April 8, 1972. Atlanta 8, Houston 3.

On a team with sluggers Hank Aaron, Earl Williams and Darrell Evans, you wouldn't expect the big blow to come from a guy who weighs in at 167 pounds dripping wet. The Braves put together a team effort and a 6-run 7th inning to put away the Astros 8-3. 

Houston manufactured a couple of runs in the top of the first to take a 2-0 lead. But Hank Aaron got them both back with one swing of the bat in the 4th with a 2-run homer.  Houston got the lead back in the top of the 7th, capitalizing on a Darrell Evans error to take a 3-2 lead.  

However, Larry Dierker ran out of gas for the Astros in the bottom of the 7th. With one out, all 167 pounds of Larvell Blanks hit a 2-run homer to put the Braves ahead 4-3 and then they piled on 4 more for the final count of 8-3. 

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
HOUSTON ASTROS AT ATLANTA BRAVES
GAME ID: 25 - SATURDAY, APRIL 8TH , 1972 - GAME LOG
 123456789RHE
Houston Astros (0-3)200000100360
Atlanta Braves (2-0)00020060X8102
Astros Stumble, Lose to Braves
Led by Larvell Blanks, the Atlanta Braves downed the Houston Astros, 8-3. Blanks was 2-3 with a home run and a walk. He drove in 2 runs and scored once for the Braves. Atlanta, with the win, is 2-0.

Blanks had a timely hit for Atlanta in the bottom of the seventh. With Houston trailing 3-2, he turned a 2-1 slider into a 2-run home run. It was his 1st home run of the season, making it 4-3, Atlanta.

"I like our moxie," said Braves manager Mike Mayes.
HOUSTON BATTING LINESCOREATLANTA BATTING LINESCORE
PlayerABRHRBIBBKLOBAVGHRRBI
R. Metzger SS4100101.16700
C. Cedeno CF5110001.38512
J. Wynn RF2011201.09101
L. May 1B4000015.33300
B. Watson LF4020001.41700
T. Helms 2B4010003.33300
D. Rader 3B4000003.08300
J. Edwards C4110021.09101
L. Dierker P3001000.00001
   J. Richard P0000000.00000
   a-N. Miller PH1000000.00000
Totals353623316   
a - N. Miller pinch hit for J. Richard in the 9th

BATTING
Doubles: J. Edwards (1, 7th Inning off R. Reed, 0 on, 1 out)
Total Bases: C. Cedeno , J. Wynn , B. Watson 2 , T. Helms , J. Edwards 2
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: L. May , T. Helms , D. Rader
Team LOB: 8

BASERUNNING
SB: C. Cedeno (1) , J. Edwards (1)

FIELDING
Double Plays: 2 (Rader-Helms-May, Metzger-Helms-May)
PlayerABRHRBIBBKLOBAVGHRRBI
R. Garr LF4110102.25000
D. Evans 3B4112100.50013
D. Baker CF4210013.28612
H. Aaron 1B2112200.16712
E. Williams C4022001.50013
M. Lum RF4000013.00000
F. Millan 2B4120000.25000
L. Blanks SS3122101.66712
R. Reed P1000001.00000
   a-T. LaRussa PH0100100.00000
   C. Upshaw P0000000.00000
   b-O. Cepeda PH1000011.00000
   S. Barber P0000000.00000
Totals3181086312   
a - T. LaRussa pinch hit for R. Reed in the 7th
b - O. Cepeda pinch hit for C. Upshaw in the 8th

BATTING
Doubles: F. Millan 2 (2, 5th Inning off L. Dierker, 0 on, 0 outs; 7th Inning off L. Dierker, 0 on, 1 out)
Home Runs: H. Aaron (1, 4th Inning off L. Dierker, 1 on, 1 out) , L. Blanks (1, 7th Inning off L. Dierker, 1 on, 1 out)
Total Bases: R. Garr , D. Evans , D. Baker , H. Aaron 4 , E. Williams 2 , F. Millan 4 , L. Blanks 5
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , R. Garr 2 , D. Baker
GIDP: M. Lum 2
Sac Bunt: R. Reed
Hit by Pitch: D. Baker
Team LOB: 7

BASERUNNING
SB: R. Garr (1)

