Pitching gem turned in by Rasmussen.

Atlanta,
Game 1,
Dennis Rasmussen was on target all game as he threw a complete game shutout against the Atlanta Braves.  The crafty lefty allowed only 4 hits and did not walk a batter in the masterpiece.  Rasmussen improves to 2-3 on the year while hard luck loser Jarr Jurrgens got stung with the loss and watched his record fall to 2-4. Bip Roberts supplied the only offense with a 2 run homerun in the third inning. It was the Bipster's first dinger of the season. Padres 2 - Braves 0


Game 2,
Derrick Lowe and Bruce Hurst were pitching solid games with Atlanta up 3-2- heading into the seventh inning. That was when all hell broke loose. San Diego scored 2 runs in each of the next three innings with the Braves keeping up.  The clincher came in the ninth inning when Darrin Jackson and Jerald Clark went deep for the Padres to seal the victory and made a winner of Jeremy Hernandez-who earlier blew a lead. The save was credited to Craig Lefferts, his first of the tourney.  Padres 8 - Braves 6.

Game 3,
San Diego,

Chipper tags homer in final game of series.

The Bravos played long ball in the finale of the series. Atlanta smacked 3 homeruns- all off starter Jose Melendez. This tater barrage preserved a victory in the three game set and prevented a Friar sweep.  Ryan Church got matters going with his first homerun of the year with a runner on base in the 5th innings. Chipper Jones followed with this 6th round tripper during the same inning.  Yunel Escobar hit his second homerun of the year in the sixth to add another tally for the men from the south.  Kenshin Kawakami was the recipient of the power surge as he went 7 innings allowing 3 runs on only 2 hits for his 2nd triumph of the season. Bravess 6 - Padres 3.

Cubs Sweep Padres in 4 Straight!

Chicago, Ill.
Game 1,

Holtzman wins second game

South paw Kenny Holtzman was just too much for the hitting friars today as he levels his record at 2-2. Holtzman's offspeed pitches and pin point location made it difficult for Padre hitters to get any good wood on the ball. Fred McGriff did find a fastball to his liking and crushed it into the stands for the only San Diego Tally.  Billy Williams, Glenn Beckert, and Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks each drove in a run as that was the only offense Chicago needed on a day when Holtzman was letter perfect.  Chuck Hartenstein had to come out and close matters in the ninth to notch his 4th save of the season.  Cubs 3 - Padres 1.

Game 2,
Another close pitchers duel in Chicago as Bruce Hurst and Fergie Jenkins gave fits to the batters all day. The Cubs scored a run in the 2nd inning but it did not stand as the boys from sunny southern California quickly plated two runs in the fourth inning on back to back doubles by Gwynn and McGriff. With two outs, reserve infielder Craig Shipley plated Tony Gwynn on a basehit up the middle.  It appeared that Hurst was cruising to another victory until Hurst lost his control and issued free passes to Billy Williams and Ron Santo. Santo and Williams were on second and third with 2 outs when Enie Banks strode to the plate. Mr. Cub came through big time with a solid single to right plating both Cub runners.  Jenkins struck out 11 batters and went the distance to improve to 7-2. Bruce Hurst took the hard luck loss and sinks to 5-4. Cubs 3 - Padres 2.

Santo's 2 run blast dismantles Friars

San Diego,
Game 3,
After two very close games, this one was a stinker. Chicago scored in only three innings but each of those scoring innings included three runs apiece.  Billy Williams(10), and Lee Thomas(1) homered to power the Cubs passed the Padres in the third game of the series. Adolfo Phillips collected three hits and drove in a pair to help lead a 14 hit Cub attack. The beneficiary of this offensive explosion was knuckle ball artist Joe Niekro.  Adam Peterson made his second start of the year for the Padres and also earned his second loss. Peterson served up nine runs, eight earned over five innings while Joe Niekro knuckled his way through seven innings and his fourth victory. Cubs 9 - Padres 4.

