at 10-9. The Cubs hitters mauled Astros pitching in the three game set at Wrigley. Chicago never had to go to its bullpen in all three games.

Game One: Cubs 12, HOU 4

W: Holtzman (2-2)
L: Griffin (0-1)

The Astros' young pitcher,  Tom Griffin, gave up 10 runs in the fourth inning as Chicago sent 16 batters to the plate. The inning only ended when Johnny Callison was thrown out at the plate.  Don Kessinger knocked in three and hit his first homer of the year, and Santo, Callison and Hickman drove in two each in the wild frame. The Cubs' Kenny Holtzman finally pitched a good game, going all nine.

Game Two: Cubs 7, HOU 0
W: Hands (3-1)
L: Bouton (1-2)

Jim "Ball Four" Bouton knuckles under to Cubs hitters, giving up all seven Cubs runs on 11 hits in five innings. Chicago's Bill Hands is his usual tough self, giving up 10 hits in nine innings but not allowing a run to cross the plate. Kessinger remained hot, driving in two more runs and singling three times.

Game Three: Cubs 8, HOU 2
W: Jenkins (3-1))
L: Dierker (1-1)

A marquee pitching matchup on paper between Fergie Jenkins and Larry Dierker turned into a Cubs rout. Dierker pitched well in seven innings, striking out six. But he was victimized by four Cubs runs in the first two innings, giving up two doubles and Ernie Bank's third homer of the year. Chicago tacked on three late runs in the eighth off Jack Billingham, as Jenkins cleared the bases with a double. Fergie struck out nine and only allowed two runs in his complete game win.

Reds sweep the Braves

Game 1:
Cincinnati: 6  Atlanta: 5
WP - Merritt (4-0)  LP - Stone (2-1)
HR: May (2)

Jim Merritt won his 4th straight game to start the season as the Reds edged the Braves, 6-5 in Atlanta.
Merritt gave up 5 runs but went the distance, Lee May hit his second homer of the year and Johnny Bench drove in a couple of runs to lead the Reds.
Felix Millan had 4 hits and Rico Carty drove in 3 for the Braves in a losing cause


Game 2:
Cincinnati: 5  Atlanta: 3
WP - Carroll (1-0)  LP - Niekro (1-2)  
S - Granger (3)            
HR: Perez (9), Bench (4), Tolan (5)

Bobby Tolan cracked a 2-run homer in the top of the ninth
off Phil Niekro to break a 3-3 tie, giving the Reds the
win and a two game sweep over the Braves. Johnny Bench
had 3 hits to raise his average up to .464 on the season.
The Reds are now 14-3 on the year while the Braves
fall back to 8-6.

Yanks and Senators Have a Capital Matchup

The Yankees came into RFK Stadium envisioning a resurgence in 1970 against a Washington team similarly hoping to continue its recent upswing under manager Ted Williams. The teams ended up splitting four games.

For the Yanks, Danny Cater and Horace Clarke continue their scorching starts. Cater is hitting .439, while Clark had his 12 game hitting streak snapped but is batting .338. The Sens are not hitting as well but have had some impressive starting pitching, especially from converted reliever Casey Cox.

Game One: Yanks 3, Sens 3

W: Bahnsen (2-1)
L: Shellenback (0-1)
S: McDaniel (3)

A 3-3 tie was broken in the eighth with two from the Yanks off a passed ball from wild reliever Jim Shellenback (who walked four in 1.1 innings) and a single from Jim Lyttle.  Grizzled vet Lindy McDaniel held down the fort in two innings of hitless relief.

Game Two: Sens 5, Yanks 1
W: Cox (3-0)
L: Stottlemyre (2-1)

Young Casey Cox and longtime Yanks star Mel Stottlemyre both came in undefeated, but it was Cox who was better. Casey at the mound pitched 8.2 innings of one run ball, and the control artist did not walk a batter. Stottlemyre only lasted six inning and gave up five runs. Ken McMullen and Johnny Roseboro both knocked in two runs, with Roseboro hitting his second double of the year for the only extra base hit for either team.

