1972

[EdTarbusz]

Game of the Week July 8, 1972

New York Yankees (48-28 .632 1st) at Minnesota Twins (39-39 .500 9 GB 3rd)

Back-up game: Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds


Starting Pitchers: Mike Kekich (2-6 3.73 13 games 79.2ip 89h 48r 33er 33bb 36k) vs Bert Blyleven (8-10 2.89 19 games 11CG 143.1ip 136h 52r 46er 36bb 116k)

Pre game: the Yankees have the best record in the Majors but they have the Orioles breathing down their necks (and Boston not too far behind). The Yankees have been getting great starting pitching from Steve Kline and Fritz Peterson (Mel Stottlemyre has been so-so and Mike Kekich has not had much success). The Yanks are also getting strong offense from Roy White, Bobby Murcer and Felipe Alou. If the season ended today, Bobby Murver would be the odds on favorite for MVP. They are also getting good production from second line players like Rusty Torres, John Ellis and Jerry Kenney. This will be important because the Yankees also lead the majors in postponements with nine (they have already made up one game with Cleveland). More doubleheaders means the econd line players get more playing time. It also means inconsistant Rob Gardner gets more starts and the not alweays bullpen (except for Sparly Lyle who is having a great season) will get more exposure. These doubleheaders can make or break the Yankees.
The Twins are sinking fast and need to start winning to stay in the race with Oakland and Kansas City. Their pitching has been decent but the offense has been unreliable. Even Rod Carew is having a relatively down year batting only .284. Bill Rigney's job is on the line right now.

Starting Lineups

New York Yankees

20 Horace Clark 2B .242-2-29
24 Felipe Alou 1B .287-2-40
1 Bobby Murcer CF .329-22-64
6 Roy White LF .347-3-41
25 Johnny Callison RF .219-1-12
15 Thurman Munson C .248-5-24
11 Bernie Allen 3B .198-3-10
17 Gene Michael SS .268-1-12
18 Mike Kekich P .208-0-0

Minnesota Twins

14 Dan Monzon LF .293-0-4
5 Danny Thompson SS .258-3-33
29 Rod Carew 2B .284-0-23
2 Bobby Darwin CF .256-20-58
11 Steve Brye RF .302-0-9
20 Rich Reese 1B .271-3-11
1 Eric Soderholm 3B .192-4-24
15 George Mitterwald C .127-1-8
28 Bert Blyleven P .184-0-3

Temperature is 75 degrees, with a strong wind blowing out to center

1st inning

NY
Clarke flies to RF
Alou hits a fly to center-Darwin and Brye collide!-Alou is credited with a double-Darwin has to leave the game.
For MIN-number 7 Jim Nettles now playing CF
Murcer grounds out to 3B-Alou takes third.
White Ks
0r 1h 0e 1l

MIN
Monzon grounds to 3B
Thompson grounds to SS
Carew pops to 3B
0r 0h 0e 0l

NY 0 -0 1 0
MN 0 -0 0 0

2nd inning

NY
Callison doubles down the right field line
Munson pops to 3B
Allen hits a flare to 2B-Carew makes a nice running catch
Michael Ks
0r 1h 0e 1l

MIN
Nettles (.182-0-2) walks
Brye singles to left-Nettles to second
Reese Ks
Soderholm flies to short RF-runners hold
Wild Pitch!-Nettles to third-Brye to second
Mitterwald Ks
0r 1h 0e 2l

NY 00 -0 2 0
MN 00 -0 1 0

3rd inning

NY
Kekich singles to right
Clarke Ks
Alou lines to 3B-Kekich holds
Murcer Ks
0r 1h 0e 1l

MIN
Blyleven grounds to 3B
Monzon singles to center
Thompson grounds into FC 4-6-Thompson takes first
Carew pops to 2B
0r 1h 0e 1l

NY 000 -0 3 0
MN 000 -0 2 0

4th inning

NY
White hits a deep fly into the CF gap-Nettles makes a great diving catch!
Callison grounds to 2B
Munson singles to center
Allen Ks
0r 1h 0e 1l

MIN
Nettles hits a long fly out to RF
Brye hits a grounder to short-Michael boots it-Brye on first
Reese singles to left-Brye to second
Soderholm walks-bases are loaded
Mitterwald Kc
Blyleven singles to center-Brye and Reese score-Soderholm to second NY 0 MIN 2
Monzon singles to center-Soderholm scores beating Murcer's throw-on the throw Blyleven takes third and Monzon takes second NY 0 MIN 3
Thompson grounds to SS
3r 3h 1e 2l

NY 000 0 -0 4 1
MN 000 3 -3 5 0

5th inning

NY
Michael Ks
Kekich flies to RF
Clarke pops to 1B
0r 0h 0e 0l

MIN
Carew singles to center
Nettles K2 on appeal
Brye walks-Carew to seond
Reese flies to RF
Soderholm Ks
0r 1h 0e 2l

NY 000 00 -0 4 1
MN 000 30 -3 6 0

6th inning

NY
Alou hits a slow roller to P-Blyleven's throw just gets Alou
Murcer hits a liner down the first base line that a diving Reese just misses-its a double in the right field corner
White singles to center-Murcer scores NY 1 MIN 3
Callison hits a slow roller to second-Carew's throw is too late-single-White to second
Munson Ks
Blyleven bears down and Allen Ks
1r 3h 0e 2l

MIN
Mitterwald flies to RF
Blyleven singles to center
Monzon walks-Blyleven to second
For NY-Ron Klimkowski warming up as Kekcih has visibly tired
Thompson flies to CF
Carew Ks
0r 1h 0e 2l

NY 000 001 -1 7 1
MN 000 300 -3 7 0

7th inning

NY
Michael Ks
Number 21 Rusty Torres (.280-2-25) batting for Kekich
Torres grounds to 2B
Clarke Ks-Blyleven's 10th K
0r 0h 0e 0l

MIN
For NY-number 22 Ron Klimkowski (0-0 1save 2.38 11.1ip 8h 2bb 3k 2hr .200opba) now pitching
Nettles walks
Brye grounds to SS-Nettles to second
Reese lines to 2B-Nettles holds
Soderholm homers to left-Nettles scores NY 1 MIN 5 (The gopher ball has been a Klimkowski weakness-3 of the 9 hits he has given up for the Yankees have been HRs)
Mitterwald grounds to SS
2r 1h 0e 0l

NY 000 001 0 -1 7 1
MN 000 300 2 -5 8 0

8th inning

NY
Alou grounds to 2B
Murcer walks
White walks-Murcer to second
Callison Kc
Munson Kc
0r 0h 0e 2l

MIN
Blyleven grounds to SS
Monzon singles to center
For NY-Wade Blasingame warming up
Thompson grounds to third-Alou drops Allen's throw-Thompson safe on the error-Monzon to second
Carew flies to LF
Nettles flies to LF
0r 1h 1e 2l

NY 000 001 00 -1 7 2
MN 000 300 20 -5 9 0

9th inning

NY
For MIN-Number 4 Steve Braun now playing Right-Brye moves to left
Allen Ks
Michael grounds deep in the hole to SS-Thompson makes a diving stop and throws him out!
Number 23 John Ellis (.388-1-8) batting for Klimkowski
Ellis pops to the C
0r 0h 0e 0l

Final Score

NY 000 001 000-1 7 2
MN 000 300 20x-5 9 0
W-Blyleven (9-10)
L-Kekich (2-7)

Bert Blyleven stifles the Yankees and gets a relatively easy win today. Blyleven has pitched well this year, but hasn't gotten good offensive support from the Twins. Kekich has one of his better outings this year only having one rough inning, but it is enough for the loss. Ron Klimkowski is having dificulty with gopher balls and may join Wade Blasingame as a mop up man. The Yankees hitters have the fewest strikeouts in the Majors but today Blyleven rang them up for 13 Ks, with Bernie Allen and Gene Michael each striking out 3 times. Felipe Alou and Mike Kekich were the only starters who didn't strike out at least once. Blyleven ended seven of his nine innings pitched with at least 1 strikeout.
The Orioles will only be a game out if they win tonight against Texas.