Game 4,
The Cubbies struck for gold in the 8th inning as they got to hard throwing Andy Benes for four runs.  San Diego was guarded a precarious 1-0 lead up till that point but it did not last.  Ron Santo crushed a 2 run clout to add in the cause which led to a four game white washing of the Padres.  San Diego watched their record plummet to 16-22 as Rich Nye hung around long enough for his 2nd victory on the campaign.  Cubs 4 - Padres 1.

Reds take three out of four from Dodgers

The '56 Reds (21 - 15) take three out of four from the 2002 Dodgers (12 - 25).

Game 1.  Grudzilanek homered in the first to give the Dodgers an early one run lead, but eh Reds countered with five hits to plate three runs in the third and added two runs each in the fourth and fifth and coasted to a 7 - 2 win.  John Klippstein ( 2-3) entered the game with an alarming 7.04 ERA went 6 2/3 to pick up the win while Alan Ashby, ( L(2 -5) took the loss.  The Reds banged out 16 hits and Wally Post homered for the Reds.

Game 2.  The Dodgers got their revenge in game two when Eric Karros hit a three run homer in the first to lead the LA  team to a 5 - 3 win. The Reds countered with a run in the first and tied the game with a two run homer by Wally Post (12) in the fourth, but Karros hit his second home run of the game and his sixth of the season in the seventh to give the Dodgers a one run lead.  They added a run in the ninth and Gagne set the Reds down in the ninth to gain his 5th save of the season.  Nomo, W (2-4) got the win and Acker, L (0-1) took the loss.

Game 3. The Reds jumped out to a four run lead as Smokey Burgess (3) and Wally Post (13) smacked two run homers off loser Iishi, L (1-5) and then held on desperately to eke out a 7 - 6  win. Winning pitcher Art Fowler, W (2-3) coasted until the eighth when the Dodgers struck for six runs including a two-run blast from Marquis Grisson (1), Freeman yielded two of the six runs in relief, but retired the first two batters he faced in the ninth, Don Gross came in and promptly gave up a double, but got the final out to preserve the victory.

Game 4. The Reds scored single runs in  the first fourth and sixth inning to take a three run lead and Brooks Lawrence, W (6-1) held the Dodgers scoreless for eight innings.  Frank Robinson hit a three run homer (11) in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach as the Reds cruised to a 6 - 0 win.  Perez, L (3-4) took the loss for the Dodgers.

Bosox take 2 of 3 from A's

Game 1   Oakland Coliseum
Masterson vs Rijo
Boston  14    Oakland  7
Boston got off to a quick start and never looked back.  The Red Sox batted around twice in the first 3 innings putting up 7 runs on the board and led 7-2 after 3.  The onslaught continued as the Sox scored two more in the 4th, 5th and 7th and a solo run in the 8th.  Oakland made the score closer than in looked by scoring 4 runs in the last 2 innings against a couple of little used RP.  Dom KiMaggio had 5 hits and scored 3 runs while Walt Droppo had 4 hits and 3 RBI.  The MVP of the game was definitely catcher Birdie Tebbetts who had 3 hits, including a HR, 3 runs scored and 4 RBI.

Game 2   Oakland Coliseum
Parnell vs Andujar
Boston 6    Oakland  4
Boston again took an early lead on a 2nd inning HR by Matt Batts and a 3rd inning SF by Al Zarilla.  This time the Oakland team was not intimidated as they took a 3-2 after 6 on the strength of a Terry Steinbach RBI single in the 4th and again in the 6th.  A Reggie Jackson RBI single gave the A’s their first lead of the series after 6.  Oakland increased the lead to 4-2 when Luis Polonia singled home a run in the 7th.  However the A’s bullpen could not protect the lead.  Gene Nelson allowed 2 runs in the 8th to tie the game on a Walt Droppo RBI double and a RBI ground out by Dom DiMaggio.  Jay Howell was no better in the 9th as he gave up a 2 run HR to Bobby Doerr that proved to be the game winner and gave the Red Sox a 6-4 win.