FIELDING
Errors: D. Evans 2 (2)
HOUSTON PITCHING LINESCOREATLANTA PITCHING LINESCORE
PlayerIPHRERBBKHRPIERA   
L. Dierker L (0-1)6.18772221069.95   
J. Richard1.2211410455.40   
PITCHING
Game Score: L. Dierker 29
Batters Faced: L. Dierker 29, J. Richard 10
Ground Outs - Fly Outs: L. Dierker 10-6, J. Richard 3-0
Pitches - Strikes: L. Dierker 106-59, J. Richard 45-27
Inherited Runners - Scored: J. Richard 1-1
Hit Batsmen: L. Dierker
PlayerIPHRERBBKHRPIERA   
R. Reed W (1-0)7.05323301002.57   
C. Upshaw1.0100000150.00   
S. Barber1.000000090.00   
PITCHING
Game Score: R. Reed 57
Batters Faced: R. Reed 31, C. Upshaw 4, S. Barber 3
Ground Outs - Fly Outs: R. Reed 11-7, C. Upshaw 1-2, S. Barber 2-1
Pitches - Strikes: R. Reed 100-61, C. Upshaw 15-9, S. Barber 9-6
Balk: R. Reed
GAME NOTES
Player of the Game: Larvell Blanks
Ballpark: Atlanta Fulton County Stadium 1966-1973
Weather: Clear skies (69 degrees), wind blowing in from center at 8 mph
Start Time: 7:05 PM ET
Time: 2:46
Attendance: 11353
TOP OF THE 1ST
Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Atlanta Braves : RHP Ron Reed
Pitching: RHP Ron Reed
Batting: SHB Roger Metzger0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls
Batting: RHB Cesar Cedeno0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 6MD, EV 97.5 MPH)
Roger Metzger to second
Runner from 2nd tries for 3rd, SAFE, throw by CF made to third
Cesar Cedeno to second
Batting: RHB Jim Wynn0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Ball
3-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 56, EV 82.5 MPH)
Roger Metzger scores
Batting: RHB Lee May0-0: Ball
Cesar Cedeno steals 3rd base
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Ball
Balk!
Cesar Cedeno scores
2-2: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 78D, EV 104.4 MPH)
Batting: RHB Bob Watson0-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RD, EV 102.5 MPH)
Top of the 1st over - 2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 0
BOTTOM OF THE 1ST
Atlanta Braves batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP Larry Dierker
Pitching: RHP Larry Dierker
Batting: LHB Ralph Garr0-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RM, EV 77.5 MPH)
Batting: LHB Darrell Evans0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4D, EV 101.9 MPH)
Batting: RHB Dusty Baker0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9LM, EV 93.1 MPH)
Bottom of the 1st over - 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 0
TOP OF THE 2ND
Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Atlanta Braves : RHP Ron Reed
Batting: RHB Tommy Helms0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Swinging Strike
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Ball
3-2: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 83.1 MPH)
Batting: RHB Doug Rader0-0: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 5, EV 85.6 MPH)
Batting: LHB Johnny Edwards0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Strikes out swinging
Top of the 2nd over - 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 0
BOTTOM OF THE 2ND
Atlanta Braves batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP Larry Dierker
Batting: RHB Hank Aaron0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8LS, EV 88.1 MPH)
Batting: RHB Earl Williams0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 6D, EV 108.1 MPH)
Batting: LHB Mike Lum0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Called Strike
3-1: Grounds into double play, 5-4-3 (Groundball, 56, EV 85.6 MPH)
Bottom of the 2nd over - 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 0
TOP OF THE 3RD
Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Atlanta Braves : RHP Ron Reed
Batting: RHB Larry Dierker0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Fly out, F4 (Popup, 3D, EV 67.5 MPH)
Batting: SHB Roger Metzger0-0: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 5, EV 88.8 MPH)
Batting: RHB Cesar Cedeno0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Ball
1-2: Fly out, F8 (Line Drive, 8RM, EV 86.2 MPH)
Top of the 3rd over - 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 0
BOTTOM OF THE 3RD
Atlanta Braves batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP Larry Dierker
Batting: RHB Felix Millan0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 83.1 MPH)
Batting: RHB Larvell Blanks0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 4D, EV 101.2 MPH)
Batting: RHB Ron Reed0-0: Sac Bunt to 25 - play at first, batter OUT! 5-3
Larvell Blanks to second
Batting: LHB Ralph Garr0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RXD, EV 102.5 MPH)
Bottom of the 3rd over - 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 0
TOP OF THE 4TH
Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Atlanta Braves : RHP Ron Reed
Batting: RHB Jim Wynn0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls
Batting: RHB Lee May0-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RD, EV 103.8 MPH)
Batting: RHB Bob Watson0-0: Fielders Choice at 2nd, 6-4 (Groundball, 6, EV 96.9 MPH)
Batting: RHB Tommy Helms0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Ball
