[GrimmyDee]

6/3 - Dodgers Win Behind Hooton
Friday, June 3, 1977
Having lost five games in a row and 13 of their last 17, the Dodgers were in desperate need of a jump start. Burt Hooton (4-3, 2.82 ERA) possibly provides the spark today as he blanks the San Diego Padres 3-0 on just an eighth inning single by Merv Rettenmund (.282). Hooton strikes out seven in the game to go along with three walks

"I felt really good out there. I made a few mistakes, but luckily got away with them. Still, it's hard to believe I came six outs away from a no hitter." Hooton said afterward.

Hooton was backed by the offense of Rafael Landestoy (.270), Steve Garvey (.243, 26 RBI) and Reggie Smith (.271), who each have a pair of hits while scoring a run apiece.

American League News
Baltimore (21-28, 12-13 away) at Kansas City (23-22, 15-10 home)
Kansas City scores three runs in the eighth inning thanks in part to RBI singles from Hal McRae (.222, 21 RBI) and pinch hitter Bob Molinaro (.271, 11 RBI) off of Orioles starter Ross Grimsley (3-8) to get by Baltimore and win 6-4. George Brett (.271), Hal McRae (.222, 21 RBI) and Lee May (.382, 7 RBI) each have a pair of hits and score two runs apiece in the victory.

Boston (24-25, 11-12 away) at Minnesota (20-28, 6-12 home)
Carl Yastrzemski (.340, 25 RBI) hits his 10th home run of the year as part of his 3-for-3 day, but the Red Sox fall to Minnesota 4-3 when Willie Norwood (.269, 2 HR, 6 RBI) hits a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth on the 133rd pitch of starter Fergie Jenkins (5-5, 3.94 ERA). Norwood, playing for the injured Larry Hisle, stuck out in his prior three at-bats.

Milwaukee (29-22, 16-11 away) at Texas (31-16, 16-9 home)
Roger Moret (3-1, 4.29 ERA) strikes out eight and gives up six hits in 7 1/3 innings while John Ellis (.304, 1 HR, 13 RBI) and Claudell Washington (.288, 6 HR, 36 RBI) each hit two-run home runs to lead the Rangers to a 5-2 win over Milwaukee. Sixto Lezcano (.271, 6 HR, 30 RBI) hits a solo home run as part of a three hit day for the Brewers in a game where Robin Yount was ejected in the third inning for arguing a strike three call.

New York (25-26, 12-11 away) at Chicago (19-28, 9-12 home)
Yankees starter Ron Guidry (8-2, 2.01 ERA) rebounds from his second loss of the season with a dominating performance against Chicago, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned) through eight innings as New York tops the White Sox, 3-2. Willie Randolph (.254) hits a pair of doubles in the victory.

Cleveland (27-21, 13-10 away) at Seattle (21-32, 11-14 home)
Cleveland could do little against Rick Jones (3-6, 4.08 ERA), as they manage just six singles and a double against the Mariners starter in eight innings as they lose the game 7-1 at the Kingdome. Ruppert Jones (.274, 28 RBI) hits a pair doubles and Bill Stien (.242) collects a trio of singles as Seattle win their third in a row.

Toronto (27-21, 9-11 away) at Oakland (18-30, 11-13 home)
Toronto scores four runs in the first three innings thanks a three-run home run from Ron Fairly (.289, 9 HR, 32 RBI) and a solo shot from Otto Velez (.273, 9 HR, 28 RBI), then hang on and score a 4-3 road win over the Athletics in from of just 7,635 at the Oakland Coliseum Sheldon Mallory (.176, 2 HR, 7 RBI) homers for Oakland in the loss, their fourth in a row and eighth in their last nine games.

American League Scores


National League News
San Francisco (27-22, 14-10 away) at Atlanta (22-28, 14-10 home)
Phil Niekro (7-4, 2.50 ERA) has his knuckball dancing as he strikes out six San Francisco Giants on his way to allowing three base hits and one walk and a 4-0 victory at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Darrel Chaney (.371) hits two doubles and a single while Gary Matthews (.244, 15 RBI) hits a pair of two-baggers as well to pace the Braves offense. George Thomasson (.280) has two of the three Giants hits in the game.