Game 3   Fenway Park
Stewart vs Dobson
Oakland  4   Boston  3   (11 Innings)
For the 3rd straight game Boston jumped out to the lead with a run in the 1st on a SF by Ted Williams.  The A’s came right back in the top of the 2nd to tie the game at 1 on an Alfredo Griffin single.  The Red Sox regained the lead on a solo HR by Dom DiMaggio in the 4th but again Oakland struck right back to tie it in the top of the 5th on a Luis Polonia HR.  The score remained 2-2 as Dave Stewart and Joe Dobson tossed goose eggs.  Steward went 8 innings and Dobson 9 and then it was the bullpen’s turn.  Oakland took the lead in the 10th when Terry Steinbach singled to right for a 3-2 lead.  This time it was the Sox who came right back to tie the game on a Johnny Pesky 2 out single.  Oakland again regained the lead in the top of the 11th on a Luis Polonia SF and this time the Oakland bullpen did it’s job as Eric Plunk retired Boston in order to win the get-away game, 4-3

--submitted by Erik Nelson--

Twins sweep O's

The Twins swept the Orioles.

game 1

twins 2 Orioles 1 .... Earl Battey's 2 run double in 3rd inning plated all of the Twins runs. Brooks Robinson homered for the Orioles in the 5th. In the 9th, with 1 out Brooks Robinson singled and took 2nd on infield out. Adair singled but Robinson was throw out at the plate.  Dailey earned the save.

game 2

Twins 11 Orioles 6 ....  The score was tied at 3 when Twins batted in the 6th.  Mincher lead off the inning with a homer and after a walk and double, Vic Power hit 3 run homer. After another out and double, Hall hit 2 run homer. Killebrew had hit 2 run homer earlier. Orioles scored 3 meaningless runs in 9th.

game 3

Twins 1 Orioles 0 ... Johnny Goryl getting a surprise start homered in the 4th inning for Twins only run.  Twins had 2 hits in the game. Orioles had men on first and third in 8th with 2 outs but Aparicio popped out. Dailey with another save.
--Submitted by Peter Winske--

Bosox take 2 of 3 from Brew Crew

Game 1

County Stadium

Dobson vs Travers

’50 Boston  4   ’78 Milwaukee  1

The Milwaukee Brewers, leading the AL West, take an early 1-0 lead as Cecil Cooper doubles in a first inning run.  Boston comes right back to tie it up in the second.  The Red Sox take the lead for good in the 4th when Bobby Doerr scores Walt Dropo, who had tripled, on a SF.  Dropo then added two insurance runs in the 6th on double to increase the lead to 4-1.  That was all Joe Dobson needed as he tosses a 3 hit complete game.

Game 2

Fenway Park

Sorensen vs Kinder

’50 Boston  11   ’78 Milwaukee  7

The Brewers again jump off to a first inning 2-0 lead on a  Cecil Cooper double that plated Paul Molitor and Robin Yount who had both singled.  Lary Sorensen was easily navigating through the dangerous Boston lineup facing 11 batters in the first 3 innings.  Unfortunately for Sorensen the 2nd time through the Boston lineup was not as easy as the first.  Al Zarilla led off the 4th inning with a HR to narrow the score to 2-1.  When the Milwaukee pitcher retired the next 2 batters it appeared he would get out of the inning.  Singles by Bobby Doerr, Vern Stephens and Birdie Tebbetts tied the score at 2.  Then Sorensen committed the ultimate no-no by giving up a 3 run HR to the opposing pitcher, Ellis Kinder, and give Boston the lead, 5-2, after 4 innings.  Milwaukee added one in the 6th but then gave up a 4 spot in the 7th on 4 singles, 2 walks and a wild pitch putting Boston up 9-3.  To the Brewers credit they came back with 4 runs of their own in the top of the 8th to get within 2 runs but Boston iced the game in the bottom of the inning with 2 runs to end the scoring.

