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.