Game Three: Yanks 6, Sens 0
W: Peterson (2-2)
L: Coleman (1-2)

Fritz Peterson pitched a complete game for New York and lowered his ERA to 2.32, only allowing two meaningless Senators' singles. Curt Blefary plated four, two on his third homer of the year. Joe Coleman was knocked around for 12 hits in six innings.

Game Four: Sens 6, Yanks 1
W: Shellenback (1-1)
L: Burbach (0-3)

Jim Shellenback was tapped for his first start of the year for Washington and responded with a complete game win, only giving up a solitary run (but walking four, continuing his wild streak). Ed "The Streak" Stroud connected for two homers and four RBIs in a spot starter for the utility player. Young Bill Burbach was again battered for New York and may be earning a trip to the minors.

Gibson, Jenkins Dominate Duel Between Rivals

The Cubs and Cards squared off in the first series of the year between the fierce division rivals, both with records hovering around .500. All-star pitchers Bob Gibson for St. Louis and Fergie Jenkins for Chicago were on the mound in each game, making this a hot ticket.

Dick Allen upped his hitting streak to 11 games to start the season.

Game One: STL 5, Cubs 4

W: Gibson (1-1)
L: Hands (2-1)

Bob Gibson pitched a complete game for his first win of the year, getting out of several jams, including a bases loaded threat by the Cubs in the ninth. Dick Allen (3) and Jose Cardenal (1) both hit homers off Cubs starter Bill Hands to give St. Louis an early 3-2 lead. Chicago came back to tie it in the fourth on an error by Cards' SS Dal Maxvill, one of two he committed. But in the top of the sixth, Cards journeyman outfielder Carl Taylor (stepbrother of Boog Powell) belted a two run homer off Hands for the ultimate edge. The Cubs loaded the bases off Gibson in the bottom of the ninth behind 5-3 with one out but could only manage a sac fly from Billy Williams to lose 5-4.

Game Two: Cubs 7, STL 3
W: Jenkins (2-1)
L: Torrez (2-1)

Fergie Jenkins went nine, striking out a season high 10 batters while allowing three runs. The Cards threatened in the middle innings, scoring three times to tie it 3-3 when Joe Hague (1) homered. But the Cubs bats arrived later, hitting Mike Torrez and reliever Sal Campisi for three in the eighth, punctuated by a two run single from Jenkins. Williams went three for four and drove in a run.

Dodgers and Braves slug it out

Game 1
Atlanta: 6   LA Dodgers: 1
WP - Jarvis (2-0)  LP - Sutton (1-2)
HR - Atl: H Aaron(7), Cepeda(5), Tillman(1)   LA: None

Hank Aaron hit a 424-foot bomb off Don Sutton in the bottom of the first to get the Braves off and running as they cruised past the Dodgers, 6-1.
Orlando Cepeda and Bob Tillman also homered to help Pat Jarvis get his second win of the year against no defeats.
Jarvis scattered just 3 hits over 9 innings, and his only run was unearned.

Game 2
LA Dodgers: 10   Atlanta: 9
WP - Foster (2-1)  LP - Jaster (0-1)  S - Brewer (3)
HR - Atl: Cepeda(6). Tillman(2), H Aaron(8), T Aaron(1)   LA: Crawford(1)

Willie Davis got 3 hits and the Dodgers rode two big innings to a 10-9 win against the Braves, earning them the split in this two game series.
Rico Carty had 4 hits for Atlanta, raising his season average to .478.  Orlando Cepeda extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

Les Expos, Les Cubbies Split a Pair

Some good pitching in Game One, some good hitting by Montreal only in Game Two. A split at Wrigley.

Game One: Cubs 4, Expos 1

W: Jenkins (1-1)
L Stoneman (2-1)

Canadian-born Fergie Jenkins goes the entire way, striking out nine and only allowing five hits in the Cubs win. Montreal's Bill Stoneman is almost as effective, only giving up four hits and no earned runs. But he is victimized by a three run Cubs fifth, as a key throwing error by Montreal catcher John Boccabella gives way to RBI singles from Glenn Beckert and Billy Williams.

Game Two: Expos 7, Cubs 2
W: Renko (1-1)
L: Holtzman (1-2)

The Cubs' Ken Holtzman has his second poor outing, surrenduring seven runs in five innings. Montreal's six run third is punctuated by four doubles, including a scorcher from Rusty Staub off the base of the right field wall that scores two. Steve Renko goes all the way, only giving up four hits in a dominant performance.

