Round 2: Miracle Bombers (10) upset Chisox (4) in 3 straight

GAME 1 - Comiskey Park

Peterson vs Peters

Yankees 1, White Sox 0

Fans came to the South Side of Chicago expecting a nail biting pitcher's duel between two lefties who were on top of their game vs two stagnant offenses.  They got just what they expected.  Gary Peters was spot on dominant for 7 innings before being lifted for a pinch hitter with runners on the corners and 2 outs.  Peterson, who would eventually go the distance and notch the shutout, had his moments of turbulence.  With 2 out in the bottom of the 2nd Jerry Adair doubled down the left field line.  Knowing that runs would come at a premium today the Chisox waved Ken Berry around third and tried to score him all the way from first.  Yankee leftfielder Tommy Tresh threw the ball to cutoff man Horace Clarke, who relayed a perfect pea to catcher Ellie Howard to erase Berry in a cloud of dust.  A similar scenario would occur again in the bottom of the 4th as the Pale Hose strung together 3 consecutive singles.  Moose Skowron, who was looking for revenge from his former mates, registered the 3rd single, which was a hot smash up the middle.  A hard charging Mickey Mantle, playing on half a leg came up throwing and nailed lead foot Johnny Romano at the plate to keep the scoreless tie in tact.  It would stay scoreless until the top of the 9th when Tresh led off the inning with a 355 foot blast to nirvana.  Fritz Peterson, who grew stronger as the day went on, set the Chisox down in order in the 9th to nail down the 1-0 shutout.

Yankees lead series 1-0

GAME 2 - Comiskey Park

Stottlemyre vs Horlen

Yankees 4, White Sox 3

Nothing could top yesterday's pitching performances.  Today's game would be just as close as the series opener, but it would feature a bit more balance between pitching and offense.  New York got on the board with a 363 foot 2 run blast by Roger Maris.  Maris' blast plated his M&M boy partner Mickey Mantle (4-4), who is having himself a private renaissance this tournament. Chicago manager Dan Holm said at this point, "2 runs...Chicago scores that many in 2 games...no way of getting 3".  The Chisox must have heard their skipper, because they rebounded for solo runs in the 1st and 5th to tie the game up at 2-2.  New York was scoring their runs with the long ball, while Chicago was forced to grind them out with walks, hits and bunts.  the top of the 8th saw a new pitcher for Chicago, Bob Locker, but a mirror image result of inning 2.  Mantle once again singled to reach base and Maris again delivered a 2 run shot.  This 2 run shot would turn out to be the knockout blow.  The Chisox rallied hard for a run in the bottom of the 8th, but overcoming a 2nd two run deficit was too much to ask.  New York got stellar relief work from Dooley Womack, who came on in the 8th with the bases loaded and pitched out of the jam.

Yankees lead series 2-0

GAME 3 - Yankee Stadium

John vs Bouton

Yankees 9, White Sox 7

The series shifted twelve hundred miles east to the Big Ball Orchard up in the Bronx.  Yankee fans, who during the regular season were described by their lead WPIX broadcaster Red Barber as, "disguised as empty seats", showed up in droves.  Well over 72,000 including SRO were in attendance to witness their pinstripe heroes trying to do the unthinkable:  win their 3rd playoff series in a row.  Fans were more than just delighted to see their team jump out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first and knock Chicago starter Tommy John out of the box.  Sox manager Holm said, "5 runs ?  Sox score 5 runs in a month, this game is over".  Once again manager Holm inspired his troops to do the unexpected.  Chicago answered the Yankees right back with 3 runs in the top of the 5th off of Jim Bouton, who was quite lucky to get out of the inning without any further damage thanks to a stellar fielding play by Lou Clinton in right.  Off of Tommy McCraw's single, slow footed pinch hitter Smokey Burgess attempted to score from second.  Clinton threw a one hopper to Ellie Howard, who applied the tag to end the carnage.  Clete Boyer singled home a run in the bottom of the 3rd to give New York a 5-3 lead.  The offenses began to slow down during the middle innings.  Bouton was still shaky on the mound, but he was just good enough to wiggle out of trouble until he was lifted after completing the 6th.  The goal was to put the ball in the bullpen's hand to carry the Yankees to victory over the final 3 innings.  Chicago must not have been clued into the plan, because they managed to score a month's worth of runs in the top of the 7th off of lefty Steve Hamilton.  Chicago capitalized heavily on errors by gold glover Clete Boyer, who booted one and launched another into the expensive seats.  Not to make excuses, but Boyer has spent the year jockeying back and forth between his customary hot corner spot and shortstop as the Yankees battled injuries and Tony Kubek's retirement.  Still, Boyer needed to make those plays.  Surrounding Boyer's bookend errors, all with 2 out, were some timely hits by pinch hitter Jerry McNertney and "Mighty Mite" Al Weis.  When the dust all cleared, Hamilton yielded 4 unearned runs and the Southsiders had themselves a 7-5 lead.

The Bombers failed to answer back in the 7th and the Chisox didn't bother to pad their lead in the 8th.  With time beginning to run out, the Yankees struck back in the bottom of the 8th.  Back to back to back singles by Tresh, Pepitone and pinch hitter Jake Gibbs cut the deficit to 1.  Roger Maris, who took over in right from Clinton, was given and intentional pass to load he bases with 1 out.  With the pitcher due up, rookie Roger Repoz was called upon to pinch hit.  Up by 1 with the bases loaded and 1 out Chisox manager Holm chose to walk Repoz, which plated the tying run.  Holm, who saw how hot Repoz was said after the game, "He was going to knock in at least 2 runs, walking him prevented the Yanks from taking the lead".  Holm's out of the box strategy was designed to cut his loses and escape with a tie.  That decision was rendered moot when Bobby Richardson hit a one hopper back to the box, which should have been an inning ending DP.  Instead reliever Eddie Fisher threw the ball away and Jake Gibbs slid in for the go ahead run.  Horace Clarke would lift a sac fly to center to score Maris and just like that New York went from being 2 down to 2 up.  Sloppy fielding, poor relief pitching (by Wilhelm and Fisher) and some unorthodox decision making did the Southsiders in.  Taking no chances the Bombers brought in Dooley Womack to close out the 9th.  After a lead off single by Skowron, Womack got the next 3 to end the game and the series.  Pete Pamos notched the win having faced just one batter in the 8th before New York's comeback.  New York's offensive star was hometown boy Joe Pepitone (3-4), who knocked in 3, scored 3 and hit a 3 run shot in the first.  New York closes out the unfathomable sweep and heads to the final 4.

