Chicago 9 Pittsburgh 3

[larrysiegfried20]

An eight run third inning erased an early 2-0 Pittsburgh lead and propelled Chicago to a three game sweep of the Pittsburgh Panthers at WhipperWill Park 9-3.

Winning pitcher Gale Rogers, a twenty eight year old left hander, went all nine innings for his first win (1-3) lowered his ERA to a still bloated 7.31 and struck out twelve to give him 31 in 28.1 innings pitched and almost assuredly saved his spot in the rotation for the time being.

Rogers, the number five starting pitcher in a thin rotation, was unceremoniously turned down in several trades proposed to other teams had his best game of his career. Rogers allowed runs in the first inning on a lead-off homerun run by Bert Yancy, his 4th. Pittsburgh added a second run in the 3rd inning on Mike Loman's third round tripper of the season.

Chicago took control of the game in the bottom of the third inning by chasing Pittsburgh's starting pitcher getting six hits and scoring eight runs, seven earned. Wistizel departed with a line of 2.1 innings pitched 7 hits 8 runs/7earned runs 2 walks 1 strikeout and was charged with his first loss, 3-1.

Brent Hanrahan singled to centerfield to start the merry go found. Rogers failed to get a bunt down in two tries, took two pitches then singled softly to left centerfield. Ray Sierra blistering line drive got down in front off right fielder Ira Barkley and skipped past him for a double scoring both runners to tie the game 2-2. Catcher Randy Gilbert reached on a two base throwing error on shortstop Juan Knowles. Emmitt Brown struck out for the first out. Wisterzil walked McAllister putting runners on first and second with one out. Ed Woodson and Mike Townsend singled and double driving in four runs to blow the game open 7-2.

Bob Kull replaced Wisterzil and he gave up a single to Handrahan to drive in the eighth run charged to Wisterzil.

Ira Barkley hit Pittsburgh's third homerun of the game, another bases empty blast gthat only made the final score a little closer at 9-3.

The Panthers third straight loss dropped them three games out of first place, tied with the Dodgers for third place. Brooklyn moved two out with its third straight win and Milwaukee edged the Dodgers 6-5 for its seventh in a row to move into a tie for slumping New York, losers of six straight.