1969 NL New York Mets Win the East! October 2nd

Well, the New York Mets did it! The Mets haven't been in 1st place since the first week of the season and I had my doubts wether they'd play good enough to win a title in my replay. But the Mets had a very good last month surge while the Pirates and Cubs struggled, allowing New York to win their division.

Heading into the last day of the regular season the New York Mets were clinging to a one game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL East. Tonight, the Mets defeated the Chicago Cubs 5-3 and with the win, clinched the East division title. The Pirates wound up losing their game to the Montreal Expos 7-4, leaving the Mets 2 games ahead of Pittsburgh at seasons end. The NL Championship Series will begin in 2 days with New York traveling to Atlanta for the start of the 5 game playoff.

Strat-O-Matic Report

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NEWSPAPER GAME STORIES FOR 1969 National League                Date: 10/3/1969
 
NEW YORK AT CHICAGO
Mets............ 3 1 0  0 0 0  0 1 0  -  5 11  1
Cubs............ 0 0 0  0 1 0  1 1 0  -  3  7  1
Win:Gentry(15-11) Loss:Hands(22-15) Save:Dilauro(3rd)
Homeruns- T.Agee(36th), R.Hundley(25th), J.Hickman(24th)
 
Center fielder Tommie Agee connected with a 'big fly' at Wrigley Field as the
New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs by the count of 5 to 3.
 
The game started off with New York taking the lead in the first when they came
up with 3 runs on 4 hits.  Chicago was out-hit by New York, 11 hits to 7.
 
Gary Gentry(15-11) picked up the victory, allowing 2 runs in 7 innings. Jack
Dilauro earned the save, his 3rd.  Bill Hands(22-15) was the loser.  
 
 
MONTREAL AT PITTSBURGH
Expos........... 1 0 0  1 1 0  0 3 1  -  7 11  1
Pirates......... 1 0 0  2 0 0  0 0 1  -  4  8  3
Win:McGinn(6-8) Loss:Marone(7-1) Save:Reed(1st)
Homeruns- R.Staub(27th), B.Wine(3rd), J.Herrera(3rd), R.Clemente(26th),
           A.Oliver(17th)
 
At Forbes Field the Montreal Expos outscored the Pittsburgh Pirates 7 to
4.
 
Montreal came through with the game-winning runs in the 8th inning scoring 3
runs on 2 hits.  After an out was recorded, Ty Cline keyed the rally when he
drew a walk.  One out later, Bobby Wine came to bat and popped a two-run
clout over the fence.  Jose Herrera then hit a bases-empty home run.
Montreal finished with 11 hits while Pittsburgh ended up with 8.  
 
Dan McGinn(6-8) got the win allowing no runs in 2 innings. Howie Reed was
credited with his 1st save.  Lou Marone(7-1) was charged with the loss in
relief.  He was knocked around pretty good, giving up 4 runs in 2 innings.
 
 

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1969 NL Pitt. at NY September 21st

On the same day the Atlanta Braves clinched the NL West, the New York Mets swept a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Mets took 3 of 4 games in the series from the Pirates and move within 1 game of the NL East leader.

Strat-O-Matic Report

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PITTSBURGH AT NEW YORK
Pirates......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 1 0  -  1  8  0
Mets............ 0 0 0  1 0 1  0 0    -  2 10  0
Win:Koosman(22-6) Loss:Ellis(17-9) Save:Koonce(4th)
 
Jerry Koosman(22-6) and Dock Ellis(17-9) locked horns in a pitcher's duel with
Koosman and the New York Mets coming out on top of the Pittsburgh Pirates 2
to 1.
 
Pittsburgh was unable to claim the lead after New York went ahead in the 4th
inning scoring a single run on 2 hits.  Ken Boswell ripped a base-hit.
Boswell took his lead and swiped second.  After an out was recorded, Ron
Swoboda stepped in and he ripped a one-base hit.  Duffy Dyer was the next
batter, but he struck out.  Pittsburgh threatened in the 9th but New York was
able to put down the rally.  
 
Cal Koonce earned the save, his 4th.  'I didn't have my best stuff but
sometimes you just get lucky,' Koosman said, 'this was one of those times.'
 
