The Mustache Gang: Charlie Finley's Oakland A's

[PhillieFever]

At
R.F.K. Stadium, Washington, D.C.
June 10th to 12th, 1969

Tuesday June 10th: Senators 4 Athletics 2
Mike Epstein and Ken McMullen each hit two run homers, and starting pitcher Dick Bosman did the rest, holding the A's to just 2 runs on 10 hits over 8 and two thirds innings of work, as the Washington Senators took game of this three game set by the score of 4-2. 2B Dick Green and C Phil Roof each had 2 hits to lead the A's.
WP: Dick Bosman(9-2) LP: Blue Moon Odom(6-5) S: Darold Knowles(8) HR: Was, Mike Epstein(13), Ken McMullen(11)

Wednesday June 11th: Athletics 12 Senators 8 (11 Innings)
Reggie Jackson and Sal Bando each had two hits and two RBI, and Rick Monday connected on a 2 run homer, but it was first sacker Danny Cater who was the hero, crushing a grand slam homer in the top of the 11th to give the A's a 12-8 victory over the hard hitting Senators. Pitcher Jim Nash was splendid in relief, allowing just one walk over two scoreless innings to earn the win, his third of the year.
WP: Jim Nash(3-4) LP: Dennis Higgins(0-3) HR: Oak, Rick Monday(5), Danny Cater(2) Was, Ken McMullen(12)

Thursday June 12th: Athletics 5 Senators 1
In the lone game on the American League schedule, Dave Duncan and Rick Monday each hit homers, and starting pitcher George Lauzerique allowed a run on three hits over five and two thirds innings before handing the ball off to relievers Lew Krausse and Jim Roland who combined for three and one third innings of hitless ball as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Washington Senators 5-1.
WP: George Lauzerique(1-2) LP: Joe Coleman(8-5) S: Jim Roland(2) HR: Oak, Rick Monday(6), Dave Duncan(1)

MLB News And Notes

Yankees Honor Mantle
The New York Yankees called it a day to remember. The fans simply called it Mickey Mantle day, and 69,076 turned out Sunday and honored Mantle with a six and a half minute standing ovation between games of a doubleheader as the Yankees officially retired Mantle's #7 uniform and shipped it to the Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown. During his illustrious 18 years in the big leagues, Mantle was a career .298 hitter who slammed 536 home runs and knocked in 1,509 runs. He won three MVP's, a triple crown, and was a 16 time all-star, clearly one of the all-time greats.

Carew Boosts Hit Streak To 20 Games
23 year old Twins 2B Rod Carew has been on a tear for several weeks now, and the hits and beginning to pile up. With his 4th inning single in Wednesday's 8-5 victory over the Red Sox, Carew extended his hitting streak to an A.L. high 20 games. For the season Carew is batting .330 with 40 runs scored and an OBP of .389

Yanks Purchase Johnson
The Atlanta Braves have sold pitcher Ken Johnson to the Yankees for what the Yankees describe as something more than the waiver price. Johnson, 35 was a frontline starter for Atlanta until last year. He's been used as a spot relief man this season.

Pirates And Giants Trade Hurlers
The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded reliever Ron Kline to the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Joe Gibbon in a straight one for one swap. Both players were expected to be in uniform in time for Wednesday's games.

Reds Sign Ramos
Hoping to boost their relief corps, the Cincinnati Reds have signed 34 year old pitcher Pedro Ramos. During his 14 year career, Ramos has amassed a record of 113-157 with an ERA of 4.05

Dodgers, Cubs And Expos Complete 6 Player Swap
Maury Wills has returned to the Dodgers, the team he helped lead to three world championships, but it took a six player deal involving the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs to get him there. The original trade was between Los Angeles and Montreal with the Dodgers sending outfielder Ron Fairly and infielder Paul Popovich to the Expos for Wills and outfielder Manny Mota. Montreal then made a deal with the Cubs that sent Popovich back to Chicago for outfielder Adolfo Phillips and pitcher Jack Lamabe of the Cubs Tacoma farm team.

Tribe And Chisox Swing Deal
The Chicago White Sox today traded pitcher Sammy Ellis to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Jack Hamilton, with both players being assigned to Pacific Coast League clubs.

