(June 11) Calgary Giants scored five times in the third inning and coasted to a 9-1 victory over Lethbridge Cardinals before 1,116 fans at Calgary in the season opener. John Elick's three-run homer was the key blow. Elick also had a double and knocked in a total of five runs. Right-hander Richie Johnson fired a three-hitter for the win. He fanned ten and walked four. Gary Johnson gave up 12 hits in taking the loss. Leadoff man Tom McFadden had three hits for the winners.
G Johnson (L 0-1) and Ferguson
R Johnson (W 1-0) and Hines
Edmonton Oilers topped Saskatoon Blues 7-4. After plating single runs in the 1st and 2nd innings, a three-run 3rd proven to be enough for the win. Back to back homers by Louis Smith and Katsu Shitanishi highlighted the outburst. Orville Franchuk registered the win.
McDonald (L 0-1), Rupe (6) and Balestri
Franchuk (W 1-0), Pearce (6) and Hopkins
(June 12) Paul Coleman fired a two-hitter to lead Calgary to a 5-2 win over Lethbridge Cardinals. The right-hander had 12 strikeouts and just two walks. Coleman had a no-hitter into the 8th inning before Lethbridge third baseman Ed White broke the streak with a lead-off homer. Larry McWhirter led the attack with a triple and two singles. Ned Bondie added a double and single.
Saskatoon Blues took advantage of eight Edmonton errors to whip the Oilers 15-7. Blues jumped on Oilers' starter Jerry Nyman for four runs in the 1st inning but Edmonton battled back to tie before Saskatoon broke it wide open with seven runs in the 6th inning. Phil Capka picked up the win.
Mauritsen (L 0-1) and Ferguson
Coleman (W 1-0) and Hines
Capka (W 1-0), Trentin (6) and Simon
Nyman, Miller (1), Pearce (L 0-1) (2), Doyle (6) and Hopkins
(June 13) Calgary Giants erupted for six runs in the 7th inning to post a 10-3 victory over Lethbridge. Doyle Lyman checked the Cards on seven hits to register the win. Third baseman Mike Steele led the Giants with four hits, including a pair of doubles. Bill Kagy led the Cards with a homer and two singles. Paul Mantellino added three singles.
At Edmonton, Saskatoon Blues scored five in the top of the 9th to notch a 7-2 victory over the Oilers. Catcher Steve Simon had a homer and single for the winners. Steve Cahoon picked up the win in relief of Gord Hoult.
Lethbridge owner Dan Royer announced the acquisition of two more players. Left-handed pitcher Roy Coston from Las Vegas and pitcher Eric Young from Los Angeles.
Schrempp (L 0-1), Cecil (7) and Ferguson
Lyman (W 1-0) and Hines
Hoult, Cahoon (W 1-0) (4), Capka (9) and Simon
Nyman (L 0-1), Miller (9) and Rex
Calgary 3 0
Saskatoon 2 1
Edmonton 1 2
Lethbridge 0 3
(June 15) Centre fielder Shelly Andrens was the key as Edmonton shaded Lethbridge 4-3, the Cardinals' 4th straight loss. Andrens, who had three hits, scored the winner in the 8th inning as he lead off with a single, stole second and came around to score when first baseman Bill Schroeder slipped trying to field a ground ball. Oilers had scored three in the top of the first on three hits including Cunningham's triple and Kit Putnam's double. Roger Sugimoto drove in Tom Gaffney with the Cards' first run. Schroeder tripled in Bill Kagy and then scored on a bunt by Roger Cecil to even the count in the 6th. Right-hander George Fowlkes was the winner, homebrew Ken Hutton took the loss in spite of holding the Oilers to one hit and a run in four innings of work.
Saskatoon Blues took an early lead and held on to hand Calgary its first defeat of the season, 5-4. Right-hander Larry McDonald was the winner, with relief help from Phil Capka in the 8th. Mark Foss was the loser. Bill Schmidt led the Blues driving in three runs with with a double and two singles. Tom McFadden had a homer and double for the Giants.
Fowlkes (W 1-0), Miller (8) and Hopkins
Johnson, Mauritsen (2), Hutton (L 0-1) (6) and Ferguson
Foss (L 0-1), Smith (8) and Hines
McDonald (W 1-1), Capka (8) and Balestri
(June 16) Paul Coleman, who pitched a two-hitter in his debut, fired a three-hitter to pace Calgary to a 3-2 win over Saskatoon. Only 72 fans braved cold weather to watch the game. A triple by Lyle Olsen, double by Fergie Olver and single by Jim McCray were the only safeties off Coleman who helped his cause with a double and single.
Coleman (W 2-0) and Hines
Cahoon (L 1-1), Capka (8) and Balestri
Calgary 4 1
Saskatoon 3 2
Edmonton 2 2
Lethbridge 0 4
(June 17) Pat Doyle, the right-hander from Fresno State University, fired a five-hitter to lead Edmonton to a 3-2 win over Lethbridge. Doyle had 12 strikeouts and four bases on balls. Lefty Ron Schrempp was the hard-luck loser allowing just seven hits in taking the loss. Katsu Shitanishi scored the winning run in the 5th inning on a single, fielder's choice, ground out and a passed ball. Ted Bridges paced the Oilers offense with a two-run double and a single. Bill Kagy had a double and single for the Cards.
Doyle (W 1-0) and Hopkins
Schrempp (L 0-2) and Ferguson
Calgary 4 1
Saskatoon 3 2
Edmonton 3 2
Lethbridge 0 5
(June 18) Lefty John Pearce gave up a run in the first inning then blanked Lethbridge the rest of the way as Edmonton notched a 3-1 triumph. Pearce gave up eight hits, struck out ten and walked just one. Gary Johnson took the loss in spite of holding the Oilers to six hits. Oilers built their winning margin in the 3rd inning on a pair of walks and singles by Katsu Shitanishi and Louis Smith and a fielder's choice.
Playing manager Ben Hines cracked a bases-loaded homer in the 6th inning as Calgary Giants trounced Saskatoon 11-3. It was one of three homers for the winners. Ned Bondie had a homer, double and two singles and Joe Keough added a homer and two singles. Jim Rupe led the Blues with a homer and two singles. In his season debut, veteran Willie Walasko went the distance for the win.
G Johnson (L 0-2) and Ferguson
Pearce (W 1-1) and Hopkins
Reberger, McDonald (L 1-2) (5) and Balestri, Simon (7)
Walasko (W 1-0) and Hines
Calgary 5 1
Edmonton 4 2
Saskatoon 3 3
Lethbridge 0 6
More help is on the way for the Lethbridge Cardinals. Owner Dan Royer announced three acquisitions, including highly prized left-hander Greg Conger an 18-year-old pitching whiz from Long Beach, California. Conger, a 6-foot, 180 pounder, is being sought by seven major league clubs. This past season, he won 13 games without a loss, averaging 11 strikeouts per game in seven-inning contests and boasted an ERA of 0.29. He was selected as the MVP of his high school conference. Also slated to check in over the weekend is left-hander Eric Young, a Chinese-American from Los Angeles, another high school starter. The third newcomer is Mike Caldarella, an infielder - outfielder from Long Beach.
(June 19) Lethbridge Cardinals finally broke into the win column with a run in the 9th inning to shade Edmonton Oilers 3-2. Paul Mantellino drove in the winner with a double. Cards pulled off a triple play to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the 6th inning. Three straight singles loaded the sacks and Louis Smith hit a bouncer in front of the plate. Catcher Jim Ferguson grabbed the ball, forced the runner at home and threw to first to get Smith. First baseman Bill Schroeder then returned the throw to home where Ferguson tagged Kit Putnam trying to score from second. Ray Coston went the distance for the win. Reliever Jim Miller took the loss.
Coston (W 1-0) and Ferguson
Franchuk, Miller (L 0-1) (8) and Hopkins
Calgary Giants opened with a five run 1st inning and cruised to a 10-2 win over Saskatoon. John Elick again had a three-run, 1st inning homer to pace the winners. Harvey Smith scattered seven hits to gain the win. He relieved starter Doyle Lyman in the third after Lyman was forced to leave with arm trouble. One of the Saskatoon runs came on a homer by Jim Rupe.
Rounsaville (L 0-1) Capka (8) and Simon
Lyman, Harvey Smith (W 1-0) (3) and Hines
(June 20) Calgary right-hander Paul Coleman registered his third consecutive complete game victory in pitching the Giants to a 6-2 win over Edmonton. Calgary scored four in the 9th to escape with the victory. Jerry Nyman took the loss.