Yankees win series 3-0

Round 2: Cards (6) defeat Reds (7) in 4

GAME 1 - Busch Memorial
O'Toole vs Gibson
Cardinals 4, Reds 3
Great low scoring battle that was tied 3-3 heading into the home half of the 9th.  Don Nottebart was on the bump in relief of Jim O'Toole, who gave up 3 in 6 1/3.  After Julian Javier struck out on an 0-2 offering pinch hitter George Kernek single sharply between the 4-3 hole.  Lou Brock (3-5) lined a 2-2 curveball from Nottebart down the right field line for a walk off triple.  Orlando Cepeda (3-4) also eclipsed the 3 hit mark.  Hal Woodeshick threw 2 scoreless innings in relief of Gibson for the win.
Cardinals lead series 1-0




GAME 2 - Busch Memorial
Maloney vs A.Jackson
Reds 12, Cardinals 4
Cincy broke open a tight 3-2 game with 4 runs in the 6th and 5 runs in the 7th.  Jim Maloney, who is 3-0 in the tournament, cruised to victory even though he didn't have his best stuff.  Diminutive lefty Al Jackson was abused by the Red offense for 7 runs (6 earned) in just over 5 innings of work.  Leo Cardenas (4-5) scored 3 runs and knocked in another to pace the Red offense.  Cardenas hit his 3rd homer of the tourney and his 1st double.  St. Louis managed just 5 hits.
Series tied 1-1

GAME 3 - Crosley Field
Carlton vs Pappas
Cardinals 9, Reds 7
St. Louis compiled a 9-2 lead after 3 innings, then got a wee bit too cozy and had to hold on for dear life against the resurgent Reds.  Cincy dug itself a huge early hole when starter Milt Pappas gave up 7 runs in 1 1/3 innings.  Adding insult to injury is the fact that Pappas was acquired by the Reds in exchange for Frank Robinson at the end of the '65 season.  Cincy counted on Pappas heavily to be part of a restructred rotation.  Instead, Pappas rewards the Queen City fans with this horrific performance.  Pappas' opposing number, Steve Carlton, was purely pedestrian during his 6 1/3 inning outing.  Carlton gave up 5 runs (4 earned) during that span.  However, he was 3 for 3 at the plate and scored 2 runs.  Maybe all of that baserunning tired him out.  Both teams combined for 27 hits.  Pete Rose was 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored for Cincy.  Joe Hoerner notched his 2nd save of the tournament despite giving up a run.
Cardinals lead series 2-1

GAME 4 - Crosley Field
Jaster vs Nuxhall
Cardinals 3, Reds 2
An RBI double by Pete Rose and an RBI single by D.Johnson staked Joe Nuxhall to a 2-0 lead after 4.  St. Louis, aided by errors from Nuxhall and Tony Perez tied the game up in the top of the 5th with a pair of runs.  Tim McCarver led off the 6th for the visitors with a triple and scored immediately on Phil Gagliano's sac fly to center.  Neither team would threaten to score over the final three and a half innings.  Nuxhall would wind up being the hard luck loser thanks to his and Perez' fielding.  Larry Jaster notched the win with 8 solid innings.  Hal Woodeshick threw a scoreless 9th for the save.  St. Louis' balanced attack featured 2 hit games from McCarver, Gagliano and Javier.  As a team the Redbirds are hitting .310 for the tournament.  McCarver's 2 hits were both triples.
Cardinals win series 3-1

Round 2: Dodgers (1) discover their offense in final 2 games to blow out Braves (5) in 4

GAME 1 - Dodger Stadium
K.Johnson vs Koufax
Dodgers 2, Braves 1
Ken Johnson gave up 2 unearned runs in the 5th.  He might as well have given up 20 runs, because he was facing the great Sandy Koufax, who never gives an inch.  The 1966 Cy Young Award winner had a no hitter going until the 5th, which is commonplace for him.  What isn't commonplace for him is a line drive single, which he achieved with 2 outs in the 5th.  Willie Davis followed with a one hopper to short that Woody Woodward booted.  Maury Wills singled to right to score Koufax and make it 1-0.  Lou Johnson followed that up with an RBI single of his own to make it 2-0.  Koufax actually looked human in the 7th when Joe Torre took him to the warning track after Hank Aaron singled.  Rico Carty's slicing double down the rightfield line scored Aaron, but that was all the Braves could muster against that dominant lefty from Brooklyn.  Koufax would allow 1 run on 3 hits, while fanning 8 in a complete game effort.
Dodgers lead series 1-0

GAME 2 - Dodger Stadium
Lemaster vs Drysdale
Braves 4, Dodgers 0
Game 2, just like game 1, belonged to a dominant lefty performance.  This time that lefty work the uniform of the Atlanta Braves.  Denny LeMaster was brilliant scattering 6 hits and fanning 7 for a complete game shutout.  Atlanta only managed to score 4 runs off of 12 hits, but with LeMaster being "THE" master, those 4 runs were more than enough.  Felipe Alou and Eddie Mathews each had 3 hits.  Dodgers starter Don Drysdale was barely effective, giving up 4 runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.  Bob Miller and Joe Moeller eat up innings as the Dodgers seemed to have conceded this contest early.
Series tied 1-1
GAME 3 - Fulton County Stadium
Osteen vs D.Kelly
Dodgers 11, Braves 1
For the 3rd game in a row it was a lefties' paradise.  This time it was Claude Osteen's turn to dominate.  Osteen had himself a shutout until Hank Aaron hit a solo shot in the bottom of the 9th.  By that point LA had completely bombarded the Brave pitching staff into submission.  Not one Dodgers starter, including Osteen, went hitless.  Osteen's hit was a solo homer.  Jim Lefebvre (4-5) and Lou Johnson (2-4) each had 3 RBI days.  Lefebre had more hits (4) than the entire Brave lineup (3).  Old Timer Junior Gilliam even got into the action going 2 for 5.
Dodgers lead series 2-1

