National League - September 11

Player of the Day: Mike Schmidt went 3 for 4 with a home run and six RBI to help the Phillies to a win over the Chicago Cubs. The Phillies are now five games behind the sliding Mets in the NL East.

Pitcher of the Day: For the second day in a row a Giants’ pitcher made his debut and handcuffed the powerful Cincinnati Reds. This time it was Frank Riccelli who pitched eight innings of one-run baseball. Frank allowed four hits and two walks and struck out nine batters in the win.

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Game of the Week - September 11

• The surprising New York Mets (91-48), who are 18 games above their actual pace and are on top of the NL East, are up against the St. Louis Cardinals (77-60), who are also playing ahead of pace and who are in third place in the NL East.

• Jerry Koosman (17-7) will face Pete Falcone (11-6)

• In the bottom of the first Jerry Mumphrey led off with a single. Hot-hitting rookie Garry Templeton singled Mumphrey to third. Mumphrey then scored on a sacrifice fly by Keith Hernandez. Cardinals 1, Mets 0

• In the bottom of the third Mumphrey and Templeton singled. Mumphrey was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a Hernandez grounder. Ted Simmons reached on an error by third baseman Leo Foster. Templeton scored on a ground ball by Joe Ferguson. Cardinals 2, Mets 0

• Koosman was removed for a pinch hitter (Pepe Mangual) in the top of the fifth inning. Mangual singled and Lee Mazzilli walked. Felix Millan singled to score Mangual. Cardinals 2, Mets 1.
• In the bottom of the fifth Mumphrey singled and stole second. Templeton knocked Mumphrey in with a single. Simmons doubled to score Templeton. Cardinals 4, Mets 1.

• The Mets came back with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. John Stearns singled and Bud Harrelson walked. Pinch hitter Ed Kranepool walked to load the bases. After Mazzilli lined out, Millan singled to score Stearns and Harrelson. Cardinals 4, Mets 3.

• The Mets took the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Al Hrabosky was brought in to nail down the win. Millan was hit by a pitch and then John Milner homered to give the Mets the lead for the first time in the game. Cardinals 4, Mets 5.
• In the bottom of the ninth, Mumphrey and Templeton singled. Hernandez smacked a double to right and both runners scored. Cardinals 6, Mets 5.

• Despite blowing the save, Hrabosky got the win to improve to 4-6. Ken Sanders (2-2) took the loss.

American League - September 11

Player of the Day: Willie McCovey was 3 for 4 with a double, a run scored, and two RBI as the A’s beat the Texas Rangers 6-5. Oakland is now only ½ game behind the division leading Kansas City Royals.

Pitcher of the Day: Bill Singer pitched a complete game, allowed one run, and earned the win. Bill improved his record to 16-13.

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