1859 REDS POST A 6R 9TH FOR A COMEBACK 9-4 WIN OVER DODGERS Reds scored 3 in 1st on a Griffey 3R HR. Dodgers countered with 4 in 5th w/ 6 singles. Then Reds had 9 of 10 reach base in 9th for a 6R barrage. PH Stahl reached base 1st & last in it. W: Hall (9-4) L: Brewer (6-5) HR: Griffey (3)

1859 9/22/73 CIN (90-64) @ LAD (93-63) Dodgers took gm 1 of this 3 gm series. Giants magic number is 1 vs Reds and 2 vs Dodgers, so they are both clinging to life. Today, Reds start Jack Billingham (20-11, 3.31 in 38 starts). Dodgers go with Andy Messersmith (16-9, 2.31 i 31 starts).

1858 BRAVES NEED 10 INNINGS TO TOP ASTROS 6-5 Astros out-homered Braves 3 to 1, but took the L. Baker & Aaron reached base 3X each and both scored in the 10th. All 5 Astro Rs came on homers. W: Cheadle (2-0) L: Ray (3-7) S; Frisella (13) HR: Evans (27), May (27), Rader 2 (22, 23)

1858 9/22/73 ATL (82-74) @ HOU (73-82) Braves visit the Astrodome for a 2-gm series. Nothing at stake as Braves have clinched a winning season & Astros have clinched a losing one. Today, Braves start Wenty Ford (2-0, 4.85 in 1 start, 4 rlf). Astros go with Dave Roberts (12-10, 3.41 in 34 starts).

1857 UNSER'S 4 RBI GIVE PHILLIES A 5-4 WIN OVER CUBS AS THEY RETAKE 1ST PLACE Phils take another 1-run game, this time using 5 pitchers. Unser led the way with a 2R HR & a 2R 2B. Rookie Schmidt w/ #32. W: Ruthven (9-4) L: Bonham (9-11) S; Scarce (12) HR: Unser (12), Schmidt (32), Williams (21)

1857 9/22/73 CHC (72-81) @ PHI (78-76) Cubs visit The Vet for a 2-gm weekend series with the Phillies. Mets have lost, so Phils have a shot to retake 1st place with a win. Today, Cubs start Bill Bonham (9-10, 3.49 in 13 starts, 26 rlf). Phillies go with Dick Ruthven (8-4, 2.89 in 21 starts, 5 rlf)

1856 METS COMEBACK FAILS AS THEY FALL TO CARDINALS 3-2 Mets were down 3-0 in bottom of 8th when they plated 2 on rare back-to-back sac flies. In 9th, they had tying run on 3rd, but Staub flew out. Torre 2R HR was big blow for Cards. W: Murphy (6-2) L: Koosman (19-11) S; Segui (16) HR: Torre (12)

1856 9/22/73 STL (73-81) @ NYM (79-76) Cardinals visit Shea for a 2 gm weekend series. In gm 1, the Mets play their first game as the first place team in almost 3 months. Today, Cardinals start Tom Murphy (5-2, 2.54 in 11 starts, 5 rlf). Mets go with Jerry Koosman (19-10, 2.65 in 33 starts).

1855 SANGUILLEN'S 2R HR IN THE 8TH GIVES THE PIRATES A 5-3 WIN OVER EXPOS Manny's HR gives him the 3rd part of a cycle & his 2nd & 3rd RBI. Stargell, Oliver & Robertson all had 2 Hs w/ a 2B in the win. W: Giusti (12-3) L: Gilbert (2-2) S; Walker (1) HR: Sanguillén (11), Singleton (22)

1855 9/22/73 PIT (73-79) @ MON (68-86) Pirates leave the country for 3 after getting whooped by the Mets 4 out of 5 & probably getting knocked out of the race. Today, Pirates start Dock Ellis (13-6, 2.65 in 25 starts). Expos go with Bill Stoneman (4-8, 4.25 in 15 starts, 13 rlf).

1853 BAHNSENS GETS WIN #20 AS THE WHITE SOX STEAL A 2-1 WIN FROM THE A'S Both teams were held to 6 Hs each, but Bill Sharp's 5th inning HR was the difference. 5 of the A's 6 Hs came from Tenace & Green. W: Bahnsen (20-13) L: Hunter (18-12) S; Forster (10) HR: Sharp (9)

1854 9/22/73 OAK (95-59) @ CHW (60-94) A's visit Chicago for a 2-gm weekend series. Twins have won, so A's need to win to keep ahold of 1st place. Today, A's start Jim Hunter (18-11, 2.62 in 33 starts). White Sox try to get Win #20 for Stan Bahnsen (19-13, 3.65 in 40 starts).