Braves and Padres split a pair

Game 1: Atlanta 6  San Diego 5
WP - Stone (2-0)  LP - Corkins (0-2)  S - Wilhelm (3)
HR: Gaston (2), Cepeda (4), Aaron (6)

The Braves big 3 of Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, and Orlando Cepeda continued their assault on N.L. pitchers here in the early going.  Combined they went 5 for 13, scored 4 runs, and drove in 5 more with 2 long-balls.  Aaron's 6th inning 3-run blast proved to be the winning hit for Atlanta. Lefty George Stone got his second win, while Hoyt Wilhelm had the knuckle ball working to perfection, striking out 4 in a 2-inning save.




Game 2:  San Diego 5  Atlanta 2
WP - Dobson (1-2)  LP - P. Niekro (1-1)

Padres pitcher Pat Dobson went the distance for his first win of the year.  He also helped his own cause going 2 for 3 with an RBI, a walk, and a run scored. Nate Colbert got a couple of hits for San Diego, raising his average to .414 on the young season.

 

Hitting Galore, TIgers Claw Past Indians

The Tigers and Indians managed lots of base hits, withe each team getting 10 or more hits in both games off veteran starting pitching. The Tigers manage to win both, the first one a come from behind victory in 11 innings.

Game One: DET 6, CLE 5 (10 innings)

W: Hiller (1-0)
L: Henningan (0-1)

The Indians hit Tigers starter Mickey Lolich hard, scoring five runs on 12 hits in Lolich's seven innings of work. With Cleveland leading 5-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Detroit scores three to tie it, the big blow a two-run double down the right field line from pinch hitter Ike Brown. An inning later, banjo hitter Don Wert lines a two run shot off Phil Hennigan to win it for the Tigers.

Game Two: DET 6, CLE 5
W: Wilson (2-1)
L: Chance (0-1)
S: Hiller (1)

Earl Wilson isn't at his sharpest, giving up five runs and 12 hits in six innings. But Detroit pounces on Cleveland starter Dean Chance for four runs in the second, as Dick McAuliffe doubles down the first base line to score two big runs. Cleveland bounces back with four in the fifth off Wilson to tie it, and it moves to 5-5 in the sixth. But Detroit gets the eventual winning run in the bottom of the sixth on a clutch pinch hit double from Ike Brown, one of the game one heroes. Fred Scherman and John Hiller  shut down any hint of Cleveland offense the rest of the way.

Spos Split Cards

April 14, 1970 at St. Louis – Adolfo Phillips (2) smacked a solo shot down the left field line off Jerry Johnson (0-1) in the 9^th to lift Montreal to a 5-4 win. Mack (aka Mack the Knife) Jones (2) lead off the game with a bomb to RF off Bob Gibson. This seemed to only infuriate Gibby as he fanned 7 over the next 4 innings. Meanwhile, Lou Brock (1) answered with his own solo shot to lead off the Cardinals 1^st. Two more runs followed along with another in the 2^nd and St. Louis led 4-1. The Expos plated a run on a DP in the 6^th, then Gibby’s over-throwing seemed to get to him in the 7^th when his own error led to RBI hits from John Boccabella and Jones to tie it at 4-4. Howie Reed (1-0) got the win for the Spos in relief. Claude Raymond (3) earned his third save.

April 15, 1970 at St. Louis – Mike Torrez (2-0) pitched 6 innings of no-hit ball and left in the 8^th with a 9-1 lead and surrendering just 3 hits and racking up 9 Ks. The Cardinals won 9-3 to split the 2-game series. Dick Allen (2) and Joe Torre (1) went deep off Joe Sparma (0-3) to power the offense.

Cubbies Take Phils in Three Slugfests

The Cubs take two of three from the resurgent Phillies, as the longball comes out. In game two, the Cubs launch seven homers, two each from Billy Williams and Ernie Banks.

Game One: Phi 6, Cubs 5

W: Short (1-0)
L: Holtzman (1-1)
S: Lersch (1)

A scoreless game is broken up by the Phils in the fifth, as the Cheesesteakers score five off Ken Holtzman, scorching four doubles in the inning. The Cubbies rally against Chris Short and Barry Lersch, scoring two in the ninth. But the rally falls short. Johnny Briggs goes four for four with a home run (1) and two RBIs.

