On June 27, 1972 Nolan Ryan (8-5) triples and scores the go-ahead run in the 7th as California beats the Twins, 3 – 1. Poor baserunning in the 4th doesn’t help the Twins’ cause: with Harmon Killebrew on third base and Steve Braun on second with no outs, Jim Nettles flies out to Jim Spencer in left field. Killebrew fakes a dash to the plate and Braun starts from second base. A relay catches Braun at second and another throw nips Killebrew at third for a triple play.

Ryan broke it up with his “and I’m not that kind of a hitter,” he said. He tripled with two out in the seventh inning and scored when the Twins decided to pitch to left-handed Sandy Alomar, who singled off Jim Perry his seventh setback. The former National Leaguer is already within two of his 1971 victory total ‘to 10 with the Mets, and tie, he believes the American League is going to be good for him. “I’d say the National League has a little more depth,” said Ryan.