PITTSBURGH AT NEW YORK
Pirates......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0  4  0
Mets............ 0 0 0  1 1 1  0 0    -  3 10  2
Win:Cardwell(9-10) Loss:Blass(9-16)
 
Don Cardwell had a strong outing at Shea Stadium where the New York Mets beat
the Pittsburgh Pirates by the score of 3 to 0.
 
Cardwell(9-10) gave New York a solid outing.  He was stingy on the mound,
allowing just 4 hits and 2 walks in 9 innings.  New York managed 10 hits in
their victory.  
 
Steve Blass(9-16) was the loser.  'We didn't have a whole lot of chances
today,' Larry Shepard said.  'Cardwell just was too much for our guys.'
 
ATLANTA AT SAN DIEGO
Braves.......... 0 0 0  1 7 1  0 3 0  - 12 18  2
Padres.......... 0 0 0  0 1 2  0 0 0  -  3 10  4
Win:Reed(21-4) Loss:Niekro(9-15)
Homeruns- T.Gonzalez(10th)
 
Ron Reed completed the game without help from the bullpen as the Atlanta
Braves defeated the San Diego Padres 12 to 3 at San Diego
Stadium.
 
Reed(21-4) pitched a solid game.  He went 9 innings allowing 10 hits and 2
walks.  Atlanta had 18 hits for the afternoon.  Joe Niekro(9-15) was tagged
with the loss.  He allowed Atlanta 7 runs in 4 and 1/3 innings of work.  
 
 

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Phi. at NY September 7, 1969

The New Mets have really been on a roll lately and won their 8th consecutive game tonight, 9-1 against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets have gone 15-2 in their last 17 games and now trail the NL East leading Pittsburgh Pirates by only 2 games.

Strat-O-Matic Report

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NEWSPAPER GAME STORIES FOR 1969 National League                Date: 9/8/1969
 
PHILADELPHIA AT NEW YORK
Phillies........ 0 0 0  0 0 1  0 0 0  -  1  5  0
Mets............ 1 0 1  4 1 0  2 0    -  9 15  1
Win:Gentry(11-10) Loss:Champion(6-7)
Homeruns- D.Clendenon(12th)
 
Donn Clendenon slammed a homerun and had 2 RBI and Gary Gentry pitched 9
strong innings as the seemingly unstoppable New York Mets topped the slumping
Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 9 to 1 at Shea Stadium.
 
Gentry(11-10) dominated Philadelphia hitters.  He allowed only 5 hits and no
walks in 9 innings.  New York rapped out 15 hits for the afternoon.  
 
Bill Champion(6-7) was the loser.  He was hit hard and gave up 11 hits and 3
walks in 6 and 2/3 innings.  'I thought it was my best performance in a long
time,' said Gentry. 'I had good command early in the game. I had my control
and composure and everything went well.'

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Atl. at Cin. September 6, 1969

Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves became the 1st player in the NL to reach the 50 home run mark this season when he hit a 2 run bomb in the 7th inning in a game against the Cinncinati Reds. Despite hitting the homerun in a losing effort the 2 RBI gives him 116 on the year, tops in MLB.

Strat-O-Matic Report

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BOXSCORE: 1969 Atlanta Braves At 1969 Cincinnati Reds                9/6/1969


 


  Braves             AB  R  H RBI AVG     Reds               AB  R  H RBI AVG


  F.Alou CF           5  0  1  0 .300     P.Rose RF           4  0  0  0 .354  


  T.Gonzalez LF       5  1  1  0 .261     B.Tolan CF          3  0  0  0 .304  


  H.Aaron RF          3  1  1  2 .338     A.Johnson LF        4  1  1  1 .324  


  O.Cepeda 1B         5  1  1  0 .213   E-T.Savage LF         0  0  0  0 .299  


  C.Boyer 3B          4  1  2  2 .276     T.Perez 3B          4  1  2  1 .312  


  F.Millan 2B         4  0  2  0 .256     J.Bench C           4  1  3  0 .305  


  S.Jackson SS        3  0  0  0 .218     L.May 1B            3  1  2  0 .267  


  B.Didier C          4  0  1  0 .243     T.Helms 2B          4  1  2  3 .296  


B-R.Garr PR           0  0  0  0 .294     W.Woodward SS       4  0  0  0 .235  


C-B.Tillman C         0  0  0  0 .185     G.Nolan P           2  0  0  0 .208  


  P.Jarvis P          2  0  1  0 .185     C.Carroll P         0  0  0  0 .389  


A-J.Breazeale PH      1  0  0  0 .000   D-J.Stewart PH        1  0  0  0 .274  


  C.Upshaw P          1  0  0  0 .167     J.Fisher P          0  0  0  0 .100  


                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      


         Totals      37  4 10  4                 Totals      33  5 10  5


 


