'69 O's sweep '81 LA to clinch AL top spot

The 81 Dodgers have had a rough stretch lately. A team poised to put it's mark on the NL looks more fatigued than one might expect. Facing the AL leading O's is not a fantastic thing when one is not playing in top form. This 4 game set saw the O's run away with 3 contests and hold tight to win the only close game in the set.

GAME 1: (Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD) - LA jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the third, but became a victim of the weather more so than a victim of the jaugernaut O's. The heavens opened up and doused Baltimore with close to 30 minutes of rain. After the delay Sutcliffe didn't have much left in his arm and was removed in favor of Dave Goltz who served up 5 runs. Baltimore won this one 6-1. Even though he gave up 1 (unearned) run, Baltimore starter Jim Palmer had a no-hitter going into the ninth, but ran out of gas and had to be lifted. In the post game interview Baltimore's manager downplayed the no hit opportunity and said no one even paid attention to it since it wasn't a shutout. Palmer (6-0, 1.39), wouldn't comment on it when interview. The young hard throwing righty who battled injuries all season knew it was the right move as the team's one goal is a World Championship.

GAME 2: Valenzuela fanned 10, but McNally was mystifying. Not a hard thrower, Dave McNally relies on changing speeds and keeping hitters off stride, which is exactly what he did for 8 2/3 innings before giving way to Ed Watt who notched his 9th save. This low scoring event featured plenty of pitching. Brooks Robinson, who always brings his leather, brought his lumber today as he knocked in 2 runs. The 2 run 6th inning was the big inning for the Orioles. Brooksie knocked in Frank Robby with a double and Mark Belanger singled home Brooksie.

GAME 3: (Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA) - The change in venue did not help the Dodgers as Baltimore scored early and often. Veteran Dodger hurler Jerry Reuss just didn't have it as he gave up all ten runs and was not afforded any relief help. Sometimes during a season a manager asks a pitcher to "take one for the team" Reuss took this one on the chin. Baltimore starter Tom Phoebus went the distance and only gave up 1 run. Boog Powell continued his hot hitting with 2 huge homers and 6 RBI's on the day. Powell's linescore read 3-5 as he increased his batting average to .331. Merv Rettenmund and Don Bufford also had 3 hits and catcher Andy Etchebarren had 4 as Baltimore knocked out 16 hits on the afternoon in this rout.

GAME 4: Both teams banged out 10 hits appiec vs each team's respective starters. The difference here was that Baltimore made their hits count for more. Entering the top of the 6th the Dodgers had a 3-2 lead, but the O's exploded for 3 runs + 2 more in the following inning. Boog Powell was again the catalyst as he led off the inning with a double. Subs Merv Rettenmund and Dave May both had key hits. Davey Johnson was the offensive star of the show going 4-5 with 3 RBI while increasing his average to .361.

'54-CLE outduels '81 Dodgers

For those who like low scoring, close pitcher's duels this series was for you. The Indians came out on top by taking 3 of the 4 games, but each team could have easily won all 4 or lost all 4 games.

GAME 1: Saw both Mike Garcia and Fernando Valenzuela go the distance. Garcia gave up only 1 run and Fernando gave up 3 to come up short. The offense centered around Al Rosen who knocked in all 3 of the Indians' runs. Rosen doubled home 2 runs in the first and hit a solo shot in the 6th with 2 out.

GAME 2: Cleveland was up 4-2 going into the 8th when the Dodgers' bats began to heat up. Hal Newhouse came in to close the game out and notch his 2nd save of the season. Both teams knocked out 9 hits in the one game of the series that had some decent offense.

GAME 3: Bob Lemon gave up 1 run and 4 hits in a complete game effort, where he outdueled Burt "Happy" Hooton of the Dodgers. The 6th inning saw Cleveland send 7 guys to the plate and score 2 runs to answer back the Dodgers who had notched 1 in the top of the inning.

GAME 4: This extra inning afair (11) saw neither team able to score. The Dodgers scored both their runs on homers. Ron Cey hit a solo shot in the 5th and Pedro Guerrero won it with a deep fly in the top of the 11th off Don Mosi who had gone 3+ scoreless innings before that.

Yankee/Dodger Rivalry Proves Indecisive

The 1961 Yankees and 1962 Dodgers split an exciting and action packed four game series. The Dodgers took games one and four, while the Yankees took the middle two contests. Game four was especially exciting as the Dodgers scored two runs in the ninth to tie the game, then won it in the twelfth. Here are recaps of the games.


Game One, New York 4, Los Angeles 7

Game one saw Don Drysdale notch win number four, going the distance in a 7-4 Los Angeles win. Drysdale struck out four and walked only one in his route going performance. With Whitey Ford on the hill for the visitors, you would think this would be a low scoring game. But Ford didn’t have it this time. The Dodgers opened the scoring in third, scoring three runs on a walk to Junior Gilliam, singles by Tommy Davis and Frank Howard, a two-run double off the bat of Ron Fairly, and a single by Doug Camilli. The Dodgers added two in the fifth, but the Yankees made it a one run game when Yogi Berra flashed some of his old magic and touched Drysdale for a grand slam.