Coleman (W 3-0) and Hines
Nyman (L 0-2), Miller (9), Pearce (9) and Rex
(June 21) After beginning the season with six straight losses, Lethbridge Cardinals registered their second straight win as Pete Mauritsen fired a six-hitter as the Cardinals shaded Saskatoon 2-1 before 700 fans at Henderson Stadium. Ed White's bases-loaded single in the 3rd inning drove in Bill Kagy and Jim Ferguson to account for both the Lethbridge runs. It was one of three hits for White. Mauritsen fanned the side in the 7th inning, including two strikeouts with the bases loaded.
George Fowlkes fired a four-hitter as Edmonton downed Calgary 6-3 for a split of their weekend series. Calgary playing manager Ben Hines had the only homer, his 2nd of the season.
Lamb (L 0-1, Capka (7) and Simon
Mauritsen (W 1-1) and Ferguson
R Johnson (L 1-1), Reynolds (8) and Hines
Fowlkes (W 2-0) and Rex
(June 22) Fergie Olver doubled in Tom Brogan with the winning run in the 8th inning as Saskatoon edged Lethbridge 4-3 in the Cardinals' 5th one-run decision in their last six games. In the other game, Cards' lost by two runs. Frank Reberger, who relieved starter Steve Cahoon in the top of the 8th, picked up the win. Lethbridge reliever Eric Young was saddled with the loss.
Calgary bounced back from a 4-0 deficit to top Edmonton 5-4 before more than 11-hundred fans at Calgary. Three homers powered the attack. Larry McWhirter and John Elick had four-baggers in the 6th inning when the Giants scored four times to tie. Mike Steele's homer in the 8th proved to be the winner. Willie Walasko picked up the win holding Lethbridge to seven hits.
Schrempp, Young (L 0-1) (5) and Ferguson
Cahoon, Reberger (W 1-0) (8) and Simon
Doyle, Pearce (L 1-2) (6) and Rex
Walasko (W 2-0) and Hines
Calgary 8-2
Edmonton 5-5
Saskatoon 4-5
Lethbridge 2-7
(June 23) Gary Johnson was a force on the hill and at the plate as Lethbridge downed Saskatoon 9-4. Johnson limited the Blues to six hits in going the route for the win and drove in three runs with a bases-loaded triple in the 8th inning. He also had a single. He fanned seven and walked just one. Larry McDonald took the loss.
At Calgary, the Giants had three big innings to defeat Edmonton 9-5. Before 1,306 fans at Calgary, the Giants scored four in the 3rd, three in the 7th and two more in the 8th. Joe Keough had the key blow, a two-run single in the 7th which brought in the tying and winning runs. Reliever Bob Reynolds picked up the win. Edmonton's Gail Hopkins had the only home run.
G Johnson (W 1-2) and Ferguson
McDonald (L 1-3), Capka (7) and Simon
Pearce, Fowlkes (3), Nyman (L 0-3) (6), Miller (8) and Rex
Lyman, Reynolds (W 1-0) (7) and Hines
(June 24) Darryl Tatem's two-run double in the 11th inning gave Calgary an 8-6, comeback win over Lethbridge Cardinals. Giants had blown an early 5-0 lead and a 6-3 margin after six. Ben Hines provided most of the Calgary offense with a grand slam homer in the 1st inning and a solo homer in the 5th. Roger Sugimoto and Paul Mantellino each had three hits for Lethbridge while Bill Kagy and Roger Cecil each drove in a pair. Cards tied in the 8th when Bill Schroeder reach first on an interference call with the bases loaded. Mike Steele had a double and two singles for Calgary and Joe Keough chipped in with a double and single.
At Edmonton, Saskatoon squandered an 8-0 lead and recovered with two runs in the 10th inning to shade the Oilers 11-9. Blues scored seven runs in the 2nd inning, highlighted by Jim Rupe's grand slam home run. Oilers fought back finally tying the match 9-9 with a run in the bottom of the 9th. In the extra frame, Bruce Carmichael and Steve Simon led off with singles. Bill Schmidt's bunt single scored Carmichael and Fergie Olver's double drove in the insurance run. Phil Capka picked up the win in relief.
Coleman, Reynolds (6), Smith (7), Foss (W 1-1) (8) and Hines
Coston, Hutton (4), Young (L 0-2) (7) and Ferguson
Rounsaville, Capka (W 2-0) (7) and Balestri, Simon (8)
Franchuk, Nyman (2), Miller (5), Doyle (8), Pearce (L 1-3) (10) and Rex, Hopkins (5)
(June 25) Right-hander Rich Johnson held Lethbridge to five hits and the Calgary offense exploded for 15 hits as the Giants demolished the Cardinals 12-1. Joe Keough paced the Giants with a triple, double and single. Mike Steele, the league's top hitter, had a double and two singles before being beaned in the 9th. Outside of a throbbing headache, Steele suffered no serious injury.
At Edmonton, Frank Reberger, who suffered back injury 2 1/2 weeks ago, had a one-hitter for five innings as the Saskatoon Blues topped the Oilers 7-4 to sweep the two-game series. Reberger went the distance allowing a total of six hits. Lyle Olsen and Tom Brogan each had two hits for Saskatoon. Louis Smith, Edmonton third baseman, clouted a two-run homer in the 9th inning.
R Johnson (W 2-1) and Bondie, Tatem
Mauritsen (L 1-2), Conger (6) and Ferguson
Reberger (W 2-0) and Simon
Fowlkes (L 2-1), Miller (6), Doyle (9) and Hopkins
Calgary 11-2
Saskatoon 6-6
Edmonton 5-8
Lethbridge 3-9
(June 26) Gary Johnson held the powerful Calgary Giants to five hits as Lethbridge scored a 6-2 victory. Cardinals capitalized on Calgary miscues. Losing pitcher Mark Foss gave up a pair of runs in the first inning on two of Calgary's five errors and a pair of wild pitches. Lethbridge got another run in the 2nd inning helped by another wild pitch. An error in the 5th inning contributed to another marker. The bright spot for the Giants was an inside-the-park homer by Bob Christenson.
Playing manager Clark Rex drove in the winning run with an 11th inning bases-loaded single as Edmonton Oilers got by Saskatoon 4-3. Ted Bridges opened the 11th with an infield hit and, with one out, moved to 2nd as Gail Hopkins drew a base on balls. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. With Ken Balch on first with an intentional walk, Rex came through with the clutch hit. Blues, trailing 3-1, had rallied to tie in the 9th on a lead-off single by Steve Simon and a two-out triple by Bruce Carmichael. Carmichael, who had two triples in the game, scored on a passed ball. Reliever Jim Miller registered the win.
G Johnson (W 2-2) and Kagy
Foss (L 1-2), Reynolds (7) and Bondie
Cahoon, Lamb (4), Capka (L 2-1) (9) and Simon
Nyman, Miller (W 1-1) (10) and Hopkins
(June 27) Veteran right-hander Willie Walasko checked Lethbridge on five hits as Calgary trounced the Cardinals 10-1. It was Walasko's third straight, complete game, victory. Ben Hines led the offense with a grand slam homer, his third bases-loaded homer this season. He also knocked in the first run of the game with a single.
At Red Deer, first baseman Ted Bridges clouted a grand slam homer to key a five-run 7th inning and a comeback, 7-4 win for Edmonton Oilers over Saskatoon Blues. The game was called after eight innings because of darkness. Saskatoon's Larry McDonald was coasting along with a two-hitter into the 7th when two walks and a single by Louis Smith loaded the bases. Bridges blasted a 2-1 pitch far over the wall in left centre field. Pat Doyle survived early trouble to go the distance for the win. Doyle helped the offense with a homer in the 5th.
Schrempp (L 0-3 ), Coston (4) and Kagy, Ferguson (7)
Walasko (W 3-0) and Hines
Doyle (W 2-0)) and Hopkins
McDonald (L 1-4), Lamb (7) and Simon
(June 28) Calgary Giants jumped into a 11-1 lead after four innings and held on to down Lethbridge 11-7 in a sloppily played game at Calgary. Cardinals made four errors and Calgary three. Mike Steele's two-run homer was a key hit for the winners. John Elick added three hits and Larry McWhirter had three runs batted in. Lethbridge had a pair of homers, by Bill Schroeder and Bill Kagy. Paul Coleman went the distance for the win, his fourth. Greg Conger relieved for Lethbridge in the 4th inning and blanked Calgary the rest of the way.
Saskatoon Blues rallied for three runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to down Edmonton 8-7 in a game at Red Deer. Phil Capka got the win in relief. Blues survived homers by Louis Smith and Ted Bridges.