Braves Acquire Tony Gonzalez
The San Diego Padres made a further commitment to youth today, trading 32 year old OF Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Braves for three younger players. the three players leaving the Atlanta system are catcher Walt Hriniak, OF Andy Finlay, and infielder Van Kelly, all of whom played with Shreveport of the Texas League last season.

Hurler Al Jackson Purchased By Reds
The Cincinnati Reds bought veteran port sider Al Jackson Friday from the New York Mets for an undisclosed sum. Jackson, 33, a seven year veteran of the National League had yet to appear in a game for the Mets this season.

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

Thursday June 12th, 1969

Sox' Azcue Leaves Team

Boston- Red Sox catcher Joe Azcue became the fourth major league player this season to leave a club unexpectedly when he flew to his home in Kansas City on Wednesday. A Boston spokesman said Azcue, hitting just .143 in limited duty, had been moody about not playing regularly and had asked Red Sox officials to trade him. Willie Horton of the Tigers, Richie Allen of the Phillies, and Maury Wills of the Expos have left their teams this year. All returned. Azcue left the team about 4 PM, several hours before the Red Sox were to meet the Minnesota Twins. Boston Manager Dick Williams was to meet with General Manager Dick O'Connell and Haywood Sullivan, vice president in charge of player personnel Thursday to discuss the matter.

Collision Forces Two Astros Out Of Lineup

Houston- Astros outfielder Jesus Alou suffered a severe concussion in a collision with shortstop Hector Torres in Houston's 11-6 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday. The accident occurred in the third inning when Alou and Torres tried to catch Al Oliver's fly in short left field. Oliver circled the bases for an inside the park homer. Torres escaped with a slight concussion along with facial cuts and bruises, but Alou swallowed his tongue as he fell and first aid administered by Pirate trainer Tony Bartirome may have saved his life. Bartirome, a former Pirate first baseman, pulled out Alou's tongue, inserted a rubber hose and inflated the hose, restoring a normal flow of air into Alou's lungs. Both injured players were unconscious when they were carried off the field on stretchers. Torres regained consciousness before leaving the Astrodome. Alou lapsed in and out of consciousness several times before finally being stabilized at the hospital.

[PhillieFever]

At
Fenway Park, Boston, Ma.
June 13th to 15th, 1969

Friday June 13th: Athletics 4 Red Sox 3
With the game tied at three in the top of the 7th, leadoff man Danny Cater made it to second base on a fielding error by Sox 3B George Scott, two batters later Cater was crossing the plate with what would turn out to be the game winning run thanks to an RBI hit from Dick Green, as Oakland slipped past the Red Sox 4-3 in game one of a three game set. Green, who's been blazing hot of late was once again the club's catalyst, going 2 for 4 with an RBI single, an RBI double, and a run scored. On the mound, SP Chuck Dobson picked up his 7th win, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits over 8 strong innings, Paul Lindblad picked up the save.
WP: Chuck Dobson(7-6) LP: Sonnu Siebert(3-4) S: Paul Lindblad(5) HR: None

Saturday June 14th: Athletics 6 Red Sox 0
In a combined effort, starting pitcher Blue Moon Odom and reliever Marcel Lachemann held the Red Sox to just 3 hits and 5 walks without allowing a run, as Oakland won for the fourth time in succession, defeating the Red Sox by the score of 6-0. At the plate, SS Bert Campaneris had 2 hits, a stolen base, an RBI, and a run scored, RF Reggie Jackson doubled, stole a base, walked 3 times and scored twice, and 2B Dick Green slammed a 2 run single.
WP: Blue Moon Odom(7-5) LP: Lee Stange(2-6) HR: None

Sunday June 15th: Red Sox 9 Athletics 1
SS Rico Petrocelli was 3 for 4 with a double, 2 homers, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored, LF Carl Yastrzemski cranked out his 16th homer of the season and CF Reggie Smith connected on an RBI single and scored twice, as the Red Sox finally came alive in a 9-1 drubbing of the Athletics. Given a huge lead to work with, Sox SP Ray Culp was sharp all afternoon, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits over 8 and two thirds innings pitched. He also walked 1 and struck out 6, upping his record to 8-4. For the Athletics, SP Jim Nash, making his first start in nearly two weeks was bombed out early, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks before being yanked...you guessed it... in the 5th inning.
WP: Ray Culp(8-4) LP: Jim Nash(3-5) HR: Bos, Rico Petrocelli 2(18), Carl Yastrzemski(16) Oak, Rick Monday(7)

Athletics News

In order to patch up their gaping hole at catcher, the A's have traded 26 year old 2B John Donaldson to the expansion Pilots in exchange for 26 year old catcher Larry Haney.