1-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: SINGLE (Flyball, 8RS, EV 87.5 MPH)
Bob Watson to second
Batting: RHB Doug Rader0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Fielders Choice at 2nd, U6 (Groundball, 6M, EV 86.2 MPH)
Top of the 4th over - 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 0
BOTTOM OF THE 4TH
Atlanta Braves batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP Larry Dierker
Batting: LHB Darrell Evans0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4, EV 90.6 MPH)
Batting: RHB Dusty Baker0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Ball
1-2: Hit by Pitch
Batting: RHB Hank Aaron0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: 2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 7D, EV 96.2 MPH), Distance : 373 ft
Batting: RHB Earl Williams0-0: Ground out 2-3 (Groundball, 2R, EV 68.1 MPH)
Batting: LHB Mike Lum0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Strikes out swinging
Bottom of the 4th over - 2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 2
TOP OF THE 5TH
Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Atlanta Braves : RHP Ron Reed
Batting: LHB Johnny Edwards0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: Strikes out looking
Batting: RHB Larry Dierker0-0: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4, EV 104.4 MPH)
Batting: SHB Roger Metzger0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ground out 1-3 (Groundball, 13S, EV 75.6 MPH)
Top of the 5th over - 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 2
BOTTOM OF THE 5TH
Atlanta Braves batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP Larry Dierker
Batting: RHB Felix Millan0-0: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 7LS, EV 111.9 MPH)
Batting: RHB Larvell Blanks0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 94.4 MPH)
Batting: RHB Ron Reed0-0: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 89S, EV 80.6 MPH)
Batting: LHB Ralph Garr0-0: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 85.6 MPH)
Bottom of the 5th over - 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 2
TOP OF THE 6TH
Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Atlanta Braves : RHP Ron Reed
Batting: RHB Cesar Cedeno0-0: Fly out, F9 (Line Drive, 9LM, EV 95.0 MPH)
Batting: RHB Jim Wynn0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: SINGLE (Flyball, 8LS, EV 90.0 MPH)
Batting: RHB Lee May0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Strikes out swinging
Batting: RHB Bob Watson0-0: SINGLE (Flyball, 9LS, EV 89.4 MPH)
Jim Wynn to second
Runner from 2nd tries for 3rd, SAFE, throw by RF made to third
Batting: RHB Tommy Helms0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Called Strike
2-1: Ground out 2-3 (Groundball, 13S, EV 66.9 MPH)
Top of the 6th over - 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 2
BOTTOM OF THE 6TH
Atlanta Braves batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP Larry Dierker
Batting: LHB Darrell Evans0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Ball
3-2: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 5, EV 80.6 MPH)
Batting: RHB Dusty Baker0-0: Ball
1-0: Swinging Strike
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
3-2: Strikes out looking
Batting: RHB Hank Aaron0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls
Batting: RHB Earl Williams0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Called Strike
1-2: Ball
2-2: Fielders Choice at 2nd, 5-4 (Groundball, 56D, EV 80.0 MPH)
Bottom of the 6th over - 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Houston 2 - Atlanta 2
TOP OF THE 7TH
Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Atlanta Braves : RHP Ron Reed
Batting: RHB Doug Rader0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 102.5 MPH)
Batting: LHB Johnny Edwards0-0: Ball
1-0: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 7LM, EV 114.4 MPH)
Batting: RHB Larry Dierker0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
Johnny Edwards steals 3rd base
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Reached on error, E5 (Groundball, 56, EV 87.5 MPH)
Johnny Edwards scores
Batting: SHB Roger Metzger0-0: Fielders Choice at 2nd, 3-6 (Groundball, 34, EV 80.6 MPH)
Batting: RHB Cesar Cedeno0-0: Reached on error, E5 (Groundball, 56S, EV 75.6 MPH)
Roger Metzger to second
Batting: RHB Jim Wynn0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Swinging Strike
2-1: Ball
3-1: Base on Balls
Roger Metzger to third
Cesar Cedeno to second
Batting: RHB Lee May0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-1: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 89S, EV 85.0 MPH)
Top of the 7th over - 1 run, 1 hit, 2 errors, 3 left on base; Houston 3 - Atlanta 2
BOTTOM OF THE 7TH
Atlanta Braves batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP Larry Dierker
Batting: LHB Mike Lum0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Ball
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8LD, EV 110.0 MPH)
Batting: RHB Felix Millan0-0: Ball
1-0: DOUBLE (Groundball, 5L, EV 108.1 MPH)
Batting: RHB Larvell Blanks0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-1: 2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 7D, EV 97.5 MPH), Distance : 384 ft