Game Two: Cubs 13, Phils 6
W: Hands (2-0)
L: Wise (0-1)

The Phillies hit Bill Hands for four runs in the top of the first, featuring a key triple from Tim McCarver to plate two. But then the Cubbies get the lumber out, as they hit seven homers off Phils' pitchers, two each from Billy Williams (3,4) and Ernie Banks (2,3). Johnny Briggs hits his fourth for Philly, a ball traveling 446 feet to center.

Game Three: Cubs 7, Phil 3
W: Decker (1-0)
L: Fryman (0-1)

23-year old Joe Decker pitches well enough in his debut start, going six inning and allowing three runs. He's backed by strong run support from the power hitting Cubs, including a two run shot in the first from Jim Hickman (2), as Phils starter Woodie Fryman gets battered for 10 hits in six innings, including six doubles.

"Go Wes, Young Man" ! LA Sweeps 3 from Friars

Alan Foster goes 8 and gives up 2 as Wes Parker knocks in 2 to lead LA to a 5-2 win.  Most shockingly was the light drizzle that started in the 5th inning.

Claude Osteen (7IP / 4ER) was not at his best, but once again Wes Parker (3-4, 3RBI) was.  Bottom of the lineup guys like Sudakis and Garvey went 2-4.  Kosco and Mota (2-2, 2BB) each had 2 hits.

Bill Singer mirrors Alan Foster's line from game 1.  Dobson was almost as stingy for the Friars.  Wes Parker (2-4, 1RBI) with another big day at the dish.  Willie Davis also chips in for 2 hits.  Jim Brewer notches his 2nd save in as many days as LA sweeps their poor cousins to the south.

Pale Hose and Brew Crew Split DH and Series

April 10, 1970 at Chicago – Little Louie Aparicio went 4-4 and Wilbur Wood (1-0) pitched 3 2/3 innings of 1-hit shutout relief as the Pale Hose took the opener 4-3.

April 11, 1970 at Chicago – If this game would have been held in County Stadium, “Bucky Brewer” would have drowned by the end of the 3^rd inning. The Brew Crew plated 3 in the 2^nd, 9 in the 3^rd and 5 in the 6^th for a 17-2 sousing of the Pale Hose. Tommy Harper carried the biggest beer barrel bat with a double and 3-run home run for 5 RBI and 3 runs scored. Steve Hovley, Greg Goossen and Russ Snyder also banged out 3 hits each in a 20-hit Brewer attack. Bobby Bolin (1-0) went the 5 inning minimum and got the win. Billy Wynne (0-1) started with a sore arm for Chicago and didn’t get past the 2nd. One interesting stat was that the White Sox had 16 LOB, compared to just 6 for the Suds.

April 12, 1970 (Gm #1) at Chicago – Tommy Harper (4) was once again the winner of the MVP keg for the Brewers in the lid-lifter of today’s DH (that’s double header, not designated hitter for you youngsters out there. Two games for the price of one, what a concept!). Harper doubled, homered and hit a sac fly to drive in 4 of Milwaukee’s runs in a 5-4 victory. The visitor’s led 3-1 heading into the B8 with Lew Krausse (2-0) cruising on the hill. ChiSox Duane Josephson (1) tied it with a 2-run shot. Harper calmly swatted a 2-run double in T9 to make it 5-3. Bob Locker (2) struggled a bit in the B9^th, but got Carlos May to ground out to SS, leaving the tying run on 3B.

April 12, 1970 (Gm #2) at Chicago – Beltin Bill Melton doubled in two runs with 2 outs in the B9th as the White split the twin bill and the series with a 5-4 victory. Milwaukee had led 4-0 heading into the B7 with George Lazerique pitching strong, but he gave up along solo shot to Ken Berry (1). In the B8, Aparicio (3 hits) reached on an error and May walked. Locker (0-1) relieved Lazerique, but both Chicago runners scored closing the gap to 4-3. Melton then ended it in the 9^th, allowing Wood (2-0) to get the W.