Game 3

Fenway Park

Agustine vs Stobbs

’78 Milwaukee  10  ’50 Boston  7

Milwaukee is trying to avoid the 3 game sweep and once again they jump off with the lead on the strength of a 3 run HR by Gorman Thomas, his league leading 19th of the year.  Boston scores 2 in the 2nd on RBI singles by Dom DiMaggio and Billy Goodman to make it 3-2.  This time Milwaukee was not to be denied as they added 2 in the 4th on a Larry Hisle HR and Charlie Moore single.  They duplicated the run production in the 7th on Hisle’s 2nd HR of the game and then added another run in the 8th to increase their lead to 8-2.  Boston used the long ball to make a game of it when Ted Williams hit a PH HR to lead off the 8th and Walt Dropo did the same with a PH 3 run HR.  In between Bobby Doerr had an RBI single and the score was 8-7 after 8.  However, the Brewers added 2 insurance runs off a suspect Boston bullpen and when Boston went down in the 9th Milwaukee avoided the sweep with a 10-7 win.

--submitted by Erik Nelson--

Jints take 2 of 3 from Redbirds

Giants win 2 of 3 including a gut wrenching game 3 where Stu Miller pitched himself into a bases loaded and 0 outs jam to pitch out of it and get the SAVE! Phew!! All 3 games were very close..

--submitted by Larry Reeves-- 

Editor's Note:  The Redbirds blew a golden opportunity to gain a share of the NL (L)east lead and gain a tie with the Bucs and Bums, all at 18-15.

Amazin's take 2 of 3 from last place Dodgers

The Mets take two out of three in a series between two teams playing out the string. The high point may have been the specter of Kaz Ishii of the Mets facing Kaz Ishii of the Dodgers; alas the Dodger pinch-hit for their guy.

--submitted by Chris Gotay--

Braves take 2 of 3 from Dem Bums

The highly anticipated showdown between division contenders started in Ebbetts Field and much to the home-towners dismay the braves pounded their heroes soundly 17-6. The Braves were led by SS Johnny Logan who went 5 for 6 with 3 RBI'S and Warren Spahn cruised to the easy victore

Game 2 in the beer capital of the world the Braves once again beat up the Dodgers and Sandy Koufax 5-3. Joe Adcock and Hammerin Hank had homers for the Braves while Gino Cimoli had a roundtripper for Da Bums. Lou Burdette pitched a complete game improving his record to a fine 5-1.

Game 3 was a different story as the Braves fans showed up with brooms and this infuriated the Brooklyn players and they quickly jumped out against Gene Conoly scoring 7 runs in the first 3 innings and Don Newcombe threw a complete game evening his record to 4-4. as the visitors won easily 10-3. Gil Hodges had a 2 run shot for the winners, whose record now stands at 18-15, and the Braves with the loss stand at 19-14. Good Night from Milwaukee, now to throw down some Old Style.

--submitted by Gene Couture--

Bombers take 2 of 3 from Twins

Joe DiMaggio’s walk-off home run secures a 7-6 victory in Game 3 in Yankee Stadium and a 2-1 series win for the Yanks.
--submitted by Michael Hopcroft--

O's take 2 of 3 from Southsiders

White Sox won game 1, 1 - 0.  Keegan went the distance for the Sox allowing 4 hits and striking out 2 and walking 4. Sox run was scored as Marsh walked, stole 2nd and then stole 3rd and came in on a wild pitch.

IN 10 innings Baltimore won Game 2, 6 - 5.

Baltimore lead 1 - 0 on Brooks Robinson's solo homer into the 7th when SOX errupted for 4 runs with Groth singling in first run followed by Sawatski's 2 run triple and Boyd's rbi single. Orioles scored 1 in 8thon Siebern's double and then tied the game in 9th as Snyder hit pinch hit solo homer and after a couple of singles, Bowens hit sac fly to tie the game  In 10th Willie Kirkland's 2 out pinch hit single gave Orioles the lead but Sox came right back to tie the game on Rivera's sac fly.  In 11th Brandt lead off with a single and Aparicio sacrificed him to 2nd. Bowen's singled him in for the win. Sox had a base runner in 11th but he died at first.