GAME 4 - Fulton County Stadium
Sutton vs Cloninger
Dodgers 12, Braves 5
Rookie sensation Don Sutton lost his focus and his shutout bid in the bottom of the 7th when Atlanta scored 3 runs off of him.  By that time the score of the contest was 10-0, so one could hardly blame Sutton for his lack of concentration.  For the 2nd consecutive days the normally offensively challenged Dodgers hit double digits on the scoreboard.  Catcher Johnny Roseboro and Rightfielder Ron Fairly each had 3 hit days before they left the game for defensive replacements.  Sweet Lou Johnson was on base 4 times in 5 plate appearances.  Johnson went 2 for 3 with a walk and 4 RBI's.  Hank Aaron hit his 2nd solo shot in as many days, but even his offensive prowess couldn't overcome his teams shoddy pitching.  Sutton was the only starter in the lineup not to get a hit.  Even farmhand Bart Shirley managed to get himself a pinch hit knock as the Dodger offense is firing on all 8 cylinders.
Dodgers win series 3-1

Round 2: Tigers (3) end Nats (8) Magical run

Washington's underdog run ended quickly when it ran into Detroit's scorching offense.  Wasn't much Justin could do in this series, his players just didn't perform.

Jack - Detroit

4 RBI's & HR	CG victory w/10k's	3 HR's & 5 RBI

September 21;  Tiger Stadium

The Senators jumped out to an early lead (their only lead of the series as it turned out) when Frank Howard's single and a Willie Horton error allowed Bob Saverine to score.  However, the Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the 1st and never looked back in a 12-1 victory.  Norm Cash homered and had 4 RBI's and Don Wert reached base all five times he stepped up to the plate.  Denny McLain pitched a complete game, scattering 6 singles.  Washington starter Barry Moore was knocked around, giving up 7 runs in 3 2/3.

September 22;  Tiger Stadium

Earl Wilson overpowered the Sens, twirling 8 shutout innings and striking out 11 in a 10-0 Detroit victory.  The Tigers offense was purring again with 13 hits off of Phil Ortega and Jim Hannan.  Cash had 2 more hits and RBI's apiece while catcher Orlando McFarlane had the game's only HR.

September 24;  D.C. Stadium

Al Kaline hit a two-run HR in the 1st inning to end Washington fans' hopes for a home rally.  Kaline homered twice more in the game for a monster 3-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI game.  Norm Cash and Jim Northrup also homered for the Tigers.  Washington starter Mike McCormick, who gave up 4 of the HR's said "I had good stuff in the 'pen warming up, I don't know what happened".  Detroit starter Johnny Podres relived his glory days with the Dodgers with a solid complete game performance. 

Round 1: Ancient Bombers (10) upset O's (1) in miracle sweep

GAME 1 - Memorial Stadium
Downing vs Palmer
Yankees 4, Orioles 2
Roger Maris' 2 run shot off of Jim Palmer in the top of the 6th put the resurgent Bronx Bombers on top 3-2.  Joe Pepitone's solo blast in the 9th off of Dick Hall would allow New York to double up the O's behind 7 strong innings from Al Downing.  Pepitone would go 2 for 5 and increase his tournament batting average to .467.  Baltimore would compile just 4 hits.
Yankees lead series 1-0

 



GAME 2 - Memorial Stadium
Peterson vs McNally
Yankees 13, Orioles 2
The cast of Cocoon, I mean the New York Yankees, once again turned back the clock five years earlier and bombarded the O's with 17 hits that plated 13 runs.  Unheralded switch hitting rookie Roy White came out of the shadows of the M&M boys to go 3 for 5 with 4 runs scored and an RBI.  1962 Rookie of the Year Tommy Tresh also recorded 3 hits as well as 3 runs.  Elston Howard and Hector Lopez provided some late inning long balls for window dressing as the 10th seed Yankees put the #1 seed O's on the ropes.  Fritz Peterson gave up just 1 run in 7 innings of work and left the game after throwing just 88 pitches.  Bob Friend finished out the final 2 innings, so New York's lefty ace could be well rested if needed later in the series.
Yankees lead series 2-0

GAME 3 - Yankee Stadium
Barber vs Stottlemyre
Yankees 6, Orioles 2The heavily favored O's needed a spark or their tournament would end quickly and tragically.  Back to back RBI hits by Boog Powell and Brooks Robinson in the top of the first staked Steve Barber to a 2-0 lead.  Those 2 runs looked to be the spark that would get this heavily favored O's team back on track.  Unfortunately for the O's someone forgot to tell the Cinderella Bombers that it was time for them to collapse.  New York answered right back with 4 mammoth runs in the bottom of the inning and just like that the O's were back on life support.  After Bobby Richardson led off the game as a strike out victim the next two batters (White & Tresh) both walked.  The Mick singled home White to make it 2-1.  Joe Pepitone (2-3, 2 runs scored) followed with an RBI single of his own to tie the game at 2-2.  A sac fly by Clete Boyer put the Bombers up and a single by Lou Clinton made it 4-2 New York.  With a lightning fast 2 run lead third year man Stottlemyre put the hammer down on the O's bats.  Mel would get to within 1 out of a complete game victory before he ran out of gas.  Hal Reniff was called in from the pen to face little Luis Aparicio with runners on 1st and 2nd and 2 out.  Aparicio showed zero patience by lunging at Reniff's first offering which he beat into the ground.  Shortstop Boyer fielded it cleanly and pegged a strike over to Pepi at first for the final out of the game.  New York's pitching staff held the O's famed lineup to a .188 team batting average.  Frank Robby hit an abysmal .091 and Brooksie went .083.  When your two big bats are that cold it's impossible to win.  Cleanup hitter Boog Powell hit only .222.  The burning embers of the great Yankee dynasty move into the Elite 8 looking like it's 1961 all over again.
Yankees win series 3-0

