6/9 - Bumbry Ends Marathon Game
Thursday, June 9, 1977
As the clocks reached midnight on the East Coast, many of the 21,833 in attendance at Fenway Park were still in their seats for the 16th inning.
Unfortunately, they didn't leave happy.
Al Bumbry (.274, 4 HR, 15 RBI) hits his second home run of the game off of Red Sox reliever Jim Willoughby (0-1, 2.08 ERA) in the top of the inning to give Baltimore a 7-6 road victory in a game that lasted nearly five hours.
"Ask me about this game tomorrow. I'm too damn tired right now." Bumbry said afterward.
The Orioles looked to be on their way to a win as Bumbry's three-run shot in the sixth gave them a 6-3 lead - a lead they would take into the eighth inning. However, Boston would score a run in the inning on a Carlton Fisk (.220, 18 RBI) RBI-single and then take advantage of errors by Elliott Maddox (his sixth) and Rich Dauer (seventh) to score a pair of runs in the ninth to tie the game.
"Our defense let us down tonight." Orioles manager Earl Weaver said bitterly. "There is a reason we lead the American League in errors - we aren't doing the basic fundamentals it takes to be successful. Until we get our heads out of our rear ends and realize that, we won't be where we need to be."
Pat Kelly (.241, 26 RBI) had three hits for Baltimore, including his 12th double of the year and rookie Eddie Murray (.293, 35 RBI) hits home run number seven in the win. Boston CF Fred Lynn (.259, 11 HR, 24 RBI) and Dwight Evans (.207, 2 HR, 6 RBI) each hit home runs, giving the Sox a league leading 57.
"If we play like we are capable, the wins will take of themselves." third baseman Doug DeCinces said. "Execution is the key - we are a talented enough team to be competing for the pennant. I mean, look at Cleveland - those guys are leading the division?!?"
American League News
New York (30-27, 17-12 away, 2.0 GB) at Milwaukee (29-28, 13-14 home, 3.0 GB)
Jerry Augustine (6-5, 4.63 ERA)
holds the mighty Yankees lineup to a
Chris Chambliss (.223) single and faces just 30 hitters to lead Milwaukee to a 5-0 shutout win.
Charlie Moore (.347, 17 RBI) has two hits and drives in two more,
Sixto Lezcano (.274, 7 HR, 33 RBI) hits a solo home run and
Jim Wohlford (.233) triples and singles to lead the offense.
Kansas City (28-24, 8-13 away, 6.5 GB) at Minnesota (24-30, 10-14 home, 11.5 GB)
With the game tied at two in the fifth,
Larry Hisle (.247, 25 RBI) singles in the go-ahead run and
Lyman Bostock (.271, 12 RBI) hits an RBI-double one inning later for an insurance run in the Twins 4-3 win over Kansas City. Minnesota survives three errors thanks to
Dave Goltz (7-3, 3.10 ERA) allowing five hits in eight innings.
Detroit (27-27, 13-16 away, 3.5 GB) at Seattle (23-35, 13-17 home, 14.5 GB)
Detroit beats the Mariners 1-0 when
Lou Whitaker (.243) singles off
Dave Pagan (2-3, 2.92 ERA)
to open up the ninth, moves to second on a wild pitch, takes third on a ground out and scores on a
Steve Kemp (20 RBI) sac fly. The loss spoils the effort of Seattle's
John Montague (3.23 ERA), who allows just two hits through eight innings.
Dennis Leonard (5-6, 3.66 ERA) throws a complete game three-hitter, striking out five in the win.
Chicago (22-31, 12-17 away, 13.0 GB) at Texas (35-18, 20-11 home, -- GB)
Texas starter
Gaylord Perry (9-3, 1.95 ERA) outpitches
Ken Brett (7-5, 2.85 ERA) of the White Sox and leads the Rangers to a 2-0 victory.
Perry allows four hits while striking out six in 8 1/3 innings in the win while
Brett was almost as good, striking out five while giving up seven hits and two runs in gaining his fifth complete game of the year.
American League Scores
National League News
San Francisco (29-27, 16-15 away, 6.0 GB) at Chicago (24-30, 12-17 home, 14.5 GB)
Brian Downing (.247, 5 HR, 23 RBI) leads the Chicago offensive assault with a solo home run as well as a two-RBI triple and a two-RBI single in the Cubs 8-1 defeat of San Francisco.
Larry Biittner (.140, 8 RBI) also drives in two runs with a double to support
Rick Reuschel (6-7,3.58 ERA), who goes 8 2/3 innings allowing five hits and one run.
Philadelphia (30-24, 16-13 away, 8.5 GB) at Atlanta (28-29, 17-11 home, 7.5 GB)
The Braves rally to score three runs in the bottom of the eighth on RBI hits from
Bill Pocoroba (.274, 20 RBI),
Jeff Burroughs (.228, 29 RBI) and
Willie Montanez (.310, 16 RBI), but pinch-hitter
Davey Johnson (.270, 5 HR, 21 RBI) takes
Max Leon (1-4, 4.87 ERA) deep in the top of the 10th for the 4-3 lead and the win.
Garry Maddox (.200, 17 RBI) triples and singles in the loss.
Los Angeles (30-26, 16-15 away, 5.0 GB) at St. Louis (28-26, 18-14 home, 10.5 GB)
St. Louis is paced by three hits from
Lou Brock (.254, 19 RBI, 20 SB) and
Buddy Bell (.309, 18 RBI, 3 SB) as well as
Keith Hernandez (.269, 24 RBI) and
Gary Templeton (.289, 21 RBI, 5 SB) who drive in a pair of runs each and help
Bob Forsch (6-4, 3.63 ERA) to his first complete game of the year in the Cardinals 8-2 victory over Los Angeles.
Forsch allows four hits and two runs (one earned) in the win.
National League Scores
News
 | Have announced that they have set their team focus to Rebuilding. |
 | Have announced that they have set their team focus to Win Now. |
Injuries
| CF Juan Beniques (.274, 1 HR, 9 RBI) is expected to miss aboute 1-2 weeks with a fractured finger.
He is placed on the 15-day disabled list.
LF Lew Beasley (.154, 0 HR, 0 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Tulsa.
The Rangers are praying RF Dave May stays healthy, whom Beasley is the backup. |
Contract Signings
 | RF Leon Roberts (.306, 0 HR, 16 RBI) signs a 3-year extension worth $2,532.000.
He will earn $844,000 a year through 1980. |
| 3B Graig Nettles (.272, 7 HR, 17 RBI) signs a 3-year extension worth $7,036.000.
He will earn $2,111,000 in 1978.
He will earn $2,345,000 in 1979.
He will earn 2,580,000 in 1980.
He has a Most Valuable Player incentive worth $90,000. |
Short Season Single A Playoff Update
Conference Championship Playoff Games
No Games Scheduled.