The Dodgers answered with one in the sixth when Gilliam singled home Drysdale, who had doubled. Gilliam’s single KO’d Ford. LA added an insurance run in the eighth to close the scoring on this one.


Game Two, New York 9, Los Angeles 2

Game two saw the Yankees score eight runs in the final three frames to route the Dodgers 9-2. Bill Stafford (3-2) bested Sandy Koufax, who is still looking for his first win against 3 defeats. New York scored in the top of the first on a Roger Maris single and Mickey Mantle triple. The game stayed 1-0 until the fifth, when the Dodgers got their two runs on a two out single by Maury Wills, a stolen base, Wills’ 11th steal of the season, a single by Willie Davis plating Wills, and a single by Tommy Davis scoring Willie who had taken second on the throw home attempting to get Wills.

The game remained 2-1 LA until the seventh, when Koufax lost the strike zone. He walked the bases full, then gave up a sac fly, a double and a single to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead. The Yankees then turned things into a route in the ninth, plating five more runs off reliever Ron Perranoski.


Game Three, Los Angeles 4, New York 5

The Yankees hit solo homers in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, which erased a 4-2 Dodger lead and held up for a 5-4 Bomber victory. Little Bobby Richardson hit the seventh inning shot, his first of the year.

The Dodgers scored two in each of the third and fifth innings, with the Yankees scoring two in the first. Roger Maris then unloaded a long drive into the stands in right to cut the lead to 4-3 in the fifth. Moose Skowron hit his blast with two out in the sixth to tie it, setting the stage for Richardson’s blast the following inning. All five Yankee runs were off starter Joe Moeller (2-1). Hal Reniff (1-0) relieved Ralph Terry in the sixth and got the win. Luis Arroyo pitched two scoreless innings for his fifth save.


Game Four, Los Angeles 7, New York 5

The best game of the series started out looking like a Yankee cakewalk, as the Bombers poured four runs across in the first inning off of usually reliable Dodger starter Johnny Podres. After fellow lefty Bud Daley blanked LA in the top half of the first, the Yankees jumped all over Podres. Bobby Richardson started the inning with a single. Hector Lopez then walked, as did Roger Maris. Podres got Mickey Mantle to ground to third, which scored Richardson. Elston Howard then jumped on a Podres fastball and deposited the ball over the left field wall for a three run homer.

Podres settled down after that though, blanking the Yankees the remaining five innings he worked while his mates chipped away at the lead. The Dodgers put single runs on the board in the second, third and fourth innings, the run in the fourth coming on a solo homer by former Yankee Andy Carey. The Yankees added a run in the eighth on an Elston Howard single, which Frank Howard bobbled in right allowing Elston to move up a base. Moose Skowron then singled Howard to third, from where he scored on a sacrifice fly by Tony Kubek.

The Yankee manager stayed with Daley to try to get his complete game win, but the Dodgers had other ideas. Willie Davis started the ninth with a single, and Johnny Roseboro coaxed a walk. Pinch-hitter Duke Snider then hit a rocket, but it was right at Bobby Richardson for the first out. Maury Wills, a disappointment for the Dodgers so far, then shot a single through the hole between first and second plating Davis and sending Roseboro to third. Junior Gilliam then rifled a shot down the line in left to send Roseboro home with the tying run, as the speedy Wills flashed around the bases. It looked like Wills would put the Dodgers up as he flew around third, challenging the weak throwing arm of Hector Lopez. But Lopez made a perfect play on the ball and pegged a one-hopper to the plate, where Elston Howard blocked out Wills and applied the tag, keeping the game tied.

The momentum stayed with the Yankees and pinch-hitter Bob Cerv walked leading off the ninth against Phil Ortega, and Richardson followed with a single. After pinch-hitter Johnny Blanchard bounced out, sending runners to second and third, the Dodgers brought in lefty Ron Perranoski to face Roger Maris. Perranoski got Maris to line out to first baseman Ron Fairly, then challenged the struggling Mickey Mantle and got the Mick to line to Wills at short, ending the threat.

There was no scoring in the 10th or 11th innings, but the Dodgers erupted in the 12th off of fiery Yankee reliever Jim Coates. Maury Wills started the inning with a single, and promptly stolen second. Jim Gilliam then bunted Wills to third, from where he scored on a Tommy Davis single. Big Frank Howard then hit a long drive to left center that scored Davis, with the big guy lumbering around the bases for a triple. After an intentional pass to Ron Fairly, Andy Carey ended the inning by hitting into a 6-4-3 double play.

But the damage had been done. Stan Williams, who had pitched a scoreless 11th, set the Yankees down in order in the 12th to gain the win.
This was an exciting series between two legendary ball clubs.

'69 O's sweep '86 Mets to go to 20-4

In 1969 O's lost 4 straight (after winning the opener) to the Amazin's and lost the World Series which was all but guarranteed to them. Facing the Mets again, albeit a different season, the O's vowed to turn the tables and exact a pound of revenge.

GAME 1: (Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD) Crafty lefties Bob Ojeda and Dave McNally hooked up for a classic pitcher's duel. McNally got 2 runs, Ojeda got 0 and the O's took the opener. Brooks Robinson hit a tape measure shot off Ojeda in the 2nd to open the scoring. McNally himself participated in the offense as he singled in the 5th and moved to second when Met RF'er Darryl Strawberry booted the ball and let it go all the way to the wall. Two batters later Davey Johnson singled him home for all the runs that the O's would need on the day.

