The Dodgers become the first ML team ever to draw three million fans. Jay Blood is the historic three millionth spectator as the Dodgers shut out the Braves, 5 – 0. The victory is dampened when coach Jim Gilliam suffers a brain hemorrhage.
The Orioles forfeit to the Blue Jays when manager Earl Weaver pulls his team off the field in the 5th inning citing a hazardous condition – a small tarpaulin held down by bricks on the bullpen mound. The Jays are ahead 4 – 0 when the forfeit is called. The O’s will end the season tied with the Red Sox at 97-64.
The Reds come back from an 8 – 3 deficit to beat the Dodgers, 9 – 8. Cincy scores four in the 8th and two more in the 9th on Ken Griffey’s homer.
The Royals set club record of 16 straight wins as they defeat the A’s in ten innings in the nightcap of a doubleheader, 5 – 4.
Red Sox lefty Roger Moret holds on for a 9 – 7 win over the visiting Brewers. Jim Colborn takes the loss. For Moret, this is his last win as a Red Sox as he’ll go to Atlanta over the winter after a 14-3 season. For the years 1970-1975 he finishes with an 18-7 record at Fenway Park, the second best Red Sox lefty at home.
Braves rookie Al Autry goes five innings and gets the win in a 4 – 3 decision over the Astros. Willie Montanez’s 3-run homer is the big blow for Atlanta as a crowd of just 970 watches. For Autry, this is his only big league decision: Earl Huckleberry, of the 1935 Athletics, is the last pitcher to bow out with a 1-0 record.
Late-season call-up Mike Vail extends his hitting streak to a rookie-record 23 straight games as the Mets edge the Expos, 3 – 2.
On a bright, sunny day at Fenway Park, Rico Petrocelli is struck behind the left ear, below the helmet, when he loses Jim Slaton’s pitch due to the blinding glare off the outfield bleachers. The beaning, which causes inner ear damage, results in the third baseman missing the rest of the season and will hasten his early retirement prior to the start of the 1977 season at the age of 33.
Gaylord Perry goes the distance for his 20th victory when he beats Baltimore and Ross Grimsley at Memorial Stadium, 1-0. The right-hander, who will finish the season with a 21-13 record, will be the last Indian pitcher in the twentieth century to win twenty games.
1973 – With a runner aboard and the Braves already trailing, 2- 0, Dusty Baker makes what The Sporting News will call “the greatest catch in Atlanta Stadium history,” literally climbing the center field fence to prevent Pittsburgh’s Richie Hebner from doubling Atlanta’s deficit with one swing of the bat. Though coming in the fourth inning, the play will later prove pivotal when, thanks to Baker, the three runs finally pushed across by game’s end gives Atlanta a 3 – 2, walk-off win.
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