1853 ROYALS ROUT THE RANGERS 16-5, CAPPED BY A 9-RUN 7TH Mayberry thumps 2 HRs, while Schaal drives in 4 with a pair of doubles. Patek reaches base 5X, with 2 Hs & 3 BBs, scoring on 4 of them. W: Busby (14-16) L: Bibby (9-10) HR: Mayberry 2 (21, 22), Healy (10), Burroughs (34)

1853 9/22/73 TEX (62-92) @ KCR (66-88) Rangers visit Kansas City for a 2-gm weekend series, and boy are they struggling; 3-16 in September and 14-42 since the All-Star break. Today, Rangers start Jim Bibby (9-9, 4.66 in 22 starts, 4 rlf). Royals go with Steve Busby (13-16, 4.69 in 34 starts).

1852 KAAT KRUISES AS HE HOLDS ANGELS TO 4 HITS IN 4-2 TWINS WIN 2 of the Halos 4 Hs were solo HRs. Braun led the Twins offense with 2 triples & a walk. Holt had 3 singles but was stranded each time. W: Kaat (12-8) L: Wright (11-17) S; Campbell (14) HR: Oliva (19), Oliver (14), Epstein (8)

1852 9/22/73 CAL (61-92) @ MIN (94-59) Twins host the Angels for 2 as they are 1/2 gm back and now have 2 days away from the A's before 3 more in Oakland. Today, Angels start Clyde Wright (11-16, 3.63 in 34 starts). Twins go with Jim Kaat (11-8, 3.08 in 25 starts).

1851 9/22/73 NYY (88-65) @ CLE (61-93) Yankees visit Cleveland for a weird 3-gm, 2-day Sat/Sun series, with a DH tomorrow. Tribe needs 2 wins in their last 8 to avoid 100 losses. Today, Yankees start Pat Dobson (8-4, 3.09 in 18 starts). Indians go with Dick Bosman (5-3, 4.22 in 14 starts, 5 rlf).

wheeeee!

1850 EVANS DRIVES IN 7 AS TIANT SHUTS DOWN TIGERS FOR RED SOX 12-1 WIN Evans hit a Grand Slam & a 3R HR to power the win. Miller drove in 3 with 3 parts of a cycle (no HR). Tiant took a 3H SHO into the 9th, but was getting tired.. W: Tiant (16-11) L: Perry (12-11) HR: Evans 2 (11, 12)

1850 9/22/73 BOS (85-69) @ DET (82-71) Tigers easily took gm 1 of this 4 gm series with Hiller going 4 innings. Today, Red Sox give the ball to Luis Tiant (15-11, 2.77 in 33 starts). Tigers go with Jim Perry (12-10, 4.49 in 32 starts). Cepeda gets a rare rest with his 115 RBI.

1849 CUELLAR CHASES CY AS HE DELIVERS WIN #100 FOR ORIOLES AS THEY TOP BREWERS 7-2 Cuellar went the distance for the 5-hit Win. O's batted around in the 3rd with 5 Rs crossing the plate. Deuces Wild for Davis, with 2 Hs, 2 Rs & 2 RBI. W: Cuellar (22-10) L: Slaton (19-11) HR: none

We have completed all games for Friday, September 21, 1973. There's only 9 days left in the season. No new teams have been eliminated, but the Giants CAN eliminate the last 2 teams in the NL West (LAD, CIN) today. Congrats to the Mets for taking over 1st place in NL East for 1st time in 81 days!

1849 9/22/73 BAL (99-55) @ MIL (69-85) Orioles take a 3rd try at winning game #100 as the Brewers try to get to a more humble number (70). Today, Orioles try to help the Cy Young case for Mike Cuellar (21-10, 2.49 in 35 starts). Brewers try to get #20 for Jim Slaton (19-10, 3.91 in 36 starts).

1848 GIANTS WIN GM 2 OF THE DH ON A WALK-OFF WALK IN THE 14TH, AS THEY TOP THE PADRES 3-2 Teams trade 7 shutout innings after it's tied 2-2 in the 6th on a Kingman HR. In the 14th, Matthews got a 2-out 1B, which was followed by 3 straight BBs. W: Moffitt (9-3) L: Snook (0-4) HR: Kingman (24)

1848 9/21/73 SDP (47-107) @ SFG (97-56) - Gm 1 Giants magic number down to 3, as they head into the nightcap where the Padres again try to avoid Loss #20 by their starter. In game 2, Padres start Bill Greif (3-19, 3.30 in 29 starts). Giants go with Jim Willoughby (4-8, 4.75 in 10 starts, 22 rlf).

