motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: 8/22/2005 Status: offline
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The Houston Astros wrapped up an improbable upset by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 in game six. Houston took a 3-0 lead on RBI doubles by Denis Menke and Tommy Davis, then added another run on an RBI single by Doug Rader. Houston starter Denny Lemaster held the Pirates hitless for 6 2/3 innings. He walked the first two batters in the seventh, retired the next two, then allowed an RBI single to Manny Sanguillen, cutting the Astro lead to 3-1. Willie Stargell drew a bases-loaded walk from reliever Jim Ray in the eighth to bring the Bucs to within a run. Ray struck out Richie Hebner to end the inning, then turned the game over to closer Fred Gladding. Gladding provided yet more drama in the bottom of the ninth. Sanguillen drew a leadoff walk, followed by a Dave Cash infield single. Matty Alou lined out to shortstop for the first out. Game four hero Jerry May could not deliver again in the pinch, however, grounding into a force play. With two outs and runners on the corners, Gladding struck out Freddie Patek to end the game and series. For the season, Houston's Larry Dierker took the Cy Young and, as expected, Atlanta's Hank Aaron won the MVP. Dierker went 17-12 with a 2.33 ERA, while Aaron batted .277 with 48 HRs and 114 RBI. Here's hoping 1.41 Beta handles the off-season progression and produces a smooth transition into 1970.
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