On September 2, 1970, future Hall of Famer Billy Williams of the Chicago Cubs sets a National League record by playing in his 1,117th straight game. The next day, Williams will ask manager Leo Durocher to sit him down, ending the streak. Steve Garvey will break the mark in 1983 playing in 1,207 games. During…
In the first six innings, Indians starter Sam McDowell walks six Nats batters, five intentionally. Three of the intentional passes go to Frank Howard in his first three at bats, twice when he leads off the inning. McDowell moves to 1B in the 6th inning, with two on and no outs, and Dean Chance comes in, allowing both runners to score. McDowell comes back to the mound to finish, losing 4 – 1 to Dick Bosman.
Detroit’s Gene Lamont homers in his first major league at bat, but the Red Sox this time hold the lead and beat the Tigers, 10 – 1, in the nitecap. Cal Koonce is the complete game winner, adding two RBI with his second hit of the year. The Tigers win the opener, 6 – 4, scoring two unearned runs in the 8th.
That old black magic works for Gary Nolan as he outpitches Juan Marichal to beat the Giants, 2 – 0. Before the game Reds teammate Angel Bravo gives Nolan a rubber ball to carry during the game, assuring him that he’ll pitch a low-hit game as a result. Nolan allows three hits.
1970 – The Red Sox take an 8 – 1 lead at Fenway Park‚ but Detroit rallies to win, 10 – 9. The Sox take the lead on a Mike Andrews homer and a grand slam by Tony Conigliaro. The Tigers then use the long ball as well‚ collecting 4 homers‚ including a grand slam by Jim Price‚ to win. Daryl Patterson is the winner over Sonny Siebert.
1970 – Jim Wynn launches two homers off Nolan Ryan to pace a 9-5 thrashing of the Mets. Wynn totals four hits and drives in five. Denis Menke also goes deep twice. Don Wilson survives an early 3-0 deficit to gain the victory. Wynn tells the press that Ryan’s fastball is no match for his bat and backs it up.
1970 – In the first of two at Chicago, the Red Sox roll to a 22 – 11 win over the White Sox. This is the 10th time in history that the Red Sox have scored 20 or more runs. Ken Brett is the victor.
Mickey Mantle returns to the New York Yankees as their first base coach
The Reds trip the Expos, 4 – 3, as Pete Rose collects his 1,500th career hit. Lee May’s 2-run homer in the 11th snaps a 2 – 2 tie.
Cleveland and California split a pair, with the Angels taking the opener, 3 – 2 and the Tribe the nitecap, 5 – 1. Cleveland’s Tony Horton plays his last professional game. The 25-year-old budding star, despondent over a batting slump and fans’ booing, will be hospitalized for depression.
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