1972 – Pittsburgh’s Steve Blass and Roberto Clemente each close in on a cherished goal: the former, a 20-win season, the latter a 3,000-hit career. Charley Feeney of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports: “Blass notched his 19th victory – and No. 100 of his career – while Clemente rapped two hits in a 5 – 1 breeze over the Phillies here last night… ‘I’ve always looked forward to winning 20 games,’ says Blass. He will get a chance for No. 20 on Sunday in Pittsburgh when he faces the Mets… Clemente is within four hits of becoming the first Pirate in history to collect 3,000 hits. Clemente hit four balls hard last night. He was instrumental in sending Wayne Twitchell to the hospital. Twitchell was hit on the palm of the right hand by Clemente’s vicious smash in the 1st inning. Twitchell retrieved the ball and threw out Clemente, then headed for the hospital where X-rays of the hand were negative. In the 3rd, rookie third baseman Mike Schmidt made a fine stop of Clemente’s hot smash and, with plenty of time to nab Clemente at first base, Schmidt threw low for an error. Clemente singled in the five-run 6th and chopped a hit to third in the 9th. He also fanned.”

The American League East is in a virtual tie as Detroit’s Joe Coleman posts his 18th win, a critical 10 – 3 defeat of first-place Boston. Coleman strikes out 10 and knocks in three runs.

The Pirates clinch the National League East title with a 6 – 2 victory over the Mets.

After scoring all of their runs in the second inning, the Braves put it on cruise control, beating the Astros, 13-6. Only 2,062 fans are on hand at Atlanta Stadium to enjoy the big inning.

Milt Pappas, with a 6-2 complete-game victory over Montreal at Wrigley Field, wins his 200th major league game. The Cubs’ right-hander becomes the first hurler to reach the milestone without the benefit of a single 20-win season.

The Twins’ Cesar Tovar hits for the cycle as Minnesota beats Texas, 5 – 3.

Joe Coleman wins his 17th game and Dick McAuliffe clouts two home runs and drives in four to lead Detroit to a 6 – 2 win in Milwaukee. This is Detroit’s 5th win in a row and keeps them a percentage point behind Boston.

In an 18 – 5 victory over the Mets, Cub infielder Glenn Beckert goes 0 for 6 and sets a record by leaving 12 men on base.

Expo P Balor Moore extends his scoreless innings streak to 25 before serving up a 7th-inning three-run home run to lose to the Phillies, 3 – 1. The home run is the first for Phils rookie Mike Schmidt.

Following the Reds-Padres game at Riverfront Stadium, “This is your Life” host Ralph Edwards surprises Johnny Bench as the catcher is the featured guest on the program. With cameras rolling, Bench’s family and friends appear as Edwards narrates the show.