Spoiler Spos take 2 of 3 from Bravos

9/23 - Braves Field - Boston - MA
GAME 1 - Expos 5, Braves 1
Jerry Robinson pitched the game of his life and Elroy Face turned back father time to finish it. The Expos exploded for 3 runs in the 2nd off of J.Wilson, when banjo hitting Bobby Wine hit a 3 run shot out of the 8th hole. Wine recorded his 4th RBI of the day with a sac fly in the 4th as the Expos won this one easily.

9/24
GAME 2 - Braves 6, Expos 1
Boston turned the tables on Montreal and won this one easily behind 6 solid innings from young Lew Burdette. Jester came on in the 7th and recorded the rare 3 inning save, where no runners reached base. The Expos lone run came on a Coco Laboy sac fly in the 1st. Boston finally got on the board with 2 in the 4th, 1 in the 5th, 2 in the 6th and 1 in the 7th off of Bill Stoneman who accomplished little more than eating up innings. Rookie Eddie Mathews was 3 for 4 with an RBI.

9/25 - Jarry Parc - Montreal - QC
GAME 3 - Expos 4, Braves 3
Warren Spahn pitched well enough to win, but a 3 run hiccup in the 4th did him in. Rusty Staub and Coco Laboy led off with singles and moved over to third on Mack Jones' sac bunt. Bob Baily hit a warning track shot to right to score Staub and make it 2-1 BSN. Catcher John Brand (3-4) Singled home Laboy and went to second on the throw to the plate. Wine singled home Brand 3 pitches later to put the 'spos up 3-2. With 2 outs in the top of the 5th Boston tied the game up. Sam Jethroe singled and promptly stole second. Johnny Logan's opposite field single to right scored Jethroe easily. The game remained tied until the bottom of the 6th when Montreal went ahead for good. Mack Jones singled and stole 2nd with 2 outs. Bobby Wine was intentionally passed, in order to face Mike Wegener, Montreal's pitcher. Manny Mota, like so many times in his career, was summoned from the bench to pinch hit in a key situation. Mota delivered a frozen rope to center to score Jones. Howie Reed pitched two scoreless innings and Dan McGinn closed it out with some suspense. After walking the first 2 Braves in the 9th (Mathews & Torgeson), Bob Thorpe bunted to push the runners up 90 feet. McGinn got a key strike out by fanning Paul Burris and Billy Reed grounded weakly to second to end it as the resurgent Expos took their second series in a row as they gamefully play the role of spoiler.

Boys of Summer sweep Rox

9/20 - LA Memorial Coliseum
GAME 1 - Dodgers 5, Rox 1
Enigmatic young Sandy Koufax (2-3, 3.32) flashed signs of brilliance today going 8 innings and yielding only 1 run to the powerful Rockie lineup. LA staked the 22 year old phenom to a 4 run lead before he tired in the 8th and yielded the Rox only run, which was a solo shot by Chris Jones. Johnny Roseboro had a solo shot of his own for the victors in the 2nd. Gino Cimoli, pinch hitting for Norm Larker, got the rare BB / RBI at bat. Johnny Klippstein came on in relief of Sandy in an uneventful 9th.

9/21
GAME 2 - Dodgers 3, Rox 2 (11 inn)
The remnants of the Boys of Summer came back to life in this event. The Duke singled home Zim for the 1st run of the game in the opening stanza. 1955 World Series MVP, Johnny Podres was brilliant for 8 innings, but tired in the 9th. Clem Labine came on to close it out, just like the glory days of the mid 50's, but he couldn't as Dante Bichette singled home Charlie Hayes to tie it. With two out and 2 on in the bottom of the 11th newcomer Norm Larker singled home the Reading Rifle, Carl Furillo, for the game winner.

9/22 - Mile High Stadium
GAME 3 - Dodgers 9, Rox 4
The series shifted to the Mile High City and the offense became revived. For the third consecutive game the Boys of Summer were able to turn their back on father time. Oisk, Carl Erskine (2-0, 2.42) went the distance giving up only 2 earned runs (of 4). Colorado's starter Butch Henry was throwing BP. Dem Bums posted 2 quick runs in the first as Skooonj (Carl Furillo) doubled home Junior Gilliam and Gino Cimoli. LA added another run in the third as Skoonj again plated Cimoli. Norm Larker hit a solo shot to make it 4-0 in the 4th. The Rox cut the deficit in half with 2 runs of their own that inning, but other than 2 window dressing runs in the 9th the day and the series belonged to the transplants from Brooklyn.