Young (L 0-3), Conger (4) and Kagy
Coleman (W 4-0) and Hines
Pearce (L 1-4), Miller (9) and Hopkins
Rounsaville, Capka (W 3-1) (7) and Simon
Calgary 13-3
Saskatoon 7-8
Edmonton 7-9
Lethbridge 4-11
(June 29) Edmonton Oilers topped Lethbridge 6-4 scoring three runs in the last two innings. Ted Bridges and Louis Smith powered the Oilers' offense. Bridges had four hits, a triple and three singles, and Smith chipped in with a double and two singles. George Fowlkes got credit for the win with relief help from Jim Miller in the 9th. Lethbridge was awaiting the arrival of Terry Christman, a hitting and pitching star with the Cardinals in 1963. He had a 13-1 college record with San Francisco State. Lefty Roy Coston of Las Vegas was released by the club.
Fowlkes (W 3-1), Miller (9) and Hopkins
Hutton, Mauritsen (4) (L 1-3) and Ferguson
At Calgary, Saskatoon Blues handed the Giants their first home loss in 10 games handing the hometown club an 11-9 defeat. Jim McCray swung the big stick for the Blues clubbing a pair of three-run homers. Maurice Rosas, Tom Brogan and Steve Simon each had two hits for the winners. Joe Keough, Ned Bondie, Larry McWhirter and Mike Steele each had a pair of hits for the Giants. Frank Reberger picked up the win, his 3rd of the season.
Reberger (3-0), McDonald (7) and Simon
R Johnson (2-2), Smith (6), Reynolds (8) and Hines
Calgary 13-4
Saskatoon 8-8
Edmonton 8-9
Lethbridge 4-12
(June 30) Lethbridge Cardinals opened with a five-run first inning and coasted to a 12-3 decision over Edmonton at Henderson Stadium. Roger Sugimoto, Bill Schroeder and Tom Gaffney sparked the offense each with three hits. Shelly Andrens and Gayle Hopkins each had a double and single for the Oilers. Gary Johnson picked up the win, his third of the season.
Franchuk (L 1-1), Doyle (2), Miller (6) and Hopkins, Rex (4)
G Johnson (W 3-2) and Kagy
A three-run 8th inning carried Calgary Giants to an 8-6 win over Saskatoon Blues. Mike Steele and Doyle Lyman poked homers for the winners. Willie Walasko was the winning pitcher in relief.
Capka, Cahoon (4), McDonald (L 1-5) (8) and Simon
Lyman, Walasko (W 4-0) (7) and Hines
(July 1) Saskatoon shortstop Bruce Carmichael homered in the bottom of the 8th inning to give the Blues a 5-4 win over Lethbridge in the opener of a twin bill. Relief ace Phil Capka registered the decision. Greg Conger went the distance in a losing cause.
Conger (L 0-1) and Ferguson
Lamb, Capka (W 4-1) (8) and Balestri
Saskatoon Blues peppered the field with 17 hits in trouncing Lethbridge 13-5 in the second game of the double header played at Regina. Butch Rounsaville, the winning pitcher, helped his cause with a pair of doubles and a single and three runs scored. Fergie Olver had a two-run homer for the Blues and Tom Gaffney a solo shot for the Cardinals.
Young (L 0-4), Mauritsen (5), Schrempp (8) and Kagy
Rounsaville (W 1-1) and Simon
Calgary and Edmonton split their doubleheader. The Giants plated three runs in each of the 4th and 7th innings to down the Oilers 6-2 in the first game while Jerry Nyman pitched a six-hitter for Edmonton's 7-3 win in the second game.
Keough (W 1-0), Hines (6) and Tatem
Putnam (L 0-1), Miller (9) and Hopkins
Foss (L 1-3) and Hines
Nyman (W 1-3) and Rex, Hopkins (9)
Calgary 15 5
Saskatoon 10 9
Edmonton 9 11
Lethbridge 5 14
(July 2) Lethbridge announced the return of Terry Christman. The lefthander had an outstanding 1963 season with a 10-4 mark while providing punch at the plate in his tours at first base and the outfield.
Paul Coleman won his 5th straight decision with a four-hitter as Calgary Giants topped Edmonton Oilers 10-4. Coleman had a shutout with two out in the 9th when a Calgary error sparked a four-run rally by the Oilers. Darrell Tatem, Bob Christensen and Joe Keough paced the attack each with three hits. For Edmonton, Ted Bridges had a pair of triples.
Coleman (W 5-0) and Hines
Pearce (L 1-5), Miller (8) and Hopkins
(July 3) Terry Christman made his return to Lethbridge a winning one as the Cardinals dumped Saskatoon Blues 9-5 with Christman scattering nine hits to gain the win and Mike Caldarella providing the punch with a grand slam homer. Bill Schroeder had two hits for the Cards while Bruce Carmichael punched out three safeties for the Blues with Lyle Olsen and Tom Brogan each adding a triple and single. Frank Reberger took the loss.
Reberger (L 3-1), McDonald (6), Capka (8) and Simon
Christman (W 1-0), Hutton (9) and Ferguson
Edmonton Oilers whipped Calgary 10-2 behind George Fowlkes who gave up both runs in the first inning then allowed just one hit the rest of the way for his fourth win of the season. Ted Bridges had a two-run homer for the winners who had 15 hits. Rich Johnson, the first of three Giants' hurlers, took the loss.
R Johnson (L 2-3), Smith (3), Reynolds (7) and Hines
Fowlkes (W 4-1) and Rex
(July 5) Gary Johnson scattered seven hits in leading Lethbridge to a 9-2 victory over Saskatoon. Both runs against Johnson were unearned. Left fielder Mike Caldarella again led the offense, with three hits including a homer. Terry Christman had two triples and a single and Roger Sugimoto had a double and single.
Cahoon (L 1-2), McDonald (7) and Balestri
Johnson (W 4-2) and Ferguson
Calgary got homers by playing manager Ben Hines and centre fielder Larry McWhirter to beat Edmonton 7-3 and hand Willie Walasko his 5th straight victory.
Doyle (L 2-1), Miller (7) and Rex
Walasko (W 5-0) and Hines
Calgary 17 6
Saskatoon 10 11
Edmonton 10 13
Lethbridge 7 14
(July 6) Mike Caldarella homered for the third straight game, all Lethbridge wins, to provide the margin of victory in a 3-2 decision over Saskatoon Blues. Caldarella, who has had to battle his way into a regular spot in the lineup, blasted one over the left field wall with Terry Christman aboard in the bottom of the 8th inning. He also drove in the first Cardinal run with a sacrifice fly in the 6th. Lefty Greg Conger tossed a six-hitter for the win. Both runs against him came on Jim Rupe's 3rd inning homer with Maurice Rosas on base. Butch Rounsaville was the hard-luck loser. Tom Gaffney, back in centre field after a three-game layoff, made two spectacular plays in the 9th to preserve the win. He snared Tom Brogan's drive to deep centre for the first out then turned a liner by Dick Balestri into a twin killing by catching pinch-runner Steve Simon off the bag at first base.
Rounsaville (L 1-2) and Balestri
Conger (W 1-1) and Kagy, Ferguson (9)
Jerry Nyman was the star on the mound and at the plate as Edmonton topped Calgary 9-3 at Buffalo Stadium in Calgary. Nyman pitched into the 8th frame and belted a three-run homer. It was Nyman's second win in five days against the Giants. First sacker Gayle Hopkins had four hits for Edmonton, a homer, two doubles and a single, good for three runs batted in. Louis Smith helped with a two-run homer. Katsu Shitanishi, Ted Bridges, Smith and Nyman each had two hits for the Oilers. Darrell Tatem connected for three safeties for Calgary. Tom McFadden added a triple and double.
Nyman (W 2-3), Fowlkes (8) and Rex
Lyman (L 1-1), Reynolds (9) and Hines
(July 7) John Pearce had a no-hitter into the 8th inning before tiring and needing relief help as Edmonton Oilers upended Lethbridge 10-3 at Edmonton. Ed White broke the spell with a bunt single leading off the 8th. Roger Cecil followed with a triple to plate the first Cards' run and scored on an error. Bill Kagy and Mike Caldarella poked singles before Jim Miller came out of the pen to shutdown the outburst. Shortstop Louis Smith got the Oilers on the board early with a two-run homer in the first inning. Lethbridge errors played a big part in their defeat. Lefty Pete Mauritsen, who gave up just five hits, took the loss.
At Saskatoon, Phil Capka and Steve Cahoon combined on a five-hit shutout to stop Calgary 6-0. The Blues handed the Giants' Paul Coleman his first loss after five straight wins. Tom Brogan, Bruce Carmichael, Jim Rupe and Steve Simon each had two hits for Edmonton. Joe Keough paced Calgary with three hits.