Round 1: Chisox (4) edge Tribe (5) in 4 one run games

GAME 1 - Comiskey Park
Bell vs Horlen
Indians 3, White Sox 2
The Tribe got a solid complete game performance from Gary "Ding Dong" Bell, who went the distance and gave up just 2 runs on 8 hits, while fanning 7.  His opposing number, Joe Horlen was victimized by 3 errors from his keystone combo.  Shortstop Jerry Adair booted 2 and second sacker Wayne Causey butchered 1.  Cleveland capitalized by scoring 1 unearned run off of those errors, which provided the difference.  Leon Wagner (3-5) was the hitting star for the Tribe.  Tommy McCraw, Floyd Robinson and Wayne Causey each had 2 hits in a losing effort.
Indians lead series 1-0

 
GAME 2 - Comiskey Park
Siebert vs Peters
White Sox 3, Indians 2
Tied 2-2 after 8 1/2 innings of play the Pale Hose needed just 1 run off of Sonny Siebert to walk off with a win.  Siebert line heading into the 9th was 2 runs on 4 hits over 8 innings.  Ken "F-Troop" Berry led off and grounded out to short.  AL Rookie of the year Tommie Agee doubled to left center.  Catcher Johnny Romano was given and "unintentional / intentional walk" to create a force around the horn.  A wild pitch erased that force play possibility as the runners moved up 90 feet into scoring position.  Agee took a conservative lead off of first, then caught the tiring Siebert napping.  As Seibert began his windup Agee broke for home and slid in under a late tag by Del Crandall which couldn't be avoided since Siebert's offering was high and outside.
Series tied 1-1

GAME 3 - Municipal Stadium
John vs McDowell
White Sox 3, Indians 2 (10 inn)In a battle of contrasting styles the Tribe sent lefty fireballer "Sudden" Sam McDowell to the hill to face the Chisox's crafty lefty Tommy John.  McDowell was good (2 runs over 6 innings with 7k's), but John was masterful.  Over 7 1/3 innings of work John scattered 7 Tribe hits, but did not allow a run.  When he left the game his team had themselves a 2-0 lead.  Ken Berry knocked in Don Buford in the top of the 1st to break the ice.  Romano was pegged out at the plate on that play to end what could have been a big inning.  Tommie Agee's RBI single in the 7th made it 2-0.  Heading into the bottom of the 9th the Tribe desperately needed 2 runs to tie and 3 to win.  Max Alvis reached first thanks to an error by Adair at short with 1 out.  When Gonzalez grounded out to short the game should have been over, but thanks to Adair's gaffe Cleveland was entitled to one more batter.  Duke Sims was called on to pinch hit vs reliever Bob Locker.  On a 2-1 hitters count Sims guessed fastball, and he sure guessed right.  Locker's offering found itself resting 325 feet down the right field line for a game tying homer.  The crowd inside the "mistake by the lake" was raucous.  Finally a reason for life.  Tom Kelly was brought in to hold down the Chisox in the 10th.  Back to back lead off singles by Agee and McCraw put runners on the corners with nobody out.  Ken Berry grounded back to the box as Kelly held the runners at bay.  Fielding goat Jerry Adair came to the plate and atoned for his sins by lining a seeing eye single just past the outstretched arms of shortstop Chico Salmon.  Just like that all the air was sucked out of the cavernous stadium on Lake Erie.  Cleveland still had 3 out to try and tie it.  Locker fanned Salmon then got Leon Wagner to fly out to right.  When Rocky Colavito singled for the third time today, Locker's day was done.  Hoyt Wilhelm was brought in from the pen to get the final out, which he did easily by fanning Fred Whitfield.

White Sox lead series 2-1

GAME 4 - Municipal Stadium
B.Howard vs Hargan
White Sox 2, Indians 1
For the 4th straight game these two teams battled down to the wire in another 1 run game.  Once again tied at 2-2 after 8 the White Sox magic took over in the 9th.  Cleveland trusted fading veteran Dick Radatz to hold down the fort vs the bottom of the Chisox lineup.  Radatz blew away Adair on 3 pitches but served up a two bagger to veteran pinch hitter Smokey Burgess.  Don Buford grounded out for the second out, but Tommy McCraw delivered a clutch double of his own to put the Pale Hose up 3-2.  Veteran Knuckleballed Hoyt Wilhelm was called on to close out the game.  After getting Vic Davalillo to pop out to first and Larry Brown to ground out to the box, Wilhelm fanned Leon Wagner for the final out to save the game.
White Sox win Series 3-1

Round 1: Braves (5) defeat Phightin's (4) 3 games to 2

In a very competitive series between two evenly matched clubs, the Atlanta Braves outlasted the Philadelphia Phillies 3 games to 2 to move on in the KOD 1966 tournament.  The Braves were relentless on offense in their three wins, scoring 10, 7, and 7 runs. In the two losses, Phillies pitching dominated holding Atlanta to only 1 run in 18 innings.

Game one was one of these, as Larry Jackson scattered 9 hits over 8 innings while the middle of the Phillies order, Richie Allen, Bill White, and Johnny Callison accounted for 7 hits and five runs scored. Callison was three for four, and left fielder Johnny Briggs drove in three. Tony Clonginger took the loss for the visiting Braves.