GAME 2: Featured two lefty starters just like the opener. Both Mike Cuellar and Sid Fernandez were less than impressive. Cueller hung around longer to notch the win to got 5-0, but this game was all on the offense. Up 5-3 in the 6th Randy Myers couldn't hold the game and the O's went on top to win 6-5. George Foster hit 2 big homers for the Mets, who thought it was going to hold up. Oriole magic saw to that not happening. Chico Salmon pinch hit for Cuellar in the 6th and triggered a huge rally with 2 outs. Frank Robinson doubled in 2 in a huge 3 running inning for the birds.

GAME 3: (Shea Stadium, Flushing, NY) This contest saw Ron Darling no hit the O's for 5 innings and look extremely comfortable riding a 5 run 1st inning offense explosion by his teammates. The O's being as magical as they are didn't panic and scored 6 runs in the top of the 9th and the shocked fans at Shea expecting miracles of their own just fell silent. The O's had 6 consecutive batters reach base, which included back to back homers by Frank Robinson and Boog Powell. Paul Blair had the GWRBI with a sac fly. He has truly been Baltimore's MVP. Lefty Pete Richert came on to notch his 3rd save on the season in the bottom of the 9th.

GAME 4: The O's decided to bypass ace Jim Palmer since his arm was a little sore from his last outing. In his stead journeyman Jim Hardin took the hill vs Met act Dwight Gooden. Doc has been an enigma for the Amazin's all season. Management can not figure out why someone with all of his talent is faltering game in game out. Speculation in the NY press is that Doc has a substance abuse problem. Manager Andy Weinrib, not being a physician, has been forced to trot Doc out every 5th day and hope he reverts to his 1985 Cy Young form. This game turned into a laugher by the 6th inning. Both pitchers kept the game scoreless for the first 3 innings, but the O's errupted to score 7 off Gooden and put the game out of reach. Gooden gave up 4 of Baltimore's 5 homers on the day. Boog Powell hit his 9th and Frank Robinson hit his 8th. Even pitcher Tom Hardin found the blueprint for the long ball.

Baltimore swept the series and moved to 20-4 to solidify their lead in the AL. New York dropped below .500 and opened the door for the rest of the NL to move into 1st place in what seems to be a division no one wants to win.

'88-Dodgers and '79-Pirates Split Series

Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, Another close hardfought game for the Dodgers as this time they played host to the "Lumber Company" 1979 Pirates. Both teams battled throughout the game with the final tally being scored on the game's final play. The scoring began in the first inning as Willie Stargell doubled in Bill Madlock off Dodger starter Tim Leary. The Dodgers knotted the game up at 1 in their half of the second when Kirk Gibson led off with a walk and then stole second base. For the game, both teams combined for 9 stolen bases. Gibson later scored on a clutch 2-out single to right by shortstop Dave Anderson. Both teams tallied a run in the fourth. The Dodger run came on a solo homerun to right by Kirk Gibson. Pittsburgh retook the lead in the 5th on a single and a stolen base by Omar Moreno(the second of his 3 stolen bags on the day.) Dave Parker drove Moreno home on a sacrifice. The Pirate lead did not last long as the Dodgers scored a run in the 6th as Shelby lead off with a triple, and Gibson drove him in with a single. Los Angeles took the lead in the 7th on a leadoff homerun to leftcenter by backup catcher Rick Dempsey, his 1st of the year. Jay Howell came in the ninth inning for the Dodgers but could not hold the lead as he surrendered the tying run. The score was tied at 4 going into the bottom of the ninth. Grant Jackson was on the hill for Pirates when the Dodgers came to bat in the 9th. With 2 outs Steve Sax walked and stole second base. On the attempted steal, Steve Nicoscia's throw sailed into centerfield for a 1 base error. Mike Davis was called back and Mike Marshall was sent up to pinch hit. Marshall rewarded his skipper with a clutch game winning single to make the final score 5-4 in favor of Los Angeles.

Game 2, at Dodger Stadium, Things looked bright for the Dodgers going into the second game of the series as they had their ace Orel Hershiser on the mound but sometimes the best laid plans do not work out. Hershiser's mates spotted him to an early 1-0 lead in the first but that changed in the Pirates half of the third. Willie Stargell took a Hershiser hanging slider and bombed it deep into the rightfield pavillion with two runners on to give Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. The Pirates increased their lead in the 6th inning as Bill Madlock connected for yet another Pittsburgh 3 run homerun. After 6 innings, the Pirates led 6-1. Hershiser exited the game after 7 innings and 78 pitches. Only 3 of his runs were earned but none-the-less his record falls to 1-3 with a spectacular 2.44 ERA! Bert Blyleven(2-1) got the win for Pittsburgh as he went 8 innings surrendering 2 runs on 10 hits and striking out 6 batters.

