1967 American League Pennant Race

September 30, 1967 at Fenway Park
Red sox 6 (91-70), Twins 4 (91-70)

The Red Sox kept their pennant hopes alive in a must win game over the Twins.  With the win, the Red Sox moved into a tie for first place and it set up what was effectively a one game playoff in the final game of the season tomorrow.  The best the Tigers could hope for was a tie with tomorrow’s winner and that would only come about if they took both games of their doubleheader with the Angels.

It was Jim Kaat going up against Jose Santiago and the Twins drew first blood in the first inning.  Zoilo Versalles led off with a single and after a fly out by Cesar Tovar, he moved to second on a walk by Harmon Killebrew.  Tony Oliva then drove home the Twins first run with a single that scored Versalles.  Bob Allison singled to load the bases but Rod Carew lined out and Ted Uhlaender grounded out to end the inning with three runners aboard.

From that point, the game turned into a pitcher’s duel although the Twins were dealt a critical blow in the third inning.  With a man on and a man out, Jim Kaat strained his elbow and he had to leave the game.  Jim Perry came in to relieve but in the month of September, Jim Kaat was one of the hottest pitchers in the game so they lost one of the guys who had gotten them to this point.

With Perry on the mound, the Red Sox finally struck in the fifth inning.  Reggie Smith led off with a double and he moved to third on Dalton Jones single.  Santiago and Mike Andrews struck out but Jerry Adair came through with the clutch hit when he singled home the tying run.  Carl Yastrzemski then gave the Red Sox their first lead with another single and it was 2-1 Red Sox as things headed into the fifth inning.

It didn’t take the Twins long to answer.  In the top of the sixth, Rich Reese singled home Bob Allison to tie the game with Santiago still on the mound.  The Red Sox then put another run on the board in the bottom of the sixth on George Scott’s leadoff solo homer off of reliever Ron Kline to make it 3-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Red Sox opened up the flood gates.  Santiago led off with a groundout before Mike Andrews singled.  Then Zoilo Versalles made a critical error on a ground out by Jerry Adair.  Instead of what could have been a potential inning ending double play, Zoilo misplayed it and everyone was safe.  Carl Yastrzemski then made the Twins pay with a huge three run homer to give the Red Sox a 6-2 lead.   It was his 44th homerun of the season.

Gary Bell relieved Santiago and Bell did give up two runs in the top of the ninth on a two run homer by Harmon Killebrew (also his 44th) but by that point the game was out of reach.  Santiago improved to 12-4 with the nice start and Bell picked up his third save.  Kline took the loss for the Twins and he fell to 7-1 on the season.

September 27, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Angels 5, Twins 1 (91-69)

The Twins had a chance to clinch at least a tie for the American League pennant but they couldn’t take care of the Twins and now everything will come down a two game series with the Red Sox.  The Twins had their share of hits but they stranded ten baserunners.  Cesar Tovar went two for five and he drove in the lone run while Bob Allison went two for four.  Future All Star third baseman Graig Nettles picked up a pinch hit double and that was the first hit of his career.

For the Angels, Don Mincher belted his 22nd homer of the season.  Jimmie Hall went two for four with a triple and two runs.

Dean Chance fell to 20-13 on the season with a tough start.  He gave up four runs on six hits and two walks with a strikeout in three innings of work.  Rickey Clark improved to 12-11 and he gave up one run on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.  Minnie Rojas shut out the Twins through final 2 1/3 innings and he picked up his 27th save of the season.

September 26, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Twins 7 (91-68), Angels 3 (81-75)

The Twins took back sole possession of first place in the American League after they took care of the Angels with two homers from Harmon Killerbrew.  The slugger brought his season homer total up to 43 and he finished with three RBIs.  Bob Allison also went yard and he scored three runs while for the Angels, Aurelio Rodriguez singled and drove in two runs.

Jim Kaat improved to 16-13 with a nice start.  He gave up three runs on five hits and two walks with thirteen strikeouts in the complete game win.  Jim McGlothlin dropped to 11-8 and he gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings.