The A's have also made a couple of more personnel moves, sending 22 year old catching prospect Gene Tenace and 30 year old OF Jose Tartabull to Triple A Des Moines and bringing up 27 year old OF Allan Lewis and 26 year old 1B Ramon Webster.

[PhillieFever]

Monday June 16th, 1969

Expos Unload Mr. Clendenon

Baseball trades were light during the final 48 hours before the trading deadline in the Major Leagues. The deadline was at Midnight Sunday night, and only three top flight deals and a sprinkling of trades of lesser importance marked the weekend.
In one major transaction the New York Mets obtained slugger Donn Clendenon from the Montreal Expos for minor league pitchers Steve Renko, Bill Carden, and Dave Colon and infielder Kevin Collins. In another Sunday trade, the Boston Red Sox traded disgruntled catcher Joe Azcue to the California Angels in exchange for catcher/infielder Tom Satriano. Both Clendedon and Azcue have histories as malcontents. Clendedon if you remember was involved in the Expos disputed trade for Rusty Staub last winter, refusing to report to the Houston Astros and eventually being allowed to play with the Expos. As for Azcue, he recently left the Boston club without permission because he was unhappy sitting on the bench.
In other deals, the New York Yankees parted with SS Tom Tresh in a Saturday trade, sending him to the Detroit Tigers for rookie outfielder Ron Woods. St. Louis sent pitcher Dennis Ribant to Cincinnati's farm club at Indianapolis for pitcher Aurelio Monteagudo who was assigned to the Cardinals' farm team in Tulsa. Lastly, the Montreal Expos picked up relief pitcher Dick Radatz from the Tigers for an undisclosed amount of cash.

Seattle's Barber To DL
Saddled with elbow troubles all season long, 31 year old pitcher Steve Barber has been placed on the disabled list by the Pilots. Since injuring himself in spring training, Barber has been getting constant diathermy treatments which have allowed him to play, starting in 12 games this year and accumulating a 6-5 record despite a high 4.79 ERA. Recently however the condition has worsened, forcing Steve to the DL.

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

At
KC Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
June 16th to 18th, 1969

Monday June 16th: Athletics 6 Royals 4 (Game One)
Key RBI hits from Ted Kubiak, Danny Cater, and Dick Green along with some tremendous relief work by Marcel Lachemann helped the A's overcome a 4-1 eighth inning deficit on their way to a 6-4 victory in game one of today's doubleheader. The victory was the 5th in six games for the surging Athletics.
WP: Marcel Lachemann(1-0) LP: Moe Drabowsky(4-4) HR: KCR, Lou Piniella(9), Mike Fiore(3)

Monday June 16th: Athletics 11 Royals 7 (Game Two)
A grand slam from catcher Phil Roof followed by a solo shot from relief pitcher Lew Krausse capped off an eight run 6th inning for the Athletics who overcame some shoddy starting pitching to defeat the hometown Royals 11-7. SS Bert Campaneris, mired in a season long slump, finally looked like the disruptive force he's been over the last couple of seasons, going 4 for 6 with a double, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base, his 20th of the year. For the Royals, RF Ed Kirkpatrick had 3 hits and 3 RBI in the loss.
WP: Lew Krausse(3-2) LP: Mike Hedlund(3-3) HR: Oak, Lew Krausse(2), Phil Roof(1)

Wednesday June 18th: Athletics 8 Royals 2 (Game One)
Following an off day yesterday, the A's and Royals were right back at it with another twin bill, and just like in games one and two, it was the Oakland offense that was the story, with Reggie Jackson, Danny Cater, and Rick Monday all collecting 2 RBI each in an 8-2 drubbing of Kansas City. On the hill, SP Chuck Dobson picked up his 4th straight win, allowing just 2 runs on 9 hits with a walk and 6 K's in the route going performance.
WP: Chuck Dobson(8-6) LP: Dick Drago(1-8) HR: Oak, Reggie Jackson(9), Danny Cater(3)

