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--