South-Siders Hit Elephants between the Eyes

Game #1
PHILADELPHIA -- Bing Miller plated Bill Lamar with a bases loaded squeeze bunt in the bottom of the 10th to lift the 25 Athletics to 5-4 victory in the opener of the KOD27 season for both clubs. The call by manager Jim Clouser caught and the ChiSox completely flat-footed. Philly took a 4-0 lead through 3 innings with backstop Mickey Cochrane knocking in a pair. The Sox put one across in the 6th, but saved the dramatics for a 3-run 9th to tie it. Eric Soderholm knocked in a pair with a single.  Stan Baumgartner (1-0) earned the win in relief for the A's. Bruce Dal Canton (0-1) took the loss for the Sox.

Game #2
PHILADELPHIA -- The South-Side Hitmen came out hitting and scoring early and often in this one, racking up 12 runs in the first 3 innings on their way to a 13-6 win. Jorge Orta banged out 3 doubles among his 4 hits. Jim Essian added 3 knocks. Chet Lemon (1) and Oscar Gamble (1) hit 2-run bombs off knuckleballer Eddie Rommel (0-1), who was pummeled for 12 runs in 2.1 IP.  Steve Stone (1-0) was the beneficiary of the offensive largess.


Game #3
CHICAGO -- Alan Bannister lined a 2-run single in the B8 scoring Jim Spencer and Brian Downing and giving the White Sox a 7-6 come-back victory.  The Athletics broke a 2-2 tie in the 5th when Al Simmons (3 hits) singled in Lamar. The ChiSox came back with 3 in the bottom of the frame with RBIs from Ralph Garr, Orta and Gamble. Philadelphia regained a 6-5 the lead in the 7th with a 3-spot, highlighted by a 2-run triple from Sammy Hale. The A's had 2-on and 2-out in the 9th when Lerrin Lagrow (1) was called on and got Hale to ground out to short. Jack Kucek (1-0) was credited with the win. Lefty Grove (0-1) took the L in relief.


Game #4
CHICAGO -- Eric Soderholm banged out 4 hits for 4 RBI to lead a 17-hit Pale Hose attack and a 10-5 victory. Richie Zisk and Lamar Johnson chipped in 3 apiece. The South-Side Hit Men collected double digits in hits in all four contests (a .353 team BA). The A's nearly duplicated the feat, falling just short with 8 in this one. Dave Frost (1-0) started and won for the Sox. Baumgartner started and lost for the Athletics.