A-Pinch Hit For Jarvis In 7th Inning


B-Pinch Ran For Didier In 8th Inning


C-Subbed Defensively (C ) For Garr In 8th Inning


D-Pinch Hit For Carroll In 8th Inning


E-Subbed Defensively (LF) For Johnson In 9th Inning


 


Braves.......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  4 0 0  -  4 10  0


Reds............ 1 3 1  0 0 0  0 0    -  5 10  1


 


Braves (84-55)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA


P.Jarvis LOSS(16-9)       6       9   5   5   2   6   3 143   3.28


C.Upshaw                  2       1   0   0   1   0   0  25   3.50


Totals                    8      10   5   5   3   6   3


 


Reds (70-64)             IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA


G.Nolan WIN(3-2)          6 2/3   8   3   3   3   4   1 129   4.33


C.Carroll HOLD(14th)      1 1/3   2   1   1   0   1   1  17   4.67


J.Fisher SAVE(3rd)        1       0   0   0   0   0   0   9   4.57


Totals                    9      10   4   4   3   5   2


 


ATTENDANCE- 23,033 DATE- Saturday, September 6th 1969 TIME- Night 


UMPIRES- Stan Landes, Bill Williams, Nick Colosi, Tom Gorman


T- 2:47


LEFT ON BASE- Braves: 9  Reds: 7


DOUBLE PLAYS- Braves: 0  Reds: 1


ERRORS- T.Helms


DOUBLES- C.Boyer(24th), F.Millan(20th)


HOME RUNS- H.Aaron(50th), C.Boyer(15th), A.Johnson(17th), T.Perez(30th),


           T.Helms(2nd)


WALKS- H.Aaron-2, S.Jackson, B.Tolan, L.May, G.Nolan


STRIKE OUTS- T.Gonzalez, O.Cepeda, B.Didier, P.Jarvis, C.Upshaw, P.Rose,


             B.Tolan, L.May, W.Woodward, G.Nolan-2


GIDP- T.Gonzalez


2-out RBI- A.Johnson, H.Aaron-2, C.Boyer-2


 


23,033 fans were treated to a fine game at Crosley Field as only one run


separated the combatants at game's end.  The Cincinnati Reds won by the


slimmest of margins, 5 to 4.


 


Cincinnati drew first blood jumping out to an early lead in the first inning


plating an isolated run.  Gary Nolan(3-2) got help from Jack Fisher who


pitched a perfect ninth and was credited with his 3rd save.  


 


Pat Jarvis(16-9) suffered the loss.  He allowed 3 homeruns in 6 innings of


work.  Cincinnati now has a record of 70-64.  With the loss, Atlanta has a


record of 5-5 lately, 84-55 overall.

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June 11, 1969 NL newspaper stories

A slate of very good games was played last night, including a matchup between division leaders Chicago and Atlanta.

Strat-O-Matic Report

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NEWSPAPER GAME STORIES FOR 1969 National League                Date: 6/11/1969
 
PITTSBURGH AT HOUSTON
Pirates......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0  7  0
Astros.......... 0 0 1  0 0 0  0 0    -  1  6  0
Win:Griffin(4-4) Loss:Ellis(4-4) Save:Gladding(3rd)
 
At The Astrodome, the Houston fans witnessed a great pitcher's duel.  Tom
Griffin(4-4) finally bested his Pittsburgh opposite, Dock Ellis(4-4), by the
score of 1 to 0.
 
Houston scored what proved to be the only run of the contest in the bottom of
the 3rd inning.  That was all Griffin needed.  Pittsburgh made it exciting in
the 9th, but they were unable to push the needed runs across.  
 
Fred Gladding gained credit for his 3rd save.  Ellis ended up with the loss.
He allowed 1 run and 4 hits in 6 innings.
 