Washington, first in peace, first in war and no longer last in the American League

Game 1 Athlletic starter Alex Kellner (4-1, 3.83) only lasted two innings. In the bottom of the second, Jim King hit a 3 run homer (3) and then Danny O'Connell doubled home two more for a 5-0 lead. Joe McLain (2-3, 3.96) needed no other assistance as he shut out the A's on two hits. Senators 8 Athletics 0

Game 2 The As scored in the top of the first and it looked like another rough outing for Senator starter Dick Donovan (3-3, 5.15). But he settled down after that and only allowed one more run in throwing a complete game. Hitting was something else though as A's starter Arnie Portocarrero (2-2, 4.83) was putting the clamps on the Senator's hitters. That is, until the 5th. Donovan doubled home one run to tie the game. Then with the bases loaded Gene Green hit a grand slam (3). The As scored one late but it wasn't enough. Senators 5 Athletics 2

Game 3 The As jumped on starter Pete Burnside for five in the 3rd. Gus Zernial slammed a three run homer (9). Jim Finigan tripled home another and Joe Astroth squeezed home Finigan. That would end the As scoring as the Washington bullpen shut them down the rest of the way. In the fifth, the Nats loaded the bases with none out. Bob Johnson drove home a run with a sacrifice fly. Then a wild pitch and passed ball produced another run. Pinchhitter Gene Woodling doubled home another, then a single and walk loaded the bases. King doubled home two more and after a walk, Dale Long hit a three run homer (3) to end the scoring in the fifth with a 9-5 Senators lead. The Senators would add five more runs, including two on a pinch hit homer by Marty Keough (3). Bill Harrington took the loss (0-3, 6.43). Matt Kutyna pitched one inning for the win (2-1, 2.79). Dave Sisler threw three innings for the save (2, 1.56). Senators 14 Athletics 5

Washington, first in peace, first in war and no longer last in the American League
--submitted by Tom "Crash" Davis--

Seattle slews O's

9/20 - Sicks Stadium - Seattle, WA
GAME 1 - Pilots 16, Orioles 2
The big showdown series between two teams separated by 1 game in the standings go off to a giant groan. The Pilots scored a bushell full of runs from the 4th to the 8th innings and powered their way past the O's. Baltimore starter Kretlow was hammered for 7 runs (4 earned). If his arm wasn't betraying him his defense was (4 errors). The top of Seattle's lineup fueled the machine as Tommy Harper went 4 for 6 and scored 3 runs. John Donaldson was 3 for 4 and scored 3 as well.

9/21
GAME 2 - Orioles 2, Pilots 0
Bob Turley (2-3, 2.82) turned in a virtuoso performance with this 4 hit 13k shutout performance. Snakebit Seattle starter, John Gelnar (2-2, 1.32) again pitched well enough to get a "W", but his offense just couldn't get on track. Let's not blame the boys with the lumber. Credit falls neatly on Turley's shoulders, as he was masterful. The O's scored a solo run in the 1st when clint Courtney singled home Cal Abrams. Gelnar was able to fan Kennedy to get out of that bases loaded jam and limit the damage. The O's added an insurance run in the 7th when Billy Hunter singled home Courtney.

9/22 - Memorial Stadium - Baltimore, MD
GAME 3 - Pilots 12, Orioles 2
Big Gene Brabender did not have his best stuff, but he was able to gut out 6 innings in this crafty performance. Brabender exited the game leading 5-2. Joe Coleman and the O's pen helped the Pilots build on their lead and turn the game into a blowout. Banjo hitting Gus Gil went 4 for 5 for the Pilots. September call up, Larry Haney hit a 2 run shot in the 4th to give his team a 3-0 lead. Crusty veteran, Vern Stephens' 2 run shot in the 5th accounted for all of Baltimore's runs and at the time kept them in the game by making it 3-2. By virtue of losing 2 of 3 Baltimore dropped 2 games behind Seattle with 6 left to play.

Angels take 2 of 3 from Mariners

9/20 - Kingdome - Seattle, Washington
Game 1 - Mariners 5, Angels 0
Glenn Abbott nearly made history vying to be the first Mariner to pitch no-hitter. Through 8 innings, Abbott completely shut down the league's #1 offense, allowing only a pair of walks. Los Angeles pinch hitter Ted Kluszewski struck out to start the top of the 9th. But next batter Albie Pearson drilled a double to the gap to end Abbott's no-no bid. The next two batters went down without event, as Abbott had to settle for a masterful 1-hitter, facing only 4 batters over the minimum. Angles' tough-luck starter Ken McBride pitched a compete game, struck out 9 and yielded only 7 hits, 2 walks and 3 earned runs, but was nevertheless tagged with the loss. Craig Reynolds homered for Seattle.

9/21 - Kingdome - Seattle, Washington
Game 2 - Angels 6, Mariners 1
Eli Grba improved his record to 5-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.83 with a 4-hit, 1-run complete game. The Angels offense only managed 6 hits, but bunched them together effectively along with 8 walks. Leon Wagner led the attack with 3 hits, including his 6th HR of the season. The game was tied at 1 going into the 6th inning. But losing pitcher Dick Pole walked the first 4 batters to start the inning and Los Angeles pulled away for good with 3 runs by the time the dust settled.