Other Games:

KAN 000 000 010-1 8 2
CLE 201 103 02x-9 12 1
W-Tidrow (7-7)
L-Hedlund (3-6)
Rookie Dick Tidrow has little trouble while pitching a CG. Graig Nettles goes 3 for 4 and has 2 HRs and 7 RBI (6 of the RBI came with 2 outs) for the Indians. Rookie Jack Brohamer also has 3 hits for Cleveland. The Royals are having major bullpen issues and need to get them straightened out to stay in contention. Bad news for Kansas City: John Mayberry leaves the game after crashing into a dugout railing. The good news is he is day to day and will probably be back in the lineup on Monday.

DET 001 001 020-4 14 0
CHI 000 104 00x-5 8 2
W-Bahnsen (8-8)
L-Timmermann (4-8)
Close game between two pre-season favorites who both seem out of contention. lack of speed and middling defense are problem with both of these teams. The tigers get 14 hits of which 13 are singles and leave 7 RISP. The White Sox have 2 XBHs including a HR by Bill Melton (Melton has 3 hits today). John Hiller makes his appearance since his heart attack. He isn't shapr giving up a hit and a BB but he gets Rick Reichardt to GIDP and doesn't give up any runs.

MIL 004 000 020-6 11 1
OAK 200 040 10x-7 12 0
W-Hamilton (5-2)
L-Lonborg (4-11)
S-Locker (5)
Jim Lonborg isn't sharp, but the Brewers bullpen is as the A's squeak out a win against Milwaukee. Reggie Jackson hits a 2 run HR in the first and Joe Rudi and Tim Cullen have 3 hits apiece for Oakland. Ollie Brown gets a measure of revenge against the A's by getting 2 hits, 2 RBI and scoring a run against his former team. Dave May and Mike Ferraro also have 2 hits each for the Brewers.

LA 010 001 001-3 6 1
NY 000 001 000-1 7 1
W-Downing (8-5)
L-Seaver (9-7)
S-Brewer (3)
Tom Seaver strikes out 10 in a losing effort. Al Downing pitches well, especially in the 4th when due to an error and a double by Duffy Dyer the Mets have runners on 2nd 3rd with none out. Downing bears down and induces two ground outs and a K to get out of the inning without giving up a run. Jim Beauchamp has 3 hits for the Mets including his 4th HR. Rusty Staub grounds into 2 DPs. 4 of the Dodger hots are for extra bases including Steve Garvey's 8th HR in the 2nd. Garvey also Ks twice. This win puts LA in first place for the moment. Houston plays St Louis tonight and would move back into first with a win. Last night St Louis swept a DH from Houston.

CHI 100 000 001-2 6 1
CIN 300 000 00x-3 9 0
W-Nolan (8-4)
L-Jenkins (9-10)
S-Carroll (13)
Fergie Jenkins loses his 8th straight in brutally hot Riverfront Stadium. Jenkins hasn't won since June 3rd when he beat the Padres (his record was then 9-2). He loses this one in the first when Pete Rose score on a wild pick-off throw with Joe Morgan on first and then a batter later Tony Perez hit a 2 run HR to put the Reds up 3-1. Rick Monday hit a HR in the 9th but it was too little too late. Sparky Anderson immediatley yanked Gary Nolan and Clay Carroll easily got the last two outs for the win. The Reds have a three game winning streak going. The Cubs are 4 games out right now. If Jenkins had won half of his games since June 3 the Cubs would be tied for first.

Night Games

TEX 000 000 002-2 5 1
BAL 000 000 60x-6 6 0
W-Palmer (11-4)
L-Gogolewski (4-7)
A grueling pitchers duel between Jim Palmer and Bill Gogolewski turns dramatically on one call by umpire Ken Kaiser. In the bottom of the 6th leadoff hitter Boog Powell appears to have taken strike three, but Kaiser calls it ball four. Gogolewski goes ballistic and is quickly ejected. Powell ultimately scores Baltimore's first run. With two out and the bases loaded (if Powell had been called out the inning would be over with no runs likely scored) left fielder Frank Howard can't get to a Palmer fly that ultimately gives Palmer a double and clears the bases. The next hitter, Bobby Grich, hits a fly that Howard misplays after being ditracted by Joe Lovitto and Palmer scores on the error. The Orioles score one by the controversial runner and another 5 after there are two outs.The Rangers score two off Palmer in the 9th but it's not enough. Ted Williams plans to protest this game. This win puts Baltimore at a mere one game behind New York in the AL east.

BOS 000 002 025-9 13 0
CAL 200 100 000-3 8 2
W-Tiant (10-4)
L-Ryan (10-7)
Nolan Ryan gives up 8 runs (4 earned) after pitching well for seven innings. Carlton Fisk has 3 hits, including a triple and a 2 run home run in the 6th. Fisk has 4 RBI. Rico Petrocelli also has 3 hits for the Red Sox. Vada Pinson and Nolan Ryan each have 2 hits for California.

SFG 001 620 062-17 19 0
MON 000 000 000-0 5 2
W-Barr (10-4)
L-Morton (6-10)
Jim Barr pitches a CG shutout as the Giants blow out the Expos. Jim Howarth has 3 hits for the Giants. Bobby Bonds, Tito Fuentes, Ed Goodson, Dave Kingman, Chris Speier and Jim Barr each have 2 hits for the Giants. The Giants have 8 XBHs including Goodson's 3 run HR. The Expos use 4 pitchers and they each give up at least 2 runs. Carl Morton gives up 7 runs and Steve Renko gives up 6 runs to the Giants.

SDP
PHI
Rained out

HOU 010 202 100 03-9 18 1
STL 010 102 101 01-7 17 1
W-Culver (6-2)
L-Segui (1-1)
S-Gladding (6)
Both offenses take center stage as the Astros edge the Cardinals in 11 innings. Ted Simmons of St Louis goes 5 for 6 to lead the hitters (he also drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 9th). Bob Watson, Doug Rader, Tommy Helms and Johnny Edwards each have 3 hits for Houston and Edwards has 4 RBI. Joe Torre has 3 hits for St Louis, but his slowness on the basepaths probably cost the Cardinals 2 runs. Reggie Cleveland injures his arm in the second-he is listed as day to day. His successor Al Santorini was roughed up and Diego Segui has his forst bad outing for the Cardinals. The Astros bullpen fared a little better and held the Cardinals to only 2 runs.

PIT 120 000 000-3 7 0
ATL 011 000 000-2 8 0
W-Briles (9-5)
L-Reed (11-6)
S-Giusti (9)
Pitchers duel between Nelson Briles and Ron Reed. Briles gets 3 DPs. Al Oliver and Ralph Garr each have 3 hits. The Braves get runners on second and third with two out in the bottom of the ninth, but Dave Giusti comes and slams the door for a Pirates win.

[EdTarbusz]

Standings after games of July 8, 1972

A League

East Div W L Pct GB
New York (A) 48 29 0.623 -
Baltimore 47 30 0.610 1.0
Boston 42 32 0.568 4.5
Detroit 37 42 0.468 12.0
Cleveland 33 48 0.407 17.0
Milwaukee 30 49 0.380 19.0

West Div W L Pct GB
Oakland 50 31 0.617 -
Kansas City 45 36 0.556 5.0
Minnesota 40 39 0.506 9.0
Chicago (A) 38 42 0.475 11.5
California 37 44 0.457 13.0
Texas 29 54 0.349 22.0


N League

East Div W L Pct GB
Pittsburgh 46 36 0.561 -
St Louis 42 39 0.519 3.5
Chicago (N) 41 40 0.506 4.5
New York (N) 37 42 0.468 7.5
Philadelphia 36 46 0.439 10.0
Montreal 28 51 0.354 16.5

West Div W L Pct GB
Los Angeles 46 34 0.575 0.5
Houston 50 37 0.575 -
Cincinnati 43 37 0.538 3.5
San Francisco 44 43 0.506 6.0
Atlanta 41 42 0.494 7.0
San Diego 38 45 0.458 10.0

[EdTarbusz]

Sunday June 9, 1972

Texas at Baltimore

Mike Cuellar pitches the first no-hitter of the season! Cuellar allows no hits and strikes out 6 Texas Rangers. He walked 4 and gave up 6 groundouts and 6 flyouts.

The Orioles entered the day one game out of first behind the Yankees. The Yankees have a DH against the Twins today.

[EdTarbusz]

July 10, 1972

The All Star Game balloting is over.