MONTREAL AT SAN DIEGO
Expos........... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 1 0  1 -  2  7  0
Padres.......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 1  0 -  1  4  1
Win:Wegener(5-4) Loss:McCool(3-2)
Homeruns- E.Spiezio(4th)
 
Mike Wegener took a no-hitter into the 6th inning as the Montreal Expos
defeated the San Diego Padres in 10 innings 2 to 1 at San Diego Stadium.
 
The score was knotted at 1 after nine innings.  Montreal ended up winning it
in the 10th inning.  Don Bosch drew a walk.  After an out was recorded, Billy
McCool stepped in and he threw a pitch that got away from the catcher.  Rusty
Staub then hit a deep fly.  Mack Jones came up and he laced a one-base hit.
Neither team was able to score until the 8th inning.  
 
The win was credited to Wegener(5-4) who went the whole way allowing 1 run.
The right-handed Wegener lost a no-hitter when John Sipin doubled with nobody
out in the 6th inning.  McCool(3-2) was given the loss in relief.  He was the
victim of a defensive lapse and did not allow an earned run in the game.  
 
 
NEW YORK AT SAN FRANCISCO
Mets............ 0 0 0  2 0 0  0 3 0  -  5  7  0
Giants.......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  5 0 1  -  6  9  1
Win:Herbel(5-3) Loss:McGraw(0-5)
Homeruns- R.Gaspar(2nd), C.Jones(8th), B.Bonds(12th), J.Hiatt(4th)
 
Bobby Bonds slammed a homerun and had 3 RBI as the San Francisco Giants won at
Candlestick Park in dramatic fashion over the New York Mets, the final score,
6 to 5.
 
The game was won by San Francisco when they scored a run in the 9th inning.
Hal Lanier drew a walk.  After an out was recorded, Don Mason stepped up to
the plate and he delivered a single.  Bonds then doubled making San Francisco
the winners and sending the 14,704 fans home happy.  San Francisco had a
total of 9 hits for the game.  
 
The winning pitcher was Ron Herbel(5-3) who allowed no runs in 1 and 2/3
innings. The losing pitcher was Tug McGraw(0-5) in relief.  He gave up 1 run
and 2 hits in 1/3 of an inning.  
 
 
CHICAGO AT ATLANTA
Cubs............ 0 0 0  0 0 1  0 0 0  -  1  7  0
Braves.......... 0 1 0  0 1 0  0 0    -  2 11  0
Win:Reed(9-1) Loss:Holtzman(7-5) Save:Upshaw(13th)
Homeruns- E.Banks(4th)
 
Ron Reed(9-1) and Ken Holtzman(7-5) treated the Atlanta fans to a fine
pitching duel at Fulton Co. Stadium.  The Atlanta Braves eventually emerged
as victors over the Chicago Cubs by the score of 2 to 1.
 
In the 2nd inning Atlanta went on top for good plating one baserunner on 2
base hits.  Chicago threatened in the 9th but Atlanta was able to put down
the rally.  
 
Reed got help from Cecil Upshaw who earned his 13th save.  Leo Durocher was in
a sour mood after the game.  'Even you guys up in the press box know why we
lost this game. We made too many mistakes.'
 
ST. LOUIS AT CINCINNATI
Cardinals....... 0 2 0  0 3 0  1 3 2  - 11 13  0
Reds............ 0 0 0  1 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  8  1
Win:Gibson(6-4) Loss:Cloninger(3-7)
Homeruns- J.Torre(9th)
 
Joe Torre hit a homerun and had 3 RBI and Bob Gibson whiffed 10 batters as the
St. Louis Cardinals smashed the overmatched floundering Cincinnati Reds, 11
to 1.
 
Gibson(6-4) gave St. Louis a solid outing.  He allowed just 8 hits and 1 walk
in 9 innings.  St. Louis rapped out 13 hits for the night.  
 
Tony Cloninger(3-7) was tagged with the loss.  Dave Bristol was impressed with
Gibson and his 10 strikeouts.  'It's tough to generate runs if you can't make
contact with the ball.'
 
PHILADELPHIA AT LOS ANGELES
Phillies........ 1 0 1  0 0 0  0 1 1  -  4 11  0
Dodgers......... 1 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  7  0
Win:Fryman(4-7) Loss:Sutton(4-5)
 
Woodie Fryman had a complete game and John Callison hit 2 doubles and had 2
RBI as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 4
to 1.
 