September 25, 1957 at Metropolitan Stadium
Angels 9 (81-74), Twins 2 (90-68)

With the Angels playing the Twins and the Tigers in the final week of the season, California would have just as much of an impact on the 1967 American League Pennant Race as the four teams still in it. They made their mark by blasting the Twins and in the process, giving the Red Sox a share of first place without even playing a game.

Jim Fregosi was the hitting star.  He went three for five with a triple, two RBIs and three runs.  Rick Reichardt went three for five with a run.  For the Twins, Rod Carew went two for four with a run.

George Brunet was hit hard and he gave up two runs in 3 1/3 innings.  Jack Hamilton threw 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief and he improved to 9-6 while Curt Simmons threw three shutout innings and he picked up his first save of the season.  Jim Merritt took the loss for the Twins.  He gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk with a strikeout in just 1 1/3 innings.

September 24, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Twins 9 (90-67), Yankees 4

Dean Chance got plenty of run support as he picked up his 20th win of the season.  In the process, the Twins once again held off the Red Sox and remained in sole possession of first place in the American League. Chance gave up four runs (three earned) on twelve hits with ten strikeouts in the complete game win.

Bob Allison drove in three with three run homer.  Harmon Killebrew went three for three with a homerun and two RBIs.  The homer was his 41st of the season.

September 23, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Yankees 6, Twins 2 (89-67)

The Twins five game winning streak came to an end but with the Red Sox loss, the Twins stayed in sole possession of first place in the American League.  Dave Boswell was roughed and he fell to 14-12.  He gave up four runs on four hits and six walks with four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings.

Carroll Hardy provide the Twins all of their offense with a two run blast.  Tony Oliva had the only other extra base hit with his 33rd double of the season.

September 22, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Twins 8 (89-66), Yankees 2 

Cesar Tovar homered twice and he scored three runs as the Twins won their fifth straight game to move into sole possession of first place.  Zoilo Versalles had three hits and one of them was a solo homerun while Harmon Killebrew had two hits, a run and an RBI.

Jim Kaat improved to 15-13 on the season.  He gave up two unearned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in the complete game win.

September 21, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Athletics 4, Twins 0  (88-66)

Jim Merritt pitched the Twins to their fourth straight victory and kept pace with the Red Sox as the two teams remained tied for first place.  Merritt gave up just two hits with six strikeouts in the complete game shutout.

Harmon Killebrew belted homerun number 40, a two run shot in the sixth inning.  Tony Oliva went two for four and he also went yard with a solo homer.

September 20, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Twins 6 (87-66), Athletics 2

Dean Chance improved to 19-12 with an impressive start as the Twins picked up their third straight win to remain tied with the Red Sox for first place in the American League.  He gave up just two runs on four hits and a walk with a season high thirteen strikeouts in the complete game win.

Tony Oliva and Bob Allison both went yard for the Twins in the win.  Olive and Harmon Killebrew both drove in two runs while Zoilo Versalles singled twice and scored twice.

September 19, 1967 at Municipal Stadium
Twins 8 (86-66), Athletics 2

The Twins had the benefit of playing the last place Athletics and they took advantage of it with their second straight win to remain tied with Red Sox for first place in the American League.  Dave Boswell improved to 14-11 in the win.  He gave up two runs on two hits and six walks with eight strikeouts in the complete game win.

Bob Allison was the hitting star in the win.  He went three for five with a double, two RBIs and a run.  Jerry Zimmerman went three for four with two RBIs.

September 18, 1967 at Municipal Stadium
Twins 2 (85-66), Athletics 0

First place was again crowded in the American League as Jim Kaat outdueled Catfish Hunter to move into a three way tie for first place in the American League.  Kaat gave up just six hits with twelve strikeouts in ten shutout innings and the win improved his record to 14-13 on the season.

Ted Uhlaender drove both Twins runs in the top of the ten inning when his single scored Rod Carew and Pat Kelly with some help from an error on the play.  Harmon Killebrew had the only extra base hit for the Twins with a double.