The starters for the All Star Game on July 25, 1972:

AL

1B Dick Allen, Chicago White Sox
2B Rod Carew, Minnesota Twins
3B Brooks Robinson, Baltimore Orioles
SS Luis Aparicio, Boston Red Sox
OF Reggie Jackson, Oakland A's
OF Bobby Murcer, New York Yankees
OF Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox
C Bill Freehan, Detroit Tigers

NL

1B Lee May, Houston Astros
2B Joe Morgan, Cincinnati Reds
3B Joe Torre, St Louis Cardinals
SS Don Kessinger, Chicago Cubs
OF Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves
OF Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates
OF Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates
C Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds

[EdTarbusz]

July 10, 1972 Monday Night Baseball

Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles

Back-up game: San Diego Padres at Montreal Expos (this weas the going to the game featured but the Cellar no-hitter moved the telecast to Baltimore). The Padres have been an exciting team this season and they deserve some national exposure. They usually play their Saturday games at night so they may be featured on the Game of the Week during an eastern trip.

Pre-game: Baltimore fans are still buzzing about Mike Cuellar's no-hitter against Texas yesterday! The Orioles got off to a slow start and still aren't hitting very well (the Orioles are hitting .227 as team; only Texas, Montreal and the New York Mets have lower team BAs and they are each playing well below .500), except for Boog Powell, and have some really shaky outfield defense. They also have the best 4 man pitching rotation in the game and have a good shot of having 4 20 game winners again this season. Even with their lack luster offense the Orioles now have the 3rd best record in baseball and are a mere half game behind the Yankees. Earl Weaver is very happy with the proseepct that the Orioles may be in first place tommorow morning.The Yankees play later tonight against the struggling Angels (this series will include another unscheduled doubleheader for the Yankees, and the Yankees will face the top 3 in the Angels rotation this trip: Andy Messersmith, Clyde Wright and Nolan Ryan along with a spot starter (probably Eddie Fisher). The Orioles series with the Royals is face-off against the two second place teams, each of whom is right in the thick of the race. This game matches two of the seasons top starters Drago and Dobson. The Orioles have won the last 3 AL pennants and want their 4th to enact some revenge against the NL. The players aren't saying anything, but they woould probably enjoy the chance to face off against Pittsburgh again in the World Series.

Kansas City has been struggling a bit in July but are now back to 3.5 games behind Oakland. Oakland is tough but has some serious holes in their line-up and Bob Lemon thinks that KC can capitalize on this and win the West. Formerly sore armed pitcher Roger Nelson (who was a non roster invitee to Spring Training) has been the difference. He replaced stuggling Mike Hedlund in the rotation in May and has gone 11 and 4 with an ERA of 1.13 and 7 shutouts in 17 starts with 14 CGs. Nelson is likely to named as Comeback Player of the Year and is a Cy Young candidate. Unlike the Orioles the Royals only have a big three (Drago, Paul Splittorff and Nelson) who been pitching well. The 4th starter duties have been split between Bruce Dal Canton and Hedlund. Like the Orioles the Royals do not have a lights out bullpen and this can be problematic for both teams. NL cast off John Mayberry is having a great season and leads the Royals offense. The middle of the Royals line-up is among baseball's best. The hard chargong Boston Red Sox (5 GB the Yankees) are in Oakland and could give the A's some problems this week. The fans in Kansas City are salivating over the chance that Kansas City could beat Finley's A's in the divisional race.

A possible ALCS preview?

In other baseball news today, the Phillies fired mangaer Frank Lucchesi. Taking over for the remainder of the season will be recently named GM Paul Owens, who will finish out the season as both Manager and GM. Next manager rumored to be fired: Leo Durocher of the Cubs.

Next week: a trip to the Astrodome for the Cardinals against the Astros.


Earlier today:

MIL 200 000 002-4 11 0
MIN 010 000 002-3 8 1
W-Parsons (7-7)
L-Corbin (2-7)
S-Linzy (2)
The Twins once promising season continues to crash and burn. Manager Bill Rigney has been fired and replaced by Frank Quilici. The Brewers spread out their attack evenly with Bob Heise being the only starter without a hit. John Briggs hit a 2 run HR in the 1st. Steve Braun and Glenn Borgmann each have 2 hits for the Twins. Bill Parsons pitches a good game for the Brewers. Frank Linzy is shaky in relief and gets an ugly save. The Twins had the tieing run on second with one out in the 9th but couldn't get him across.

Starting pitchers: Dick Drago (11-7 2.57 21g 10cg 3sho 164.2ip 141h 54r 477er 13hr 22bb 100k) vs Pat Dobson (11-5 1.96 19g 12cg 4sho 160.2ip 129h 38r 35er 8hr 38bb 95k)

Starting Line-ups:

Kansas City Royals

37 Fred Patek SS .237-0-15
1 Cookie Rojas 2B .256-4-26
26 Amos Otis CF .287-5-29
7 John Mayberry .340-16-65
9 Lou Piniella LF .281-5-53
5 Richie Scheinblum RF .298-6-34
8 Ed Kirkpatrick C .274-6-27
10 Paul Schaal 3B .201-2-20
41 Dick Drago P .055-0-3

Baltimore Orioles

16 Bobby Grich 2B .255-4-13
14 Merv Rettenmund RF .217-5-26
26 Boog Powell 1B .305-13-52
5 Brooks Robinson 3B .260-1-22 (elected as All Star Game starter)
12 Johnny Oates C .264-1-5
6 Paul Blair CF .228-5-28
28 Tom Shopay LF .227-0-1 (playing in place of slumping Don Buford)
7 Mark Belanger SS .190-1-21
37 Pat Dobson P .245-0-5

Temp is in the 60s with no wind

1st inning

KC
Patek flies to LF
Rojas Ks
Otis grounds out to 3B-Robinson making a nice throw
0r 0h 0e 0l

BAL
Grich flies to CF
Rettenmund singles to center
Powell singles to center-Rettenmund to second
Robinson Ks
Oates flies to deep RF
0r 2h 0e 2l

KAN 0 -0 0 0
BAL 0 -0 2 0

2nd inning

KC
Mayberry walks
Piniella GIDP 6-4-3
Scheinblum grounds to 2B
0r 0h 0e 0l

BAL
Blair flies to CF
Shopay Ks
Belanger grounds to SS
0r 0h 0e 0l

KAN 00 -0 0 0
BAL 00 -0 2 0

3rd inning

KC
Kirkpatrick flies CF
Schaal grounds to 2B
Drago flies to LF
0r 0h 0e 0l

BAL
Dobson flies to RF-Scheinblum makes a snow con catch!
Grich Kc
Rettenmund Ks
0r 0h 0e 0l

KAN 000 -0 0 0
BAL 000 -0 2 0

4th inning

KC
Patek flies to CF
Rojas singles to right (no back to back no-hitters tonight)
Otis grounds into FC 6-4-Otis to first
Mayberry grounds into FC 4-6
0r 1h 0e 1l

BAL
Powell Kc
Robinson grounds to third-Schaal's throw pulls Mayberry off first-Robinson safe on the error
Oates flies to LF
Blair flies to LF
0r 0h 1e 1l

KAN 000 0 -0 1 1
BAL 000 0 -0 2 0

5th inning

KC
Piniella HBP
Scheinblum doubles in the gap in left center-Piniella scores KC 1 BAL 0
Kirkpatrick grounds to 2B-Scheinblum takes third
Schaal grounds to P-Scheinblum holds third
Drago grounds to SS
1r 1h 0e 1l

BAL
Shopay flies to CF
Belanger flies to CF
Dobson Ks
0r 0h 0e 0l

KAN 000 01 -1 2 1
BAL 000 00 -0 2 0

6th inning

KC
Patek flies to CF
Rojas grounds to 2B
Otis grounds to SS
0r 0h 0e 0l

BAL
Grich Ks
Rettenmund flies to LF
Powell hits a HR to right center!-this is the Orioles first hit since the first inning! KC 1 BAL 1
Robinson singles to left
Oates flies to CF
1r 2h 0e 1l

KAN 000 010 -1 2 1
BAL 000 001 -1 4 0

7th inning

KC
Mayberry singles to right
Piniella grounds into FC 5-4-Piniella takes first
Scheinblum grounds into FC 6-4-Scheinblum takes first
Kirkpatrick walks-Scheinblum to second
Schaal grounds into FC 6-4
0r 1h 0e 2l

