1972 Chicago White Sox Replay

SERIES #34. TWO GAMES, WON ONE, LOST ONE. CHICAGO AT CALIFORNIA

The White Sox split a two game series against the California Angels, while Kansas City was beating Oakland twice. As a result, Chicago is in first place alone for the first time since July 12th.

Game one: Eddie Fisher(8-7) dropped a tough, 3-2 decision to Andy Messersmith and the Angels. He pitched a perfect three innings to begin the game, but then gave up a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth. Dick Allen’s triple and double and Carlos May’s double were not enough, as Chicago lost by one run.

Game two: Stan Bahnsen(11-4), Cy Acosta and Goose Gossage combined to out duel Nolan Ryan in a 1-0 White Sox win. Pat Kelly’s speed was key, as he singled to start the game, then stole second and scored on Ed Spiezio’s single. That first inning run would turn out to be the game winner. Ryan was his usual self, striking out 12 in eight innings. A tense moment for Chicago came in the fifth inning. Leroy Stanton hit a one out triple off Bahnsen, at which point Ken Berry attempted a suicide squeeze. It failed, with Allen making the play at the plate to nail Stanton. Acosta pitched the seventh, then Gossage came on in the eighth. He stayed in for the ninth, in what was a Strat closer situation. He retired Sandy Alomar for out #1, then it was a fatigue situation from then on, meaning, any dots shown on his pitcher’s card after outs, would now be singles**. As if there wasn’t enough nail biting, the Goose walked Leo Cardenas and Bob Oliver back to back, but got Winston Lleanas to ground out, advancing Cardenas to third, but forcing Oliver at second. With runners on the corners, more specifically, the tying run on third and the winning run on first, Gossage got Stanton to pop out, ending the game.

The stage is now set for a huge four game series at Alameda County Coliseum between the White Sox and the A’s. August 8th through August 12th.

American League West Standings(August 9, 1972)

Chicago/104/60/44/.577/—

Oakland/106/61/45/.575/1

Minnesota/102/57/45/.559/2

Kansas City/104/54/50/.519/6

California/105/45/60/.429/15.5

Texas/106/44/62/.415/17