Tribe sweeps A’s, end 6 game skid

9/12 - Oakland Coliseum - 3:57 - 71ø
GAME 1 - Indians 10, A's 2

The final score is quite deceptive.  It implies that this was a big time blow out that the Indians dominated, when in reality the outcome was totally in doubt until the top of the 9th when Cleveland exploded for 8 runs to put it away.  Before Oakland's tragic 9th, the game was actually tied at 2.  Oakland jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st off of Cleveland starter Gary "Ding Dong" Bell (4-0, 1.96).  Bell gave up a 2 run shot to Reggie Jackson, then closed the door as he went the distance.  Oakland starter Lew Krausse gave up a solo shot to Rocky Colavito in the 3rd to make it 2-1.  In the top of the 7th the Indians tied it when Vic Power led off with a double and Pete Ward wasted no time by singling him in to tie the game and hasten Krausse's exit.  Diego Segui was able to record the next 2 outs to end Cleveland's threat until the fateful 9th.  The Tribe sent 12 batters to the plate in the 9th and victimized Ed Sprague for 5 runs and call-up Rolland Fingers for the final 3.  Colavito had a typical "Rocky day".  He went 3 for 6, with 2 homers and 3 strikeouts to raise his average to .402.

9/13 - Oakland Colis. - 4:04 - 78ø - 5mph in LF
GAME 2 - Indians 12, A's 1
Oakland made 3 huge errors that cost John "Blue Moon" Odom any chance to be competitive in this game.  Odom lost interest and the Indians jumped all over him for 6 runs in 5 innings.  Only 1 of those 6 was earned.  Relievers Jack Aker and Warren Bogle were ineffective at best yielding 3 runs each in just 2 innings of work.  All 3 errors were committed by the normally sure handed Athletic infield.  John Donaldson, Sal Bando and Campy Campaneris were the culprits.  Cal McLish yielded only 1 unearned run, but he can't be too critical of the culprit, Rocky Colavito.  "The Rock" also went 3 for 6 with 2 doubles and 4 runs scored, so his offensive value far outweighed his defensive liability.  McLish got back to his winning ways by improving his record to 5-2 and lowering his ERA to 1.96.  Herbie Score came on in the 8th to finish it out and fanned 2 and allowed no one to score.  Will Harrell was 5 for 6 with 3 RBI's but seemed to be overshadowed by "the Rock".

9/14 - Cleveland Municipal  - 2:50 - 74ø - 15mph R to L
GAME 3 - Indians 3, A's 2
The series shifted 2,600 miles, but the change in venue did not change the A's fortune.  Interestingly this game featured a battle of the fish:  Mudcat vs Catfish.  Jim "Mudcat" Grant picked right up where Cal McLish left off and virtually shutdown the A's to close out the series sweep.  Oakland took a 1-0 lead on a Danny Cater 2 out homer in the first and Jim "Catfish" Hunter attempted to nurse it.  Hunter is real good, but not good enough to nurse 1 run leads every time out.  Back to back homers by Colavito and Minnie Minoso in the 6th gave Grant a 2-1 lead.  A two out triple by Russ Nixon to score Colavito in the 8th gave Grant (3-2, 2.45) the insurance run he would covet, but not need.  After the game Hunter (4-4, 2.13) told reporters that he's trying to take the lack of run support in stride.  The future star said all the right things, but you could see this tightrope act that he's being asked to perform is wearing thin on him.  His manager would not comment on the 3 game sweep, but did remind the press that Minnesota was also in the process of getting swept so no ground should be lost.

Colavito Watch:  The Rock went 7 for 15 with 3 HR’s and 5 RBI’s in as he edges closer to Triple Crown contention in the AL.  Rock’s BA now stands at .406 with 10 HR’s.  He is now 2 RBI behind NY’s Bobby Murcer with NY slated to play 3.