In Game 3, the Orioles got 3 runs in 2nd on Orsino's 3 run homer, added 2 runs in 3rd inning as Brooks Robinson and Bowens had rbi singles and then added on in the 4th with 3 more runs as Boog Powell hit 3 run homer. Robin Roberts went 7 innings allowing 3 earned runs.

--submitted by Peter Winske--

Dem Bums drop first game then take next 2 over Redlegs

GAME 1 - Ebbets Field
Lawrence vs Newcombe
Reds 15, Dodgers 3

Big Newk took one for the team as the Redlegs lit him up for 11 runs (10 earned) in 6 2/3 innings on the hill.  Newk allowed 4 runs in both the 1st and the 5th, with the latter blowing the game wide open.  Ed Bailey (3-6) had a 7 RBI day and scored 4 runs.  Cincy's lefty hitting backstop hit his 5th and 6th homers of the season.  Lawrence (4-1, 5.24) went the distance and gave up just 2 earned runs.  Duke Snider had hit his 8th and 9th homers for the losers.

GAME 2
Klippstein vs Podres
Dodgers 9, Reds 3
Crafty lefty Johnny Podres gutted his way through 8 innings vs the fearsome Redleg lineup.  Podres had a huge lapse giving up 3 runs in the top of the 4th, but didn't falter the rest of the way before handing the ball off to Roger Craig.  Brooklyn scored runs in 5 of their 8 at bats.  Charley Neal, hitting out of the 3 hole had 4 RBI's.  Gino Cimoli knocked in 3.  Duke Snider was a perfect 2 for 2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored and 1 RBI as Brooklyn's offense was firing on all 8 cylinders.

GAME 3 - Crosley Field
Drysdale vs Nuxhall
Dodgers 4, Reds 3
The rubber match of the series turned out to be the only close one.  Brooklyn broke the ice with 3 runs in the top of the 5th off Nuxie.  After got plunked to lead off the 5th, Zim walked.  Drysdale bunted them both up into scoring position, but Junior Gilliam failed to plate anyone as he grounded back to the box.  Charley Neal picked up his keystone combo mate by lining an opposite field single between Johnny Temple and Klu.  After the Duke walked good ole' Skoonj lined one to center to score Neal and make it 3-0.  Cincy answered back with 2 in the bottom of the frame on a 2 out knock from Gus Bell that scored Wally Post and Ray Jablonski.  Both runs were unearned thanks to an untimely error by Zim at short.  Brooklyn got a huge 2 out long ball from Duke Snider, his 10th, to make it 4-2.  Brooklyn would need that insurance run as the Reds answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning.  The bottom of the 9th saw Ed Roebuck come on in relief for Don Drysdale (4-2, 2.69).  Roebuck quickly dispatched the first 2 batters but gave up a two out double to Jablonski before pinch hitter George Crowe ended the game with a weak fly to Cimoli in right.  Roebuck rang up his 4th save of the season as the Dodgers held on to beat the Reds.

Brew-Crew sweeps Mack-Men

GAME 1 - County Stadium
Grove vs Augustine
Brewers 17, A's 4
An 11 run bottom of the 3rd spelled doom for the visiting Mack-men today.  Larry Hisle, who went 5-5 on the day delivered the knock out blow with a Grand Slam.  Leadoff man Paul Molitor had 3 hits and 3 RBI's.  The only Brewer absent from the hit parade was MVP candidate Gorman Thomas, who fanned in 2 AB's and weakly made out in his other 3.  Future HOF'er Lefty Grove was victimized by his defense, who made 3 key errors in the 3rd.  Only 4 of Milwaukee's 12 runs off Grove were earned.  Jerry Augustine (1-4, 6.85) gave up just 3 and earned his first win of the season.