September 17, 1967 at Comiskey Park
White Sox 4 (85-66), Twins 0 (84-66)

The White Sox leaped past both the Twins and the Red Sox in the American League standings with their fifth straight win.  Ken Peters definitely got it done on the mound and he improvd to 16-9 with a four hit shutout.  He walked one and struck out six while Jim Merritt took the loss for the Twins.  He gave up four runs (two earned) on seven hits with six strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings.  The loss dropped him to 12-6 on the season.

Ken Berry brought the big stick for the White Sox.  He went two for four with a homerun and two RBIs.  Don Buford went two for three with a walk and a run.

September 16, 1967 at Comiskey Park
White Sox 5 (84-66), Twins 4 (84-65)

The White Sox kept up with the pack and while they remained in first place, they brought the Twins down close to the White Sox level in a dramatic ninth inning comeback.  Down 4-1, the White Sox rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win it.  The game winning hit was an RBI single by Pete Ward, his only hit of the ballpage in five at bats.

Dean Chance took the hardluck loss for the Twins although he had some help from Jim Kaat and Al Worthington.  Chance gave up five runs (four earned) on nine hits and one walk with five strikeouts in eight innings.  Bob Locker picked up the win for the White Sox although all he did was throw a shutout ninth.  Tommy John was tagged for four runs in six innings in his start.

Tommy McCraw singled twice and scored twice while Rocky Colavito singled and drove in two runs for the White Sox.  Bob Allison belted his 21st homer of the season and he finishd with two runs for the Twins.

September 15, 1967 at Comiskey Park
White Sox 7 (83-66), Twins 3 (84-64)

The White Sox pulled to within a game and a half of a three way tie for first place in the American League with a nice win over the Twins.  Joe Horlen continued his hot pitching and he improved to 17-6.  He gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts in the complete game win.  For the Twins, Dave Boswell was touched up for three runs and he was gone before the second inning ended as he took the loss.

Ron Hansen had a huge day at the late for the White Sox.  He was a perfect four for four with two homers, four RBIs and three runs.  Ken Boyer also had a nice game and he went three for four with two runs.  Tony Oliva belted his fifteenth homer and he drove in two runs for the Twins.

September 13, 1967 at D.C. Stadium
Twins 3 (84-63), Senators 2 

The Twins got an outstanding outing from starter Jim Kaat to beat the Senators in their series finale and in the process, they remained tied for first place with the Red Sox.  Kaat improved to 13-13 and he gave up just two runs on nine hits and a walk with nine strikeouts in eight innings of work.  In an odd move, the Twins used ace Dean Chance to pitch the ninth inning and he paid off because he put the Senators down in order with two strikeouts to preserve the game.  The save would be his first and only of the season.

Harmon Killebrew put the Twins on the board in the first inning with a two run shot, his 38th of the season.  Bob Allison tripled and he drove in the other run.

September 12, 1967 at D.C. Stadium
Senators 5, Twins 4 (83-63)

The Twins sole reign of the American League was short lived as once again, they found themselves tied for the lead with a loss to the Senators.  Jim Merritt had a rough start and he fell to 12-5.  He gave up four runs on nine hits with three strikeouts in six innings.

Cesar Tovar had a big day at the plate in the loss.  He went four for four with two RBIs and a run.  Ted Uhlaender went two for four with a walk and two runs.

September 11, 1967 at D.C. Stadium
Twins 13 (83-62), Senators 5

The Twins improved their American League lead to an entire game as hammered the Senators on a day where only four American League teams saw action.  There were seven doubles with Harmon Killebrew and Ted Uhlaender both had two.  Killebrew went three for five with with two RBIs and three runs while Bob Allison went three for four with three RBIs and a run.

Dean Chance gave up five unearned runs and he lasted just three innings.  Jim Perry threw six shutout innings to close the game out and he improved to 8-7.

September 10, 1967 at Memorial Stadium
Twins 4 (82-62), Orioles 2

Dave Boswell threw a good game and he improved to 13-10 as the Twins moved back into sold possession of first place with the win.  Boswell gave up two runs on five hits and four walks with six strikeouts in the complete game win.

Tony Oliva was the hitting star in the win. He went three for five with a triple, a double and two RBIs. 