BAL
Blair flies to LF
Shopay flies to CF
Belanger flies to CF
0r 0h 0e 0l

KAN 000 010 0 -1 3 1
BAL 000 001 0 -1 4 0

8th inning

KC
Drago grounds out while bunting 5-4
Patek walks
Patek steals second
Rojas singles to center-Patek scores KC 2 BAL 1
Otis flies to CF
Mayberry grounds into FC 4-6
1r 1h 0e 1l

BAL
Batting for Dobson Number 25 Don Baylor (.218-2-5)
Baylor grounds to SS
Grich lines to SS
Rettenmund flies to RF
0r 0h 0e 0l

KAN 000 010 01 -2 4 1
BAL 000 001 00 -1 4 0

9th inning

AT the top of the inning it is announced that the Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second, but Andy Messersmith got out of the jam and the Yankees didn't score

KC
For BAL-number 23 Grant Jackson (LHP) now pitching (1-1 4saves 2.13 12.2ip 14h 4bb 15k 1hr .275opba)
Piniella flies to LF
Scheinblum Ks
Kirkpatrick flies to CF
0r 0h 0e 0l

In Oakland In the bottom of the second George Hendick doubles home Mike Epstein. The A's take a 1-0 lead over the Red Sox.

BAL
For KC-number 19 Bobby Knoop now playing third (better range but worse hands than Schaal)
Powell Ks
Robinson doubles off the center field wall
Oates grounds to 2B-Robinson takes third
Blair hits a grounder through Knoops legs!-Robinson scores the tying run and Blair reaches first on the error! KC 2 BAL 2
Shopay walks-Blair to second (Drago rattled?)
For BAL-batting for Belanger number 15 Davey Johnson (.221-2-24)
Johnson hits a deep fly down the LF line-Piniella makes a leaping catch on the warning track to preserve the tie!
1r 1h 1e 2l

KAN 000 010 010 -2 4 2
BAL 000 001 001 -2 5 0

10th inning

In Anaheim-Bobby Murcer hits his 23rd HR of the season in the 3rd. Yankees lead 1-0.

KC
For BAL-Johnson now playing 2B-Grich moves to SS
Knoop singles to left
Drago bunts into a FC 5-6-Drago to first
Patek singles to right-Drago to second
Rojas flies to left-runners hold
Otis Ks
0r 2h 0e 2l

BAL
Batting for Jackson number 30 Chico Salmon (0 for 5 this season)
Salmon hits a chopper in front of the plate that Krkpatrick fumbles-Salmon safe on the error
Number 9 Don Buford running for Salmon
Grich GIDP 6-4-3
Rettenmund singles to left
Powell flies to LF
0r 1h 1e 2l

KAN 000 010 010 0 -2 6 3
BAL 000 001 001 0 -2 6 0

11th inning

KC
For BAL-number 39 Eddie Watt now pitching (1-3 0saves 5.89 18.1ip 15h 10bb 6k 2hr .224opba)
Mayberry walks
Piniella singles to center-Mayberry to second
Number 30 Steve Hovely running for Mayberry
Scheinblum pops to C-infield fly called
Kirkpatrick grounds into FC 3-6-Hovely to third-Kirkpatrick to first
Knoop hits a fly into short left field-Shopay and Grich collide!-Blair makes the throw back in-Knoop is on second with a double and Hovely and Kirkpatrick score! KC 4 BAL 2
The trainer is out-both Shopay and Grich both leave the game
This the Orioles in a bind because Grich is their only extra infielder
For BAL-number 11 Terry Crowley now playing left
For BAL-number 8 Andy Etchebarren now playing short
Drago grounds to SS
2r 2h 0e 1l

BAL
For KC-Ted Abernathy is ready in the bullpen
For KC-number 18 Gail Hopkins now playing first
Robinson Kc-ball looked off the plate
Oates flies to CF
Blair grounds out 3-1
0r 0h 0e 0l

Final Score:

KAN 000 010 010 02-4 8 3
BAL 000 001 001 00-2 6 0
W-Drago (12-7)
L-Watt (1-4)

The word from the Baltimore clubhouse is that Shopay was shaken up and is OK. Grich, however, will rpobably miss at least a week. This leaves the Orioles vulnerable while he is out because he is the teams utility man.

A tough pitchers duel tonight that turned on an unfortunate collision. Drago gave up two hits each to Rettenmund, Powell and Robinson. The Orioles were able to get in the in the air (Drago gave up 16 flyouts) but only managed 6 hits. Bobby Knoop came in for defensive purposes but almost blew the game with a critical 9th inning error. Knoop made up for it by getting 2 hits. Pat Dobson matched Drago giving up 4 hits and walking 3. Grant Jackson pitched in relif. Eddie Watt was shaky but nearly got out of the inning. The pitchers definetley were in control tonight.


Other games tonight:

CHI 000 001 010-2 8 2
CLE 100 003 03x-7 11 1
W-Colbert (4-4)
L-Wood (11-12)
S-Farmer (3)
Bad news for the White Sox: Bill Melton's wrist was broken by a Vince Colbert pitch. He will miss at least two months and may be out for the season. He will be replaced in the line-up by recently acquired Ed Spezio. Graig Nettles and Ray Fosse each have 3 hits for the Indians. Wilbur Wood pitches a good game for Chicago but Buddy Bell's 2 run HR in the bottom of the 6th drives him out. Vince Colbert has an excellent start for Cleveland and Ed Farmer is excellent out of the bullpen. Pat Kelly has 3 walks for the White Sox. Mike Andrews and Ed Herrmann each have 2 hits for Chicago.

TEX 000 100 100-2 2 1
DET 000 020 40x-6 9 1
W-Coleman (11-8)
L-Paul (4-7)
Joe Coleman throws a nice 2 hitter with Don Mincher getting both of the Rangers hits. Mincher hits a HR in the 4th and gets in infield single in the 7th. Coleman's error on Mincher's second error leads the Rangers second run. Mike Paul pitches a decent game but is done in by key hits from Tony Taylor and Bill Freehan. An error by Toby Harrah in the 7th help leads to 3 unearned runs.

NYY 001 000 000-1 3 0
CAL 000 010 01x-2 8 2
W-Messersmith (8-9)
L-Peterson (9-7)
An exciting pitcher's duel in Anaheim between Andy Messermith and Fritz Peterson. The Angels led by RBI by Winston LLenas and Ken McMullen are able to outlast the Yankees whose only run comes on Bobby Murcer's 23rd HR. With the game tied at 1-1 each team had a half inning in which they got a runner on third with less than 2 outs (Art Kuysner for California and Celerino Sanchez for NY) but neither runner could get across to score.

BOS 000 000 000-0 2 0
OAK 010 000 00x-1 4 0
W-Odom (7-9)
L-Culp (9-7)
Another exciting west coast pitchers duel! Blue Moon Odom holds the Red Sox to 2 hits and 3 walks. The only run of the game comes when Mike Epstein walks in the 2nd and George Hendick dives him home with a double. The Red Sox only get 1 RISP. The A's gets 3 RISP and ground into 1 DP.

SDP 020 000 004-6 11 1
MON 020 000 000-2 7 1
W-Caldwell (4-8)
L-Walker (0-1)
4 run Padres rally is highlighted by Tom Walker's error which allows the first run and then Leron Lee's double with the bases loaded which drives in 3 runs. Starters Mile Caldwell and Bill Stoneman each pitch well. Fred Kendell has 3 hits for the Padres. Hal Breeden leads the Expos with 2 hits.

SF 211 150 001-11 10 0
NY 000 500 000-5 11 2
W-Reberger (2-2)
L-Sadecki (0-1)
A high scoring game that features two clutch pinch hit HRs: in the bottom of the 4th with the Giants leading 5-2 Dave Marshall hits a 3 run HR to tie the game. In the top of the 5th the Giants have regained the lead 6-5 and then Ed Goodson hits a PH grand slam. The Mets are not able to overcome this. 6 of the 10 Giants hots are for extra bases. Dave Rader also homers for SF. Ed Kranepool has 3 hits for NY. Frank Reberger and Buzz Capra each pitch well in relief. Capra got off to a rough start for the Mets but has been pitching well recently. Sam McDoweel has been pitching well out of the bullpen for SF and will probably rejoin the rotation soon.