Mauritsen, (L 1-4) Young (8) and Ferguson
Pearce (W 2-5), Miller (8) and Rex
Coleman (L 5-1) and Hines
Capka (W 5-1), Cahoon (8) and Simon
(July 8) Trailing 4-0 after six innings, Lethbridge Cardinals exploded for 12 runs over the last three frames to clobber the Oilers 12-4 at Edmonton. Terry Christman held the Oilers to five hits to register the win. Roger Sugimoto, with a double and two singles, led the Cards attack. After blanking Lethbridge for six innings, George Fowlkes ran into trouble in the 7th giving up two runs and leaving a pair aboard for reliever Pat Doyle who issued three straight walks to force in two more. Jim Miller came in to stop the uprising but ran into his own troubles in the 8th as Lethbridge scored five times.
Christman (W 2-0) and Ferguson, Kagy (8)
Fowlkes, Doyle (7), Miller (L 1-2) (7), Nyman (8), Franchuk (9) and Rex
Calgary got just four hits but eked out a 3-1 victory over Saskatoon in the first game of a doubleheader. Giants also took the second game, 8-5. Harvey Smith allowed seven hits in gaining the pitching victory in the opener. Darrell Tatem's bases-loaded single plated one run and two walks, a hit and an error resulted in two more. Larry McDonald was the hard-luck loser. Rich Johnson went the distance to record the 8-5 win in the second game.
Smith (W 2-0) and Bondie
McDonald (L 1-6), Rupe (9) and Balestri
R Johnson (W 3-3) and Hines, Bondie (9)
Reberger, Cahoon (L 1-3) (6), Rupe (8) and Simon
(July 9) Calgary Giants took advantage of two errors to score six runs in the 6th inning and held on to down Saskatoon 6-4. Giants had just five hits against Butch Rounsaville. John Elick paced the winners with a double and single while Lyle Olsen had three hits for the Blues.
Foss (W 2-3), Coleman (8) and Hines
Rounsaville (L 1-3) and Simon
(July 10) Veteran right-hander Willie Walasko won his 6th consecutive game in Calgary's 7-1 triumph over Lethbridge. Walasko, into his 11th season after a junior career with Pincher Creek, allowed just five hits in the route-going performance. Joe Keough's triple drove in the Giants' first marker in the first inning. A double by Roger Sugimoto of the Cardinals plated Gary Johnson with the tying run in the 3rd before Calgary scored six unanswered runs, including Larry McWhirter's homer. Mike Steele had a triple, double and single and knocked in three runs for the Giants.
Walasko (W 6-0) and Hines
G Johnson (L 4-3), Young (7) and Kagy
(July 11) Pat Doyle blanked Saskatoon on six hits and struck out 11 as the Oilers notched a 4-0 victory. Ray Lamb, who lasted seven innings for the Blues, gave up just two hits but three Saskatoon errors proved too much to overcome.
Doyle (W 3-1) and Hopkins
Lamb (L 0-2), Capka (8) and Balestri
Calgary 21 8
Edmonton 13 14
Saskatoon 11 16
Lethbridge 9 16
(July 12) Outstanding pitching lifted Lethbridge Cardinals to a pair of wins over Calgary, 4-2 and 2-1. Terry Christman notched his 3rd straight win in the first game of the doubleheader spacing out eight hits as Tom Gaffney led the offense with a triple and single. Larry McWhirter had a homer and double for Calgary. Paul Coleman was touched for seven hits in taking the loss, his second after five straight wins.
Coleman (L 5-2) and Hines
Christman (W 3-0) and Ferguson
Greg Conger fired a four-hitter in taking the second game, 2-1. A two-run single by Christman in the 2nd inning provided all the Cardinals' scoring. McWhirter doubled in Tom McFadden with the lone run for the Giants. Rich Johnson allowed just three hits in taking the heart-breaking defeat.
R Johnson (L 3-4) and Tatem
Conger (W 2-1) and Kagy
John Pearce hurled Edmonton Oilers to a 7-2 victory over the Blues at Saskatoon. The lefthander allowed just five hits.
Pearce (W 3-5)) and Hopkins
Cahoon (L 1-4) and Simon
Calgary 21 10
Edmonton 14 14
Saskatoon 11 17
Lethbridge 11 16
(July 13) Calgary Giants survived eight errors and 15 Saskatoon hits to register a 14-9 triumph at Calgary. Mike Steele, who committed four miscues, was the big man with the stick driving in five runs with a grand slam homer and two singles. John Elick contributed a homer, triple and single, good for three runs. Larry McWhirter also had a homer. For the Blues, Bruce Carmichael and Dick Balestri had four-baggers. Carmichael added a pair of singles.
McDonald (L 1-7), Capka (5), Rupe (7) and Balestri
Smith (W 3-0), Reynolds (6) and Hines
(July 14) Edmonton Oilers clobbered four Lethbridge hurlers for 20 hits in an 18-3 trouncing at Edmonton. George Fowlkes led the winners both on the mound and at the plate. He recorded his 5th win in going the distance and pounded out four hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in a pair. Kit Putnam and Louis Smith each added four hits for Edmonton. Putnam's night included two triples. Smith had a triple and a double.
Mauritsen (L 1-5), Cavalli (3), Young (5), Caldarella (6) and Kagy
Fowlkes (5-1) and Rex
At Calgary, the Giants broke loose for four runs in the 8th to edge Saskatoon 8-7. Darrell Tatem drove in John Elick with the winner after playing manager Ben Hines had tied the game at 7-7 with a three-run homer. Lyle Olsen and Fergie Olver each had two hits for the Blues.
Reberger, Capka (7), McDonald (L 1-8) (8) and Simon
Foss, Coleman (3), Reynolds (W 2-0) (8) and Bondie
(July 15) Calgary rode home runs by Ned Bondie, Larry McWhirter and Doyle Lyman to a 9-1 spanking of Saskatoon in a Western Canada League game at Calgary. It was the 8th straight loss for the Blues. Lyman tossed an eight-hitter for the win.
Rounsaville (L 1-4), Capka (7) and Balestri
Lyman (W 2-1) and Tatem
(July 17) Gary Johnson fired a six-hitter and Lethbridge capitalized on six Calgary errors for a 9-1 win at Henderson Stadium. Mike Caldarella, with a double and two singles, led the Cards at the plate. Roger Sugimoto added a double and a single.
R Johnson (L 3-5)), Foss (5), Reynolds (7) and Hines
G Johnson (W 5-3) and Ferguson
Saskatoon Blues spotted Edmonton Oilers a 5-1 lead then roared back with six runs in the 6th and three in each of the 7th and 8th innings to whip the Oilers 13-6. Bruce Carmichael sparked the attack with three hits, including a double. Ray Lamb picked up the win.
Nyman (L 2-4), Miller (6), Doyle (7) and Rex
Lamb (W 1-2), McDonald (7), Reberger (7) and Balestri
(July 18) In a game shortened to six innings by rain, Saskatoon Blues blanked Edmonton 3-0. Steve Cahoon was the winner on a two-hitter and provided a double and single on offense.
Franchuk (L 1-2) and Rex
Cahoon (W 2-4) and Balestri
(July 19) Roger Sugimoto singled in the winning run in the 10th inning to give Lethbridge a 4-3 victory over Calgary. Greg Conger improved his record to 3-1 in going the distance for the win. It was the third consecutive complete game victory for the California high school pitcher. Mike Caldarella slammed a double and two singles and Roger Cecil also had three safeties. John Elick had three hits for the Giants.
Coleman (L 5-3), Johnson (9) and Tatem
Conger (W 3-1) and Kagy, Ferguson (9)
Saskatoon used 13 hits to dump Edmonton 7-2 as Phil Capka, Larry McDonald and Butch Rounsaville combined on a six-hitter. Dick Balestri had three hits for the Blues.
Doyle (L 3-2), Pearce (7) and Rex, Hopkins (8)
Capka (W 6-1), McDonald (7), Rounsaville (9) and Balestri
Calgary 24 12
Edmonton 15 17
Lethbridge 13 17
Saskatoon 14 20
(July 20) Terry Christman remained unbeaten as the lefty held Calgary to just three hits as Lethbridge topped the Giants 8-1 at Calgary. Christman, now 4-0, fanned nine and walked six. Willie Walasko, 6-0 going into the game, took the loss. Mike Caldarella led the Cardinals 15-hit attack with three safeties. Roger Sugimoto, Jim Ferguson, Bill Schroeder and Ed White each had a pair.
Christman (W 4-0) and Ferguson
Walasko (L 6-1), Reynolds (9) and Hines
Edmonton Oilers were awarded a victory at Edmonton after Saskatoon manager Lyle Olsen pulled his team from the game. Olsen was protesting an call by umpire John Bernard call. At the time, in the 7th inning, the Oilers were leading 3-2.