Game 3, at Three Rivers Stadium, Jim Bibby and lefty Fernando Valenzuela battled in the third game of the series. Fernando was battered around as he lasted only 5 innings as he surrendered 6 runs on 10 hits. Ed Ott and Willie Stargell connected for homeruns off Valenzuela to put this game out of reach. Bill Robinson also had a big day at the plate for the Pirates as he went 3 for 3 with a run scored. Bibby threw 6 innings of 4 hit ball to earn his first victory of the year against 4 setbacks. Enrique Romo earned his first save of the year as he pitched the final three innings of the game for the Pirates. Final score....Pirates 6.....Dodgers 1.

Game 4, at Three Rivers Stadium, The Dodgers used a couple homeruns by backup players to win a rare blowout game. Tracy Woodson and Rick Dempsey both hit homeruns in the Dodger 9-3 victory. Los Angeles erupted for 14 hits in the game to give veteran righty Don Sutton his 1st victory of the season. Sutton went 6 innings and surrendered 3 runs on 8 hits. He also struck out a season high eight batters on the night. The "Candy Man" John Candeleria started for the Pirates and pitched a solid game of 6 inning ball but the wheels fell off as the Pirate Bullpen got into the act. First was Dave Roberts, who entered the 7th inning in a 3-3 tie. Roberts surrendered 5 runs on 6 hits in 1.1 innings. Next came Dock Ellis, who gave up 1 run in an inning and two thirds. The Dodgers tallied 5 runs in the eighth inning to put this game out of reach. John Shelby and Steve Sax collected 3 hits each in this game as the Dodgers displayed a rare show of offense....Special note...Steve Sax went 9 for 17 in the series with 5 runs scored and 2 stolen bases as the Dodgers split the 4 game series with the powerful Pittsburgh Pirates.

77-NYY & 88-LA Split Series...Stay in Basement

Game 1, at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles took the first game of the series in a hard fought 1 run ballgame. The opening series matched up Mike Torrez of the Yankees against Tim Leary of the Dodgers. The Yankees struck first in the opening inning with an RBI single by Chris Chambliss. However, Los Angeles got their low octaine offense going in the bottom of the second inning as they erupted for 3 big runs on RBI singles by Mike Scioscia and Alfredo Griffin. Even pitcher Tim Leary got in the scoring mix with a sacrifice fly. In the top of the third inning, after a lead off single by Thurman Munson, Reggie Jackson crushed a Leary fastball deep into the seats in rightfield to knot the game at 3. Fireworks were not done yet as Kirk Gibson blasted a long homerun to right in the bottom half of the inning to give the Dodgers a 4-3 lead. The Yankees tied the game in the fourth inning with a bases loaded walk to Chris Chambliss. Los Angeles retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single by second baseman Steve Sax and that is the way the game stayed. Mike Torrez went to 0-5 on the year. The Yankees smashed out 13 hits but could not get most of them in. Leary went 6 workman innings for Los Angeles and received help from his bullpen as Brian Holton and Jessie Orosco pitched the final three innings without surrendering a run. Orosco earned his 1st save of the year.

Game 2 at Dodger Stadium, The Yankees pounded out 6 runs on 11 hits as New York took the second game of the series. Shawn Hillegas got the start for the Dodgers and went only 5 innings surrendering 5 runs on 7 hits. Catfish Hunter got the start for New York and pitched a strong 7 innnings of 1 run and 4 hit ball to earn his first win of the year to improve to 1-2 on the season. Hillegas evened his season record to 1-1. The Yankees did not score more than a run in any one inning but managed to score one run in each of the first four innings to put this game out of reach early. No really hitting star in this game as everyone except Graig Nettles and Willie Randolph collected at least one hit for the game.


Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, This game matched up Fernando Valenzuela and Ed Figueroa. This game was another close one that was not decided until the final inning. For a while it looked like The Dodgers were going to win their second game in a row as they held a 5-1 into the sixth inning. With the game tied at one apiece going into the third inning, Kirk Gibson connected for this second homerun in two games but this time it was good for three big runs. Fernando Valenzuela got into the act with an RBI double in the sixth inning to add to Los Angeles's lead. The Yankees offense got rolling in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Yankees got 2 runs in the bottom of the seventh and leading off the 8th, veteran Paul Blair hit a leadoff homerun to get things started. The blast was Blair's first homerun of the year. New York added another run in the 8th to tie the game at 5 through 8 innings. Tim Crews was on the mound in the ninth inning for the Dodgers and the first batter he faced was captain Thurman Munson, who promptly singled for his third hit of the game. One out and a walk to Graig Nettles, Mickey Rivers was sent up to pinch hit for Paul Blair. Rivers lined a clutch double into the rightfield gap to score Munson giving the Yankees a great 6-5 victory. The Yankees were jubilant as they appeared dead for most of the game but were inspired by Munson, who refused to give up. Tim Crews(0-1) got the lost and Ken Clay(2-0) earned the victory for New York.