Sens Down Sox (Red Variety)

Washington is off to a nice 4-2 start, taking another series at RFK.

Game One: Was 4, Boston 2

W: Coleman (1-0)
L: Lonborg (0-1)
S: Pina (2)

Boston's Jim Lonborg, trying to come back to his 1967 form after a series of injuries, allows three Washington runs in the bottom of the second, including a two run double from 37-year-old former Dodger John Roseboro.

Game Two: Boston 5, WAS 5 (19 innings)
W: Phillips (1-0)
L: Grzenda (0-1)
S: Lonborg (1)

Sparky Lyle blows a 5-3 Boston lead in the bottom of the ninth, as Tim Cullen drives in two with a single, wiping out Boston's early lead on Reggie Smith's second homer. No one can score for quite a while after that, until Tony Conigliario hits his first of the year in the top of the 19th off Joe Grzenda, Washington's last pitcher off the bench, for the win. Lonborg, who pitched yesterday, comes in and gets the save.

Game Three: WAS 3, BOS 0
W: Cox (2-0)
L: Peters (0-2)

New starter Casey Cox again is outstanding for Washington, pitching a seven hit complete game shutout. Eddie Brinkman's two run single in the seventh, after Washington had moved men to second and third, was key to the win.

Mets take two on Road from Cards

April 10, 1970 at St. Louis – The Mets scored all their runs in the 1^st inning and the Cardinals tallied all theirs in the 5^th. Unfortunately for the visitors they scored 1 fewer as St. Louis won 4-3. Tommie Agee led off with a single, stole second and was bunted to third by Bud Harrelson. Joe Foy, Cleon Jones and Art Shamsky then doubled successively. In the Cardinals 5^th Lou Brock tripled in a pair. Jose Cardenal singled him in, and Joe Torre singled Cardenal in with the GWRBI. George Culver (1-0) started and won for the Redbirds. Jerry Johnson (1) pitched 2 2/3 for the save. Jim McAndrew (0-1) started and lost for the Metropolitans.   

April 11, 1970 at St. Louis – New York reversed the score in this one with Jerry Grote’s (1) 3-run bomb in the 2^nd being the highlight. Gary Gentry (1-0) nabs the win with Ron Taylor (1) the save. Nelson Briles (0-1) took the L for the birds.

April 12, 1970 at St. Louis – Future Hall of Famers Tom Seaver (2-0) and Steve Carlton (0-1) matched up in this dandy with Seaver prevailing 4-2. Carlton blinked first allowing two runs in the 1^st with Foy doubling in Harrelson and Donn Clendenon doubling in Foy. Tom “Terrific” didn’t allow a hit until Julian Javier’s base knock in the 5^th. In the St. Louis 6^th Carlton doubled and Dick Allen (1) smashed a 2-run HR to tie it. Agee’s sac fly in the 7^th scoring Al Weis proved to be the game winner. Ron Swoboda tripled in the 9^th and Grote singled him home.

Orioles Take Series Over Detroit In Home Opener

GAME 1: Baltimore 2  Detroit 1
Memorial Stadium welcomed home their AL Conference Champions for the first time this season as the Orioles battled league rivals, Detroit, in a fierce pitching battle.  Baltimore's Jim Palmer kept the Tigers caged all day allowing only 5 hits and striking out 6.  Orioles put up 2 runs in the second inning and it would be all Palmer would need to get his first victory of the season.


GAME 2: Detroit 5 Baltimore 0
 A complete game 2 hit, 5 strikeout gem was what the Tigers got out of starting pitcher Earl Wilson.  Wilson baffled Baltimore batters all day, throwing only 106 pitches in the Detroit win.  The Tigers put up 3 runs in the 1st inning, of off a slow starting Dave McNally (0-2), highlighted by a 319 foot homer by Mickey Stanley.  

GAME 3: Baltimore 4  Detroit 2
Mike "Crazy Horse" Cuellar has settled back into his 1969 groove as he picks up his 2nd win of the young season.  Cuellar pitched a complete game striking out 6 in the win.  Willie Horton (2)  homered in the 8th inning for the Tigers to try and rally Detroit but Cuellar closed things out before further damage could be done.  The win improves Baltimore to 4-2 on the season while Detroit drops to 2-4