Reberger (L 3-2) and Balestri
Fowlkes (W 6-1) and Rex, Hopkins (7)
(July 21) Larry McWhirter knocked in Tom McFadden with the winning run in the 7th inning as Calgary shaded Lethbridge 3-2 behind the four-hit pitching of Rich Johnson. The right-hander fanned 11 to bring his strikeout total to 56 in 63 innings. Giants had taken a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Joe Keough and Ben Hines drove in the markers. Ed White knocked in a run for the Cardinals in the 5th inning and scored the tying run on a passed ball.
Mauritsen (L 1-6), Young (8) and Kagy
R Johnson (W 4-5) and Hines
At Edmonton, the Oilers plated a pair in the bottom of the 8th to top Saskatoon 4-2 as Jerry Nyman and John Pearce combined on a two-hitter. Pearce, who relieved in the 8th, picked up the win. In the 8th, Gail Hopkins and Kit Putnam drew walks for the Oilers and both scored on Louis Smith's single and an outfield error. League Commissioner, Henry Viney announced a $50 fine had been levied against Saskatoon playing manager Lyle Olsen for withdrawing his players from a game two nights ago.
Rounsaville, Lamb (L 1-3) (7), Capka (8) and Balestri
Nyman, Pearce (W 4-5) (8) and Rex
(July 22) Orville Franchuk held Lethbridge to just four hits as the Oilers notched a 3-2, 10 inning victory at Edmonton. Third baseman Ken Balch singled in the 10th, moved to second on a sacrifice by Terry Murphy and scored on a single by Katsu Shitanishi. Franchuk walked five and fanned five in gaining the win. Gary Johnson fired a six-hitter in taking the touch-luck loss.
G Johnson (L 5-4) and Ferguson
Franchuk (W 2-2) and Hopkins
Calgary 25 13
Edmonton 18 17
Lethbridge 14 19
Saskatoon 14 22
(July 23) Katsu Shitanishi tripled a run in the 8th inning to give Edmonton a 4-3 win over Lethbridge, the Cardinals third straight one-run loss. Pat Doyle pitched a four-hitter for the win. Greg Conger gave up six in taking the loss, his fifth straight complete game.
Conger (L 3-2) and Ferguson
Doyle (W 4-2) and Rex
(July 24) Saskatoon Blues battered four Lethbridge pitchers for 15 hits and took advantage of 16 walks and 6 Cardinal errors en route to a 16-8 triumph at Henderson Stadium. Bruce Carmichael led the attack with a triple, double and two singles. Jim Rupe had three hits and drove in four and Steve Simon added three safeties. Terry Christman, who had won four straight since rejoining the team, was a major victim of the Blues' outburst.
McDonald (W 2-8) and Balestri
Christman (L 4-1), Young (4), Cavalli (7), Hutton (8) and Kagy
George Fowlkes won his seventh game as Edmonton topped Calgary 9-4. Ken Balch cracked out a double and two singles for the Oilers. Kastsu Shitanishi had a double and single. Larry McWhirter had three hits for Calgary. Fowlkes allowed eight hits, fanned nine and walked six. Harvey Smith allowed six hits and five walks in taking the loss.
Smith (L 3-1), Foss (8) and Hines
Fowlkes (W 7-1) and Rex
(July 25) In one of the longest games in WCBL history, Saskatoon edged Lethbridge 6-5 in a 20-inning marathon which took five hours and 25 minutes to complete. Lyle Olsen punched out a single to left field off Greg Conger to scored Jim Rupe with the winning run. Olsen ruined an outstanding relief performance by Conger who came in for starter Pete Mauritsen in the 9th inning and gave up just seven hits over the 11 innings he worked. For the Blues, Butch Rounsaville blanked the Cards for 10 2/3s innings, fanning 12. Bruce Carmichael led the Saskatoon offense with a triple, double and single. Roger Cecil and Roger Sugimoto each had three hits for Lethbridge.
Lamb, Rounsaville (8), Capka (W 7-1) (19) and Balestri, Simon (8)
Mauritsen, Conger (L 3-3) (9) and Kagy, Ferguson (3)
In another extra inning affair, Edmonton's Ted Bridges doubled with two out in the 12th inning to drive in Louis Smith with the winning run in the Oilers' 3-2 decision over Calgary. It was Bridges' third hit of the game. Orville Franchuk picked up the win, fanning the side in the only inning he worked.
Lyman (L 2-2) and Hines
Nyman, Pearce (9), Miller (10), Franchuk (W 3-2) (12) and Rex
(July 26) Lethbridge Cardinals dropped yet another one-run decision, their 5th in six games, this time 3-2 to Saskatoon. Cards out-hit the Blues nine to six, but stranded 17 runners. Three times the Cards left the bases loaded. Steve Cahoon was the winning pitcher. Gary Johnson took another tough loss.
Cahoon (W 3-4), Capka (7) and Balestri
G Johnson (L 5-5) and Ferguson
Edmonton Oilers ran their winning streak to seven games with a 4-2 win over Calgary. Lefty John Pearce pitched into the 8th inning to gain the mound victory. He allowed just four hits. George Fowlkes finished up fanning the league's top hitter, Mike Steele, with the bases loaded to end the game.
Coleman (L 5-4) and Hines
Pearce (W 5-5), Fowlkes (7) and Hopkins
(July 28) In an outstanding pitching duel, Saskatoon Blues edged Lethbridge 1-0 as Frank Reberger and Ray Lamb combined on a four-hit shutout to best Terry Christman who allowed just six hits in taking the defeat. Tom Brogan drove in the game's only run in the 5th inning with a double which plated Bill Schmidt.
Christman (L 4-2) and Kagy
Reberger (W 4-2), Lamb (8) and Balestri
At Calgary, Darrell Tatem singled to right in the bottom of the 10th inning to scored Joe Keough from second base as the Giants shaded Edmonton 3-2. Starter Rich Johnson who fanned 11 was forced to leave in the 8th inning because of a back injury. Harvey Smith came on to pick up the win.
Franchuk, Fowlkes (L 7-2) (3) and Rex
R Johnson, Smith (W 4-1) (9) and Hines
(July 29) A brilliant relief effort by Phil Capka highlighted Saskatoon's 7-5 comeback over Lethbridge Cardinals. Capka pitched five-not hit innings as the Blues erased a 5-2 Lethbridge lead with three runs in the 6th and two more in the 7th when Fergie Olver doubled and scored on Bill Schmidt's single. Schmidt added an insurance run on an error.
Mauritsen (L 1-7), Johnson (7) and Kagy
McDonald, Capka (2), Lamb (W 2-3) (7) and Balestri
There was another outstanding relief effort as Edmonton outscored Calgary 7-3. John Pearce, in relief of starter Pat Doyle, allowed just a run over the final six innings. He struck out 11. Gail Hopkins led the Edmonton attack with a triple, double and single. He drove in three. Willie Walasko suffered his second loss after beginning the season with six straight wins.
Doyle, Pearce (W 6-5) (4) and Rex
Walasko (L 6-2) and Hines
Calgary 26 17
Edmonton 23 18
Saskatoon 19 22
Lethbridge 14 25
(July 30) For the first time this season there's a leader other than Calgary atop the WCBL standings. Edmonton Oilers downed the Calgary 7-4 to take a 4 percentage point lead over the Giants in the standings. Centre fielder Ted Bridges had four hits to led the Oilers. Jim Miller picked up the win in a relief role. Paul Coleman took the loss, his 5th consecutive defeat after opening the season with five wins.
Nyman, Miller (W 2-2) (4), Fowlkes (7) and Rex
Coleman (L 5-5), Smith (7), Foss (8) and Hines
Lyle Olsen's two-run triple in the 7th inning was the key blow as Saskatoon beat Lethbridge 5-3. Butch Rounsaville tossed a five-hitter over seven innings to register the victory. Larry McDonald preserved the win with two no-hit innings in relief. Paul Mantellino had three of the five Lethbridge hits, a double and two singles.
Conger (L 3-4) and Ferguson, Kagy (7)
Rounsaville (W 2-4), McDonald (8) and Simon
(July 31) Steve Cahoon fired a three-hitter as Saskatoon topped Calgary 4-1. Steve Simon provided the offense with a two-run homer. Bruce Carmichael and Tom Brogan helped out each with the triple and single.
Lyman (L 2-3) and Hines
Cahoon (W 4-4) and Balestri
Edmonton Oilers sent Lethbridge Cardinals to their 10th straight defeat, 7-4. Newcomer Adrian Mohr pitched into the 9th inning for the win. John Pearce relieved with the bases loaded an one out and preserved the win. Kit Putnam led the attack with three hits and three runs batted in. Mohr had a double and two singles. Bill Kagy and Roger Cecil each had a double and single for Lethbridge.
