Washington takes on Boston, in Beantown

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The Washington Witch Hunt burned a scorching path into Boston on an impressive eight game winning streak that had breathed new life into a team that went through some struggles in late August and fell out of first place and down into fourth place. That did not signal the end for Washington as the team climbed back into contention and their last win prior to arriving in Boston was a 11-6 pasting of Los Angeles. The hunters torched Los Angeles pitching for 29 runs in the tree games outscoring the Dogers 29-16 after doing the same thing to New York (18-9) in the series before that.

Boston, on the other hand had struggled somewhat, going just 8-7 in its last sixteen games letting a three game cushion melt away to a single game. Playing close games against some good pitching, the WhippoorWills offense found it hard to score as Boston scored 55 times and gave up 32 runs over the tough stretch.

The premiere pitching match up was made up of two All Star quality pitcher having great seasons. Ozzie Hadley, the 26 year old righthanded ace for Boston, came in 7-2 with a 2.24 ERA, and Washington gave the ball to 32 year old right hander, Hersh Crawford who had posted a 7-1 record with a 2.56.

Hadley went eight innings in the game gave up six hits and just one run. Hadley walked two and fanned three.

Crawford did very well as well, lasted seven innings, gave up eleven hits and two runs walked three and struck out three. John Strcklett worked the final two innings for Washington giving up one hit walking one and striking out one.

Boston scored the game's first run in the second inning. Stan McGeary and Eddie Gigon opened the inning with two singles, both to right field, off Crawford. Lee Taneyhill flied out to Brian Roy in right field for the first out. Dave Scudder followed with a lazer-shot past second baseman Brain Barbee that scored McGeary from second base. Gigon advanced to third base on the play. Crawford walked catcher Brad Scurry to put runners on first and third with one out but Boston failed to capitalize. Hadley, the pitcher, struck out and Jack Plummer popped out to shortstop Ed Fairly.

1-0 Boston.

Wsshington tied things up in the 4th inning on a solo homerun by Joe Murphy, his 8th and 31 RBI. It was the 6th off hadley in84.1 innings this season.

Boston reclaimed the lead in the 5th inning. Don Blackwell led off the inning with a single to right field. McGeary grounded into a double play started by Washington second baseman Brian Barbee (4-6-3) that seemed to doom the inning.Eddie Gigon hit a groundball into the shortstop hole off the glove of Ed Fairly that kept the inning alive. Ethan Taneyhill lined a single to left field and Dave Scudder followed with his third straight single in the game driving in Gigon with the go-ahead run.

2-1 Boston.

Both teams put up mild threats the rest of the way.

In the 6th Murphy and Barbee reached on singles but were left on base.

In the top of the 7th Crawford gave up a pinch hit to Leon RodaskI and a walk to Blackwell, but McGeary grounded into Washington's second double play of the game, this one started by shortstop Ed Fairly.

John Stricklett was on the mound for Washington in the top of the 8th. Catcher Brad Scurry had a two out single but nothingcame of that and likewise when Plummer drew a lead off walk in the 8th. Plummer was caught stealing (2-6). Wasington went down in order vin the 8th, that last inning for Hadley.

Don Jones took over in the 9th for Boston.Jones struck out John Payne, Jessie Walker drew a free pass from Jones. Jones struck out Ed Smith. Walke, running on the pitch, stole second base, to put the tyng run on second base with two outs.

Jones then struck out Ed Fairly to end the game and earn his 20th save in great fashion, by striking out the side.

Game two will see Boston throw righthander Marv Rybakowski (6-1 4.55 ERA) and Washington counter with left hander Ford Sabo, 2-0 in the eight game winning streak, and 6-4 with a 4.55 ERA for the season.