Game 4, at Yankee Stadium, This game was a classic pitchers duel between Ron Guidry and Tim Belcher. Both pitchers did a great job of holding the opposing offense down for most of the game. The Dodgers scored the first run of the game in the fourth inning as Pedro Guerrero singled and Mike Marshall walked. The next batter, John Shelby grounded out to third but it moved the runners up to second and third with only one out. Jeff Hamilton hit a rountine grounder to shortstop to score Guerrero to make the score 1-0 in favor of Los Angeles. Belcher was doing a great job of holding down the Yankee offense as he held the big bats to no runs on only one hit through 7 innings. The Dodgers added an insurance run in the 8th inning with a Marshall sacrifice fly to deep centerfield scoring Steve Sax, who doubled to lead off the inning. Jay Howell came in to pitch for Dodgers in the eighth inning a threw 2 innings of shutout ball to earn his 2nd save of the year. Tim Belcher evens his record at 2-2, while Guidry moves to 3-2. Final score...Dodgers 2....Yankees 0.

Pirates "buc" Dodgers take 3 of 4

The series featured two teams headed in opposite directions. The Pirates were slumping as of late and the Dodgers had found new life with new manager Mike Roberts. Both were slugging it out for the 3rd playoff spot in the NL.

GAME 1 (Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA): This matchup featured two pitcher who had a lot in common, except the most important thing: winning. Dodger ace Don Drysdale is tall and imposing and can hit like a regular player, so can Pirate starer Don Robinson. Drysdale on most days is the ace of his team's staff. Robinson is not. Popular thought would have this matchup favoring the Dodgers' Don. Popular opinion is not worth the parchment it is printed on. Don Robinson gave up 2 runs in 6 innings of work, which is more than acceptable for a 4th or 5th starter. Don Drysdayle gave up 4 runs in 5 innings, which is not acceptable for any pitcher, least of all a man who is his staff's ace. The big inning was the top of the 5th, where Pittsburgh got to Double D and scored all 4 runs and hastened his exit. There was no "long ball" that inning. The Pirates manufactured runs and tested the Dodger defense. Grant Jackson and Kent Tekulve came on in relief of Robinson to shut out LA.


GAME 2: Another popular opinion is that when Sandy Koufax is on the mound all is right in Dodgerland. The problem with this opinion is that Sandy's automatic years were 1963-66. This is 1962, a season where Koufax began to emerge as a dominant, but injured force. The Pirates are a very balanced hitting team and they forgot to be intimidated. Sandy was able to strike out 8, but he did give up 5 runs (3 earned). The Dodger defense let him down. The Dodger offense did not since they were able to compile 4 runs, which is usually 3 more than Koufax needs. The win was a true testament to the resolve of the Steeltown 9, since they were down 4-0 after the first and they were facing a man who was on the verge of greatness. Curiosly, both Ed Ott and Dave Parker (lefties) hit homers. The Pirates chipped away with 2 in the 4th and 6th and 1 in the 8th to win this one.

GAME 3 (Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA): This 6-5 offensive oriented contest needed 10 innings to be decided. By this time both staters, Jim Bibby (PIT) & Stan Williams (LA) were long gone. With one out in the bottom of the 10th Pirate left fielder Bill Robinson hit a walk off homer to send the Pirate faithful home happy and chanting "sweep". Ron Perranoski took the loss out of the bullpen after tossing 2 1/3 shutout innings and attempting to stretch it to a 3rd. Grant Jackson also went 2 and 1/3 shutout innings, but he never had to face that "8th guy", nor did he give up the long ball.


GAME 4: With the Pirate faithful chanting sweep the Dodgers came out determined to not let that happen. Having Johnny Podres on the hill helps. Podres, who won game 7 of the 1955 World Series vs the hated Yankess has always been known to be cool on the hill. The crafty lefty has an ability to rise up on big occasions and frustrate even the best hitter. Podres wasn't great, nor was he dominating, but he did give his team 9 innings and he never let the Pirates think they could come back after going down 6-0. Clutch pitchers know how to pitch to the scoreboard and Podres did. The Dodgers got homers from both Davis' (Willie and Tommie) and Jumbo Frank Howard as part of a 8 run, 10 hit onslaught of the Bucs.

Orioles Claw Tigers to take 3 of 4

The jaugernaut that we call the 1969 Baltimore Orioles keeps rolling over opponents. The 1968 Detroit Tigers are an outstanding club, but the were only able to take 1 game in 4 tries from the O's.

GAME 1 (Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD): This was the game for the Tigers. Hope sprung eternal and Tiger starter Denny McLain was dominant. There's no secret as to why the big righty won 31 games that season and had a sub 2.00 ERA. The O's just couldn't solve him. They had him on the ropes on more than one occasion, but McClain would not yield the big run. Detroit jumped out to a 1-0 lead as second sacker Dick McAuliffe hit a tape measure shot to center off of Oriole starter Dave Leonhard, who only gave up 2 runs in 8 innings, but that was not good enough to beat "the gambler". The Tigers got an insurance run that they dearly needed in the top of the 8th. The O's answered back and got a run of their own, but fell short in the bottom of the 9th even after Paul Blair led off with his third hit of the day.