Wednesday June 18th: Royals 5 Athletics 4 (Game Two)
Trailing 4-0 after three, the Athletics slowly clawed their way back, getting a 2 run triple from Dick Green in the 4th, and an RBI single from Bert Campaneris in the 7th, before finally tying the game in the 9th on a run scoring wild pitch by Royals reliever Paul Schaal. Still tied at four in the bottom of the 9th, Royals CF Bob Oliver, who was batting .211 with just one homer on the season, slammed a 2-2 Paul Lindblad fastball over the wall in right field, giving Kansas City the stunning 5-4 win.
WP: Steve Jones(2-1) LP: Paul Lindblad(1-4) HR: KCR, Bob Oliver(2)

[PhillieFever]

Thursday June 19th, 1969

Palmer Blanks Senators 7-0

Washington, DC- Plagued by recurring shoulder trouble since 1966, when he won 15 for Baltimore and then went on to become the youngest pitcher ever to toss a shutout in the World Series, 23 year old Orioles righthander Jim Palmer may finally have put his injury problems behind him.
Against the Senators on Wednesday Palmer was absolutely magnificent, scattering 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 6 in a complete game 7-0 shutout in front of nearly 22,000 fans here in Washington's R.F.K. Stadium. The victory is Palmer's Major League leading 11th on the season against just three defeats, his ERA is a fine 2.60.

Behind Jim Kaat, Twins Win 7th Straight
Minnesota Twins lefty Jim Katt had all of his pitches working today, holding the Angels to just 5 hits in a dominating 7-0 shutout win. The win is the 7th straight for the streaking Twins who now lead the AL West by a commanding 8 and a half games over second place Oakland. They'll be given a chance to expand that lead on Friday, when they head to Oakland for a four game set with the resurgent Athletics.

Drysdale Returns For Dodgers
Clinging to a one game lead in a very tight NL Western division, the Los Angeles Dodgers got a big boost on Wednesday when star pitcher Don Drysdale returned from a stint on the DL and promptly twirled 8 shutout innings, allowing just 1 walk and striking out 7 in a 2-0 victory over the visiting Padres. The win is the 206th of Drysdale's big league career.

Orioles Acquire Pitcher
In a minor waiver wire deal, the Baltimore orioles acquired relief pitcher Frank Bertaina from the Washington Senators for minor league pitcher Paul Campbell and cash.

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

At
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, Ca.
June 20th to 22nd, 1969

Friday June 20th: Athletics 6 Twins 5
Reggie Jackson's two out game winning RBI single in the bottom of the 9th capped off a stunning comeback for the A's who rallied from a 5-1 deficit with two outs in the 8th to trim the first place Twins by the score of 6-5 here at The Coliseum. Trailing 5-1 with a runner on 3rd and two outs in the 8th, A's 3B Sal Bando ignited the rally with a two run homer over the wall in left center, cutting the deficit to 5-3. 1B Danny cater then stepped to the plate and he homered, suddenly making it a 5-4 game before the Twins finally escaped the inning. After quickly setting the Twins down in their half of the 9th, the A's again quickly went back to work when leadoff man Fred Haney singled and then went to 2nd on a Dick Green ground out. SS Bert Campaneris then singled Haney home to tie the score at 5-5. Campy then daringly stole second before going to third on a Tommie Reynolds ground out to 2nd. With the winning run now on third and the Twins infield and outfield both playing in, RF Reggie Jackson, who had homered in the 4th already, stepped to the plate and slammed Ron Perranoski's 1-0 sinker into short right for the game winning single.
WP: Jim Roland(2-0) LP: Ron Perranoski(3-3) HR: Oak, Reggie Jackson(10), Sal Bando(9), Danny Cater(4)

