In the first of two at Riverfront Stadium, the Reds beat the Braves, 5 – 3. Despite a homer and four singles by Pete Rose in the nitecap, the Reds lose, 6 – 4.
Reds shortstop Dave Concepcion will miss the rest of the season after fracturing the fibula of his left leg sliding into third base two days before the Midsummer Classic. The All-Star infielder hit .287 in the 89 games he played for the eventual National League Western Division winners.
To quell a controversy over deserving players not being selected for the All-Star Game, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn grants permission to both leagues to increase their roster size to 29 players for next week’s contest in Kansas City’s Royals Stadium. The National League selects fading superstar Willie Mays, with the Junior Circuit adding Nolan Ryan, who was not originally picked by American League manager Dick Williams although the Angel right-hander was the first pitcher since Johnny Vander Meer, the starter in the 1938 Midsummer Classic, to have two no-hitters before the break.
The Minnesota Twins connect for three consecutive home runs in the 8th against the Cleveland Indians, and all are needed in the 7 – 6 win. George Mitterwald, Joe Lis and Jim Holthomer, all off Gaylord Perry.
At Atlanta Stadium, Hal Breeden of the Expos becomes only the second major leaguer to pinch-hit home runs in both ends of a doubleheader. On June 17, 1943, Red Sox player-manager Joe Cronin accomplished the feat against the Philadelphia A’s. Expo pinch-hitter Jim Lyttle also adds a homer. Montreal outslugs Atlanta, 11 – 7 in the first game, and the Braves return the favor, 15 – 6, in the second.
Jim Northrup knocks in eight runs and scores three times as the Tigers rout the Rangers, 14 – 2. The 3 for 4 performance by the Tiger’s leadoff hitter helps him record the 500th run and RBI of his career.
In San Diego, the Pirates drub the Pads, 10 – 2. Willie Stargell contributes the 302nd home run of his career to pass Ralph Kiner as the all-time Pirate home run leader.
The Brewers unload on 18-year-old P David Clyde to whip the Rangers, 19 – 5, and hand Eddie Rodriguez his first major league win, a complete game effort. Milwaukee has a five-run 6th and seven-run 7th and is paced by Bob Coluccio’s grand slam and Don Money’s three-run homer.
Before 45,000 Twins fans, Eddie Bane, the top collegiate pitcher this year and Minnesota’s top draft pick, makes his major league debut against the Royals. Bane pitches well for seven innings, but the Royals emerge with a 5 – 4 win, beating reliever Ray Corbin. Bane will finish the season 0-5.
The Orioles win their third come-from-behind win over the Brewers, this time scoring 10 runs in the last three innings to win, 10 – 7.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!