GAME 2: The O's needed to get on track and they did by scoring in the bottom of the 1st after Don Bufford lead off with a double. 2 batters later big John Wesley Powell, know to his fans a Boog, knocked him in for his first RBI of the day. That lead would not last long as Oriole starter Mike Cuellar would give up a collasal 2 run shot to his opposite number, Earl Wilson, who hit 7 in 1968. Wilson and Cuellar matched each other pitch for pitch after that until both were lifted in the 8th inning. Heading into the bottom of the 9th Detroit looked like they were going to hold on, but with 2 outs Patterson gave Chico Salmon something he could hit and he promptly singled home Ellie Hendricks and we headed to extra frames. Both managers took different approaches for extra innings. Detroit decided to go with a bullpen by committee and play for a quick win. Baltimore put in spot starter Tom Phoebus and figured to play for the long haul. This piece of strategy almost came back to burn the O's as Detroit scored 2 runs in the top of the 12 and looked to have it all sewn up. Tiger centerfielder Mickey Stanley lead off with a walk and promptly scored as Tiger great Al Kaline homered to plate them both. Kaline, who suffered with nagging injuries all year finally got his national moment in the sun. Unfortunately for the long suffering Tiger fans that moment would be eclipsed by what the O's were going to do in the bottom of the 12th. Veteran reliever Don McMahon started the inning and got pinch hitter Andy Etchebarren to strike out. Things looked good, but McMahon was out of gas, since he had already pitched the 11th. Out came fireballed Pat Dobson with the task of getting 2 more Orioles out and giving Detroit the first two games of the series and a happy plane right home to Wayne County Airport. This was not to happen. Dobson was not to get any Orioles out. Don Bufford immediately single to left and the Oriole faithful began to stir. Davey Johnson followed that with a double and everyone was on the edge of their seat. With 1 out and runners on second and third gold glove centerfielder Paul Blair delivered a sharp single to center to tie the game. Before the dust could settle Boog Powell would drive him home with a sharp hit into the gap. The play at the plate was close, but the fleet footed Blair was home and so were the Orioles. Another magical win in a magical season.

GAME 3 (Tiger Stadium, Detroit, MI): In a shocking move the Tigers were forced to start lightly used 20 year old Les Cain in place of Mickey Lolich, who was nursing a sore arm. Cain had never faced a lineup like the 69 O's and his inexperience showed. By the end of the 2nd Cain was gone and so were the Tigers hopes. Baltimore pounded him for 5 runs, which is more than enough for Oriole ace, Jim Palmer, to protect. Palmer went the distance and threw an economical 69 pitches to improve his record to 5-0. The Tigers could only muster 3 hits off of Palmer and never threatened. The big blow in the game came off of Boog Powell's bat. After Merv Rettenmund lead off with a single and Frank Robinson walked, Powell slammed a 3 run shot. The O's scored 6 more times before the contest ended. On a side note future HOF'er Eddie Mathews singled to lead off the 9th. Mathews is in the process of winding down a fantastic career and hopes to contribute many key pinch hits off the bench for the Tigers down the stretch.

GAME 4: This game figured to favor the offense, since both teams were starting back end rotation pitchers. Tom Hardin toted the rubber for the O's and went 7 innings and gave up 4 runs. Normally that won't get it done. Luckily for Hardin he was facing Detroit's Joe Sparma who threw 125 pitchers in 5 innings of action and left the game on the short side of the ledger. Both team's bullpens were stellar. Pat Dobson, looking to redeem himself for his poor game 2 performance, threw 4 shutout innings. The O's relied on Dick Hall and Eddie Watt and neither disappointed. Watt notched his 6th save as he struck out the first 2 batters he faced in the 9th (Don Wert and Ray Oyler). Gates Brown pinch hit for Dobson and doubled, but wound up stranded as Dick McAuliffe popped out to Davey Johnson at second to end it. Willie Horton was again Detroit's hitting star, going 3 for 3 with 2 homers. The big blast being a 3 run shot in the bottom of the 4th to tie the game after Baltimore took a 3 run lead over the first 3 innings. Baltimore got the long ball from Boog Powell and Frank Robinson. Normally light hitting shortstop Mark Belanger went 3-4 and raised his average to .366 to lead the senior circuit.

DIAMOND DUST: The O's moved to 20-4 and seem to be in total control of the senior circuit. Detroit dropped to an even 12-12, but is still very much in the playoff picture. Tiger manager Bill Keller was agitated in his post series interview when asked why Lolich did not make an appearance vs the 1st place O's. Keller, not one to mince words, blamed his pitching coach Dave Koch for limiting Lolich's EPC rendering him useless to the Tigers for this 4 game set. Keller left the podium in an abrupt fashion mubling how this EPC thing needs to be fixed next year...or else !

'61 Bombers sweep '77 Edition

Al played 2 games vs the computer and Eddie played 2 games vs me (Marc). Any way you slice it the results were the same, the 1961 Yanks found a way to win. Mantle has gotten hot. He now has 9 homers. Maris is heating up too, as he went deep twice in the opener. This is good news for the folks on 161st and River and bad news for the rest of the AL.

GAME 1: Catfish Hunter gave up 3 solo shots and lost this game to Bill Stafford who gave up 2 runs on 5 hits. Dick Tidrow came in and yielded the 4th homer. Maris went deep twice and Berra and Boyer followed suit once each.

GAME 2: Bill Terry improved his record to 2-1 as he went the distance and gave up only 2 runs (solo shots by Graig Nettles and Mickey Rivers). The '61 crew were carried by "the Mick" who hit his 6th and 7th of the year. He and Maris knocked in 5 of the 6 runs scored by the bombers. Ed Figueroa took the loss and dropped to 0-4 on the season.