Saturday June 21st: Twins 3 Athletics 1
Following their excruciating loss on Friday, Billy Martin's Twins, to their credit, came back strong on Saturday and defeated the A's by the score of 3-1 on a brilliantly pitched ballgame by Dave Boswell, and a clutch hit by Leo Cardenas. Deadlocked at 1-1 after seven, this time it was the Twins who got the big hit in the 8th, when with two outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd, Cardenes laced a Jim Hunter fastball in left field, scoring both Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew and sending the twins to victory. As for Boswell, he went 8 strong, allowing a run on 4 hits and a walk while striking out 8 for his 6th win of the season. Sal Bando's RBI single in the 1st accounted for the lone A's run.
WP: Dave Boswell(6-4) LP: Jim Hunter(3-6) S: Ron Perranoski(10) HR: None

Sunday June 22nd: Athletics 5 Twins 2 (Game One)
Reggie Jackson slammed a 2 run homer, Danny Cater and Rick Monday each had key RBI hits, Baert Campaneris added an RBI sac fly, and SP Chuck Dobson once again was strong, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits over 8 innings pitched, as Oakland took game one of today's doubleheader defeating the Twins by the score of 5-2. cater, who's been red hot of late, was 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, an RBI, and a run scored. Since June 10th when he was batting .201, Cater has gone 17 for 47(.362) with 4 doubles, 3 homers, 10 RBI and 12 runs scored, upping his average to .239
WP: Chuck Dobson(9-6) LP: Bob Miller(0-2) S: Paul Lindblad(6) HR: Oak, Reggie Jackson(11)

Sunday June 22nd: Athletics 6 Twins 5 (Game Two)
Sal Bando slammed a run scoring single in the ninth inning to give the Oakland Athletics a thrilling 6-5 victory over the first place Minnesota Twins and a much needed sweep of today's twin bill. Tied at 5-5 in the bottom of the 9th, SS Bert Campaneris reached 1st on a throwing error by pitcher Al Worthington, stole second, and went to third on a sac fly by Dick Green. Following an intentional walk to Reggie Jackson, Bando stepped to the plate and lined a single to left, scoring Campaneris and giving the A's the win. For the game Bando was 2 for 4 with a walk, a homer, 3 RBI and a run scored. With the win, Oakland has now taken 11 of their last 15 ballgames and moved to within a game of .500
WP: Marcel Lachemann(2-0) LP: Al Worthington(0-3) HR: Oak, Sal Bando(10)

MLB News And Notes

Red Hot Houston Win 8th Straight
Mired in 5th place just over a week ago, the Houston Astros are suddenly the hottest team in baseball with 8 straight wins and 11 in their last 13 games, putting them right back into the thick of things in the National League West, easily the most competitive division in baseball. leading the way has been CF Jimmy Wynn, who has batted an unreal .480 during the streak with 3 home runs.

Senators Acquire Maye
In a waiver wire deal, the Washington Senators have acquired 34 year old OF Lee Maye from the Cleveland Indians for minor league pitcher Bill Denehy and cash.

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

MLB Players Of The Week
W/E June 22nd, 1969

[Big T]

Good job in keeping the Twins in sight by winning 3 of 4. Now just got to slowly creep up on them. Lots of season left.

[PhillieFever]

On a personal note, the recent series with Minnesota gave me the most enjoyment I've had from the game in a long long time. I'd almost forgotten how fun the game could be when the team you're managing actually has a chance. I'm now convinced that I made the right decision switching teams. Secondly, instead of having constant "newspaper" reports from around the league, I'm going to save them for special happenings, like milestones, long winning streaks, no hitters......those sorta things.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Big T

Good job in keeping the Twins in sight by winning 3 of 4. Now just got to slowly creep up on them. Lots of season left.

They've got a really good team, especially their lineup which is tough top to bottom. Tovar, Carew, Killebrew, Oliva, Rich Reese(a .322 hitter in 69'), Graig Nettles, Leo Cardenas, even John Roseboro is playing well.