Philadelphia went ahead for good in the top of the 3rd inning scoring one
runner using 2 hits.  That early run support was all that Fryman(4-7)
required.  Philadelphia had 11 hits for the night.  
 
Don Sutton(4-5) was charged with the loss.  He pitched 7 innings giving up 7
hits and 2 walks.
 

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June 6, 1969 Pittsburgh at Atlanta No-Hitter by Dock Ellis

Dock Ellis of the Pittsburgh Pirates tossed the 3rd no-hitter of the 1969 MLB season tonight as the Pirates defeated the Braves 2-0. Ellis allowed only 1 base runner, a walk to Tommy Aaron in the bottom of the 9th, and he was promptly erased with a doubleplay groundball by the next batter. It was a scoreless game until the 9th inning when hard luck loser Phil Niekro allowed Pittsburgh to score 2 runs, more than enough for the electric Ellis to pick up the win.

Strat-O-Matic Report

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Event Codes:  N


BOXSCORE: 1969 Pittsburgh Pirates At 1969 Atlanta Braves             6/6/1969


 


  Pirates            AB  R  H RBI AVG     Braves             AB  R  H RBI AVG


  M.Alou CF           4  0  1  0 .333     M.Lum CF            3  0  0  0 .193  


  R.Hebner 3B         4  1  1  0 .361     S.Jackson SS        3  0  0  0 .244  


  W.Stargell 1B       4  1  2  0 .341     H.Aaron RF          3  0  0  0 .346  


  R.Clemente RF       4  0  1  2 .302     O.Cepeda 1B         3  0  0  0 .189  


  M.Sanguillen C      4  0  0  0 .330     F.Millan 2B         3  0  0  0 .261  


  J.Pagan LF          3  0  0  0 .340     D.Evans 3B          3  0  0  0 .000  


  G.Alley 2B          3  0  1  0 .250     C.Upshaw P          0  0  0  0 .500  


  F.Patek SS          3  0  0  0 .224     T.Aaron LF          2  0  0  0 .182  


  D.Ellis P           3  0  0  0 .154     B.Didier C          2  0  0  0 .270  


                                        B-R.Carty PH          1  0  0  0 .370  


                                          P.Niekro P          2  0  0  0 .344  


                                        A-C.Boyer 3B          1  0  0  0 .222  


                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      


         Totals      32  2  6  2                 Totals      26  0  0  0


 


A-Subbed Defensively (3B) For Niekro In 9th Inning


B-Pinch Hit For Didier In 9th Inning


 


Pirates......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 2  -  2  6  0


Braves.......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0  0  0


 


Pirates (28-23)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA


D.Ellis WIN(4-3)          9       0   0   0   1   4   0 102   3.58


Totals                    9       0   0   0   1   4   0


 


Braves (35-14)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA


P.Niekro LOSS(7-3)        8 2/3   6   2   2   0   5   0 103   2.28


C.Upshaw                  0 1/3   0   0   0   0   0   0   1   2.43


Totals                    9       6   2   2   0   5   0


 


ATTENDANCE- 31,674 DATE- Friday, June 6th 1969 TIME- Night 


UMPIRES- Tom Gorman, Stan Landes, Bill Williams, Nick Colosi


T- 1:58


LEFT ON BASE- Pirates: 3  Braves: 0


DOUBLE PLAYS- Pirates: 1  Braves: 1


DOUBLES- R.Clemente(3rd)


WALKS- T.Aaron


STRIKE OUTS- M.Sanguillen, G.Alley, D.Ellis-3, M.Lum, H.Aaron, O.Cepeda,


             B.Didier


GIDP- M.Sanguillen, R.Carty


2-out RBI- R.Clemente-2


 


Dock Ellis(4-3) was on top of his game in Atlanta as he tossed a beauty of a


no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves.  The Pittsburgh Pirates won by a score


of 2 to 0.


 


Pittsburgh came through with the game-winning runs in the top of the 9th


inning scoring 2 runs on 3 hits.  After two were out Richie Hebner


jump-started the rally as he stroked a single.  Willie Stargell stepped into


the batter's box and he delivered a base-hit.  Roberto Clemente then doubled.


