Thursday, May 13, 1976
Kusick Gets Twins Back In Win Column
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Player of the Day
Craig Kusick |
California Angels 7, Minnesota Twins 9
WP: Tom Johnson (1-1, 3 BS, 2.08 ERA) / LP: Don Kirkwood (1-1, 4.32 ERA)
In a game full of twists, turns and lead changes, the Minnesota Twins gets the final say as
Craig Kusick (.231, 5 HR, 22 RBI) hits a walk-off, two-run home run off of Angels reliever
Don Kirkwood in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Twins a 9-7 victory over California. The hit was the fourth of the day for
Kusick, who scores two runs and drive in five while
Rod Carew (.363) scores twice and collects three hits of his own as Minnesota breaks a three game losing streak.
"With Larry (Hisle) hurt, we knew all of us had to pick up the slack. Coming up in the the ninth inning, I was just hoping for a chance. The way I was feeling - the way I was hitting, I knew I could win this game. It just that Kirkwood threw a meatball on the first pitch, my granny could have hit that one out and she's been dead for six years." - Minnesota designated hitter
Craig Kusick.
California takes the early advantage thanks to a grand slam by
Dave Collins (.395, 2 HR, 14 RBI), who has three hits on the day, scoring twice with the four runs batted in.
Kirkwood replaces starter
Paul Hartzell in the fifth inning after
Hartzell (3.32 ERA) allows seven runs on eight hits and three walks in just four innings.
"Sure I could have pulled Don (Kirkwood) for the ninth, but he was lights out until then and still looked fresh. Besides when I consulted my magic 8-ball if I should keep him in the game, it said "signs point to yes". What more advice do you need?" - California manager
Dick Williams.
Minnesota right fielder
Dan Ford (.241, 4 HR, 23 RBI) left the game in the fourth inning after being hit by pitch. Team trainers state that it is nothing more than a bruised thigh and that he should be back in action in about a week.
American League News
Milwaukee Brewers 0, Cleveland Indians 4
WP: Pat Dobson (4-2, 2.44 ERA) / LP: Jerry Augustine (1-3, 4.68 ERA)
Indians starter
Pat Dobson strikes out seven in throwing a five-hit shutout as the Tribe sends Milwaukee to their fourth straight defeat, 4-0. The loss marks the 10th loss in 11 games in the month of May for Milwaukee.
New York Yankees 10, Detroit Tigers 5
WP: Ed Figueroa (3-1, 4.02 ERA) / LP: Mark Fidrych (2-5, 6.50 ERA)
Led by
Willie Randolph (.285, 1 HR, 14 RBI), who hits a two-run home run and drives in five runs on the day, New York doubles up the Tigers 10-5 at Tiger Stadium.
Chris Chambliss (.284, 16 RBI) has four hits and scores twice while
Thurman Munson (.378) and
Graig Nettles (.279, 17 RBI) each deliver three hits as the Yankees have 18 hits as a team.
Rusty Staub (.240, 1 HR, 6 RBI) hits a two-run home run for the Tigers while starter
Mark Fidrych gives up seven runs on 15 hits through six innings - his third start of allowing seven or more runs since April 28,
Kansas City Royals 5, Chicago White Sox 6
WP: Jesse Jefferson (1-3, 3.74 ERA) / LP: Marty Pattin (0-3, 3.48 ERA) / S: Terry Forster (3, 3.65 ERA)
Carlos May (.433) has four hits and
Brian Downing (.310, 17 RBI) adds three more for Chicago as the White Sox hold off a late comeback from Kansas City and win, 6-5. In his last four games,
Downing is hitting .611 (11-for-18), while
Jorge Orta is hitting .424 (14-for-33) in his last eight games.
Tony Solaita (.280, 6 HR, 20 RBI) hits a two-run home run for the Royals and drives in three of Kansas City's five runs.
Sources close to the team state that they are currently shopping 37-year-old second baseman
Cookie Rojas (.500, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 AB).
Baltimore Orioles 5, Boston Red Sox 3
WP: Doyle Alexander (4-1, 2.23 ERA) / LP: Reggie Cleveland (3-2, 5.32 ERA) / S: Dennis Martinez (4, 2.61 ERA)
Baltimore right fielder
Ken Singleton (.274) has three hits with a pair of doubles to suuport another strong showing from starter
Doyle Alexander as the Orioles defeat Boston, 5-3.
Alexander goes 8 1/3 innings and is charged with three runs on nine hits as he wins his fourth game in five starts.
National League News
Atlanta Braves 9, Chicago Cubs 7
WP: Roger Moret (2-3, 4.31 ERA) / LP: Ray Burris (5-2, 3.49 ERA)
Darrell Evans (.221, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 2 SB) hits a solo home run, driving in two runs and scoring three as the Braves hold off a six-run ninth inning Chicago rally to win 9-7.
Bill Madlock (.454, 31 RBI) has three hits, including a run-scoring double in the key ninth inning, but the Cubs cannot overcome early errors by
Jose Cardenal (his 1st),
Andre Thornton (1st) and
Madlock (7th).
Standings as of Thursday, May 13th, 1976:
