Thursday, February 27, 2025

1973 Opening Day Games in the NL

 April 6, 1973

  The day after SF and Cincinnati opened the 1973 season, the remaining 10 NL teams had their opening day games.
  Some interesting notes on the 5 games played: 
Montreal's Ron Fairly went 5 for 5 in the Expos 6-5 comeback win over Chicago.
Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente Day, in honor of the player who died in a tragic plane crash during the offseason, was spoiled by the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 9-5.
New York Met pitcher Tom Seaver threw a 3-hit, no walk shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Atlanta Braves had a 19-hit attack and came from behind with a 4-run 9th inning to defeat the Houston Astros 10-9. 
NEWSPAPER GAME STORIES FOR 1973 National League                Date: 4/6/1973
 
MONTREAL AT CHICAGO
Expos........... 1 0 1  0 0 0  2 1 1  -  6 16  1
Cubs............ 0 2 0  0 0 0  3 0 0  -  5  9  0
Win:Strohmayer(1-0) Loss:Bonham(0-1)
 
Ron Fairly had 5 hits and 2 RBI at Wrigley Field where the Montreal Expos beat
the Chicago Cubs by the score of 6 to 5.
 
Montreal won the game with a run in the top of the 9th inning.  After an out
was recorded, Mike Jorgensen drew a walk.  Fairly stepped into the batter's
box and he hit a single.  Ken Singleton then hit a sacrifice fly scoring the
run.  This was a game of many highs and lows for the home town fans, as the
lead kept changing - 5 times in all.  
 
John Strohmayer(1-0) went 2 innings allowing no runs for the win. Bill
Bonham(0-1) was given the loss in relief.  He surrendered 3 hits and 1 walk
in 2 and 2/3 innings.
 
CONDENSED PLAY LOG
TOP 1- Hunt-Si, SB(Hunt), Foli-G, Jorgensen-Si, Fairly-Si, Singleton-K
       Bailey-K
BOT 1- Monday-F, Cardenal-F, Williams-W, Pepitone-G
TOP 2- Roque-F, Boccabella-G, Torrez-G
BOT 2- Santo-G, Beckert-G, Hundley-Si, Kessinger-E-3B, Jenkins-Si, Monday-F
TOP 3- Hunt-Si, CS(Hunt), Foli-K, Jorgensen-Si, Fairly-Si, Singleton-Si
       Bailey-K
BOT 3- Cardenal-K, Williams-G, Pepitone-Si, CS(Pepitone)
TOP 4- Roque-K, Boccabella-F, Torrez-K
BOT 4- Santo-F, Beckert-W, Hundley-G-DP
TOP 5- Hunt-G, Foli-Si, Jorgensen-K, Fairly-Si, Singleton-K
BOT 5- Kessinger-Si, Jenkins-Sac, Monday-G, Cardenal-W, Williams-F
TOP 6- Bailey-Si, Roque-F, Boccabella-K, Torrez-G
BOT 6- Pepitone-G, Santo-F, Beckert-Si, Hundley-G
TOP 7- Hunt-Do, Foli-Si, Jorgensen-Sac, Fairly-Si, Singleton-G-DP
BOT 7- Kessinger-G, Garrett-Si, Monday-G, Cardenal-W, Williams-Si, Pepitone-IW
       Santo-Si, Beckert-G
TOP 8- Bailey-Si, PB, Roque-K, Breeden-L, Day-Si, Hunt-G
BOT 8- Bonham-G, Kessinger-G, Garrett-G
TOP 9- Foli-G, Jorgensen-W, Fairly-Si, Singleton-SF, Bailey-F
BOT 9- Monday-F, Cardenal-Si, Williams-G-DP
 
ST. LOUIS AT PITTSBURGH
Cardinals....... 1 1 0  0 0 2  4 0 1  -  9 15  2
Pirates......... 0 0 0  1 1 1  0 1 1  -  5 10  0
Win:Gibson(1-0) Loss:Blass(0-1)
Homeruns- J.Cruz(1st), R.Busse(1st)
 
Jose Cruz had 4 hits and 2 RBI as the St. Louis Cardinals bested the
Pittsburgh Pirates 9 to 5 at Three Rivers Stadium.
 
Bob Gibson(1-0) had a solid outing for St. Louis.  He went 8 and 1/3 innings
allowing 9 hits and 3 walks.  Even though they scored in 5 different innings,
Pittsburgh was not able to pull off the win.  
 
Steve Blass(0-1) absorbed the loss.  He gave up 4 runs and 6 hits in 5 and 2/3
innings.
 
CONDENSED PLAY LOG
TOP 1- Brock-F, Sizemore-Si, Cruz-Do, Torre-IW, Simmons-F, Reitz-W
       Carbo-G
BOT 1- Stennett-FO, Sanguillen-G, Oliver-G
TOP 2- Busse-K, Gibson-Do, Brock-F, Sizemore-IW, Cruz-Si, Torre-W, Simmons-G
BOT 2- Stargell-K, Robertson-W, Hebner-K, Alley-F
TOP 3- Reitz-FO, Carbo-W, Busse-K, Gibson-G
BOT 3- May-L, Blass-G, Stennett-F
TOP 4- Brock-F, Sizemore-F, Cruz-G
BOT 4- Sanguillen-Tr, Oliver-Si, Stargell-L, Robertson-L, Hebner-P
TOP 5- Torre-F, Simmons-F, Reitz-F
BOT 5- Alley-W, PkOff, May-F, Blass-Do, Stennett-Si+E-SS, Sanguillen-G
TOP 6- Carbo-W, Busse-HR, Gibson-L, Brock-G, Sizemore-Si, Cruz-W, Torre-W
       Simmons-F
BOT 6- Oliver-Tr, Stargell-G, Robertson-L, Hebner-G
TOP 7- Reitz-Do, Carbo-IW, Busse-Si, Gibson-Si, Brock-K, Sizemore-Force
WP, Cruz-Si, Torre-Si, Simmons-P
BOT 7- Cash-W, May-G-DP, Clines-F
TOP 8- Reitz-Si, Carbo-Force, Busse-F, WP, Gibson-Si
BOT 8- Stennett-Do, Sanguillen-G, Oliver-G, Stargell-Tr, Robertson-G
TOP 9- Brock-Si, CS(Brock), Sizemore-F, Cruz-HR, Torre-G
BOT 9- Hebner-Si+E-CF, Cash-L, May-Si, Zisk-Si, Stennett-K, Sanguillen-K
 
PHILADELPHIA AT NEW YORK
Phillies........ 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0  3  0
Mets............ 1 0 0  0 0 2  0 0    -  3  7  1
Win:Seaver(1-0) Loss:Carlton(0-1)
Homeruns- C.Jones(1st)
 
Cleon Jones left the yard and had 2 RBI and Tom Seaver allowed only 3 hits
resulting in a big goose egg on the scoreboard for Philadelphia at Shea
Stadium where the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3 to
0.
 
Seaver(1-0) was indeed brilliant as he hand-cuffed the Philadelphia offense.
He didn't give up much, just 3 hits and no walks in 9 innings.  The
Philadelphia batters didn't put up a fight in the 9th.  
 
Steve Carlton(0-1) was hit with the loss.  'He came out with good stuff,' Yogi
Berra said about Seaver. 'He threw the ball good from the first pitch on.'
 
CONDENSED PLAY LOG
TOP 1- Bowa-Si, Unser-K, Montanez-Force, Hutton-E-SS, Luzinski-G
BOT 1- Harrelson-G, Millan-Si, Mays-Do, Staub-G, Jones-G
TOP 2- Pagan-P, Ryan-G, Doyle-L
BOT 2- Milner-Si, Fregosi-K, Dyer-F, Seaver-F
TOP 3- Carlton-K, Bowa-F, Unser-Si, Montanez-K
BOT 3- Harrelson-F, Millan-L, Mays-K
TOP 4- Hutton-F, Luzinski-K, Pagan-K
BOT 4- Staub-F, Jones-Si, Milner-G, Fregosi-IW, Dyer-W, Seaver-K
TOP 5- Ryan-G, Doyle-G, Carlton-G
BOT 5- Harrelson-W, Millan-Sac, Mays-L-DP
TOP 6- Bowa-G, Unser-K, Montanez-K
BOT 6- Staub-W, Jones-HR, Milner-K, Fregosi-K, Dyer-Do, Seaver-K
TOP 7- Hutton-F, Luzinski-G, Pagan-P
BOT 7- Harrelson-G, Millan-G, Mays-K
TOP 8- Ryan-Si, Doyle-F, Anderson-F, Bowa-G
BOT 8- Staub-G, Jones-K, Kranepool-Si, Fregosi-K
TOP 9- Unser-F, Montanez-K, Hutton-F
 
LOS ANGELES AT SAN DIEGO
Dodgers......... 1 4 0  2 0 0  3 0 1  - 11 15  2
Padres.......... 0 0 0  0 1 1  0 0 0  -  2  6  1
Win:Sutton(1-0) Loss:Kirby(0-1)
Homeruns- W.Crawford(1st), K.McMullen(1st), C.Gaston(1st)
 
Don Sutton had an impressive outing and right fielder Willie Crawford
connected with a 'big fly' and had 3 RBI as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the
San Diego Padres by a score of 11 to 2.
 
Sutton(1-0) was very good in the win.  He was stingy on the mound, allowing
just 6 hits and no walks in 9 innings.  Los Angeles banged out 15 hits on the
night.  
 
Clay Kirby(0-1) was the loser.  He surrendered 5 runs and 6 hits in 1 inning.
 