GAME 3: Tony Kubek went 3-4 includinga solo homer to open the scoring, but he was not the star of the game. The Mick as always finds a way to outshine anyone and everyone. Mantle also went 3 for 4, but clout 2 homers (8th/9th of the season). With the score tied at 3 in the top of the 9th Mickey his a 2 run shot to put his team ahead for good. The "gator", Ron Guidry was the victim. Whitey Ford (4-1, 1.52) gave up 3 runs and went the distance for his 4th win of the season. Ellie Howard also went 3-4, but was not involved in any of the scoring. Thurman Munson's homer tied the game at 3 and looked to be the key hit of the game until Mantle struck.

GAME 4: The '77 Yanks fell short again (by 1 run) in this offensive oriented game. '61's starter Bud Daley gave up 4 runs, but the lineup behind him is so potent he has the luxury of not having to be perfect. Don Gullett his opposite number doesn't have tha luxury as his team is hitting around .240 on the season. Both teams had 2 homers. Maris hit one out and looks to be heating up. The '77 team and a pull the names out of the hat lineup, which seemed to get them going. In the end the '61 squad was just to powerful to contend with.

62-LA sweeps 81-LA

Every fan in this series wore Dodger Blue, as the 1981 LA Dodgers faced the 1962 LA Dodgers. There was even some confusion who the “Home” team actually was.

Game 1 – this was going to be a pitching duel as Don Drysdale and Jerry Reuss were on the mound. 1981 LA struck first in the 2nd inning with a walk, an error, and a single – which led to an unearned run for Drysdale. Drysdale in all held the 1981 team to just 3 hits, while going the distance. In the bottom 3rd, 1962 LA got 3 straight hits from Drysdale, Wills, and Gilliam to produce 3 runs of their own. 1962 LA led 3-1 after 3. Reuss settled down after that inning – and held them scoreless the rest of the way. But, 1962 LA did manage 11 hits off Reuss for the game. 1981 LA managed another run in the 6, when Dusty Baker hit a HR off Drysdale – but that is all they could muster. 1962 LA won this game 3-2 – and they out hit 1981 LA 11-3.

Game 2 – this appeared to be another pitching duel as Burt Hooten faced Joe Moeller. 1981 LA struck right away with a leadoff Double by Steve Sax in the top 1st, who would eventually score. 1962 LA countered with 2 runs of their own off a Double by Tommy Davis and a HR by Frank Howard. In the 2nd, 1962 LA scored 2 more runs off 3 straight hits again from Jim Gilliam, Ron Fairly, and Larry Burright – and 1962 LA led 4-1 after 2. An error in the 3rd allowed 1981 LA to score another run – but they were held to 4 hits for the game and ran out of gas. 1962 LA managed 2 more runs in the game off a Triple by Larry Burright in the 5th and a Double by Willie Davis in the 8th. 1962 LA won 6-2 – and out hit 1981 LA 9-4.

Game 3 – The 1981 LA team were now heading Home and looking for some answers. They put Bob Welch on the mound to face Johnny Podres. 1981 LA felt confident facing Podres and felt they could get some hits and score some runs off him. How wrong they were. The 1981 LA team did manage 7 hits off Podres, who went the distance – but were held to just 1 run in the 3rd. Welch did his part and contained the 1962 LA squad to 2 runs, which came off some timely hits in the 2nd and 7th. This was a pitching duel, as 1962 LA won this game 2-1 – and once again out hit 1981 LA 10-7.

Game 4 - This was another pitching duel – and 1981 LA put Rick Sutcliffe, a 5th starter, on the mound to face Pete Richert. 1981 LA was looking to salvage some dignity – being the division leader heading into this series…..not to be. 1981 LA did strike first with a run in the 6th off a couple of hits – and still led 1-0 going into the 8th. Sutcliffe did a good job holding 1962 LA scoreless thru 7 and allowing only 3 hits. In the 8th, 1962 LA managed a run off a couple of timely singles – to tie the game at 1-1. Ron Perranoski came in for 1962 LA and shut the door in the 8th and Larry Sherry came in to hold the 9th – so we are heading into Xtra innings. In the 10th, 1962 managed a run off Dave Stewart with a couple of hits – and 1981 LA could not counter. 1962 LA won the game 2-1.

This was an unexpected 4-game sweep by 1962 LA – who now forced a tie with their 1981 LA counterpart. Both teams are now 10-10 – and only the 1986 NY Mets are better at 11-9. So, it looks to be a tight race in this division with only 16 games left to play.

-contributed by George Bseraini-

54-CLE takes 3 of 4 from 88-LA

Game 1, Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium)

Ramon Martinez made the start for the Dodgers against legend and Hall of Famer Bob Feller in the first game of this series and even though Ramon held his own against the talented Indians, he lost the game 5-0. The Indians scored a run in the second inning and that would be all that they would need for this game as the Dodgers could not post a run on only 2 hits. Bob Feller went the distance on his 2 hitter and also scored a run. Offensive star for Cleveland was second baseman Bobby Avila as he drove in 2 runs with 2 hits.

