[G-Force]

September 22, 2020

Eastern League South

Alabama 2, Memphis 1. The Sounds had crept within six games of Alabama and chatter had started that Memphis could threaten with a sweep in Alabama. The Slammers wouldn’t let that happen. Tom Underwood matched Greg Maddux as each pitched into the eighth allowing only one run. But Tito Francona hit a walkoff RBI single off Bob Friend (5-5, 1.34) to plate Jack Clements and give Alabama a huge victory. Doug Bird (5-0, 5.31) got the win.

Charlotte 5, Orlando 1. Erik Bedard (15-10, 3.14) won his 15th, going seven innings, striking out seven and was backed by two RBI apiece from Elmer Flick and Bill Nicholson as the Cougars kept pace with Alabama, staying two games back.

Western League South

Phoenix 5, San Antonio 4. Sid Gordon hit two homers - his 8th and 9th - off Roy Oswalt (11-12, 3.89) and Phoenix survived a Stallions rally in the ninth to hold on. Ken Chase (13-12, 4.57) battled control problems and survived, allowing 14 baserunners in 6 ⅓ innings but only giving up two runs to earn the win. Jose Valverde got his 28th save.

New Orleans 4, Los Angeles 3. Willie Mays’ four-hit game put him in front in the batting race and in position for the triple crown, but couldn’t give Los Angeles the win. Rookie Bill Terry hit a bases-loaded double off Ron Guidry (10-11, 4.48) in the fourth and Jim O’Toole (14-9, 3.58) was good enough for New Orleans, who bounced back from last night’s rough loss and showed they don’t plan on fading away down the stretch.