Mohr (W 1-0), Pearce (9) and Hopkins, Rex (1)
G Johnson (L 5-6), Young (6), and Kagy
(August 1) The hard-luck Lethbridge Cardinals twice battled back to erase Edmonton leads but ultimately gave up three runs in the 10th inning to drop an 11-8 decision to Edmonton before 2,100 fans, the largest crowd of the season at Henderson Stadium. It was the Cards 11th consecutive defeat. Lethbridge fell behind 5-0 in the first inning but erupted for five in their half of the 5th and added another in the 6th to go ahead 6-5. Edmonton scored three in the 8th - on triples by Louis Smith and Ted Bridges and an inside-the- park homer by Shelly Andrens -- to take an 8-6 margin, but the Cards fought back with single runs in the 8th and 9th to sent the game into extra innings. Bridges led the Oilers with a triple, double and single while Smith added two singles to his triple. Bill Schroeder slammed a two-run homer for Lethbridge. Roger Cecil had a double and two singles and Mike Caldarella added a three-run double and a single.
Doyle, Miller (7), Pearce (W 7-5) (8) and Hopkins, Rex (7)
Christman (L 4-3) and Kagy
Saskatoon ran its winning string to eight games to shading Calgary 3-2 on a combined three-hitter from Ray Lamb and Phil Capka.
Smith (L 4-2), Coleman (6), Foss (7) and Hines
Lamb (W 3-3), Capka (7) and Balestri
(August 2) Right-hander Rich Johnson fired a two-hitter and struck out 11 as Calgary handed Lethbridge a 12th straight loss, 3-1. Johnson also drove in the Giants' first run. Peter Mauritsen allowed six hits and fanned 11 in taking the loss. Playing manager Ben Hines had a double and single for the winners.
R Johnson (W 5-5) and Hines
Mauritsen (L 1-8) and Kagy, Ferguson (5)
Edmonton Oilers roared back from an 8-2 deficit with a five-run 8th inning and then scored three in the bottom of the 9th to edged Saskatoon 10-9 to stop the Blues eight-game winning streak. Oilers got the win when Steven Cahoon, the fourth hurler for the Blues walked Shelly Andrens with the bases loaded. Louis Smith paced the 11-hit attack with a homer and single. Reliever John Pearce picked up the win.
Reberger, Rounsaville (8), Capka (8), Cahoon (L 4-5) (9) and Simon
Fowlkes, Miller (6), Mohr (9), Pearce (W 8-5) (9) and Rex
(August 3) Finally, the Lethbridge Cardinals caught a break and rode Terry Christman's timely hitting to down Calgary 3-2 in 12 innings to snap a 12-game losing streak. In the bottom of the 9th inning Christman tripled to drive in a run and scored himself on an error to send the game into extra innings. He doubled home the winning run in the bottom of the 12th. Eric Young was the winner in relief of Greg Conger who went 10 innings.
Coleman (L 5-6) and Hines
Conger, Young (W 1-4) (11) and Ferguson, Kagy (9)
A seven run 7th inning carried Edmonton to a 12-3 win over Saskatoon. It was the Oilers 13th win in 14 games. Orville Franchuk went the distance for the win. Oilers had 17 hits with all but Franchuk gaining a pair. Saskatoon starter Larry McDonald took the loss.
McDonald (L 2-9), Cahoon (7), Rounsaville (7) and Balestri
Franchuk (W 4-2) and Rex, Hopkins (8)
Edmonton 28 18
Calgary 27 21
Saskatoon 22 24
Lethbridge 15 29
(August 4) Gary Johnson handcuffed Calgary on three hits as Lethbridge whipped the Giants 10-2. Willie Walasko, who lost his 3rd straight after six consecutive wins, was victimized for seven unearned runs in the first five innings before giving way to the bullpen. Roger Cecil and Mike Caldarella each had three hits for the Cardinals. Terry Christman, Bill Kagy and Roger Sugimoto each had two hits.
G Johnson (W 6-6) and Ferguson
Walasko (L 6-3), Foss (6), Reynolds (8) and Hines
(August 5) Mike Caldarella's 6th inning homer proved to be the difference as Lethbridge slipped by Calgary 4-3. Terry Christman, who drove in two runs in the 4th with a bases-loaded single, went six innings for the win. Jim Ferguson added a solo homer for the Cardinals. Ben Hines doubled in Joe Keough for the first Calgary run and the Giants plated two more in the 5th on hits by Larry McWhirter, Keough and Darrell Tatem.
Christman (W 5-3), Conger (7) and Ferguson
Smith (L 4-3) Foss (6), Walasko (9) and Tatem
At Saskatoon, a six-run 6th inning carried the Blues to an 11-8 win over Edmonton. Tom Brogan led the offense with three hits. Ted Bridges had three hits for the Oilers and and drove in five runs. Louis Smith also had three hits for the visitors.
Nyman, Pearce (L 8-6) (6), Fowlkes (7) and Hopkins, Rex (3), Putnam (8)
Rounsaville (W 3-4), Capka (7) and Balestri
(August 6) Rich Johnson fired a four-hitter and fanned 11 to lead Calgary to an 8-2 victory over Lethbridge. The Giants got 7th inning homers by Larry McWhirter, his 8th, and Darrell Tatem to salt away the triumph. Bill Kagy tagged a homer for the Cardinals.
Mauritsen (L 1-9), Cavalli (7) and Ferguson
R Johnson (W 6-5) and Tatem
Edmonton Oilers had 15 hits and drew 13 walks to trounce the Blues 19-6 at Saskatoon. Katsu Shitanishi belted two triples, a double and single for the winners and Kit Putnam added a triple and three singles. Terry Murphy walloped a three-run homer and Ted Bridges clouted a two-run blast. Jim McCray had a three-run homer for Saskatoon and Tom Brogan had three hits. Doyle Lyman went the distance for the win.
Doyle (W 5-2) and Rex
Lamb (L 3-4), Reberger (3), McDonald (8) and Balestri, Simon (6)
(August 7) A trio of Edmonton moundsmen combined on a five-hit shutout as the Oilers blanked Saskatoon 5-0. Orville Franchuk, who relieved starter Jim Miller, received credit for the win. Adrian Mohr finished up. Steve Cahoon allowed just five hits in going the distance in a losing cause.
Miller, Franchuk (W 5-2), Mohr and Rex
Cahoon (L 4-6) and Simon
(August 8) Teenager Greg Conger pitched Lethbridge to a 5-1 victory over Saskatoon. Bill Kagy and Roger Cecil each had two hits for the Cardinals. Tom Brogan rapped out a triple and two singles for the Blues.
Capka (L 7-2), McDonald (5) and Balestri
Conger (W 4-4) and Kagy
Calgary jumped into a 10-0 lead after six innings and barely held on to down Edmonton 10-9. The game featured 31 hits, 16 by the Oilers. Paul Coleman picked up the win, his first in more than a month. The right-hander opened the season with five consecutive wins before losing six in a row.
Coleman (W 6-6), Foss (6), Smith (8) and Hines, Tatem (7)
Fowlkes (L 7-3) and Hopkins
Edmonton 30 20
Calgary 29 23
Saskatoon 23 27
Lethbridge 18 30
(August 10) Saskatoon took a pair from Lethbridge 7-4 in 12 innings and 5-0. Bruce Carmichael ended the opener with a three-run homer after pinch-hitter Mike Caldarella had sent the game into extra innings with a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 7th. The game had been scheduled for seven innings. The Blues took advantage of five Cardinals' errors to win the second game as Butch Rounsaville fired a three-hitter for the shutout. Fergie Olver led the offense with three hits.
Lamb, Reberger (W 5-2) (7) and Balestri
Christman, Conger (6), Cavalli (L 0-1) (8) and Ferguson
Rounsaville (W 4-4) and Simon
Mauritsen (L 1-10) and Kagy
Willie Walasko broke a personal three-game losing string as Calgary held off Edmonton 10-8 before 5,000 fans, the largest crowd in years in Calgary. A seven-run 2nd inning for the Giants proved to be the difference.
Nyman (L 2-5) Pearce (2), Miller (7) and Rex
Walasko (W 7-3), Coleman (9) and Tatem
(August 11) Saskatoon shutout Lethbridge for the second straight day as Steve Cahoon tossed a three-hitter at the Cardinals in the Blues 2-0 victory. Cahoon had a no-hitter into the 7th inning when Bill Kagy broke the spell with a roller down the third base line. Bruce Carmichael, Tuesday's hero with a 12th inning homer, again knocked in the winning run. His 6th inning triple scored the first run and he scored on Bill Schmidt's single. Gary Johnson took the tough loss.