LA 102 100 011-6 12 1
PH 000 000 000-0 2 0
W-Sutton (12-4)
L-Reynold (2-8)
Sharp 2 hitter thrown by Don Sutton. Jim Lefebvre and Manny Mota each have 3 hits for the Dodgers (Mota has 2 HRs for LA). In the bottom of the 7th, with the Dodgers leading 4-0, Sutton walks the first 3 men that he faces. He is able to bear down and get the next three men out on a K, short fly out and a ground out to get out of the inning without letting a run score.

ATL 000 000 010-1 7 1
STL 010 200 10x-4 8 0
W-Cumberland (1-0)
L-Schueler (6-4)
John Cumberland pitches well in his first start for the Cardinals and Diego Segui is perfect in 1.2 innings pitched in relief. Dwain Anderson is 2 for 4 with a HR and 3 RBI. Donn Clendenon has the other Cardinal RBI in the 7th. Earl Williams drives in the only Braves run with a SF. Ron Schueler pitches pretty well for the Braves. George Stone and Denny McLain are perfect in relief for the Braves.

Neither Baltimore or Kansas City gain any ground in the standings-but the Orioles don't lose any ground either.

[EdTarbusz]

Standings after the games of Monday, July 10, 1972

A League

East Div W L Pct GB
New York (A) 49 31 0.613 -
Baltimore 48 31 0.608 0.5
Boston 42 34 0.553 5.0
Detroit 38 42 0.475 11.0
Cleveland 34 50 0.405 17.0
Milwaukee 32 49 0.395 17.5

West Div W L Pct GB
Oakland 51 32 0.614 -
Kansas City 48 36 0.571 3.5
Minnesota 41 41 0.500 9.5
California 39 44 0.470 12.0
Chicago (A) 38 43 0.469 12.0
Texas 29 56 0.341 23.0


N League

East Div W L Pct GB
Pittsburgh 47 36 0.566 -
St Louis 44 39 0.530 3.0
Chicago (N) 41 42 0.494 6.0
New York (N) 37 45 0.451 9.5
Philadelphia 37 47 0.440 10.5
Montreal 29 52 0.358 17.0

West Div W L Pct GB
Los Angeles 49 34 0.590 -
Houston 50 38 0.568 1.5
Cincinnati 45 37 0.549 3.5
San Francisco 45 44 0.506 7.0
Atlanta 41 44 0.482 9.0
San Diego 39 46 0.459 11.0

[EdTarbusz]

With the All Star Game approaching I'm trying to decide if all teams should be resented or not. The only team that really doesn't seem to have at least one All Star caliber player is Texas. I also have to take a look and see if the All Star rosters are 25 players or possibly 30 players. I've always thought a better rule for choosing the teams was to have mandatory representation only for the host team (this season it's Atlanta which has had a player voted in as a starter).

[RuthMayBond]

With the All Star Game approaching I'm trying to decide if all teams should be resented or not.

I only resent the home team, and only if they suck

[EdTarbusz]

I only resent the home team, and only if they suck

LOL-squirmy son and the chaos he can cause leads to some iffy spelling!

Atlanta doesn't really suck in my scenario. They snuck into first place for several days a couple of weeks ago

[EdTarbusz]

July 15, 1972 Game of the Week-Oakland A's (51-34 .600 3.5 games ahead of KC) at New York Yankees (51-32 .614 .5 games ahead of BAL) (Game 1)

Back-up game: Chicago White Sox at Baltimore Orioles (Game 1)

Pre-game: Two hotly anticipated double-headers came to wet and disapointing conclusions last night. Oakland at New York never even got started as the the Yankees continued to be plagued by bad weather this season. In Baltimore the first game was washed out in the top of the 5th with Baltimore leading 3-0. Because of the first rain out in Rangers history there will be 5 unscheduled doubleheaders this weekend. Oakland/New York and Chicago/Baltimore are supposed to finish up their season series this weekend. In Baltimore it means doubleheaders today and tommorow. It's more complicated in New York because the Oaklnad/New York game of April 25th was also rained out and the two teams already had an unscheduled doubleheader tommorow. In prder to make their last game the A's will make a special trip from Detroit on August 24th befor going back to Oakland. The Yankees will have to come in a day early from Chicago and start their homestand a day early. This will prevent the teams from having to play a game during the All Star Break or playing the day after the season ends if the game has playoff implications.

The Yankees have the best record in the Majors but have the Orioles, who have the second best record in the Majors, breathing down their necks. The Orioles actually passed the Yankees and spent two days in first place after the Yankees lost a 17 inning marathon in Anaheim. The Yankees are now back in first and up by a half game.

The Yankees/A's series is a possible post-season preview. If the season ended today this would be the ALCS match-up. The A's are 3.5 up on the Royals who are just off of a rough series with Baltimore. The Royals are giving no sign of going away and are in Detroit this weekend.Boston and Minnesota are both in third place and are facing each other this weekend. Last night the Red Sox smalcked the Twins 8-0.The Red Sox are 4.5 back and the Twins are 7.5 back.

The NL has one playoff preview match-up this weekend-Houston at Pittsburgh.

Starting Pitchers: Vida Blue (L 5-4 2.10 10g 73ip 72h 31r 17er 4hr 23bb 60k) vs Mel Stottlemyre (R 7-7 3.34 21g 170ip 179h 76r 63er 12hr 52bb 68k)

Starting Line-ups:

Oakland A's

19 Bert Campaneris SS .232-7-32
26 Joe Rudi LF .313-9-42
9 Reggie Jackson RF .235-15-55
6 Sal Bando 3B .242-12-56
5 Mike Epstein 1B .266-19-50
25 George Hendrick CF .207-5-17
10 Dave Duncan C .165-2-6
16 Tim Cullen 2B .283-0-7
35 Vida Blue P .136-0-0

New York Yankees

20 Horace Clarke 2B .242-2-29
10 Celerino Sanchez 3B .261-0-8
1 Bobby Murcer CF .329-25-75
6 Roy White LF .332-3-43
24 Felipe Alou 1B .278-2-40
15 Thurman Munson C .252-5-26
21 Rusty Torres RF .280-2-25
17 Gene Michael SS .255-1-12
30 Mel Stottlemyre P .200-0-1

It's a really hot day (96 degrees) with rain in the forecast.

1st inning

OAK
Campaneris grounds to SS
Rudi singles to center
Jackson fouls out to C
Bando singles to center-Rudi to second
Epstein grounds to 1B
0r 2h 0e 2l

NY
Clarke flies to CF
Sanchez grounds to SS
Murcer flies to the warning track in CF
0r 0h 0e 0l

OAK 0 -0 2 0
NYY 0 -0 0 0

2nd inning

OAK
Hendrick flies to CF
Duncan grounds to SS
Cullen Ks
0r 0h 0e 0l

NY
White doubles down the left field line
Alou homers into the monuments! OAK 0 NY 2
Munson singles to center
Torres flies to RF
Michael Ks
Stottlemyre singles to left-Munson to second
Clarke grounds to SS
2r 4h 0e 2l

OAK 00 -0 2 0
NYY 02 -2 4 0

3rd inning

OAK
Blue singles to center
Campaneris grounds into FC 6-4
Rudi lines into a DP SS to 1B
0r 1h 0e 0l

NY
Sanchez singles to right
Murcer lines to SS
White pops to 1B
Alou Ks
0r 1h oe 1l

OAK 000 -0 3 0
NYY 020 -2 5 0

In Baltimore: Mark Belanger doubles home Johnny Oates in the second-Baltimore leads 1-0.

