1972 Chicago White Sox Replay

SERIES #44. TWO GAMES, LOST BOTH. OAKLAND AT CHICAGO

The Chicago White Sox were humbled by the Oakland A’s, losing twice against the green and gold.

Game one: Despite being outhit, 14-13, the A’s showed the White Sox that, while hits are important, it’s turning those hits into runs that really counts. That they did, with a 10-4 pasting of Chicago, behind Ken Holtzman, a good hitting pitcher, who homered himself and also drew two walks. Joe Rudi led the charge, with a pair of homeruns, a double and a single. A battered Eddie Fisher didn’t make it out of the first inning, surrendering Rudi’s first homer, two doubles a single and three walks and was charged with four runs. Despite the barrage, the next pitcher in line, Vincente Romo(4-5) was tagged with the loss, as he allowed four more, albeit all unearned, thanks to errors by Carlos May and Mike Andrews. Down, 8-0, the fact Chicago battled back to score any runs was a miracle, but they tallied four of their own over the middle innings, thereby taking Fisher off the hook. Rick Reichardt, who hadn’t tripled all year before yesterday’s game, hit another, knocking in Dick Allen who had singled, in the fourth. Reichardt then came in on May’s sac fly. The Sox would add another in the fifth and sixth, but Oakland put up runs in the seventh and eighth, to cap it.

Game two: There would be no comeback effort for Chicago in the second game. Vida Blue saw to that with a 7-0, four hit shutout. Blue struck out ten and walked two, in the gem. He got early support from Sal Bando and Reggie Jackson, who each hit two run homers. Stan Bahnsen(13-7) was the losing pitcher.

This now gives Oakland a full two game lead in the West. Chicago finishes up their homestand with four games against the California Angels, while the A’s take on the Texas Rangers.

American League Western Division(September 7, 1972)

Oakland/131/77/54/.588/—

Chicago/131/75/56/.573/2

Minnesota/129/68/61/.527/8

Kansas City/129/66/63/.512/10

California/131/59/72/.450/18

Texas/132/52/80/.394/25.5