The theme this time out is surprising bullpen collapses, as a range of usually dependable closers struggled to hold on to victories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the game began, the Black Yankees<\/a> were encouraged by Ron Guidry<\/strong>‘s return to form, allowing only 3 hits–although 2 runs–in 5 innings of work. But Homestead<\/a>‘s Stan Bahnsen<\/strong> was almost as good, settling down after giving up Mickey Mantle<\/strong>‘s 16th homerun of the year in the first inning. Bahnsen was chased from the game in the 6th, as consecutive singles from Mantle, Lou Gehrig<\/strong>, and Eric Davis<\/strong> put the Black Yankees up by 1. An inning later, a sacrifice fly by Don Mattingly<\/strong> made it 4-2, with the Black Yankees looking safe to take their expected victory … but then New York’s weakness showed up big time, as Sparky Lyle<\/strong> imploded in the 8th, giving up 2 run single to Pops Stargell<\/strong> (his 3rd hit of the day) to tie the game. Ralph Citarella<\/strong> pitched OK, but was saddled with the loss when midseason acquisition Gary Lavelle<\/strong>–sporting a gaudy 9.39 ERA since joining New York–gave up the game-winning single to Mike Epstein<\/strong> for a 5-4 win for the Grays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NYY 4<\/strong> (Citarella 2-5; Moyer 2 H; Lyle 4 B Sv) @ HOM 5<\/strong> (Lindblom 2-4) [10 Innings]<\/em> Tom Seaver<\/strong> had been rocked in his first few appearances, but here the 22 year old showed some of his promise, allowing 2 runs in the first and nothing thereafter over 5-plus innings. Doug Rader<\/strong> drove in 2 with a homerun in the 3rd and another with a single in the 5th as the Angels<\/a> held a 4-2 lead. Solid relief work from Jonny Venters<\/strong> and Pud Galvin<\/strong> took the game to Los Angeles’ closer, Joe Nathan<\/strong>, who got 2 quick outs before a single from Richie Hebner<\/strong> setup a 2 run, game-tying homerun from Jim Edmonds<\/strong>. Hebner would win the game for the House of David<\/a> in the bottom of the 11th with a solo shot, his 9th of the season. Mike Trout<\/strong> had 3 hits in the Angels’ losing effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LAA 4 <\/strong>(Rodr\u00edguez 3-1; Nathan 7 B Sv; Galvin 2 H; Venters 13 H) @ HOD 5 <\/strong>(Rommel 2-0) [11 Innings]<\/em> This one was a great pitching duel with the Gotham<\/a>‘s Christy Mathewson<\/strong> and Houston<\/a>‘s Stephen Strasburg<\/strong> matching arms through 6 innings. Before leaving with an injury, Strasburg’s only blemish was a solo homerun by Willie Mays<\/strong> in the 1st inning while Matty sailed along until the bottom of the 5th when Houston picked up 2 runs, one on a Craig Biggio<\/strong> double, the other an RBI groundout from HR Johnson<\/strong>. The Colt 45’s 2-1 lead held until the top of the 9th, when their closer, Billy Wagner<\/strong>, came in the game. Wagner gave up a 2-out double to Eugenio Su\u00e1rez<\/strong>, scoring Yasiel Puig<\/strong> and tying the game. New York’s Mike Norris<\/strong>–fantastic all season–was asked to stretch beyond his usual single inning, allowing a leadoff triple to Johnson in the bottom of the 10th. After 2 intentional walks to load the bases, Norris gave up a single to George Brett<\/strong> (his 3rd hit of the day), winning the game for Houston. Jimmy Sheckard<\/strong> had 4 hits for New York in the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NYG 2 <\/strong>(Norris 3-2) @ HOU 3<\/strong> (Ely 1-0; Wagner 5 B Sv; Hoffman 5 H) [10 Innings] Eddie Collins<\/strong> and Shoeless Joe Jackson<\/strong> each had 3 hits for Chicago<\/a>, with Jackson hitting his 21st long ball of the year, but it wasn’t enough as Detroit<\/a> used Oscar Gamble<\/strong>‘s 21st dinger to stay in the game, winning it in the bottom of the 9th on a wild pitch from the usually reliable Hoyt Wilhelm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HRs<\/strong>: NYY – Mantle (16).
Box Score<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nLos Angeles Angels @ Wandering House of David, Game 3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HRs<\/strong>: LAA – Rader (14); HOD – Edmonds (3), Hebner (9).
Box Score<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nNew York Gothams @ Houston Colt 45’s, Game 4<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/em>HRs<\/strong>: NYG – Mays (16).
Box Score<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nChicago American Giants @ Detroit Wolverines, Game 3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n