[PhillieFever]

At
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, Ca.
June 24th to 26th, 1969

Tuesday June 24th: Athletics 4 Royals 1
Sal Bando's 2 run double sparked a three run 8th inning for the Athletics who snapped a 1-1 tie on their way to a crisp 4-1 victory over the expansion Royals. SP Jim Nash was strong through seven innings, allowing a run on five hits, but it was reliever Rollie Fingers who got the win, twirling two perfect innings in relief. At the plate, RF Reggie Jackson's 4th inning homer was his 4th in seven games.
WP: Rollie Fingers(1-2) LP: Dick Drago(1-9) HR: Oak, Reggie Jackson(12)

Wednesday June 25th: Royals 8 Athletics 2
Royals rookie LF Lou Piniella nearly single handedly drove his team to victory today, going 3 for 3 with a double, a homer, 2 walks, 6 RBI, and 2 runs scored, as the Kansas City Royals roughed up Jim Hunter on their way to an 8-2 win over the Athletics. Hunter(3-7), who's won just once since April 16th, looked bad once again, allowing 5 runs(4 earned) on 9 hits with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts over six and third innings pitched.
WP: Bill Butler(8-3) LP: Jim Hunter(3-7) HR: KCR, Lou Piniella(10)

Thursday June 26th: Athletics 9 Royals 8 (11 Innings)
Trailing 5-2 in the 7th, the Athletics stormed back to tie the game at 5-5 on an RBI sac fly from Dick Green and an RBI double from Ted Kubiak in the 7th, and an RBI triple from Tommie Reynolds in the 8th, eventually forcing extra innings where in the top of the 11th the Royals seemingly sewed it up, taking an 8-5 lead on a three run homer by Joe Foy. In the bottom of the inning however the A's again fought back, getting in succession, a solo homer from Dick Green, a walk by Bert Campaneris, a single by Mike Hershberger, and finally a dramatic game winning three run homer by Reggie Jackson, the 23 year old from just outside of Philadelphia who's quickly blossoming into one of the game's great power hitters.
WP: Paul Lindblad(2-4) LP: Moe Drabowsky(4-5) HR: KCR, Joe Foy(5) Oak, Reggie Jackson(13), Dick Green(7)

[PhillieFever]

Wednesday June 25th, 1969

Phillies Suspend Richie Allen

New York(AP)- Richie Allen, controversial first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies was suspended indefinitely without pay Tuesday by Manager Bob Skinner. Allen was suspended after he failed to show up at Shea Stadium for Tuesday night's Twi-Night doubleheader with the New York Mets. Asked how long the suspension could last, Skinner replied: "That depends on Mr. Allen. It depends on what he tells me. The game is too big for this type of thing."
The $80,000 a year infielder was with the club at the hotel earlier in the day. At first it was believed he might have confused the starting time of the game. Mets twi-night doubleheaders start at 5pm, in Philadelphia twi-night doubleheaders start at 6pm. However, Allen still hadn't shown up at the stadium as the teams began play in the second game, but telephoned the club. Pitcher Dick Farrell answered the telephone, but Skinner said when he got to the phone it was dead. Skinner said Allen had asked permission to come to New York Monday to see the Joe Frazier - Jerry Quarry heavyweight fight Monday night at Madison Square Garden. "And I haven't heard from him since." Skinner said. Farrell, one of Allen's closest friends on the team refused to talk to newsmen.

Yastrzemski's Six Hits Pace Red Sox
Following an embarrassing 10-1 home loss in game one of Wednesday's twin bill with the Indians, Red Sox LF Carl Yastrzemski made sure to give the Fenway faithful something to cheer for in game two, becoming the first American League player in nearly seven years to get six hits in a nine inning game, as Boston trounced the Tribe 13-6 in the night cap. Yastrezmski, who was 6 for 6 in the ballgame, singled in the 1st, got an RBI single in the 2nd, slammed a two run homer in the 4th, his 20th, singled in the 6th, singled in the 7th, and finally singled in the 8th. The last A.L. player to accomplish the feat was Floyd Robinson of the Chicago White Sox, who ironically accomplished the feat in a 7-3 victory over the Red Sox right here at Fenway Park.

Astros Run Streak To 11 Thanks To Blefary
Determined to keep their 10 game winning streak alive, Houston Astros 1B Curt Blefary would not be denied, going 4 for 5 with a game tying homer in the 9th, and a game winning 2 run single in the 10th, as Houston battled back twice to defeat the visiting Giants 5-4. The victory is the Astros 11th straight, and moves them three games in front of second place Cincinnati.