Game two saw the Braves pound out 18 hits and put 10 runs on the board, while also getting a four-hit shutout from Ken Johnson to even the series. Felipe Alou had four hits, but the big surprise was number 8 hitter, veteran Frank Bolling. In the lineup more for his defense, Bolling had three hits, slugged a three-run homer and drove in 5. The offensive stars were numerous as Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, Joe Torre, Gene Oliver, and Denis Menke each had two hits.

The series shifted to Atlanta for game three and Braves stayed hot, starting fast against Phillie ace Jim Bunning after Denny Lemaster pitched around an error in the first, scoring two on an Alou single and Henry Aaron homer. The Phillies got one back in the second when with two outs and none on, Dick Groat doubled and after a walk to former Brave Bob Uecker, Bunning doubled Groat home. The Braves stuck for two more in the fourth on singles by Torre and Carty and a triple by Denis Menke. Alou and Aaron did their magic again in the 8th, with Felipe singling, stealing second, and trotting home on Aaron's second homer of the game. Joe Torre followed with solo shot to seal the deal, although the Philles did touch Clay Carroll for two in the ninth on a shot by Cookie Rojas after Tony Taylor had singled.

The Phillies sent young Rick Wise to the mound to try to extend the series in game four, facing lefty Dick Kelley for Atlanta. Wise was up to the task, scattering eight hits, striking out six and not walking anyone in keeping the Braves off the board through 8. He got just enough offense from solo home runs by the youthful Johnny Briggs in the third, and the veteran Bill White in the eighth.

That set up a deciding fifth game in the City of Brotherly Love, where game one starters Larry Jackson and Tony Cloninger met again. The Braves were looking to get better production from the number 2 slot in the order and inserted Gary Geiger in center field to hit in that 2 slot, and he paid immediate dividends lining a one out home run to give the Braves a lead in the top of the first. But the Phillies came right back as Cloninger was wild, walking leadoff man Jackie Brandt then hitting Cookie Rojas. Richie Allen and and Bill White had chances to get the Phillies going early, but each was over anxious and struck out on pitches out of the zone. Johnny Callison waited the erratic Cloninger out and drew a walk to load the bases for Tony Gonzalez, who came through with a two run single to give the Phillies the early lead. Cloninger escaped further trouble and his teammates, or rather teammate,  immediately tied the game in the second as Eddie Mathews reached back for some of his glory years and cranked a long solo home run to right center.

The Braves suffered what looked like it could be a serious blow to their chances when the red hot Felipe Alou, who had gone 11 for 20 in the series with two doubles and two triples, pulled up lame on a ground out leading off the third. Then in the bottom half Johnny Callison homered to put the Phils in front 3-2. Momentum was clearly with the home team. The scored remained 3-2 Phillies through 6, with Larry Jackson once again pitching well and keeping the Braves off the board, if not always off the bases.
Veteran bench player Lee Thomas was called on to hit for Cloninger to start the seventh, and worked a walk from Jackson. Gene Oliver, hitting well in the series when he played, was the next hitter, entering the game in the third at first base when Alou came up lame. Oliver knew Jackson from their days in St. Louis, and picked on a change up that stayed up in the zone and hammered it over the left field wall to give the Braves a 4-3 lead. Atlanta put three more on the board in the ninth on an error and three singles to take control, and held on to win by the same 7-4 score as game 3.

The Braves were an offensive juggernaut in the series, with two guys, Felipe Alou .550 and Rico Carty .529, hitting over .500, two more, Gene Oliver .462 and Joe Torre .429 over .400. They also hit 10 doubles, four triples, and seven homers in the series.

Meanwhile the Phillies top hitter was Cookie Rojas at .294. Big sticks Richie Allen .167 and Bill White .150 were huge disappointments, with all three of Allen's hits singles and White hitting a solo home run and two singles.

--submitted by Bike Mike Roberts--

Round 1: Nats (8) upset Twins (2) in 4

GAME 1 - Metropolitan Stadium
Moore vs Kaat
Twins 6, Senators 2
The highly favored Twins got off to a great start behind 7 shutout innings from Jim Kaat.  With the Twins up 3-0 Tony Oliva hit a 3 run shot in the bottom of the 7th to serve as the proverbial "coffin nail" for the Nats.  Minnesota's pen held on for the victory despite reliever Johnny Klippstein giving up 2 runs in the 8th.
Twins lead series 1-0

 
GAME 2 - Metropolitan Stadim
Richert vs J.Perry
Senators 7, Twins 3
Washington manager Justin Ryan gave Pete Richert the quick hook after giving up 3 runs in 3 innings or work.  That move served as a jump start for the Nats who go 4 stellar innings of relief out of Diego Segui.  With the game deadlocked at 3-3 after 7 innings the Nats exploded for 4 unanswered runs in the top of the 8th.  Ed Brinkman scored on a squeeze play to make it 4-3.  Don Lock (2-4, 4 RBI) followed that with a double to make it 5-3.  Jim King's 2 run shot was the crushing blow to the Twin effort.  Al Worthington gave up all 4 runs in the 8th on 3 hits and took the loss, while Segui rightfully earned the win.
Series tied 1-1