G Johnson (L) (6-7) and Ferguson
Cahoon (W 5-6) and Simon
Calgary Giants moved to within a game of first place downing Edmonton 9-3. Richie Johnson won his 4th straight holding the Oilers to eight hits. Edmonton's Gail Hopkins had the only homer, a two-run shot in the first inning.
Doyle (L 5-3), Franchuk (3), Mohr (3) and Rex, Hopkins (3)
R Johnson (W 7-5) and Tatem
(August 12) Lethbridge turned the tables on the Blues. After being blanked for 23 consecutive innings by Saskatoon, the Cardinals broke loose for three runs in the 3rd inning to shutout the Blues 3-0. Greg Conger scattered eight hits to gain the win. The Cards big inning included three walks, two errors and Mike Caldarella's single. Lethbridge catcher Bill Kagy was injured when hit in the leg by a Conger pitch in the 5th inning and had to leave the game.
Conger (W 5-4) and Kagy, Ferguson (5)
McDonald (L 2-10), Reberger (6), Lamb (8) and Balestri
In a wild one at Calgary, the Edmonton Oilers pulled out a 12-10 victory in a contest which featured 27 hits and 13 errors. Oilers scored three in the 8th and four in the 9th for the win. Gail Hopkins paced the attack with two homers and a single, driving home five runs. Ted Bridges also homered for the Oilers. Giants lost catcher Darrell Tatem in the first inning when hit on the head by a pitch from George Fowlkes. Tatem was taken to hospital but his injuries were not serious.
Fowlkes, Miller (1), Pearce (W 9-6) (5), Mohr (9) and Rex, Hopkins (9)
Lyman, Coleman (5), Smith (L 4-4) (9), Johnson (9) and Tatem, Hines (2)
(August 13) Edmonton Oilers consolidated their league lead with a 3-2 win over second place Calgary. Katsu Shitanishi singled in the bottom of the ninth to drive in pinch-runner Terry Murphy with the winning run. George Fowlkes picked up his 9th win of the season in a route going performance.
Foss (L 2-4) and Tatem
Fowlkes (W 8-3) and Rex
Saskatoon whipped Lethbridge 9-1. Tom Brogan, Bruce Carmichael and Steve Simon each had a pair of hits for the Blues. Phil Capka, the first of three hurlers for Saskatoon, picked up the win. Blues lost two players to injury - Jim Rupe and Maurice Rosas.
Mauritsen (L 1-11), Cavalli (7) and Ferguson
Capka (W 8-2), McDonald (8), Rounsaville (9) and Simon
(August 14) In a night of contrasts, Saskatoon edged Calgary 2-1 on Ray Lamb's two-hitter, while Edmonton rapped out 22 hits in clobbering Lethbridge 20-7. The only hits against Lamb were two bunt singles. He fanned 15 and walked four. Willie Walasko allowed just eight hits but was saddled with the loss. At Lethbridge, the Oilers' playing-manager Clark Rex, a catcher, took over mound duties and picked up the complete game victory. He gave up 14 hits and walked three. Kit Putnam led the onslaught with a triple, two doubles and a single. Gail Hopkins had two doubles and two singles while Katsu Shitanishi and Shelly Andrens each had three hits. The offensive explosion included a 14-run inning, the 6th, when everyone in the Edmonton lineup batted twice. The game was called after seven innings.
Lamb (W 4-4) and Simon
Walasko (L 7-4) and Hines
Rex (W 1-0) and Hopkins
G Johnson (L 6-8), Young (2), Hutton (6), Cecil (6) and Kagy
(August 15) All four WCBL teams were entered in the Great Falls, Montana Invitational Tournament.
(August 16) Calgary Giants, led by pitching ace Paul Coleman, downed Edmonton Oilers 6-3 to take top money in the $3,600 International Tournament in Great Falls, Montana. Coleman, named the outstanding pitcher in the tourney, held the Oilers to six hits and helped at the plate with three safeties. Joe Keough also had three singles for the winners. Calgary spotted Edmonton a 3-0 lead then roared back with six unanswered runs to walk away with the victory. A three run 7th inning, helped by singles from Coleman, Keough and Jim Flammini, put the game on ice for the Giants. Edmonton's Gayle Hopkins was named Most Valuable Player.
Calgary advanced to the final dropping Saskatoon 12-6. A five-run outburst in the 8th inning broke a 6-6 deadlock. Doyle Lyman and Ben Hines belted homers for the winners. Harvey Smith picked up the win in relief.
Edmonton, with a four-run, 11th inning, won a berth in the title game edging Lethbridge 11-7. Ted Bridges' two-run triple was the key blow. Ed White had a three-run homer for the Cards. Oilers out-hit the Cardinals 15-8 in contest which counted in the WCBL standings.
Giants opened the tournament with a 12-inning, 4-3 win over St. John, Washington while Edmonton got a four-hit shutout from John Pearce in a 7-0 victory over Spokane. Terry Christman fired a five-hitter as Lethbridge won in the opening round, 11-3 over Cranbrook. Christman was also the big man at the dish with a triple and two singles. Roger Sugimoto had three singles. Saskatoon topped Big Sky 4-2. The tournament failed to attract much attention - just 87 paying customers attended the Lethbridge - Edmonton semi-final and 150 were in the stands for the final.
Cranbrook 3 Lethbridge 11
Oddy, Arrowsmith (5) and Fabro
Christman and Ferguson
Edmonton 7 Spokane 0
Pearce and Rex, Hopkins (8)
Bell, Fisklind and Ellmes
Calgary 4 St. John 3
Johnson, Reynolds (9) and Tatem
Lukems and Chalich
Big Sky 2 Saskatoon 4
Anderson, Martello (8) and Mullick
Reberger and Nyman
Edmonton 11 Lethbridge 7
Franchuk, Miller (5), Doyle (W) (8) and Rex, Hopkins (9)
Conger, Mauritsen (L) (3) and Kagy
Calgary 12 Saskatoon 6
Lyman, Smith (6) and Hines
Rounsaville, McDonald (7) and Simon
Calgary 6 Edmonton 3
Coleman and Hines
Mohr, Fowlkes (7), Pearce (8) and Rex
(August 17) Pitcher Gary Johnson drove in Bob Cavalli with the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning as Lethbridge scored a 2-1 triumph over Edmonton. Johnson went the route on the hill holding the Oilers to six hits. Cardinals took the lead in the 2nd inning as Tom Gaffney singled to score Roger Sugimoto. Oilers tied it in the 5th when Clark Rex led off with a walk, was sacrificed to second and scored on Katsu Shitanishi's single.
Fowlkes (L 8-4) and Rex
G Johnson (W 7-8) and Ferguson
(August 18) Edmonton Oilers turned ten hits and seven Lethbridge errors into a 10-2 win over the Cardinals. Louis Smith provided the power - a three-run homer and a two-run triple. Kit Putnam also had a homer for the Oilers. Right-hander Jim Miller tossed a seven-hitter for the win.
Miller (W 3-2) and Hopkins
Conger (L 5-5) and Kagy
Behind a four-hit effort by Mark Foss, Calgary Giants downed the Blues 5-1 before 4,465 fans at Saskatoon. Doyle Lyman belted a two-run homer and Larry McWhirter knocked in two with a triple.
Foss (W 3-4) and Hines
Cahoon (L 5-7) and Balestri
(August 18) Calgary third sacker Mike Steele, once in a comfortable lead atop the batting race, now has a scant one percentage point lead over Edmonton's Louis Smith. Steele, with 68 hits in 200 at bats, sits at .340, while Smith is at .339 with a 48 for 171 performance. Calgary's Joe Keough is third at .333, Gale Hopkins of Edmonton at .323, and Ted Bridges of the Oilers rounds out the top five at .320. Also hitting over .300 are Lyle Olsen, the Saskatoon playing manager at .317, Larry McWhirter of Calgary at .310 and Shelly Andrens of Edmonton at .301.
Steele and Tom Brogan of Saskatoon lead in hits with 68. Katsu Shitanishi is tops in runs scored, 43. McWhirter leads in doubles, 15, and is tied with teammate Ben Hines for the lead in homers at 8. Bruce Carmichael of Saskatoon is tops in triples, with 8, and Bridges has driven in the most runs, 45. Brogan leads in stolen bases, 27. Mike Caldarella is the top Lethbridge batsman at .286. Bill Kagy sits at .260 and Roger Sugimoto is at .256. The only other Cardinals' hitter over .250 is Roger Cecil at .251.
With a minimum of 65 innings, the ERA leader is Lethbridge's teenager southpaw Greg Conger at 1.85. Steve Cahoon of Saskatoon is 2nd at 2.35, ahead of teammate Butch Rounsaville, 2.81 and Rich Johnson of Calgary at 2.84. Paul Coleman of the Giants leads in strikeouts with 105.