4th inning

OAK
Jackson lines to 2B
Bando singles to left
Epstein walks
Hendrick singles to short center-bases loaded
Duncan GIDP 6-4-3
0r 2h 0e 2l

Munson walks
Torres grounds to SS-Munson takes second
Michael grounds to 2B-Munson takes third
Stottlemyre Ks
0r 0h 0e 1l

OAK 000 0 -0 5 0
NYY 020 0 -2 5 0

5th inning

OAK
Cullen grounds to SS-Michael making a diving stop
Blue lines to 2B
Camapaneris lines to 3B
0r 0h 0e 0l

Even with the rain falling-it's now an official game

NY
Clarke singles to left
Sanchez GIDP 6-4-3
Murcer grounds to Blue who throws wild to first-Murcer is credited with a single and takesd second on the error
White singles to right-Murcer takes third (not challenging Jackson's arm)
Alou hits his second HR of the game into the mounments! OAK 0 NY 5
Munson Kc
3r 4h 1e 0l

OAK 000 00 -0 5 1
NYY 020 03 -5 9 0

6th inning

OAK
Rudi singles to center
Jackson lines to CF
Bando singles to left-Rudi to second
Epstein HRs to right OAK 3 NY 5
Hendrick grounds to 3B
Duncan pops to SS
3r 3h 0e 0l

NY
Torres grounds to 2B
Michael grounds to 2B
Stottlemyre flies to LF-Rudi makes a nice over the shoulder catch!
0r 0h 0e 0l

OAK 000 003 -3 8 1
NYY 020 030 -5 9 0

7th inning

OAK
Cullen grounds to SS
Batting for Blue-number 12 Orlando Cepeda (.33-0-1 since coming to Oakland from Atlanta)
Cepeda singles to left
Campaneris flies to CF
Rudi grounds into FC 4-6
0r 1h 0e 1l

NY
For OAK-number 32 Darold Knowles (L) now pitching (1-1 4.24 4saves 34ip 33h 20bb 13k 2hr .256opba) Knowles got off to a rough start this season
Clarke grounds to 2b
Sanchez pops to 1B
Murcer singles to center
White flies to LF
0r 1h 0e 1l

OAK 000 003 0 -3 9 1
NYY 020 030 0 -5 10 0

8th inning

OAK
Jackson walks (Sparky Lyle begins warming up for the Yanks)
Bando walks
Epstein hits his second HR of the game! This one goes down the right field line into the upper deck. The A's take the lead OAK 6 NY 5
Now pitching for NY number 28 Sparky Lyle (L) 3-0 0.27 10saves 33.1ip 17h 5bb 28k 0hr .152opba
Hendrick grounds to 2b
Duncan grounds to 3B
Cullen singles to center
Batting for Knowles-number 8 Larry Brown (.222-0-3)
Brown flies to LF
3r 2h 0e 1l

NY
For OAK-now pitching number 34 Rollie Fingers (R) 1-0 1.17 1save 7.2ip 6h 1bb 10k 0hr .222opba
The crowd is a frenzy as Alou steps in looking for his 3rd HR of the day!!
Alou walks
Running for Alou-number 2 Jerry Kenney
Munson grounds into FC 6-4
Torres GIDP 4-6-3
0r 0h 0e 0l

OAK 000 003 03 -6 11 1
NYY 020 030 00 -5 10 0

9th inning

OAK
For NY-number 12 Ron Blomberg now playing first
Campaneris grounds to 2B
Rudi flies to CF
Jackson Kc
0r 0h 0e 0l

NY
For OAK
Number 20 Mike Hegan now playing first
Number 2 Angel Mangual now playing CF
The A's tighten up their defense for the bottom of the 9th
Michael flies to deep CF
Batting for Lyle-number 23 John Ellis (.329-1-9)
Ellis grounds to P
Clarke grounds to 2B
0r 0h 0e 0l

Final Score

OAK 000 003 030-6 11 1
NYY 020 030 000-5 10 0
W-Knowles (2-1)
L-Stottlemyre (7-8)
S-Fingers (2)

It has just been announced that Game 2 has been rained out due to to incereased rain and the wet field-it looks like August 24th will be a doubleheader.

The long ball settles it today as Mike Epstein has two 3 run HRs and Felipe Alou hits a 3 run HR and 2 run HR to virtually the same place. Neither starting pitcher is sharp (possibly because of falling rain) but each pitches out of several rallies.

Other games

OAK
NY
Rained Out


CHI 000 000 000-0 5 0
BAL 010 001 16x-9 11 0
W-McNally (10-8)
L-Bradley (11-7)
Boog Powell's grand slam caps off 6 run rally in the bottom of the 8th. 6 of Baltimore's hits are for extra bases. Tom Bradley strikes out 10 for the White Sox. Dave Mcnally doesn't allow any of the White Sox to reach scoring position. The Orioles are in first place for the moment.

CHI 000 000 000-0 5 3
BAL 001 002 00x-3 8 1
W-Alexander (4-2)
L-Lemonds (2-7)
S-Jackson (5)
Doyle Alexander and Grant Jackson combine to shut-out the White Sox for the second time today. Don Baylor has 2 hits-he is 4 for 8 today. Alexander also has 2 hits. Dave Lemonds leaves the game after hurting himself while pitching in the 6th. He is day to day. Luis Alvarado makes 3 errors. Chuck Tanner is considering having Wilbur Wood start both games of tomorrows unscheduled doubleheader. The Orioles finish the day a full game up in first place.

KAN 102 006 032-14 19 2
DET 014 101 033-13 21 1
W-Rooker (2-2)
L-Slayback (3-3)
An offensive explosion today as the Royals and Tigers combine for 40 hits. Tony Taylor goes 6 for 6 for the Tigers, while Paul Schaal and John Mayberry each have a HR and 5 RBI for the Royals. Paul Schaal, Cookie Rojas, Amos Otis and Lou Piniella each have 3 hits for KC. Eddie Brinkman has 4 hits and 4 RBI for the Tigers. The game ends with Paul Jata on first and Al Kaline flying out to deepest center for the final out. The Royals score 14 and barely pull it out. Nine pitchers are in the game and they are all hit hard.

BOS 000 000 030-3 6 1
MIN 020 001 001-4 10 2
W-LaRoche (4-1)
L-Lee (1-6)
Twins take an early lead from HRs by bench players Rich Reese and Rick Renick. Reggie Smith knocks in 3 with a bases loaded double to tie the game in the 8th. Bobby Darwin opens the bottom of the 9th with a triple off Bill Lee. Lee then IWs the next 2 batters. Steve Braun then a game winning SF to weak armed Tommy Harper in center. Jim Kaat started for the Twins and was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the 8th.

CAL 000 000 301-4 7 0
MIL 000 000 010-1 4 0
W-Messersmith (9-9)
L-Parsons (7-8)
Vada Pinson's 3 run HR is the difference as two of the ALs better pitchers, Andy Messermith and Bill Parsons, face off. George Scott has a solo HR for the Brewers.

ATL 000 000 000-0 4 0
CHI 000 101 00x-2 7 0
W-Hooton (9-9)
L-Niekro (12-7)
Wrigley Field is treated to a tense pitchers duel between Burt Hooton and Phil Niekro with Hooton coming away with a shut-out. Bill North, getting a rare start, drives in the Cubs first run when he triples home Randy Hundley. Later in the game Randy Hundley drives in Billy Williams for the Cubs final run.

HOU 000 001 000-1 8 0
PIT 111 001 00x-4 11 0
W-Blass (10-7)
L-Reuss (8-7)
Jerry Reuss has trouble in the early innings and the Astros can't recover. Vic Davalillo has 4 hits for the Pirates. Reuss strikes out 9 but gives up 10 hits and 3 walks.

PHI 000 010 000-1 3 1
SFG 000 000 000-0 1 0
W-Carlton (13-8)
L-Marichal (8-11)
Pitching dominates at Candlestick Park with a marquee matchup of Steve Carlton vs Juan Marichal. Carlton takes a no hitter into the 7th when Willie McCovey singles for the Giants only hit. The Phillie scratch out 3 singles (the only hits that Marichal gives up) to bring home the games only run in the 5th. Carlton strikes out 12 and Maricahal strikes out 9.

Night games

CLE 000 001 000-1 6 0
TEX 300 000 00x-3 8 0
W-Stanhouse (2-6)
L-Perry (14-9)
Buddy Bell misplays Larry Biitner's 1st inning fly into a 2 run double and that's enough for Texas tonight (earlier in the inning Dave Nelson had homered). 6 of the 8 Texas hots are for extra bases. Graig Nettles has 2 hits for Cleveland. Don Stanhouse pitches his 2nd CG of the season. Gaylord Perry also pitches a CG.

CIN 010 000 000-1 7 1
STL 103 000 00x-4 5 1
W-Gibson (12-9)
L-Billingham (9-5)
Cesar Geronimo's error in the 3rd leads to 2 unearned runs. Bob Gibson strikes out 11. Tony Perez homers for the Reds.