San Francisco (27-23, 14-11 away) at Atlanta (23-28, 15-10 home)
In the nightcap, Gary Matthews (.254, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 18 SB) chalks up three more hits, including a two-run smash to left to give Atlanta an early 5-0 lead that they would not relinquish - winning 6-4 to complete the doubleheader sweep. Jamie Easterly (1-1, 5.08 ERA) goes eight innings for the win, giving up four runs (three earned) and striking out four.

Philadelphia (28-19, 14-11 away) at New York (19-32, 9-15 home)
The Mets are in serious danger of climbing from the NL East cellar as they win their fourth game in a row by beating Philadelphia 7-6 at Shea. John Sterns (.273, 22 RBI) has three hits and drives in two, including the game-winner in the eighth inning as his single scores Leo Foster from second. Phillies starter Wayne Twitchell (2.26 ERA) has his worst start of the season, striking out six but allowing six runs (four earned) on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Houston (26-23, 11-11 away) at Cincinnati (29-19, 15-9 home)
Houston shaves another game off the NL West lead as they beat the Reds 3-2 for their ninth consecutive win. J.R. Richard (2.76 ERA) moves his record to 7-3 with the win, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out five. Roger Metzger (.269, 5 RBI) makes the most of a start, hitting three singles, scoring twice and driving in a run in the win. Reds starter Gary Nolan (4-4, 3.54 ERA) goes the distance in losing, giving up eight hits and all three runs while fanning four.

Chicago (23-25, 11-11 away) at Pittsburgh (34-13, 18-6 home)
Chicago's Ray Burris (3-7, 3.94 ERA) wins a pitchers duel with Jerry Reuss (5-2, 2.48 ERA) of the Pirates as he holds Pittsburgh to four hits and one run through eight innings in a 2-1 victory. Reuss was almost as good, allowing six hits and two runs in the complete game loss. Bill Nahorodny (.190, 6 RBI) hits two doubles off of Reuss and Manny Trillo (.284, 13 RBI) followed the second one up with an double of his own for the game winner.

St. Louis (23-25, 8-11 away) at San Diego (20-35, 10-18 home)
Eric Rasmussen (8-4, 3.01 ERA) records his fourth straight victory, holding the Expos to just four hits and one run through eight innings to lead St. Louis to a 5-1 triumph in Montreal. Bake McBride (.332, 23 RBI) hits two singles and a double while Buddy Bell (.287, 14 RBI) adds two singles and a triple as Expos starter Jackie Brown (4-8, 4.89 ERA) loses for the seventh time in eight games after starting the season 3-0.

National League Scores


Contract Signings

C Ellie Hendricks (.182, 0 HR, 0 RBI) signs a 1-year extension worth a total of $64,000.

Short Season Single A Update
Geneva Cubs (16-36) at Jamestown Expos (33-19)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Geneva 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 12 1 Jamestown 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 8 13 1 WP: Bruce Oliver (2-1, 6.17 ERA) LP: Jose Gonzalez (2-4, 4 BS, 3.93 ERA) SV: None POG: Mark Hutchinson (JAM) 3-5, R, 4 RBI, HR Attendance: 2,944 Gevenva SS Jing-bo Au-Young commits his 26th error - I love that guy.

This was a fun game until the ninth inning. Brian Little (1.53 ERA) made his second start and went 6 2/3 innings of shutout baseball before tiring with a 3-0 lead. I went with Guasper Hell (1 BS, 4.50 ERA) who promptly gave up five runs and left me in a hole in the bottom of the frame. After two quick outs, the fourth single by Dicky (.336, 22 RBI) , one by pinch hitter William Turner (.226) which was followed by back-to-back walks to Jesus Camacho and Paco Bruno left me one run down and Mark Hutchinson (.275, 1 HR, 17 RBI) at the plate. Hutch comes through and crushed the ball on the first pitch, just barely clearing the left field wall for a walk-off grand slam for a 8-5 win and one more lifeline. Rockledge won against Batavia, leaving us one game to decide it - One game out with one to go. Home Runs: GEN: None JAM: Mark Hutchinson (1)