GAME 2
Quinn vs Caldwell
Brewers 5, A's 1
Gorman Thomas hit his league leading 16th homer as the Brew Crew pounded out 11 hits to support Mike Caldwell (5-1, 1.84) in a complete game effort.  Caldwell allowed just 4 hits against a A's lineup that featured no less than 4 future HOF'ers.  Don Money hit his 4th roundtripper for Milwaukee.  Shortstop Robin Yount was the only Brewer held hitless.  His season average has now dropped to .183 and there is a good chance he will be "rested" tomorrow.

GAME 3 - Shibe Park
Replogle vs Walberg
Brewers 12, A's 5
The Brew Crew headed into the city of Brotherly Love looking for a 3 game series sweep.  Slumping shortstop Robin Yount was curiously not in the lineup and fading ace Lary Sorensen had his scheduled start pushed back in favor of swingman Andy Replogle.  The cosmetic changes did nothing to stop the 15 hit / 12 run onslaught that the Brewers put on A's pitcher Walberg and his minion of relievers.  Cecil Cooper (4-5) knocked in 3 runs.  Don Money (3-5) did a great job hitting out of the two hole, where Yount typically hits.  Gorman Thomas blasted two tape measure shots to increase his league lead in homers to 18.  The Mackmen did post 12 hits.  Milwaukee leaves the series at 20-11.  The A's leave 17-13, but are still in the thick of it for post season contention.

Halos and Brew Crew split 4 lopsided games

GAME 1 - County Stadium
Finley vs Augustine
Angels 6, Brewers 1
Chuck Finley lost his no hit bid and his shutout on one mighty swing off the bat of reserve DH Jim Wohlford with 1 out in the top of the 6th.  After that is was smooth sailing for California's lanky southpaw.  Milwaukee would get just 2 more hits the rest of the way and never threaten.  DH Brian Downing paced the Angel offense with a perfect 3 for 3 day.  Chilli Davis and Devon White each went yard for the victors.

GAME 2
Witt vs Caldwell
Brewers 10, Angels 4
Three runs in the bottom of the first for ace lefthander Mike Caldwell is usually all that is needed.  Today the Brew Crew's ace needed more offense as he gave it all back and then some with a 4 spot by the Halos in the top of the 3rd.  Milwaukee's "O" turned on the green light for go and scored 7 unanswered runs as their ace put up bagel for his final 5 innings of work before handing the ball over to Moose Haas who fanned 2 in a perfect ninth.  Milwaukee exploded for 14 hits.  Robin Yount, Don Money and Ben Oglivie all went 3 for 4 with the latter driving in 4.  Slumping firstbaseman Cecil Cooper was a perfect 2 for 2 with 3 walks and 3 runs scored.

GAME 3 - Anaheim Stadium
Sorensen vs Blyleven
Angels 18, Brewers 4
California scored in 6 of the 8 innings that they batted in to pummel Milwaukee into submission.  The normally reliable Lary Sorensen was toasted for 6 runs on 9 hits in 4 deplorable innings on the hill.  Willie Mueller and Moose Haas were just as awful in their limited relief roles.  All the while future HOF'er Bert "The Dutchman" Blyleven (3-0, 1.93) cruised to a complete game victory where he gave up just 1 earned run.  Both Wally "Absorbine" Joyner and "Stormin" Gorman Thomas blasted two dingers.  Thomas increased his league lead to 15 in a losing cause.  Both Joyner and Johnny "Cry" Ray had 4 hit days.  Claudell Washington was a nifty 3 for 5 and scored all 3 times he was on base.  Thomas knocked in all 4 of Milwaukees runs in this laugh-er.

GAME 4
Travers vs McCaskill
Brewers 5, Angels 1
The bottom of the Brewer order (Dick Davis & Charlie Moore) victimized McCaskill with 3 for 4 days.  Bill Travers (2-2, 2.08) performed beyond expectations allowing just 1 run in 7 innings of work.  Eduardo Rodriguez finished out the final two and allowed just 1 hit.  The series split left both teams in the exact same spot they started in.