MON 001 000 000-1 4 1
LAD 000 100 10x-2 5 1
W-Sutton (13-4)
L-Moore (3-3)
Don Sutton and Balor Moore match up in a pitchers duel at Chavez Ravine. Ron Fairly's throwing error leads to a Dodger run in the 4th and Sutton knocks in the go ahead run. Coco Laboy hits a HR for Montreal. Moore strikes out 12 and looks sharp for the Expos. Montreal remains the only team with less than 30 wins.

NY 020 000 000-2 6 1
SD 010 000 000-1 5 1
W-Matlack (9-9)
L-Norman (6-9)
Jon Matlack and Fred Norman combine for 19 strike outs tonight. Matlack is the star tonight both on the mound and goes 4 for 4 knocking in the Mets first run. Unusual for the Padres tonight: both Leron Lee and Nate Colbert go hitless. Fred Stanley and Dave Roberts each get 2 hits for San Diego.

[EdTarbusz]

Standings after the games of July 15, 1972

A League

East Div W L Pct GB
Baltimore 52 32 0.619 -
New York (A) 51 33 0.607 1.0
Boston 45 36 0.556 5.5
Detroit 41 44 0.482 11.5
Cleveland 36 52 0.409 18.0
Milwaukee 33 52 0.388 19.5

West Div W L Pct GB
Oakland 52 34 0.605 -
Kansas City 50 39 0.562 3.5
Minnesota 45 42 0.517 7.5
California 41 47 0.466 12.0
Chicago (A) 40 46 0.465 12.0
Texas 30 59 0.337 23.5


N League

East Div W L Pct GB
Pittsburgh 51 37 0.580 -
St Louis 46 42 0.523 5.0
Chicago (N) 43 45 0.489 8.0
New York (N) 40 45 0.471 9.5
Philadelphia 40 49 0.449 11.5
Montreal 29 57 0.337 21.0

West Div W L Pct GB
Los Angeles 53 35 0.602 -
Houston 52 41 0.559 3.5
Cincinnati 47 40 0.540 5.5
San Francisco 45 47 0.489 10.0
Atlanta 44 46 0.489 10.0
San Diego 42 48 0.467 12.0

[EdTarbusz]

Monday NIght Baseall July 17, 1972 St Louis Cardinals at Houston Astros

A match-up of the two second place clubs. St Louis has recovered from its June swoon and is back in second place 5 games behind the Pirates. This past weeken the Cardinals were only able to win 1 of 3 against the fast moving Reds while Pittsburgh won 2 of 3 against Houston. Houston is 3.5 GB behind the Dodgers. Houston is a well balanced team with good offense, defense and fairly decent starting pitching, except for Dave Roberts and Ken Forsch who has been disapointments. Manager Harry Walker is under pressure to drop Roberts from the rotation but Walker is reluctant to stop using the 5 man rotation. The Astros trade with Cincinnati has been paying off well for Houston with Lee May and Tommy Helms playing well. The only point of contention is that Jack Billingham would probably look better in the rotation than Roberts. They also have Jerry Reuss acuired from the Cardinals and he is pitching well. Houston has done a good job staying in contention (the Dodgers just finished a 3 game sweep of the hapless Expos) but have to watch out for the Reds who got off to a poor start but have now moved into 3rd place.

The Cardinals have a good offense, defense and pitching but are severely hampered by a lack of speed, often getting a lot of hits but having rallies die on the basepaths. The Cardinals have also suffered the pique of Gussie Busch who demanded the trades of Steve Calton and Jerry Reuss. They were replaced by Rick Wise and Scipio Spinks. While Wise and Spinks have pitched well, they have not pitched as well as Carlton and Reuss. Spinls is currently on the DL and has been replaced in the rotation by Al Santorini who has pitched well in a limited role. The Cardinals need a hot streak to keep in contention.

Earlier Today:

CIN 200 000 000-2 2 1
CHI 200 001 10x-4 7 4
W-Jenkins (10-11)
L-Grimsley (4-7)
Fergie Jenkins finally breaks his 9 game losing streak at brutally hot Wrigley Field by holding the high powered Reds offense to 2 hits. In the first inning Jenkins is hamstrung by 2 errors and gives up 2 runs (1 earned). In the bottom of the first Billy Williams hits a 2 run HR to tie the game. After the first Jenkins has little trouble giving up 2 walks and 1 additional hit. Cubs have problems on defense with 4 errors today (2 by Don Kessinger). This Jenkins first win since June 3rd.



Staring Pitchers: Al Santorini (R) (3-1 3.15 1 save 11g 4starts 45.2ip 50h 19r 16er 2hr 7bb 24k) vs Dave Roberts (L) (4-10 5.16 20g 122ip 142h 79r 70er 11hr 54bb 90k)


Starting Line-ups

St Louis Cardinals

20 Lou Brock LF .271-2-28 30 SB
41 Ted Sizemore 2B .228-2-30
9 Joe Torre 1B .304-8-55
23 Ted Simmons C .353-12-59
26 Luis Melendez RF .256-4-12
38 Jose Cruz CF .209-1-26
27 Dal Maxvill SS .216-2-22
47 Ken Reitz 3B .250-0-0 (2nd start of the year)
34 Al Santorini P

Houston Astros

14 Roger Metzger SS .216-1-21
28 Cesar Cedeno CF .325-15-59
24 Jimmy Wynn RF .256-12-60
23 Lee May 1B .275-18-84
27 Bob Watson LF 307-9-64
12 Doug Rader 3B .276-15-70
19 Tommy Helms 2B .261-3-29
7 John Edwards C .236-2-26
15 Dave Roberts P

1st inning

STL
Brock grounds to 2B
Sizemore grounds to 3B
Torre grounds to SS
0r 0h 0e 0l

HOU
Metzger grounds to P
Cedeno singles to right
Wynn flies to LF
May flies to LF
0r 1h 0e 1l

STL 0 -0 0 0
HOU 0 -0 1 0

2nd inning

STL
Simmons flies to CF
Melendez singles to left
Cruz singles to center-Melendez to third
Maxvill flies to LF-Watson makes a nice running catch!
Reitz grounds to 3B
0r 2h 0e 2l

HOU
Watson Ks
Rader singles to left
Helms GIDP 5-4-3
0r 1h 0e 0l

STL 00 -0 2 0
HOU 00 -0 2 0

3rd inning

STL
Santorini Ks
Brock Ks
Sizemore grounds to 2B
0r 0h 0e 0l

HOU
Edwards singles to right
Roberts lines to RF
Metzger GIDP 4-6-3
0r 1h 0e 0l

STL 000 -0 2 0
HOU 000 -0 3 0

4th inning

STL
Torre singles to center
Simmons singles to center-Torre to second
Wild Pitch-both runners advance
Melendez grounds to SS-runners hold (this would have likely been a double play without the wild paitch)
Cruz Kc
Maxvill Kc
0r 2h 0e 2l

HOU
Cedeno singles to center
Wynn lines to LF
May grounds out to 3B-Reitz makes a diving stop!-Cedeno to second
Watson walks
Rader flies to LF
0r 1h 0e 2l

STL 000 0 -0 4 0
HOU 000 0 -0 4 0

5th inning

STL
Reitz grounds to 3B
Santorini Kc
Brock grounds to second and is safe on Helms's error
Brock steals second
Sizemore lines to SS
0r 0h 1e 1l

HOU
Helms singles to left
Edwards walks-Helms to second
Roberts Ks
Metzger flies to LF
Cedeno grounds into FC 6-4
0r 1h 0e 2l

STL 000 00 -0 4 0
HOU 000 00 -0 5 1

6th inning

STL
Torre lines to SS
Simmons flies to CF
Melendez pops to C
0r 0h 0e 0l

HOU
On Santorini's first pitch to Wynn he bounces a pitch in front of the plate-after examination he is OK and will stay in the game
Wynn singles to left
May Kc
Watson singles to center-Wynn stops at second not wanting to test Cruz's arm!
Rader walks-bases loaded
Infield draws in
Helms fies to CF-Wynn scores after the catch just beating Cruz's throw (SF)-the runners advance on the throw home STL 0 HOU 1
Edwards doubles to left center-Watson and Rader score! STL 0 HOU 3
Roberts Kc
3r 3h 0e 1