1847 BRADLEY BRILLIANT WITH A 4H SHO AS HE LEADS GIANTS TO A 4-0 WIN OVER PADRES Bats were quiet all day, except for the Giants 6th, where they got 6 of their 7 Hs & all 6 of their Rs. Bradley struck out 11 in the W. W: Bradley (18-6) L: Arlin (5-20) HR: Goodson (11), Maddox (11)

1847 9/21/73 SDP (47-106) @ SFG (96-56) - Gm 1 Padres visit Candlestick Park for a 4-gm weekend series, kicking off with a Friday night double-header. In Game 1, the Padres try to avoid loss #20 for Steve Arlin (5-19, 4.89 in 26 starts). Giants go with Tom Bradley (17-6, 3.00 in 32 starts).

1846 WILLIE DAVIS 3R DOUBLE IN 6TH GIVES DODGERS THE 4-1 WIN OVER REDS Both teams held to just 4 Hs with 5 of them, and all 5 Rs, coming in the 6th inning. Both pitchers had 1H SHOs after 5. 5 of 7 LA baserunners reached in 6th. W: John (11-12) L: Norman (9-3) HR: none

1846 9/21/73 CIN (90-63) @ LAD (92-63) Reds head down the coast to LA for a matchup between two 90+ win teams that are almost certainly NOT going to the playoffs. Today, in gm 1 of 3, Reds start Fred Norman (9-2, 2.94 in 22 starts). Dodgers go with Tommy John (10-12, 3.15 in 29 starts).

1845 PHILS KNOCKED OUT OF 1ST AFTER 81 DAYS AS CARDINALS COME BACK FOR 8-7 WIN Phils took 7-5 lead after 5, but Cards bullpen allowed 1 H after, while Cards tied it in 7th & took lead in 9th. Simmons, Reitz & Torre w/ 3 Hs each in the win W: Segui (5-5) L: Scarce (5-6) S; Peña (4) HR: Boone (12)

1845 9/21/73 STL (72-81) @ PHI (78-75) Mets have won 4 straigh & are currently tied for 1st. Phillies have been alone in 1st place since July 1 and need a win here. Today, Cardinals start Rick Wise (10-15, 3.91 in 32 starts). Phillies go with All-Star Barry Lersch (11-0, 2.27 in 2 starts, 42 rlf).

1844 SEAVER STUMBLES, THEN SETTLES AS METS TOP PIRATES 5-3 Pirates got 3 Rs off of Seaver in the 1st, but that was all they'd get as Mets slowly took it all back. Staub 2R 1B in 3rd made up for his costly 1st inn E9. W: Seaver (21-9) L: Blass (2-9) S; McGraw (14) HR: Boswell (3)

Ellis Burks had 3 seasons with bWAR > 5, and they all came in different decades, for different teams; 1988; Bos - 5.3 1996; Col - 7.9 2000; SFG - 5.0 Has anyone else done that? @slangsonsports.bsky.social @jaysonst.bsky.social

1844 (100 gms left) 9/21/73 PIT (73-78) @ NYM (78-76) Teams wrap up a 5 gm home & home series, with Mets taking 3 of 4 so far, getting them to just 1/2 back of the Phillies. Today, Pirates start Steve Blass (2-8, 5.28 in 15 starts). Mets go with CY candidate Tom Seaver (2-9, 2.29 in 34 starts).

1843 EXPOS GET LEAD OFF HR FROM WOODS, THEN NOTHING, AS CUBS TAKE THE 4-1 VICTORY Cubs hand Torrez his 20th L of the year. Cox spoiled a rare start w/ 2 Es at 2B for MON. Santo 2R 2B put the game away in the 7th. W: Jenkins (21-9) L: Torrez (9-20) S; Aker (10) HR: Woods (5)

1843 9/21/73 MON (68-85) @ CHC (71-81) Cubs have won 6 straight and go for the sweep today. They aren't giving up on a .500 season. Today, Expos try to avoid loss #20 for Mike Torrez (9-19, 4.61 in 33 starts). Cubs go with Cy Young hopeful Fergie Jenkins (20-9, 2.39 in 36 starts).