Roggenburk Sold To Seattle
The Boston Red Sox announced Wednesday they have sold relief pitcher Gary Roggenburk to the Seattle Pilots for the $20,000 waiver price. The 6 foot 6 lefty had yet to appear in a game for the Sox.

MLB Standings

[PhillieFever]

Saturday June 28th, 1969

Palmer Injured In Shutout Of Tigers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O's Take Over 1st Place In AL East

In a battle for first place here at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, 23 year old Orioles hurler Jim Palmer was downright filthy, holding the Tigers to just 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out six in a complete game 1-0 shutout. With the win, the Orioles have now taken command in the American League East with a Major League best record of 50-23. Unfortunately, according to Manager Earl Weaver the oft injured Palmer hurt his shoulder in the 8th inning, and despite completing the game, the injury is severe enough to force Palmer onto the disabled list for about a month. With today's win, Palmer is now an amazing 13-3 with a 2.30 ERA in 150.1 innings pitched.

In Other Injury News
The Philadelphia Phillies, still without the AWOL the Richie Allen, now must continue on without the services of RF Johnny Callison who was placed on the disabled list with a sore groin. He's expected to be out for 3 weeks.

[PhillieFever]

At
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, Ca.
June 27th to 29th, 1969

Friday June 27th: Athletics 7 White Sox 4
Trailing 3-0 after one and facing Chicago's best hurler in Tommy John things did not look good early for Oakland, but starting pitcher Blue Moon Odom settled in and allowed just one more run the rest of the way, 3B Sal Bando took care of the rest, going 4 for 4 with a walk, a homer, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored leading the A's past the White Sox by the score of 7-4 in game one of this four game series. As for John, he now falls to a miserable 3-10 despite a fine 2.82 ERA.
WP: Blue Moon Odom(8-5) LP: Tommy John(3-10) S: Lew Krausse(1) HR: Oak, Sal Bando(11) CWS, Don Pavletich(1)

Saturday June 28th: White Sox 9 Athletics 4
Trailing 5-0 in the bottom of the 8th, the A's suddenly got back into the ballgame when back to back round trippers by Reggie Jackson and Sal Bando closed the gap to 5-4. In the 9th however A's relievers Marcel Lachemann and Paul Lindblad were banged around, combining to allow 4 runs on 6 hits, and Chicago went on to defeat the Athletics 9-4. Leading the 17 hit onslaught for Chicago was veteran SS Luis Aparicio, who went 5 for 6 with a double and 3 runs scored.
WP: Joe Horlen(4-7) LP: Jim Nash(3-6) HR: CWS, Carlos May(13) Oak, Sal Bando(12), Reggie Jackson(14)

Sunday June 29th: White Sox 8 Athletics 6 (Game One)
For the second straight day White Sox batters again feasted on the wayward slants of Athletics pitchers, scoring 5 runs(3 earned) on 10 hits off of Catfish Hunter, and then when that wasn't enough, scored three more off of relievers Marcel Lachemann and Rollie Fingers on their way to an 8-6 trimming of the hometown A's. RF Reggie Jackson did all he could to keep his team in the game, going 3 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI, but it just wasn't to be.
WP: Danny Murphy(4-1) LP: Marcel Lachemann(2-1) S: Dan Osinski(4) HR: None

Sunday June 29th: Athletics 6 White Sox 5 (Game Two)
RF Reggie Jackson continued on his epic tear, going 3 for 3 with a walk, a double, 2 homers, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored, but it was Sal Bando who came up with the game winner, slamming a one out RBI double over the head of everybody, as the A's escaped with a 6-5 win over the suddenly hot White Sox. Over his last 15 games, Jackson is batting .383(23 for 60) with 5 doubles, 8 home runs, 20 RBI, and 18 runs scored.
WP: Paul Lindblad(3-4) LP: Paul Edmondson(5-2) HR: Oak, Reggie Jackson 2(16) CWS Bobby Knoop(1)

[PhillieFever]

MLB Players Of The Week
W/E June 29th, 1969

[PhillieFever]

Standings
July 1st, 1969

[PhillieFever]

American League Batting Leaders
July 1st, 1969

[PhillieFever]

American League Pitching Leaders
July 1st, 1969

[PhillieFever]

National League Batting Leaders
July 1st, 1969