STL 000 000 -0 4 0
HOU 000 003 -3 8 1

7th inning

STL
Cruz lines to 2B
Maxvill lines to SS
Reitz grounds to SS
0r 0h 0e 0l

HOU
Metzger walks
For STL-John Cumberland warming up
Cedeno fouls out 1B
Wynn Kc
May singles to left-Metzger to third
For STL-now pitching number 36 John Cumberland (L) (1-0 2.57 7ip 7h 2bb 2k .250oba)
Watson doubles down to right field line-Metzger and May scoring STL 0 HOU 5
Rader walks
Helms flies to center-Cruz makes a snow cone catch!
2r 2h 0e 1l

STL 000 000 0 -0 4 0
HOU 000 003 2 -5 10 1

8th inning

STL
Batting for Cumberland number 19 Dwain Anderson (.224-4-18)
Anderson singles to center
Brock grounds into FC 4-6
Sizemore Kc
Torre grounds into FC 6-4
0r 1h 0e 1l

HOU
For STL-number 31 Grezenda (L) now pitching (0-0 1.00 9ip 9h 1bb 3k .273oba)
Edwards singles to center
Roberts Kc
Cedeno walks-Edwards to second
Cedeno GIDP 6-4-3
0r 1h 0e 1l

STL 000 000 00 -0 5 0
HOU 000 003 20 -5 11 1

9th inning
Simmons singles to center
Melendez singles to center-Simmons to second
Cruz grounds into FC 4-6-Simmons to third
Maxvill Ks
Reitz singles to center-Simmons scores and Cruz takes third STL 1 HOU 5
For HOU-now pitching number 38 Tom Griffin (R) (0-1 1save 2.70 33.1ip 28h 11bb 37k 1hr .217oba)
Batting for Grzenda number 16 Donn Clendenon (.211-2-9)
Clendenon walks
Brock singles to right-Cruz scores-Clendenon stops at second STL 3 HOU 5
Sizemore flies to RF-Wynn makes a diving, snow cone catch!
3r 4h 0e 2l

FINAL SCORE

STL 000 000 003-3 9 0
HOU 000 003 20x-5 11 1
W-Roberts (5-10)
L-Santorini (3-2)
S-Griffin (2)
The Astros rally late in the game for the win. Dave Roberts pitched well but weakened in the 9th with the Cardinals making a late surge and having the go ahead run at the plate when Bob Watson made a great catch that that ended the game. If Watson missed the catch it was possible that the Cardinals may have tied the game.

Other Games tonight:

CAL 010 100 100-3 10 0
BOS 000 000 000-0 3 0
W-Ryan (11-8)
L-Pattin (9-6)
Nolan Ryan strikes out 15 as he throws a 3 hit shutout. Every member of the Red Sox strikes out at least once tonight. Making Ryan even more dominant tonight, he only walks one batter. Leo Cardenas, Jim Spencer and John Stephenson each have two hits for California.

OAK 000 200 000-2 10 0
MIL 000 000 003-3 6 3
W-Sanders (5-0)
L-Locker (2-2)
The Brewers pull out a surprising victory against the A's. Vida Blue allows two men to reach base. Bob Locker relieves him and immedietly gives up a double to Brock Davis which ties the game. With two outs Ron Theobald singles home Davis with the winning run. Gene Tenace drove home both A's runs with a double. Dick Williams rests most of the A's regulars tonight and the A's subs played well and nearly pulled the game out.

CHI 100 002 000-3 10 1
DET 308 000 01x-12 17 1
W-Lolich (14-10)
L-Bahnsen (8-9)
A 3rd inning grandslam by Bill Freehan followed by a three run Jim Northrup HR put the game out of reach for Detroit. Every Detroit starter gets at least 1 hit. Mickey Lolich gets his 14th win. This ties him with Gaylord Perry for the Major League lead.

BAL 000 120 001-4 10 0
TEX 000 000 010-1 6 0
W-Dobson (12-5)
L-Bosman (4-8)
Baltimore keeps on cruising with an easy victory over Texas. Merv Rettenmund gets 4 hits for Baltimore, while Don Baylor hits a 2 run HR. Dick Billings, Larry Biitner and Joe Lovitto each have 2 hits for Texas.

ATL 004 100 010-6 10 1
PIT 010 000 12x-4 8 0
W-Kelley (7-10)
L-Briles (9-7)
S-Upshaw (8)
Hank Aaron hits his 19th HR of the season (661st lifetime) with 2 on in the 3rd. Later in the inning Mike Lum hits a solo HR. Tom Kelley weakens in the 8th and Danny McLain has trouble putting out the fire, but the Braves hold on for the win.

NY 100 001 000-2 5 1
LA 000 100 000-1 5 2
W-Seaver (11-7)
L-Downing (9-6)
Tom Seaver shuts down the Dodgers in this make-up of the April 29th rainout. Al Downing and Pete Richert pitch well for the Dodgers. Rusty Staub homers for NY and FranK Robinson homers for LA. With two out and one on Steve Garvey hit that looks like it may go out but Cleon Jones pulls it down on the warning track to end the game.

[EdTarbusz]

Standings after the games of July 17, 1972

A League

East Div W L Pct GB
Baltimore 55 32 0.632 -
New York (A) 52 34 0.605 2.5
Boston 46 37 0.554 7.0
Detroit 42 45 0.483 13.0
Cleveland 37 53 0.411 19.5
Milwaukee 34 54 0.386 21.5

West Div W L Pct GB
Oakland 53 36 0.596 -
Kansas City 51 39 0.567 2.5
Minnesota 45 43 0.511 7.5
California 44 47 0.484 10.0
Chicago (A) 40 49 0.449 13.0
Texas 31 61 0.337 23.5


N League

East Div W L Pct GB
Pittsburgh 51 39 0.567 -
St Louis 46 44 0.511 5.0
Chicago (N) 44 46 0.489 7.0
New York (N) 42 45 0.483 7.5
Philadelphia 40 50 0.444 11.0
Montreal 29 58 0.333 20.5

West Div W L Pct GB
Los Angeles 54 36 0.600 -
Houston 54 41 0.568 2.5
Cincinnati 48 41 0.539 5.5
Atlanta 46 46 0.500 9.0
San Francisco 46 47 0.495 9.5
San Diego 42 49 0.462 12.5

[EdTarbusz]

The 1972 American Leaguer All Star Team has been named:

The starters (as chosen by the fans)

1B Dick Allen CHI
2B Rod Carew MIN
SS Luis Aparicio BOS
3B Brooks Robinson BAL
OF Carl Yasztremski BOS
OF Bobby Murcer NY
OF Reggie Jackson OAK
C Bill Freehan DET

Pitchers

Pat Dobson BAL
Ken Holtzman OAK
Jim Hunter OAK
Jim Kaat MIN
Mickey Lolich DET
Roger Nelson KC
Jim Palmer BAL
Gaylord Perry CLE

Reserves

1B John Mayberry KC
1B Mike Epstein OAK
2B Doug Griffin BOS
SS Toby Harrah TEX
3B Sal Bando OAK
OF Joe Rudi OAK
OF Roy White NY
OF Richie Scheinblum KC
OF Al Kaline DET
OF Carlos May CHI
C Ellie Rodriguez MIL
c Dick Billings TEX

MGR Earl Weaver BAL
COACH Bob Lemon KC
COACH Dick Williams OAK

[EdTarbusz]

The NL All Star team has been selected

Starters (as voted by the fans)

1B Lee May HOU
2B Joe Morgan 2B
3B Joe Torre STL
SS Don Kessinger CHI
OF Hank Aaron ATL
OF Roberto Clemente PIT
OF Willie Stargell PIT
C Johnny Bench CIN

Pitchers

Steve Carlton PHI
Larry Dierker HOU
Bob Gibson STL
Bob Moose PIT
Phil Niekro ATL
Ron Reed PIT
Tom Seaver NY
Don Sutton LA
Don Wilson HOU

Reserves

1B Nate Colbert SD
2B Glenn Beckert CHI
SS Darrell Chaney CIN
3B Doug Rader HOU
3B Ron Santo CHI
OF Bill Buckner LA
OF Leron Lee SD
OF Garry Maddox SF
OF Ralph Garr ATL
OF Billy Williams CHI
C Manny Sanguillen PIT

MGR Danny Murtaugh PIT (retired)
COACH Charlie Fox SF
COACH Red Schoendienst STL