GAME 3 - D.C. Stadium
Grant vs Ortega
Senators 4, Twins 3
Both teams exchanged 2 spots in the 1st.  Neither team could mount any offense until Jim King walked, which forced home Fred Valentine.  Washington added what would turn out to be an important insurance run in the 7th in a most unlikely way.  With 1 out pitcher Phil Ortega singled to right center, then scored immediately when light hitting shortstop Ed Brinkman doubled off the wall down the left field line.  Harmon Killebrew's solo blast to lead off the 8th made it a 1 run game once again.  Casey Cox and Dick Lines combined to keep the Twins off the board and lock the game up for the Nats.
Senators lead series 2-1
GAME 4 - D.C. Stadium
Kaat vs McCormick
Senators 4, Twins 2
Could the 8 seed Nats upset the 2 seed Twins ?  As we have learned many times over, anything can occur in a short series.  The Twins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 2nd when Rich Rollins led off the inning with a homer and Tony Oliva doubled home Ted Uhlaender with 2 outs.  That lead would be short lived as Jim Kaat surrendered 3 runs to the Nats in the bottom of the frame.  Frank Howard was able to reach base courtesy of a Versalles error at short.  Ken McMullen walked to put runners on 1st an 2nd for Washington's "catch and throw" backstop Paul Casanova.  Kaat, who is usually fine with his control, got wild in the strike zone and Casanova launched a 391 foot opposite field bomb to put the Nats up 3-2.  Washington would add another run in the 5th.  All the while Washington starter Mike McCormick was on cruise control mowing down the vaunted Twin lineup.  After getting Killebrew and Rollins to make easy outs in the 9th, the Nats were 1 out away from the tournament's biggest upset.  Then Cesar Tovar singled and Ted Uhlaender walked to put the go ahead run in the batter's box in the form of All-Star Tony Oliva.  Manager Ryan wasted no time going to the pen to get lefty Dick Lines to face the lefty hitting Oliva.  With a blink of an eye Lines had Oliva in an 0-2 hole.  Oliva battled hard by fouling off 3 consecutive strike 3 pitches before lifting a weak fly to Don Lock in center to end the series.
Senators win series 3-1

Round 1: Tigers (3) sweep Halos (6) with 2 one run wins

September 14; Tiger Stadium

Tigers 6, Angels 3 The tone of the game and the entire series was set right from the start, as Detroit sent 12 batters to the plate in the bottom of the 1st inning, and scored 6 runs.  Although they were helped by 4 walks and a Paul Schaal error at 3rd, the Tigers' big blow of the innings was a Don Wert 2-RBI triple.  Angels starter Dean Chance settled down after that, but the damage was done.  Tigers starter Don Wilson, staked to a 6-0 lead, pitched into the 6th inning to get the win.  California made a little noise trying to get back into the game, and even out-hit Detroit 9-5.  But Detroit out-scored California 6-3, and that's all that really mattered.
Tigers lead series 1-0
 


 

September 15; Tiger Stadium 
Tigers 7, Angels 6
 
California managed to build  3-1 lead after 3 innings thanks to 2 Jim Fregosi doubles and a bit of wildness from Detroit starter Denny McLain.  But the Tigers answered with 3 runs in the bottom of the 4th thanks to 2-out singles from Jake Wood and Denny McLain, along with a bit of wildness from Angels starter Marcelino Lopez.  Detroit added 3 insurance runs in the 7th off reliever Minnie Rojas behind Al Kaline and Bill Freehan doubles to make the score 7-3.  Again California tried to make it interesting late in the game with Buck Rodgers and Ed Kirkpatrick both hitting solo HRs in the 8th, and by loading the bases with 1 out in the 9th. But Hank Aguirre came on to put out the fire and preserve the win for McLain and the Tigers. 
Tigers lead series 2-0
 
September 17; Anaheim Stadium

Tigers 5, Angels 4

Even though Norm Cash's sac fly in the top of the first put Detroit up 1-0, Rick Reichardt answered with a 2-run HR in the bottom half of the inning to put California on top 2-1.  But Don Wert's solo HR in the 2nd inning and Cash's own solo HR in the 6th put the Tigers back on top 3-2.  The Angels managed to string a couple singles, a walk, and a sacrifice fly together to score twice in the bottom of the 7th, and still led 4-3 going into the top of the 9th.  Then Angels ace reliever Bob Lee was called on to close it out.  Although Willie Horton led off with a walk, Al Kaline grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, bringing the Tigers down to their last out.  But Dick McAuliffe quited the home crown faithful with a solo shot to left center to tie the game at 4 each.  The shaken Lee then gave up a single to Jake Wood and an RBI double to Bill Freehan. And suddenly the Tigers were on top 5-4.  Too stunned to respond, California went quietly in the bottom of the 9th, with closer Larry Sherry striking out the side.
Detroit wins the series 3-0

--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

Round 1: Cardinals (6) upset Bucs (3)

GAME 1 - Forbes Field
Gibson vs Veale
Cardinals 8, Pirates 3
Gibby fanned 7 and went the distance allowing just 3 runs on 8 hits to help St. Louis draw first blood.  Dal Maxvill was the only Redbird not to post a hit.  "The Baby Bull", Orlando Cepeda went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI's.  Lou Brock, Curt Flood and Phil Gagliano each had 2 hit games.  Bob Bailey and Roberto Clemente each hit solo homers in a losing effort.
Cardinals lead series 1-0

 



GAME 2 - Forbes Field
A.Jackson vs Law
Cardinals 8, Pirates 7
St. Louis battered "the Deacon", Vern Law, for 7 runs off of 16 hits, but still needed extra innings to pull out their second upset road victory.  The Bucs rallied for 3 runs over the final two innings to force OT.  Roy Face started the 10th inning for Pittsburgh and was greeted rather rudely with a clean single to right by Tim McCarver.  Tito Francona followed by working out a walk.  Both men moved up 90 feet into scoring positions on a sac bunt from Dal Maxvill.  Julian Javier was then given an intentional pass to load the bases and setup a force everywhere.  Ed Spiezio struck out looking for the second out.  Lou Brock walked on a 3-1 curve in the dirt to force home McCarver with what would turn out to be the winning run. Tracy Stallard and Ray Sadecki would combine to set the Bucs down in the 9th.  Stallard was given a scare when Roberto Clemente led off the inning with a double off the wall in right center that barely missed going over the ivy.  Jose Pagan failed to advance Clemente to third by popping out to first.  Donn Clendenon struck out swinging and Bob Bailey grounded weakly to short to end the game.
Cardinals lead series 2-0
 GAME 3 - Busch Memorial Stadium
Blass vs Jaster
Cardinals 4, Pirates 3
In a pre-cursor to his eventual career downfall, Steve Blass was horribly wild (5 walks and 5 hits in 5 innings) and the Cards took full advantage of it.  Down 4-1 the Bucs scored solo runs in both the 5th and 6th to battle back to make it a one run ball game.  Cardinal starter Larry Jaster exited after posting one of the "quality starts".  Jaster gave up 3 runs on 8 hits over 6 innings to qualify for the QS.  St. Louis' pen was perfect over the final 3 frames to close out the hard hitting Bucs.  Dick Hughes and Joe Hoerner combined to face the minimum 9 batters over those 3 frames.  Pittsburgh actually out hit the Cards (8-6).  Cepeda and Brock both went 2 for 4, with Cepeda getting 2 more RBI's and Brock and Flood each getting one.  Jerry May and Bill Mazeroski each had solo shots.  Maz had himself a 2 hit day, but he and the rest of the Bucs were unable to comeback from the 3 run deficit that Blass left them.
Cardinals win series 3-0