Game 2, Los Angeles

Lefty John Tudor made his first start of the season for the Dodgers and received some rare offense for the Dodgers as Los Angeles knocked off the Indians in game 2. Tudor went 7 innings and surrendered 1 run on 5 hits. He received bullpen support from veterans Jessie Orosco and 1984 ERA National Leauge winner Alejandro Pena. Pena earned his 3rd save of the year with an inning of work. The game was tied at one when the Dodgers came to bat in the bottom of the third inning. John Tudor led off the inning with a roller in the hole as Bobby Avila bobbled it for an error. Steve Sax bunted him over to second and then singles by Heep, Gibson and Shelby plated 2 runs. Franklin Stubbs then doubled in another run to make the score 4-1 in favor of Los Angeles. That was it for the scoring as the Dodgers held on to even the series at 1 win a piece.

Game 3 at Cleveland (Municipal Stadium),

Another close game as the Dodgers traveled to "friendly" Cleveland for a short 2 game series at Municipal Stadium. Cleveland ace Early Wynn made the start against savy veteran righty Don Sutton. Both pitchers were on their games as they shut out the opposing offenses. The Dodgers drew blood first in the top of the 3rd inning. Steve Sax singled with two outs then proceded to steal second base(his 7th bag of the year). Danny Heep drove in Sax with a clutch single. Dodgers 1.....Indians 0 after three innings. The Indians displayed some 2 out magic themselves in the bottom of the fifth inning. Back to back singles by Doby and Rosen put runners on first and second base. Vic Wertz drove both runners in with a double. Wynn took the ball and shut out the Dodgers for the rest of the game. Wynn went the distance to get the win with 4 hit ball and no walks. Wynn earns his second win of the season as Sutton goes to 0-1.

Game 4 at Cleveland,

Hard luck Orel Hershiser and Mike Garcia matched up in the series finale. This game was the most exciting of the series as Cleveland got out to an early 3-0 lead after three innings. Parttime firstbaseman Glynn drove in all three runs in the early going for Cleveland with a sacrifice fly and a single. The Dodgers crept back in the ballgame as they scored two runs in the 8th inning as Kirk Gibson drove in a pair with a clutch single. Hal Newhouser started the 9th inning on the mound for Cleveland as faced off leadoff batter Tracy Woodson. Woodson was making the start and firstbase as regular starter Franklin Stubbs was given a day of rest. Woodson hit the first Newhouser to pitch into the left center field stands to tie the game at three. Newhouser retired the Dodgers without further damage. In the bottom of the ninth inning and Brian Holton on the mound for Los Angeles, Pinch hitter Dave Pope stepped up to the plate and smashed a walkoff linedrive homerun to rightcenter field to send the Cleveland faithful home happy. Orel Hershisher did not get the decision in this game but he has had little luck with wins. For the game, Hershiser went 7 innings surrendering 6 hits and 3 runs(only 1 was earned). On the season, Orel has a 2.20 ERA and only one victory in five starts. -contributed by Joey Scigliano-

68-DET takes 3 of 4 from 86-METS

In the opener, GAME 1 at Shea Denny McLain (1-2, 2.25) got his first win of the season. McLain went the distance and tossed a 4 hit shutout of the 'Amazins. Banjo hitting Ray Oyler (.167) opened the scoring with a homer off of Met starter Rick Aguilera to lead off the top of the 3rd. Oyler know exclusively for his leather and not his lumber game McLain the only run he'd need all day. For good measure Detroit added an insurance run in the 6th.

GAME 2 saw the Tigers wax the Mets by scoring 6 runs off of Ron Darling. John Hiller gave Detroit 7 innings of 3 hit shotout ball before handing the ball off to the seldom used pitchers in the bullpen. Tiger second baseman Dick McAuliffe was 3 for 3 on the day. Bill Freehan hit his first homer of the season and left fielder Willie Horton hit his 4th.

GAME 3 (Tiger Stadium, Detroit, MI) was the Mets chance to strike back, and they did. Starter Bobby Ojeda improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season as the Mets won 5-3. The key to this game was the 5 run 7th inning that New York Posted. At the time Tiger starter Joe Sparma was cruising to a shutout. In fact Detroit increased their scoreless innings streak vs New York to 24 consecutive innings. New York posted all 5 runs off of Tiger mis-cues and small ball. An interesting fact is that Darry Strawberry lead off the inning with a strikeout and closed it the exact same way as the Metsies batted around.

GAME 4 saw the Tigers return to their pitching dominance as 2 hurlers combined to shut New York out. Veteran southpaw Mickey Lolich, who already threw a no hitter this season, went 8 1/3 innings before seeding to Patterson who notched his first save of the season. Lolich again was dominating as he struck out 9 Met batter, while only walking 1. Met starter Dwight Gooden gave up only 2 runs, but with his offense not scoring those would prove to be detrimental. Tiger catcher Bill Freehan opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd with a solo shot off of Doc Gooden with 2 out in the inning. The Tigers tacked on another run in the 4th when Willie Horton scored on a sac fly from that hitting machine known as Ray Oyler (all sarcasm intended).

As a result of the series New York and Detroit both now have 11-9 records. Detroits fantastic pitching carried them to victory as they kept New York off the scoreboard in 35 of the 36 innings played.