The Reds sweep a pair from the Braves and the two teams combine for a major-league record three grand slams. Cesar Geronimo hits one in the 2nd inning of game 1, as does the Braves’ Darrell Evans. The Braves hang on for a 9 – 6 win, then take game two by a 6 – 2 score. Johnny Bench hits the 3rd grand slam of the day in game 2. Bench will finish the year with 129 RBIs to top the National League, and his 315 total bases will lead the league. He is the only catcher in major league history to lead a league in TB (Bench caught 137 games, played 3B in 36 games and 1B in 5).

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The Reds sweep a pair from the Braves and the two teams combine for a major-league record three grand slams. Cesar Geronimo hits one in the 2nd inning of game 1, as does the Braves’ Darrell Evans. The Braves hang on for a 9 – 6 win, then take game two by a 6 – 2 score. Johnny Bench hits the 3rd grand slam of the day in game 2. Bench will finish the year with 129 RBIs to top the National League, and his 315 total bases will lead the league. He is the only catcher in major league history to lead a league in TB (Bench caught 137 games, played 3B in 36 games and 1B in 5).

Mike Schmidt hits an eighth inning three-run bomb, his 36th home run and final one this season, off Jerry Reuss in Philadelphia’s 6-4 comeback victory over the Pirates at Veterans Stadium. The 24 year-old third baseman becomes the first Phillies player to lead the league in home runs since Chuck Klein hit 28 round-trippers in 1933.

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Mike Schmidt hits an eighth inning three-run bomb, his 36th home run and final one this season, off Jerry Reuss in Philadelphia’s 6-4 comeback victory over the Pirates at Veterans Stadium. The 24 year-old third baseman becomes the first Phillies player to lead the league in home runs since Chuck Klein hit 28 round-trippers in 1933.

In his final appearance in a big league uniform, 29 year-old right-hander Denny McLain, who will finish his ten-year career with a 131-92 record, is tagged with the loss when he gives up three runs in the ninth inning without retiring a batter in the Braves’ 7-5 loss to Cincinnati at Atlanta Stadium. The last batter the one-time 30-game winner, rumored to have been involved with gambling and bookmaking during his time in the major leagues, will face is Pete Rose, who will be banned from baseball for life for wagering on the game.

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In his final appearance in a big league uniform, 29 year-old right-hander Denny McLain, who will finish his ten-year career with a 131-92 record, is tagged with the loss when he gives up three runs in the ninth inning without retiring a batter in the Braves’ 7-5 loss to Cincinnati at Atlanta Stadium. The last batter the one-time 30-game winner, rumored to have been involved with gambling and bookmaking during his time in the major leagues, will face is Pete Rose, who will be banned from baseball for life for wagering on the game.

Pitchers Jerry Koosman and Don Cardwell both hurl 1 – 0 wins and drive in the winning runs, as the hot Mets sweep the Pirates. The Cubs, meanwhile, win, snapping their 8-game losing streak, but now trail by 2 1/2 games.

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Pitchers Jerry Koosman and Don Cardwell both hurl 1 – 0 wins and drive in the winning runs, as the hot Mets sweep the Pirates. The Cubs, meanwhile, win, snapping their 8-game losing streak, but now trail by 2 1/2 games.

Juan Marichal (18-10) pitches a one-hitter, as the Giants beat the Reds, 1 – 0, but Atlanta takes the National League West lead by beating Houston, 4 – 3. Tommy Helms’ 3rd-inning single is the only hit in what Marichal calls “my best game ever.”

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Juan Marichal (18-10) pitches a one-hitter, as the Giants beat the Reds, 1 – 0, but Atlanta takes the National League West lead by beating Houston, 4 – 3. Tommy Helms’ 3rd-inning single is the only hit in what Marichal calls “my best game ever.”

1966 – Ron Perranoski of the Dodgers fans the first six batters he faces and earns a 3 – 2 win over the Mets and Tug McGraw. With the help of 2B Ron Hunt, Mets rookie SS Bud Harrelson picks off Lou Johnson with the hidden ball trick in the 6th.

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1966 – Ron Perranoski of the Dodgers fans the first six batters he faces and earns a 3 – 2 win over the Mets and Tug McGraw. With the help of 2B Ron Hunt, Mets rookie SS Bud Harrelson picks off Lou Johnson with the hidden ball trick in the 6th.

Washington’s Brant Alyea debuts with a pinch-hit home run on the first pitch from Rudy May
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Washington’s Brant Alyea debuts with a pinch-hit home run on the first pitch from Rudy May

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1965 – Washington’s Brant Alyea debuts with a pinch-hit home run on the first pitch from Rudy May in his first major league at bat. Yes, a major-league first. In Washington, 840 fans watch the Senators beat the Angels, 7 – 1.

Mets rookie Dick Selma, in his second major league start, establishes a franchise mark when he strikes out 13 batters. The 21 year-old right-hander goes the distance in New York’s ten-inning, 1-0 victory over Milwaukee at Shea Stadium.

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Mets rookie Dick Selma, in his second major league start, establishes a franchise mark when he strikes out 13 batters. The 21 year-old right-hander goes the distance in New York’s ten-inning, 1-0 victory over Milwaukee at Shea Stadium.