1972 Chicago White Sox Replay

SERIES # 14. FOUR GAMES, WON THREE OF FOUR. CHICAGO VS CALIFORNIA

Of the four games played between the Chicago White Sox and the California Angels, two were marathons, lasting 14 and 16 innings, respectively. Chicago won 3 of 4, taking both ends of a doubleheader, 5-2 and 8-7. They then lost a 1-0 decision in sixteen innings and won the finale, 4-1. The second game of the twinbill was the fourteen inning affair, with Steve Kealey(2-2) the winner in relief. The first game of the doubleheader saw Tom Bradley(6-1) get the win on the mound. Pat Kelly(1) homered for the first time this year. In game two, Carlos May hit his (6th) homer, putting Chicago ahead in the top of the fourteenth. Ed Spezio(1) and Rick Reichardt(1) also homered in that game.

The benches emptied for the third game of the series, with both clubs fielding largely substitutes. Chicago decided to pit Dave Lemonds, who had only worked in relief against flamethrower, Nolan Ryan. This game would also move into extra innings, in fact, it went sixteen, with California finally winning, 1-0. Lemonds did a great job, working seven full innings, while allowing 0 runs on just two hits. He struck out six and walked two.

Ryan was, well Ryan. He set a new Stratball mark for strikeouts in nine innings with fifteen. He pitched into the 12th inning. With back to back long games, the White Sox had no choice but to use Stan Bahnsen(3-2) in relief, skipping his next start. Unfortunately, he gave up the winning run in the bottom of the sixteenth inning.

Chicago got a complete game win out of Wilbur Wood(4-1), his second of the season, in a 4-1 win. Dick Allen led the bats with four singles, Jay Johnstone and Pat Kelly had three hits apiece.

The White Sox now return home to Comiskey Park to face the New York Yankees in a four game series, again with a doubleheader.

American League West Standings(May 31, 1972)

Chicago/38/28/10/.737/—

Minnesota/35/23/12/.657/3.5

Oakland/37/23/14/.622/4.5

Texas/41/20/21/.488/9.5

California/41/15/26/.366/14.5

Kansas City/37/13/24/.351/14.5