Round 1: Dodgers (1) sweep Amazin's (9)

GAME 1 - Dodger Stadium
Shaw vs Koufax
Dodgers 5, Mets 2
The upstart Amazin's carried a 2-1 lead into the 6th inning.  The incomparable Sandy Koufax had a shaky 4th inning where he lost his control and gave up 3 hits and a walk.  To his credit, Koufax quickly righted the ship and limited the damage to a Bud Harrelson RBI single and a wild pitch run.  A two out single by Wes Parker scored Ron Fairly for the tying run.  LA then scored 2 in the 7th on RBI singles from Willie Davis and Lou Johnson.  In the 8th Maury Wills hit a solo shot to give Koufax a 3 run lead.  Bob Miller finished out with a scoreless 9th to give the Dodgers the series edge.
Dodgers lead series 1-0

 
GAME 2 - Dodger Stadium
Friend vd Drysdale
Dodgers 8, Mets 7
Co-ace Don Drysdale was victimized by his own wildness and New York's lumber, but the Amazin's still weren't able to capitalize on it for a much needed win.  New York had themselves a 5-3 lead until LA posted a 4 spot in the 6th off of reliever Dick Selma.  A much needed insurance run in the 7th came via a Wes Parker sac fly.  With the score 8-5 LA and relief specialist Ron Rerranoski on the mound LA looked to have the game in the bag.  A two run triple by Chuck Hiller gave New York new life and hastened Perranoski's departure.  Phil Regan came on board to squelch the Met rally and get the final 3 outs in the 9th.  Dodger fans were able to exhale.  Ron Fairly paced LA's offense with a 2 run blast and an RBI single, while going 2 for 3.  Ed Kranepool (3-5) had a 4 RBI day.  Wills had 3 hits for the Dodgers and a stolen base.  Drysdale, while not overly effective on the hill was stout with the bat knocking in 2 with a 2 out RBI single.
Dodgers lead series 2-0
 
GAME 3 - Shea Stadium
Osteen vs Ribant
Dodgers 5, Mets 1
Ron Hunt's RBI single in the first scored Chuck Hiller and gave the Amazin's a 1-0 lead off of Claude Osteen.  LA's soft tossing lefty would close the door on the Flushing 9 with 8 shutout innings the rest of the way.  LA scored runs in 4 consecutive innings (2nd - 5th) to dispatch the Amazin's rather easily in this elimination game.  Maury Wills stole 2 bases.  Jim Lefebvre and John Roseboro at solo blasts.  Lefebvre's blast was 453 feet, which cleared the bullpen and wound up in the parking lot.  Osteen hit a solo shot in the 4th, which made him both the pitching and hitting star.
Dodgers win series 3-0

Round 1: Reds (7) upset Jints (2) in 3 straight

GAME 1 - Candlestick Park
O'Toole vs Marichal
Reds 3, Giants 1
A one out solo shot by catcher Don Pavletich off of the Domenican Dandy broke a scoreless tie in the top of the 5th.  Tommy Harper's RBI single three batters later made it 2-0 Cincy.  Willie Mays' 7th inning double scored Tito Fuentes to cut the Reds lead to 2-1.  San Fran blew a golden opportunity to tie the game as Jim Davenport and Willie McCovey both hit back to back warning track shots.  A Fuentes error in the top of the 9th led to an insurance run for the Reds.  Starter Jim O'Toole never made it out of the 7th, but he did survive those warning track shot.  Don Nottebart finished up the frame and Davidson and Billy McCool finished out the game allowing San Fran just 1 hit over the final 2 1/3.

Reds lead series 1-0

GAME 2 - Candlestick Park
Maloney vs Bolin
Reds 3, Giants 0
Jim Maloney fanned 10 and went the distance with a tidy 3 hit shutout.  Maloney's mastery even handcuffed the great Willie Mays, who fanned 3 times.  Mays did post a double, but never advanced past 2nd.  Giants leadoff man Cap Peterson earned the uncoveted "golden sombrero".  Cincy scored solo runs in the 3rd, 4th and 9th to give Maloney 3 runs to work with.  Leo cardenas started the scoring off with a solo blast in the 3rd.  Art Shamsky went 2 for 4 with an RBI as the Reds took a commanding lead in the series.
Reds lead series 2-0

GAME 3 - Crosley Field
Perry vs Pappas
Reds 5, Giants 4

A desperate Giant team with it's back firmly against the wall got on the board in the 3rd when Jesus Alou doubled home Gaylord Perry and Cap Peterson.  Reds starter Milt Pappas fanned Mays and got McCovey and Hart to fly out to end the threat.  The Giants would not score again until the 9th, when they once again had to score.  Down 3-2 the Giants got a game tying homer from an unlikely source in Hal Lanier.  With 2 out Peterson doubled and Alou singled him home for the go ahead run.  Reliever Lindy McDaniel was tasked with getting the final 3 outs, so the Jints could live to see another day.  After a Deron Johnson leadoff single McDaniel fanned Vada Pinson and got Leo Cardenas to ground into a force play.  With 2 outs and a 1 run lead the Giants looked like they were in good shape.  Pinch hitter Jimmy Coker singled to put runners on the corners.  Up stepped rookie Tommy Helms who lined a single to tie the game at 4-4.  Twenty three year old Lee May was called on to pinch hit for Gordy Coleman.  May singled to left on a 2-1 count to score Coker and clinch the upset of the tournament.  Cincy not only defeats the #2 seeded Giants, but they earn an unlikely series sweep.
Reds win series 3-0

