Johnny Bench belts a 2-run homer in the 8th as the Reds beat the Padres, 3 – 2.

The Astros outslug the Braves, 9 – 6, with Jose Sosa picking up his only career win. The loss goes to Frank LaCorte, making his major league debut.

1975 – The Reds, leading by 20 1/2 games, clinch the National League West flag with an 8 – 4 win over the Giants. It is the earliest clinching date in league history.

With an 8-4 victory over the Giants at Riverfront Stadium, the Reds clinch the National League West in their 142nd game of the season. The ‘Big Red Machine’ captures a title earlier than any other club since the inception of divisional play in 1969.

The Red Sox pound out 24 hits to beat Milwaukee‚ 20 – 6, to make Roger Moret the winner. The hits and runs are American League highs this season.

At Baltimore‚ the Orioles top the Yankees, 7 – 6 in 13 innings, though neither manager or Yankee catcher Thurman Munson are around at the end. All are tossed in the 9th inning.

Mets C Jerry Grote ties the modern major-league record by reaching base on errors three times during a 5 – 2 win over the Cardinals.

Montreal and Pittsburgh use a major-league record 15 pinch hitters in their doubleheader split. The Expos take the opener, 4 – 3 in 10 innings, and Pittsburgh wins the nitecap, 5 – 2, behind Jim Rooker.

After missing two games because of the flu, Dodger Steve Garvey returns to the lineup in a 13 – 2 loss to the Reds, launching a National League record streak of 1,207 consecutive games played. The Reds score 10 runs in the 4th inning to ice the game.

Mets ace Tom Seaver shuts out the Pirates, 3 – 0, and reaches 200 strikeouts for a major league-record 8th straight season.