9/22 - Wrigley Field - Los Angeles, California
Game 3 - Angels 7, Mariners 2
The Angels' offense finally came alive with 13 hits, including 5 HRs. The pivotal inning was the 4th, when "sluggers" Joe Koppe, Ed Yost and Rocky Bridges all went deep, each a solo shot. But the game was still close as late as the top of the 7th, when Dave Collins' sacrifice fly plated Bill Stein to pull the Mariners within 2 runs. Los Angeles answered with 2 more long balls (Gene Leek, George Thomas) and Art Fowler shut the door over the last two innings to pick up his 4th save, sealing the victory for the home team. Ryne Duren got the win with 4 solid innings of 1-hit relief. Gary Wheelock suffered the loss in only his first non-quality start of the season. --submitted by Douglas Zaner--

Houston take 2 of 3 from Montreal

9/20 - Jarry Parc - Montreal, Quebec
GAME 1 - Colt 45's 8, Expos 2
Turk Farrell (5-2, 3.20) won this game with his arm and his lumber. Houston's ace gave up solo run in the first and never looked back. With his team up by 7 runs he was removed from the game. If it was close he had plenty of stamina to continue. Montreal's ace, Bill Stoneman (1-4, 5.89) was victimized by his defense, but he still managed to concede 4 earned runs out of 7. Roman Mejia was big with the bat going 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and 2 walks for Houston.

9/21 GAME 2 - Colt 45's 10, Expos 4
Gary Waslewski was tapped to stop the bleeding for the Expos His defense, including himself, committed another 2 errors. All 3 runs that Houston scored off of Waslewski were unearned. All 7 runs scored off of Shaw were earned. With the game knotted at 3 the Colt 45's posted 7 in the 7th and blew the doors off of the 'Spos. Carl Warwick went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI's. Bob Lillis also went 3 for 5 and improved his season avg to .333. Mejias hit his 5th long ball of the season. Gary Sutherland went 4 for 5 in a losing effort.

9/22 - Colt Stadium, Houston, TX
GAME 3 - Expos 17, Colt 45's 1
The Expos don't score much, but when they do it's a doozie. Houston starter, Ken Johnson (1-3, 7.39) never got out of the first inning, where he gave up 8 runs in 2/3 innings of work. Reliever Dean Stone was marginally better giving up 7 in 4 innings. Steve Renko (1-3, 3.00) went 7 1/3 and gave up 1 run. Every Expo starter had at least 2 hits. Gary Sutherland kept up his torrid pace with 3 RBI's. Rusty Staub, who has been mired in a deep slump all season, was 3 for 5 with 3 RBI's. Coco Laboy had 4 RBI's when he hit a grand slam in the first.

Northern Expos-ure

9/16 - 9/17 - Jarry Parc, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
GAME 1 - Expos 7, Rockies 6
Bill Stoneman carried a 7-3 lead into the 9th when he ran out of gas and almost got ran out of town. After Stoneman yielded 3 runs Gary Waslewski was brought on board to get the save, which he did. Coco Laboy went 3 for 4, as did catcher John Brand. Adolfo Phillips hit his 2nd homer of the season. Andres Galarraga had 4 RBI's in a losing cause.

GAME 2 - Expos 5, Rockies 4
Bruce Ruffin yielded only 1 run in 5 innings worth of work before he hit the 100 pitch plateau, which ended his day. The Rockie bullpen protected their 3 run lead until the Expos exploded for 3 in the bottom of the 8th to take the lead. Staehle led off with a double and Gary Sutherland walked with 1 out. Up stepped Ron Fairly, who slammed a 3 run shot down the right field line. The Rox rallied back to tie it in the top of the 9th when Alex Cole singled home Charlie Hayes with 2 outs. Blair took the mound in the bottom of the inning and immediately served up a walk off homer to John Bateman on the first pitch.

9/18 (Doubleheader) - Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO
GAME 3 - Expos 10, Rockies 6
Expo starter, Larry Jaster, was the beneficiary of an explosive offense that plated 10 runs. Fairly and Mack Jones each posted 3 hits. Jaster himself had an RBI double in the third. Rockie starter Bryn Smith didn't even make it out of the 2nd inning and wouldnt up giving up 7 earned runs as his ERA ballooned up to 21.60. Montreal had 3 errors in the first inning and looked to be giving the game away to the Rox. Galarraga had 4 hits in this losing effort. Jaster left the game in the 6th with tightness in his shoulder and is listed as day by day.

GAME 4 - Expos 4, Rockies 2
This game can be best described as a heartbreaker for Armando Reynoso who had a no hit bid stopped in the top of the 9th when Maury Wills led off with a single. At that point Reynoso turned his focus from preserving his no hitter to pitching a 1 hit shutout. Unfortunately he lost his concentration and balked Wills over to second. Sutherland bunted Wills to third and with 1 out Reynoso's shutout and 1-0 lead were tenuous at best. Bob Bailey walked on 5 pitches to put runners on the corners for Montreal's leading hitter Le Grande' Orange, Rusty Staub. Reynoso was up to the task as he struck out Staub on 8 pitches in an AB where the big red head really battled. With 2 out it all looked to be over, until Mack Jones his a 1-2 offering deep into the Colorado night for a 3 run shot and a 3 run lead. Just like that it all came tumbling down. Colorado opened the 9th with a single from Vinnie Castilla and a walk to Nelson Liriano. Dale Murphy received an odd intentional pass to load the bases, and for a moment it looked like the Rox just might pull it out. That was until Eric Young grounded into a run scoring DP. Two batters later Galarraga fanned on 4 pitches and the Expos notched their firs sweep of the season.