Qualifier Round: Nats take final 2 to dispatch Sahx

GAME 1 - D.C. Stadium
Lonborg vs Richert
Red Sox 2, Senators 1
Fans in our nation's capitol were treated to a fine pitcher's duel between Jim Lonborg (7 IP / 1 ER / 8 K) and Pete Richert (7 IP / 1 ER / 5K).  Tied 1-1 after 7 innings of play the game headed to the top of the 8th and looked to remain tied until Yaz crushed a Ron Kline fastball that had zero movement. That gave the Sahx a 1 run lead that reliever John Wyatt would guard like Fort Knox.
Red Sox lead series 1-0

 

GAME 2 - Fenway Park
Ortega vs Santiago
Senators 12, Red Sox 6
Tony C would hit 2 homers, but Sox pitching couldn not make it count.  Washington doubled up the Sox with 12 runs, while banging out 20 hits.  Light hitting shortstop Ed Brinkman was the only Nat starter not to get a hit.  Top of the order guys Fred Valentine and Bob Saverine each posted 4 hits.  Rightfielder Jim King dominated with 6 RBI on a 3 for 5 day at the late.  Phil Ortega got the win with a less than impressive 8 inning (6 ER) stint on the hill.
Series tied 1-1
GAME 3 - D.C. Stadium
Strange vs McCormick
Senators 6, Red Sox 4
The Nats jumped out to a 6-0 lead after 4 innings or play, but made the hometown crowd sweat it out till the end.  Boston wasn't going to take elimination lightly as they closed the gap by chipping away slowly at the Nats' lead.  Boston threatened to tie it in the 8th with two out and runners on the corners, but Rico Petrocelli flew out to center to end the threat.  Steve Kline pitched a scoreless 9th to close out the game.  Washington once again posted a double digit hit day (13) with Ed Brinkman leading the charge going 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 3 knocked in.  Tony C had a triple and a homer as the Sahx tried to rally back.  In the series he hit .500 and had 3 home runs as Boston came up short.
Senators win series 2-1

Qualifier Round: Reds sweep Hapless Cubbies

Game 1 – Cincinnati 11 – Chicago 8

Lee May and Leo, don’t call me Chico, Cardenas did their best to make the Redleg fans forget about that ‘old’ Frank Robinson. May had two homeruns and 4 RBi’s while Leo Cardenas cleared the bases in the Reds 8 run 7th with a grand slam.  Jim Maloney pitched a solid 6 innings allowing 1 earned run before tiring. The Cubbies made it interesting by scoring 6 times in the 9th off of Jack Baldschun before Don Nottebart came on to get the last out.

 

Game 2 – Chicago 3 – Cincinnati 4

A pitcher’s duel broke out in Wrigley. Fergie Jenkins and Milt Pappas were locked in a 1-1 tie heading into the 7th. The Cubs scored on a solo homer by Billy Williams in the 2nd. The Reds tied it up in the 5th. Then in the 7th the Reds tallied 3 times led by that man again, Lee May.  Lee pinched hit for Johnny Edwards and launched one into the left fields seats and Reds never trailed again. They scored 2 more runs off of Chuck Hartenstein to lead 4-1. It stayed that way until the 9th. Billy McCool, who picked up the save, gave up a 2 run homer to Billy Williams.  Manager Burnette came out and gave McCool a pep talk and he retired Don Kessinger and Randy Hundley to finish off the series for the Reds.

--submitted by Ron Burnette--

Qualifier Round: Mets squeek by 'Stros in two 14 inning games

GAME 1 - Shea Stadium
Mike Cuellar vs Dennis Ribant
Mets 5, Astros 4 (14 inn)
Jim Hickman's RBI single in the bottom of the 7th tied the game up at 2-2, which is how it stayed until the top of the 14th inning.  Houston scored 2 run in games 5th extra frame on an RBI single by Lee Maye and a squeeze bunt by Sonny Jackson.  New York headed into the home half of the 14th needing 2 runs to tie or the game was over.  Journeyman reliever Jim Owens was not up to the task of getting 3 Metropolitians out.  Cleon Jones led off with a single and Ken Boyer walked to bring the go ahead run to the plate in the form of hometown hero Ed Kranepool.  Steady Eddie swung on and missed an 0-2 curveball for the first and what would turn out to be the only out of the inning.  That set the stage for Jim Hickman to be the hero with a 339 foot line drive that barely cleared the 338 marker on the foul pole.  Hickman's walkoff homer handed the win to rookie Bill Helper, who handed Houston 2 runs in the top of the inning.
Mets lead series 1-0

GAME 2 - Astrodome
Jack Fisher vs Larry Dierker

Mets 5, Astros 3 (14 inn)
A lot rested on the 19 year old arm of Larry Dierker who went 11 full innings, but still wasn't able to get a decision.  Once again these two teams went 14 innings before a decision could be rendered.  New York had a 3-1 lead after 4 1/2 innings of play, but the Astros tied it up with 2 in the bottom of the 5th.  8 scoreless innings would follow until the top of the 14th.  With one out Chuck Harrison booted a grounder off the bat of Elliott.  Former Astro Jerry Grote walked to put runners on 1st and 2nd.  Banjo hitting shortstop Roy McMillian also walked, which loaded the bases for Bud Harrelson who squeezed home Elliott for the go ahead run.  An error by shortstop Sonny Jackson led to a second run, which was just too much for the anemic Astro offense to overcome.
Mets win series 2-0