Pittsburgh managed only 6 hits on the night.  


 


Phil Niekro(7-3) was given the loss.  He pitched 8 and 2/3 innings giving up


only 6 hits and no walks. 'I gave it everything I had. It's probably the


greatest day of my life,' Ellis said. 'I was out there focusing on my


catcher's glove, that's all. I just concentrated on pitching my game.'

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1969 NL Game- No-hitter May 13th, SD at Chi.

SAN DIEGO AT CHICAGO May 13, 1969
Padres.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 2
Cubs............ 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 - 2 8 0
Win:Selma (2-2) Loss:Kelley (0-4)

Just 2 days after Jim Palmer of the AL Baltimore Orioles threw the 1st no-hitter in the major leagues this season, Chicago Cub pitcher Dick Selma(2-2) thrilled the fans at Wrigley Field as he crafted a no-hit masterpiece against the San Diego Padres. The sizzling Chicago Cubs won by a final score of 2 to 0. Selma had an afternoon to remember. Heck, it's one we'll all remember! What a game at Wrigley Field! He only walked one San Diego batter. The tension started to build around the 6th inning. By the 9th inning the crowd was electrified and exploded in wild celebration after Selma got the final out. Chicago had 8 hits for the afternoon and have now won 12 in a row. Dick Kelley(0-4) was hit with the loss. It was a tough loss for him as he did not allow an earned run in his 5 innings of work. After the game, Selma was heard to say, 'This is something I have dreamt about since I was a little boy - to have it come true is just amazing!'

1969 NL Opening Day Games- Day 2

Strat-O-Matic Report

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NEWSPAPER GAME STORIES FOR 1969 National League                Date: 4/9/1969
 
PHILADELPHIA AT CHICAGO
Phillies........ 0 3 0  0 1 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  0 1 -  5 14  0
Cubs............ 0 1 1  0 0 0  2 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 -  4 13  1
Win:Wilson(1-0) Loss:Abernathy(0-1) Save:Farrell(1st)
Homeruns- R.Allen(1st), J.Callison(1st), R.Hundley(1st)
 
Richie Allen had 4 hits at Wrigley Field where the Philadelphia Phillies beat
the Chicago Cubs in 14 innings 5 to 4.
 
The score was knotted at 4 after nine innings.  Philadelphia won it in the
14th inning.  After two were out Allen clubbed a solo home run.  Deron
Johnson stepped up next and he lined a one-base hit.  Ted Abernathy then let
one slip out of his hand for a wild pitch.  John Callison followed and he was
walked intentionally.  Philadelphia finished with 14 hits in the victory.
 
Bill Wilson(1-0) got the win allowing no runs in 3 innings. Dick Farrell
recorded his 1st save.  Abernathy(0-1) absorbed the loss in relief.  
 
 
MONTREAL AT NEW YORK
Expos........... 1 0 0  0 0 0  4 1 0  -  6  8  1
Mets............ 0 2 0  0 0 7  0 0    -  9 13  4
Win:Seaver(1-0) Loss:Grant(0-1) Save:McGraw(1st)
Homeruns- M.Jones(1st), C.Jones(1st)
 
At Shea Stadium the New York Mets tallied 7 runs in the 6th inning and
outscored the Montreal Expos 9 to 6.
 
Montreal was unable to claim the lead after New York went ahead in the 2nd
inning plating 2 runs on 5 base hits.  After two outs Jerry Grote keyed the
rally when he ripped a single.  Bud Harrelson next to the plate and he
doubled.  Tom Seaver then delivered a base-hit.  Tommie Agee followed and he
banged out a single.  Rod Gaspar came up to bat and delivered a single to
load the bases.  New York out-hit Montreal for the game, 13 hits to 8.  
 
The win was credited to Seaver(1-0) who went 8 innings allowing 6 runs. Tug
McGraw recorded the save, his 1st.  Jim Grant(0-1) was given the loss.  He
got hit hard, allowing 9 hits and 4 walks in 5 and 1/3 innings.  
 
 
HOUSTON AT SAN DIEGO
Astros.......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0  5  3
Padres.......... 0 0 0  0 1 0  0 3    -  4 11  0
Win:Selma(1-0) Loss:Wilson(0-1)
 
Dick Selma went 9 solid innings as the San Diego Padres outscored the Houston
Astros 4 to 0.
 
