1970 Great Eight League

Through game #34.

Game Results:

Boston 5 Oakland 3

WP- Gary Peters (7-1) LP- Chuck Dobson (2-1)

SV- Ed Phillips (1)

HR- John Kennedy (2), Joe Lahoud (2)

Sparky Lyle blew a save chance, allowing a walk and back-to-back doubles, in the bottom of the ninth. Despite that, Ed Phillips was able to come in and notch the final out, as the Red Sox defeated the Athletics, 5 to 3.

Cincinnati 1 New York 2

WP- Jack Aker (1-1) LP- Jim Merritt (1-5) SV- Lindy McDaniel (1)

HR- Tony Perez (6)

In a low scoring affair, the Yankees sent the spiraling Reds to their sixth straight loss, edging them, 2 to 1, at Yankee Stadium. Tony Perez’s solo home run in the second inning was Cincinnati’s lone run. New York scored twice in the bottom of the fifth, highlighted by Thurman Munson’s rbi triple.

Los Angeles 3 Minnesota 2

WP- John Lamb (2-1) LP- Stan Williams (2-2) SV- Jim Brewer (1)

HR- Jim Katt (1)

Dodger closer, Jim Brewer, had a drama filled, ninth inning, as he gave up a leadoff, pinch-hit triple to Rich Reese, while holding a two-run lead. Reese would score on Leo Cardenas’ sacrifice fly, after Brant Alyea fanned, but Frank Quilci grounded out to end the game as Los Angeles won, 3 to 2.

Pittsburgh 0 Baltimore 2

WP- Dave McNally (4-1) LP- Steve Blass (1-5)

HR- Boog Powell (5)

Boog Powell blasted a two-run, game winning home run in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Orioles a 2 to 0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Orioles’ Dave McNally tossed a five-hit shutout, fanning seven and walking four. It was another tough luck loss for Pittsburgh’s Steve Blass, who allowed just three hits, unfortunately, one of them was Powell’s walk-off homer. He walked two and struck out five.

Standings and Leaderboard courtesy of http://www.cardanddicebaseball.com

Game #34 Recap:

Boston and Baltimore are locked in a great battle to take the pennant. Boston upholds their two-game lead, but the Orioles won a huge game over Pittsburgh to keep pace, becoming the second team to notch 20 wins. Minnesota and New York are now tied for third place, with fast fading Cincinnati dropping to fourth. Los Angeles and Oakland are tied for fifth, with Pittsburgh in the cellar. The Orioles have the longest win streak at four. The Reds have a six-game losing skid.

Individually, Reggie Smith of Boston has cooled off some and a red-hot Bobby Tolan of the Reds has tied Smith in Batting Ave, Hits and Doubles. Don Mincher holds onto his home run lead with 10. Gary Peters, Ray Culp and Diego Segui are the leading, Pitcher of the Year candidates, at this stage.

Game 35 Schedule and Probable Pitchers:

Baltimore (Cuellar 4-1, 2.55) at Minnesota (Blyleven 2-2, 5.91)

New York (Bahnsen 2-2, 5.91) at Los Angeles (Foster 3-2, 5.35)

Oakland (Odom 1-4, 7.71) at Cincinnati (McGlothin 4-0, 3.33)

Pittsburgh (Veale 2-4, 5.22) at Boston (Lonborg 0-0, 3.00)

spot start for Lonborg