Pinch Hitting: RHB Tony LaRussa0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Ball
3-0: Base on Balls
Batting: LHB Ralph Garr0-0: Ball
1-0: SINGLE (Line Drive, 8RS, EV 105.6 MPH)
Tony LaRussa to second
Runner from 2nd tries for 3rd, SAFE, throw by CF made to third
Batting: LHB Darrell Evans0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
Ralph Garr steals 2nd base
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
3-2: SINGLE (Flyball, 8LS, EV 98.1 MPH)
Tony LaRussa scores
Ralph Garr to third
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home
Pitching: RHP J.R. Richard
Batting: RHB Dusty Baker0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 6D, EV 105.6 MPH)
Darrell Evans to second
Batting: RHB Hank Aaron0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Called Strike
2-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-2: Ball
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
3-2: Base on Balls
Darrell Evans to third
Dusty Baker to second
Batting: RHB Earl Williams0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Swinging Strike
0-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 6, EV 99.4 MPH)
Darrell Evans scores
Dusty Baker to third
Hank Aaron to second
Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw by CF to home
Batting: LHB Mike Lum0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Grounds into double play, 6-4-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 104.4 MPH)
Bottom of the 7th over - 6 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Houston 3 - Atlanta 8
TOP OF THE 8TH
Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Atlanta Braves : RHP Ron Reed
Pitching: RHP Cecil Upshaw
Batting: RHB Bob Watson0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 6D, EV 100.0 MPH)
Batting: RHB Tommy Helms0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9, EV 95.0 MPH)
Batting: RHB Doug Rader0-0: Ball
1-0: Called Strike
1-1: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RM, EV 75.6 MPH)
Batting: LHB Johnny Edwards0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Called Strike
0-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Ball
1-2: Ball
2-2: Ball
3-2: Ground out 2-3 (Groundball, 15S, EV 71.9 MPH)
Top of the 8th over - 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on base; Houston 3 - Atlanta 8
BOTTOM OF THE 8TH
Atlanta Braves batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP J.R. Richard
Batting: RHB Felix Millan0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 56, EV 100.0 MPH)
Batting: RHB Larvell Blanks0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
3-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F
3-2: Base on Balls
Pinch Hitting: RHB Orlando Cepeda0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-2: Strikes out swinging
Batting: LHB Ralph Garr0-0: Ball
1-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Base on Balls
Larvell Blanks to second
Batting: LHB Darrell Evans0-0: Swinging Strike
0-1: Ball
1-1: Ball
2-1: Ball
3-1: Called Strike
3-2: Base on Balls
Larvell Blanks to third
Ralph Garr to second
Batting: RHB Dusty Baker0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F
0-2: Fielders Choice at 2nd, 6-4 (Groundball, 6, EV 87.5 MPH)
Bottom of the 8th over - 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on base; Houston 3 - Atlanta 8
TOP OF THE 9TH
Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Atlanta Braves : RHP Cecil Upshaw
Pitching: LHP Steve Barber
Pinch Hitting: LHB Norm Miller0-0: Ball
1-0: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9D, EV 85.6 MPH)
Batting: SHB Roger Metzger0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F
2-1: Swinging Strike
2-2: Ground out 6-3 (Groundball, 6, EV 82.5 MPH)
Batting: RHB Cesar Cedeno0-0: Called Strike
0-1: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 5, EV 83.8 MPH)
Top of the 9th over - 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base; Houston 3 - Atlanta 8

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April 13, 1972. Texas 11, Oakland 0.

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The Texas Rangers ran roughshod over the Oakland A's today 11-0. The men from Texas will be heading down the west coast tomorrow after sweeping 3 from last years division winner in their own ballpark.  Texas jumped on A's starter Ken Holtzman from the very beginning.  Dave Nelson walked and took 2nd on a wild pitch.  Ted Ford then chased him home with an RBI single.  Jeff Burroughs came up next and sent a 2-run homer over the left center boards for a quick 3-0 lead. Pete Broberg started for Texas and Oakland didn't have an answer for him.  Broberg and Rich Hand, who finished up the last two innings didn't allow an Oakland runner to reach third base and Reggie Jackson's single leading off the 5th was the last runner for the A's. Meanwhile the Rangers just kept teeing off on Oakland.  They added insurance runs in the 2nd, 3rd and 5th, sending Holtzman to an early shower.  Then a 5 run 8th off Dave Hamilton continued to the pileup.  Pinch-hitter Tom ...
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