San Diego went ahead for good in the bottom of the 5th inning scoring a single
run utilizing 2 base hits.  San Diego had 11 hits for the night.
 
Selma(1-0) went the distance for the shutout. Don Wilson(0-1) was tagged with
the loss.  Harry Walker was obviously impressed with the pitching of Selma,
'That guy made us look a little silly out there tonight.  We just couldn't
get to him at all - everything was working for him.  I just hope that he got
that kinda performance out of his system.'
 
PITTSBURGH AT ST. LOUIS
Pirates......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 1  -  1  7  3
Cardinals....... 2 1 3  0 2 0  0 0    -  8 11  0
Win:Gibson(1-0) Loss:Blass(0-1)
Homeruns- V.Pinson(1st)
 
Bob Gibson struck out 13 batters and he had 2 base hits and 3 RBI as the St.
Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates by a score of 8 to
1.
 
Gibson(1-0) was in control of the game from the outset.  He surrendered only 7
hits and 2 walks in 8 and 1/3 innings.  St. Louis ended up with 11 hits for
the game while Pittsburgh had 7.  
 
The losing pitcher was Steve Blass(0-1). He gave up 6 runs in 3 innings of
work.  'Everything felt great' Gibson said. 'I had a good fastball, I felt I
could throw it by everybody tonight.'
 















  
 
 

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1969 NL Opening Day Game Stories

April 8,1969 The NL opened the 1969 season yesterday with 2 exciting games. The tradtitional MLB opener in Cincinnati saw the hometown Reds lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-9. Cincinnati allowed a large 8-1 lead slip away and lost in the final inning. In Atlanta, the Braves were able to get a win for the hometown fans by beating the San Francisco Giants 4-2.

Strat-O-Matic Report

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NEWSPAPER GAME STORIES FOR 1969 National League                Date: 4/8/1969
 
LOS ANGELES AT CINCINNATI
Dodgers......... 1 0 0  0 0 3  1 4 1  - 10 17  1
Reds............ 0 3 3  2 0 0  1 0 0  -  9 12  2
Win:Mikkelsen(1-0) Loss:Carroll(0-1) Save:Darwin(1st)
Homeruns- L.Gabrielson(1st), A.Kosco(1st), T.Perez-2(2nd), L.May(1st),
           J.Bench(1st)
 
7,840 fans were treated to a fine game at Crosley Field as only one run
separated the combatants at game's end.  The Los Angeles Dodgers won by the
slimmest of margins, 10 to 9.
 
The game was won by Los Angeles with a run in the top of the 9th inning.
After two were out Jim Lefebvre ripped a single.  Ted Sizemore came to the
plate and ripped a base-knock.  Ken Boyer then slapped a single.  For the
game Los Angeles out-hit Cincinnati 17 to 12.  
 
The victory was credited to Pete Mikkelsen(1-0) who went 1 inning, allowing no
runs. Mikkelsen got relief help from Bobby Darwin who gained credit for his
1st save.  Clay Carroll(0-1) was charged with the loss in relief.  He allowed
Los Angeles 5 runs in 2 and 1/3 innings of work.  
 
Third baseman Tony Perez launched 2 homeruns and had 4 RBI for Cincinnati but
his effort was wasted in the loss.
 
SAN FRANCISCO AT ATLANTA
Giants.......... 0 0 0  0 0 2  0 0 0  -  2  4  0
Braves.......... 1 1 0  0 0 2  0 0    -  4  7  0
Win:Jarvis(1-0) Loss:Marichal(0-1) Save:Upshaw(1st)
Homeruns- T.Francona(1st), B.Tillman(1st)
 
In a good matchup it was the Atlanta Braves 4, the San Francisco Giants 2 at
Fulton Co. Stadium.
 
Atlanta scored 2 runs in the 6th inning.  The key offensive moment was
provided by Tito Francona who thrilled the crowd when he cracked a two-run
shot.  Atlanta had 7 hits for the game and San Francisco had 4.  
 
The win went to Pat Jarvis(1-0) who allowed 2 runs in 8 innings. Cecil Upshaw
got the save, his 1st.  Juan Marichal(0-1) ended up with the loss.  
 
 

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