1970 Great Eight League

Through Game #51.

Game Results:

Los Angeles 5 Cincinnati 2

WP- Jose Pena (4-1) LP- Pedro Borbon (3-3)

HR- Pete Rose (4)

In one of the longest games of the season, the Dodgers scored three runs in the top of the thirteenth inning, to defeat the Cincinnati Reds, 5 to 2. Pedro Borbon had a rough relief outing, allowing a triple and three singles, in L.A.’s go-ahead inning.

Minnesota 5 Boston 6

WP- Sonny Siebert (5-4) LP- Tom Hall (1-3) SV- Sparky Lyle (6)

HR- Reggie Smith 2 (12); Brant Alyea (10), Rick Renick (2)

The Red Sox came up with a 6-5, must win game, led by Reggie Smith’s two home runs. Sonny Siebert grinded out the win, despite allowing five runs on ten hits, in seven innings.

New York 6 Pittsburgh 2

WP- Mike Kekich (1-0) LP- Luke Walker (1-2)

Danny Cater has been on fire for the Yankees, going 4 for 5, to lead his team to a 6 to 2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Gene Alley had a 4 for 5 game in a losing effort.

Oakland 2 Baltimore 1

WP- Vida Blue (2-0) LP- Mike Cuellar (5-3) SV- Mudcat Grant (4)

HR- Campy Campaneris (11), Gene Tenace (8)

Vida Blue and Bert Campaneris were the stars, as the Athletics upset first place Baltimore, 2 to 1. Blue allowed just two hits and fanned ten in a five and two third innings, non-scheduled, spot start. Campy was four for five, with a home run, double and two singles.

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

Game #51 Recap:

Baltimore lost and Boston won, which means the Red Sox are three back with five to play. The Orioles magic number remains at three. Minnesota’s loss to the Red Sox eliminates the Twins from the pennant race. Either Baltimore or Boston will be champion.

Individually, after what seemed like an insurmountable lead, Bobby Tolan has faltered down the stretch, and we now have a batting crown race. A red hot, Danny Cater is five for his last eleven and has improved his average to .345. Tolan is in a 1 for 14 slump but still leads the league at .349. The bad news for Tolan is that, because his last game went thirteen innings, he will not be able to start in game #52.

Johnny Bench still leads Don Mincher by one in the home run race, 14 to 13. Bert Campaneris has an incredible eleven long balls, from the leadoff spot.

Gary Peters will have one more start to try and get to ten wins. His ERA took a hit in his last start, and he dropped out of the top five in that category.

Game #52 Schedule and Probable Starters:

Baltimore (Phoebus 1-4, 2.63) at Los Angeles (Moeller 2-4, 3.46)

Boston (Nagy 3-4, 3.66) at New York (Kline 5-2, 3.14)

Cincinnati (Cloninger 1-2, 1.82) at Minnesota (Zepp 3-3, 3.19)

Pittsburgh (Moose 2-3, 5.88) at Oakland (Segui 7-3, 2.45)