1842 ANGELS TAKE A TIGHT 5-4 WIN OVER THE RANGERS Halos broke 4-4 tie in the 8th & Singer went the distance for the Win. Gallagher & Stephenson reached 3X in the W. Harris had 3 parts of a cycle & Maddox had 3 Hs & a HR in a rare start in the L. W: Singer (17-17) L: Allen (1-7) HR: Maddox (2)

1842 9/21/73 CAL (60-92) @ TEX (62-91) Teams have split the 1st 2 of 3, but Angels are 27-26 since the All-Star break and believe they can take over TEX for 4th place. Today, Angels start Bill Singer (16-17, 3.11 in 37 starts). Rangers go with Don Stanhouse (6-2, 4.29 in 3 starts, 28 relief).

AL fWAR batting leader; since 9/1; Vlad - 0.8 since 8/1; Witt - 2.0 since 7/1; Kurtz - 3.7 since 6/1; Witt - 4.3 since 5/1; Raleigh - 6.0 since 4/1; Raleigh - 7.5 since 3/1; Judge - 7.9 Judge is MVP favorite because of 3 games in March (6-11, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 R, 11 RBI). Bizarre!

1841 WOOD ALLOWS 3 HRS BUT STILL PREVAILS AS WHITE SOX TOP ROYALS 7-4 White Sox put on 22 base runners, with hits from all spots in the lineup. Wright was wild with 4 BB, 2 HBP & WP in < 5. Healy with a 2B & 2 HR in the loss. W: Wood (14-27) L: Wright (4-7) HR: Mayberry (20, Healy 2 (8, 9)

1841 9/21/73 CHW (59-94) @ KCR (66-87) Teams have split the 1st 2 of 3, but Hal McRae has hit 3 of his 7 home runs in these last 2 gms. Unfortunately gets a rest today. White Sox start Wilbur Wood (13-27, 4.41 in 45 starts). Royals go with Ken Wright (4-6, 5.49 in 9 starts, 11 relief).

1840 TWINS HURLERS TOSS 1-HITTER AS THEY TOP A'S 3-1 North led off 1st w/ a single, scoring on a balk, but that was their last hit. Twins had 15 baserunners, only scoring 3, but that was enough. Oliva's 3 singles helped Carew to score 2 Rs. W: Woodson (7-9) L: Blue (19-7) S; Corbin (15) HR: none

Happy birthday to Joe Rudi, who is forever turning 27 in my replay. Can he be the star in today's game?

1840 9/21/73 OAK (95-58) @ MIN (93-59) Teams have split the 1st 2 of 3, leaving Twins 1.5 back. They still have 3 gms in OAK next week. Today, A's start Vida Blue (19-6, 3.20 in 34 starts). Twins go with Dick Woodson (6-9, 4.15 in 20 starts). @yusuftoropov.bsky.social

1839 HILLER 4-INNING SAVE ENSURES A TIGERS 9-3 WIN OVER RED SOX Hiller entered in the 6th with a tenuous 4-3 lead. Stanley reached base 4X, scoring twice and driving in 2. Harper with 3 Hs and no Rs to highlight the Sox struggles. W: Fryman (10-6) L: Pattin (13-11) S; Hiller (26) HR: Howard (6)

RIP Davey Johnson One of the true Superstars of my 1973 replay. Just hit his 40th HR the other day.

1839 9/21/73 BOS (85-68) @ DET (81-71) Red Sox visit Detroit for a 4-gm, weekend wrap-around series that goes through Monday. Might be Tigers last chance to grab 3rd place. Today, Red Sox start Marty Pattin (13-10, 4.03 in 28 starts). Tigers give the ball to Woody Fryman (9-6, 4.46 in 27 starts).

1838 LAHOUD'S 3 XBH, 4 RBI LEAD BREWERS TO 10-6 WIN OVER ORIOLES Brew Crew slug 7 XBHs, incl 3 in the 6R 6th. Briggs w/ 2 3Bs, now leads AL w/ 13. Lahoud was HBP after his HR & 2 doubles. Brooks & Boog reached base 4X each. W: Parsons (2-8) L: Watt (5-4) S; Linzy (11) HR: Lahoud (6), Powell (13)

1838 9/21/73 BAL (99-54) @ MIL (68-85) Orioles visit Milwaukee for a 3-gm weekend series and a chance to get over 100 wins on the season. Today, the Orioles start Doyle Alexander (10-10, 4.17 in 23 starts, 3 rlf). Brewers go with Jerry Bell (6-8, 3.71 in 22 starts, 5 rlf).

We have completed all games for Thursday, September 20, 1973. There's only 10 days left in the season. The magic number in all 3 undecided divisions are now in single digits. NL West holds steady at 4, while Phils cling to smallest lead at 1/2 game. Expos are first team eliminated in NL East.