Through Game #54
Game Results:
Boston 0 Los Angeles 4
WP- Claude Osteen (2-4) LP- Gary Peters (9-3)
HR- Willie Davis (6)
The Dodger’s Claude Osteen outpitched Boston’s Gary Peters, tossing his first shutout in a 4-0 Dodger win, which eliminated the Red Sox and handed the pennant to Baltimore. Osteen allowed just six hits, struck out six and issued just one walk.
Cincinnati 1 Baltimore 5
WP- Dave McNally (6-1) Jim Merritt (1-7)
HR- Don Buford (6), Merv Rettenmund (3); Johnny Bench (15)
Though the Orioles had the flag wrapped up, courtesy of Boston’s win, they took no chances, putting the slumping Reds away, 5 to 1. The only bright spot for Cincinnati was Johnny Bench increasing his home run lead with 15.
Oakland 4 New York 0
WP-Chuck Dobson (5-1) LP- Mel Stottlemyer (2-7)
HR- Burt Campaneris (12), Rick Monday (4)
In the day’s second shutout, it was Oakland’s Chuck Dobson who blanked the Yanks, 4 to 0. Leadoff sensation, Burt Campaneris belted his twelfth homerun, with Rick Monday also going deep.
Pittsburgh 3 Minnesota 6
WP- Jim Katt (4-3) LP- Steve Blass (2-7)
HR- Brant Alyea (11)
Jim Katt tossed eight scoreless innings to lead the Twins to a 6 to 3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Minnesota reliever, Stan Williams gave up three Pirate runs in the top of the ninth, but the damage was done by then. It was yet another tough outing for Steve Blass, who finishes the season with a 2-7 record.
Standings and Leaderboard courtesy of http://www.cardanddicebaseball.com
Game #54 Recap:
Well, the pennant race is over, with the Baltimore Orioles emerging as champions. Boston was at the top of the standings for much of the season, but faded badly, having dropped nine of their last fifteen games. The Orioles, on the other hand, won eleven of their last fifteen. The Red Sox went out with a whimper, getting whitewashed by Claude Osteen, who picked a perfect time for his first one. Though it wasn’t needed, Baltimore took care of business with an easy win over the Reds. There are two more games left in the season, so it’s possible the standings may shift a bit, but the crown belongs to Baltimore.
Individually, Don Buford has taken the lead in the batting race over Bobby Tolan. by .349 to .348. Johnny Bench hit homerun #15 and has a two-game lead over Don Mincher. Gary Peters failed to earn his tenth win. Dave McNally improved to 6 and 1. Ray Culp almost reached 100 strikeouts, with 97, but won’t get another start. Roberto Clemente has been hot of late and makes an appearance on the Top Five in Hits list.
Game 55 Schedule and Probable Pitchers:
Baltimore (Cuellar 5-3, 3.16) at Pittsburgh (Veale 3-5, 4.08)
Minnesota (Blyleven 3-3, 3.55) at Los Angeles (Foster 4-4, 5.25)
New York (Bahnsen 2-4, 5.61) at Cincinnati (McGlothin 4-1, 3.69)
Oakland (Odom 2-4, 5.72) at Boston (Siebert 5-4, 5.99)
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