Monday, July 13

Ray Culp (6-6) tried to salvage one win in the series. Warren Spahn (6-8) started for the Braves.

Play Ball:

After a scoreless first inning, the Braves took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second:

• Lee Maye doubled and scored on Ed Bailey’s single.

The Phillies tied the score in the bottom of the second:

• Richie Allen tripled off the scoreboard and scored on Wes Covington’s sacrifice fly.

The Braves took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth:

• Ed Bailey and Rico Carty singled – and advanced to second and third on a ground out.
• Ray Culp tried to pick Bailey off at third – but his throw was wild and Bailey scored.

Then the Phillies took the lead in the bottom of the fourth:

• Richie Allen doubled.
• Wes Covington lined a single to right – Allen stopping at third.
• Danny Cater’s sacrifice fly scored Allen to tie the score.
• After Clay Dalrymple flew out for the second out, Bobby Wine tripled to score Covington and put the Phillies on top 3-2.

From there, Culp and Spahn moved into the ninth without giving up any more runs. But it got dicey in the top of the ninth when Ed Bailey and Rico Carty hit back-to-back singles.

Gene Mauch went to his bullpen. Not wanting a win to slip away, he summoned Jim Bunning (9-3) – even though his ace pitched eight innings in a 3-1 loss to the Reds two days ago.

This was Bunning’s second relief appearance of the year. In a similar situation against the Cubs at Wrigley Field back in June, he picked up a save.

Playing the percentages, Bobby Bragan sent left-hander Ty Cline up to pinch-hit for Woody Woodward. But instead of hitting, Cline laid down a bunt and moved the runners up a base.

With the tying and winning runs on second and third and one out, Bragan sent Gene Oliver up to pinch-hit for Warren Spahn.

Oliver popped out to short for the second out.

With left-hand swinging Eddie Mathews coming up, Mauch ordered Bunning to walk Mathews and pitch to Frank Bolling.

Bragan countered by sending left-hander Merritt Ranew up to pinch-hit for Bolling – and the stage was set.

With the count 1-1, Bunning retired Ranew on a ground ball to deep first. Ruben Amaro – who’d come in as a defensive replacement at first – gloved the ball and tossed to Bunning covering for the final out.

Bunning earned a save (#2).

Ray Culp (7-6) got the win and Warren Spahn (6-9) the loss.

The victory ended the Phillies losing streak at four games and tied the season series with the Braves at four games each.

That said, it was a disappointing 2-7 home stand.

Around the League:

The Giants scored two runs by playing small-ball in the top of the ninth to break a 3-3 tie and top the Colt 45s. That win enabled the Giants to maintain a one-game lead over the Phillies.

In addition to being the official Eagles Outsider for BlameMyFather.com – Barry Bowe is also the author of:

• Born to Be Wild
• 1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant
• 12 Best Eagles QBs
• Birth of the Birds
• Soon-to-be-published sexy, police procedural Caribbean Queen
• Soon-to-be-published novel Stosh Wadzinski
• Soon-to-be-published novel Polish Widow
• Work-in-Progress A Fuckin All-American