CONDENSED PLAY LOG
TOP 1- Lacy-E-2B, Mota-Si, CS(Mota), Buckner-Si, PkOff, Davis-F
BOT 1- Hernandez-G, Grubb-F, Lee-G
TOP 2- Crawford-W, SB(Crawford), PB, Ferguson-Si, McMullen-HR, Russell-Tr
       Sutton-Si, Lacy-Si, Mota-G-DP, Buckner-G
BOT 2- Colbert-K, Gaston-Do, Hilton-G, Roberts-K
TOP 3- Davis-G, Crawford-W, SB(Crawford), Ferguson-F-DP
BOT 3- Davis-K, Troedson-K, Hernandez-G
TOP 4- McMullen-Si, Russell-Do, Sutton-SF, Lacy-F, Mota-G
BOT 4- Grubb-L, Lee-Si, Colbert-Si, Gaston-G-DP
TOP 5- Buckner-G, Davis-G, Crawford-K
BOT 5- Hilton-G, Roberts-E-3B, Davis-Si, Corrales-E-2B, Hernandez-Force
       Grubb-F
TOP 6- Ferguson-K, McMullen-G, Russell-Si, Sutton-Force
BOT 6- Lee-G, Colbert-K, Gaston-HR, Hilton-G
TOP 7- Lacy-K, Mota-Si, Buckner-G, Davis-Do, Crawford-HR, Ferguson-F
BOT 7- Roberts-G, Kendall-K, Marshall-F
TOP 8- McMullen-W, Russell-L, Sutton-Sac, Lacy-K
BOT 8- Hernandez-FO, Grubb-K, Lee-G
TOP 9- Mota-G, Buckner-Si, Davis-G, Crawford-Do, Ferguson-L
BOT 9- Colbert-F, Morales-Do, Hilton-G, Roberts-P
 
HOUSTON AT ATLANTA
Astros.......... 2 2 0  1 1 1  0 2 0  -  9 14  0
Braves.......... 0 0 3  0 1 0  2 0 4  - 10 19  2
Win:House(1-0) Loss:Crawford(0-1)
Homeruns- J.Wynn-2(2nd), H.Aaron(1st), D.Baker(1st)
 
In a dramatic ending, the Atlanta Braves staged a comeback win over the
Houston Astros by the count of 10 to 9.
 
Atlanta had the game winning rally in the 9th inning when they scored 4 runs
on 5 hits.  The key offensive moment was provided by Mike Lum who electrified
Atlanta Stadium when he doubled scoring two baserunners.  Despite scoring in
6 separate innings, Houston could not get the win.  
 
The victory went to Tom House(1-0) who went 1 inning, allowing no runs. Jim
Crawford(0-1) was the losing pitcher in relief.  Eddie Mathews was ebullient
after the game, 'It's great to win a hard fought game like that.  Our guys
just weren't going to be denied.  And did you see the fans - they were going
wild! Yes sir, a very enjoyable win tonight!'
 
CONDENSED PLAY LOG
TOP 1- Wynn-K, Helms-Si, Cedeno-Si, Watson-Si, May-Si, Rader-G-DP
BOT 1- Garr-F, Gilbreath-G, Aaron-Do, Baker-G
TOP 2- Edwards-W, Metzger-F, Roberts-E-C , Wynn-Si+E-SS, Helms-G, Cedeno-K
BOT 2- Evans-Do, Johnson-K, Oates-G, Perez-FO
TOP 3- Watson-Si, May-P, Rader-G, Edwards-F
BOT 3- Gentry-Si, Garr-Si, Gilbreath-Force, Aaron-Si, Baker-Force, Evans-Do
       Johnson-P
TOP 4- Metzger-G, Roberts-G, Wynn-HR, Helms-G
BOT 4- Oates-Si, Perez-Force, Gentry-G, Garr-K
TOP 5- Cedeno-Do, Watson-Si, May-SF, Rader-P, Edwards-Si, Metzger-G
BOT 5- Gilbreath-G, Aaron-F, Baker-HR, Evans-K
TOP 6- Roberts-F, Wynn-HR, Helms-K, Cedeno-K
BOT 6- Johnson-Si, Oates-G-DP, Perez-Do, Gentry-K
TOP 7- Watson-G, May-K, Rader-P
BOT 7- Garr-G, Gilbreath-Do, Aaron-HR, Baker-Si, Evans-K, Johnson-G
TOP 8- Edwards-G, Metzger-Si, York-Force, Wynn-Si, Helms-Do, Cedeno-G
BOT 8- Oates-Si, Perez-F, Dietz-F, Garr-G
TOP 9- Watson-G, May-K, Rader-W, Edwards-P
BOT 9- Gilbreath-Si, Aaron-G, Baker-L, Evans-Si, Johnson-Si, Oates-Do
       Perez-IW, Lum-Do
 

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