(August 19) Before 3,000 fans at Edmonton the first-place Oilers overcame a 5-run deficit to down Lethbridge 9-5. Cardinals scored all their runs in the first inning on just one hit. Edmonton starter Jerry Nyman gave up seven walks. Adrian Mohr came on in relief and allowed just one more hit the rest of the way. Ted Bridges homer in the 5th proved to be the winning run.
Christman (L 5-4), Mauritsen (7) and Ferguson
Nyman, Mohr (W 2-0) (1) and Hopkins
(August 20) Jim McCray's two-run homer in the 9th gave Saskatoon a 6-4 victory over Calgary. Bruce Carmichael also homered for the Blues. Phil Capka was the winner, in relief, his 9th victory.
Lamb, Capka (W 9-2) (7) and Simon
Reynolds, Walasko (L 7-5) and Hines
John Pearce gave up two runs in the first inning then blanked Lethbridge the rest of the way for his 10th victory as Edmonton whipped Lethbridge 10-2.
Young (L 1-5), Mauritsen (4) and Ferguson
Pearce (10-6) and Hopkins
(August 21) The biggest offensive performance of the season occurred on the final day of the regular season. Calgary's Jim Flammini slammed his third home run of the game in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Giants a 14-13 win over Saskatoon. Flammini, who joined the Giants three weeks ago, had five hits in six trips to the plate and knocked in six runs. The 20-year-old collegian from California had a two-run homer in the 3rd, a bases-empty blast in the 6th, pushed the game into extra innings with a run-scoring single, and punched out the game-winner in the 12th. Larry McWhirter also had a four-bagger for the Giants. Bob Reynolds, who pitched three scoreless innings in relief, was awarded the win.
Reberger, McDonald (5), Capka (L 9-3) (9) and Simon, Olsen (6)
Smith, Lyman (6), Reynolds (W 3-0) (10) and Hines
Edmonton 37 - 23
Calgary 33 - 27 4.0
Saskatoon 29 - 30 7.5
Lethbridge 20 - 39 16.5
Playoffs :
(August 22) Southpaw Greg Conger scattered eight hits as Lethbridge topped Calgary 4-1 in the opening game of their semi-final series. Terry Christman and Bill Kagy each had two hits for the winners, Larry McWhirter clubbed a triple and single for Calgary.
Conger (W) and Kagy
Johnson (L), Reynolds (7) and Hines
Edmonton Oilers plated a run in the bottom of the ninth to edge Saskatoon 6-5. Reliever John Pearce, who got an out on his only pitch of the top of the ninth, gained credit for the win. Kit Putnam and Louis Smith each had two hits for the Oilers with Bruce Carmichael and manager Lyle Olsen each collecting two safeties for the Blues.
Rounsaville, McDonald (9) and Simon
Fowlkes, Pearce (W) (9) and Rex
(August 23) Calgary Giants erupted for five runs in the top of the first inning then held on to beat Lethbridge Cardinals 9-7 to tie their semi-final series at a game apiece.
Paul Coleman allowed 11 hits but went the distance for Calgary to record the win. Jim Flammini and Doyle Lyman paced the offense, each with two hits. Ned Bondie had a two-run double. Bill Schroeder rapped out four singles for the Cardinals and Mike Caldarella had a double and single. Gary Johnson took the loss.
Coleman (W) and Hines
Johnson (L), Young (1), Cecil (2) and Ferguson
(August 24) Gary Johnson, recovering from a first inning kayo the previous night, pitched into the 8th inning to help Lethbridge to a 10-6 victory over Calgary Giants and a 2-1 game lead in their best-of-five semi-final series. First baseman Bill Schroeder, with four hits on Sunday, blasted two doubles and a single to lead the Cardinals' offense. Terry Christman had a three-run double and Tom Gaffney a two-run triple. Joe Keough had a double and two singles for Calgary.
Foss (L), Reynolds (3), Smith (6), Johnson (8) and Hines
Johnson (W), Conger (8) and Kagy
Edmonton Oilers took a 2-0 game lead in their semi-final with an 8-1 triumph over Saskatoon. The Blues had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Lyle Olsen tripled and scored on a wild pitch. Oilers tied the match in the bottom of the inning then scored three in the third to take the lead. Jerry Nyman went eight innings to pick up the win. Steve Cahoon was the loser. Katsu Shitanishi and Louis Smith each each two hits for Edmonton.
Cahoon (L), Capka (6) and Simon
Nyman (W), Miller (9) and Rex, Hopkins (8)
(August 25) Calgary Giants rapped out 17 hits to down Lethbridge 13-8 to knot their semi-final series at 2 games apiece. Larry McWhirter led the Giants with four hits, including a homer and a double. Tom McFadden also had a Calgary homer. Terry Christman, who tried to pitch with a blistered pitching hand, took the loss. Shuffling between the mound and the outfield, Christman had four hits.
Cecil, Christman (L) (2), Conger (2), Christman (5) and Kagy, Ferguson (4)
Walasko, Johnson (3), Coleman (W) (6) and Hines
Gail Hopkins broke up an outstanding pitching duel with a triple and run scored in the 10th inning to give Edmonton a 1-0 victory and a 3-0 game sweep of their semi-finals series with Saskatoon. Hopkins, who had four hits, tripled into the right field corner and came home when the throw from the outfield hit base umpire Clint Murphy. Oilers used four pitchers to check the Blues on six hits. The win went to John Pearce. Ray Lamb, who went the distance allowing just seven hits, took the loss.
Lamb (L) and Simon
Doyle, Mohr (4), Franchuk (7), Pearce (W) (10) and Hopkins, Rex (10)
(August 26) In a stunning end to the semi-final series, Calgary Giants scored on a balk in the bottom of the 9th inning to shaded Lethbridge 8-7 to win the deciding game of the best-of-five series. Umpire Tom Dunn called the balk, the first in the league this season, on Gary Johnson with the bases loaded and two out to force in the winning run.
Cardinals had scored a pair in the top of the 9th inning, on a double by Terry Christman and Bill Kagy's sacrifice, to take a 7-5 lead. However the Giants responded in the bottom of the 9th with back-to-back singles by Larry McWhirter and Joe Keough. Calgary loaded the bases when Ned Bondie reached first when Johnson fielded his attempted sacrifice bunt and overthrew second in trying to nab Keough. Ben Hines was hit by a pitch to force across Calgary's 6th run. Doyle Lyman reached on a fielder's choice with Keough out at home. After Mike Steele went down on strikes, Tom McFadden knocked in the tying run with a single. With Darrel Tatem pinch-hitting for pitcher Mark Foss, Johnson got two quick strikes before Dunn called the balk and Calgary moved on into the WCBL final series against Edmonton.
The Giants had 13 hits. Hines had a homer and double, McWhirter, a triple, double and single and Keough added a pair of doubles and a single. Christman had four hits for the Cardinals.
G Johnson (L) and Kagy
R Johnson, Foss (W) (4) and Hines
(August 27) Gail Hopkins knocked in four runs with three hits to pace Edmonton Oilers to a 12-9 win over Calgary in the opening game of the best-of-seven Western Canada Baseball League final. Katsu Shitanishi added four hits for the Oilers. Jim Miller, who relieved in the 3rd, picked up the win. Joe Keough had two doubles and a single and drove in three runs for the Giants.
Pearce, Miller (W) (3), Mohr (7) and Rex
Smith, Reynolds (L) (1), Walasko (5) and Hines
(August 28) Edmonton pushed across two runs in the 8th inning to shade Calgary 4-3 to take a 2-0 game lead in the final series. Louis Smith led of the frame with a double and came around to score on a hit by Ted Bridges. Bridges plated the winning run when catcher Darrell Tatem had a pitch bounce off his glove back to the screen.
Calgary opened the scoring with a run in the first inning on singles by Jim Flammini and Larry McWhirter and an error. Edmonton tied the game in the 4th as George Fowlkes singled in Terry Murphy. The Giants regained the lead in the 5th on a homer by Tom McFadden, but the Oilers came right back in the 6th when Shelly Andrens doubled in Ken Balch. Doyle Lyman's homer gave Calgary another lead in the bottom of the 6th.
Fowlkes (W) and Hopkins
Coleman (L) and Tatem
(August 29) The Edmonton Oilers were declared champions of the Western Canada Baseball League after the final series was canceled with the Oilers up 2 games to none. Rain forced postponement of the Saturday game and Renfrew Park was busy Sunday with a junior baseball playoff. Most of the players, California university students, must be back early this week to register for classes. Calgary lost four players on Friday when Mike Steele, Darrell Tatem, Harvey Smith and Bob Reynolds received draft notices and were instructed to leave early.