September 9, 1967 at Memorial Stadium
Twins 3 (81-62), Orioles 2

Jim Kaat won his third straight game in an impressive start that kept the Twins tied for first place with the Tigers.  He improved to 12-13 and he gave up just two runs on five hits with six strikeouts in the complete game win.

Harmon Killebrew belted his 38th homer of the season in the fourth inning.  Cesar Tovar went two for five with a run and an RBI.

September 8, 1967 at Memorial Stadium
Twins 7 (80-61), Orioles 2

The Twins took game one of their doubleheader with the Orioles behind the bat of Tony Oliva and Harmon Killebrew and the arm of Jim Merritt.  Oliva went three for four with two doubles, two runs and an RBI while Killebrew homered, drove in two and scored twice.

Merritt improved to 12-4 with a solid start.  He gave up two runs on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts in a complete game win.

September 8, 1967 at Memorial Stadium
Orioles 5, Twins 3  (80-62)

The Twins dropped the final game of their doubleheader with the Orioles and with the loss, they’d once again have to settle for a tie for first place.  It was with a different team though as the Red Sox lost and the Tigers won to take their place.

Jim Perry dropped to 7-7 with a tough start.  He gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts in just four innings.

Tony Oliva was a perfect five for five in the game.  He also scored two of the Twins three runs.

September 7, 1967 at Memorial Stadium
Twins 4 (79-61), Orioles 2

The Twins kept pace with the Red Sox as they both won the only two games going in the American League and they did it behind the arm of Dean Chance.  He improved to 18-11 and he gave up two runs (one earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts in the complete game win.

Harmon Killebrew belted his 36th homerun of the season in the win.  Tony Oliva doubled twice, drove in a run and scored.

September 6, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Indians 3, Twins 2 (78-61)

The Twins lost a tight game with the Indians and also lost sole possession of first place.  In fact, with the Tigers winning two games, the White Sox winning one game and the Red Sox being idle, the American League saw four teams all tied atop the standings.

Dave Boswell fell to 12-10 despite a decent start.  He gave up three runs on nine hits and three walks with six strikeouts in seven frames.

Rod Carew provided the bulk of the offense.  He had two of the Twins seven hits and he drove in both of their runs.

September 5, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Twins 9 (78-60), Indians 2

The Twins kept their slim first place lead in the American League after they turned up the offense and blewout the Indians.  Rich Rollins had a big hit with a three run triple while Harmon Killebrew went two for four with a double, two walks and two runs.

Jim Kaat had a nice outing that was probably lost in all of the offense.  He improved to 11-13 and he gave up two runs on thirteen hits with seven strikeouts in the complete game.

September 4, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Twins 4 (77-59), Indians 1

Jim Merritt pitched the Twins to a win in their first game in a Labor Day doubleheader with the Indians.  He improved to 11-4 and he gave up one run on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts in the complete game win.

Harmon Killebrew put the game out of reach with a two run homer in the eighth inning.  It was his 35th homerun of the season.  Ted Uhlaender doubled, singled and scored a run in the win.

September 4, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Indians 2, Twins 1  (77-60)

The Twins lost the second game of their doubleheader against the Indians yet still remained in first place because all three of the other contenders also split their Labor Day doubleheaders.  Al Worthington took the loss when he gave up a run in the tenth inning which was unfortunate because a solid start by Jim Perry went to waste.  He gave up one unearned run on six hit and three walks with five strikeouts in seven solid frames.

Bob Allison singled and he drove in the lone Twins run of the game.  Tony Oliva doubled and he scored the lone run.

September 3, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Tigers 5 (75-61), Twins 0 (76-59)

Earl Wilson won his nineteenth game of the season as the Tigers picked up a game by shutting out the first place Twins.  Wilson gave up just two hits and four walks with two strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings while Fred Lasher picked up his fourth save by throwing 3 2/3 innings of shutout relief.  Dean Chance took the loss for the Twins and he fell to 17-11.  He gave up four runs on eight hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Jim Northrup went two for four with a triple, two RBIs and a run.  Jerry Lumpe went two for three with a double and an RBI.  For the Twins, only Bob Allison and Harmon Killebrew reached base twice.  Allison singled and drew a walk while Killebrew walked twice. 

September 2, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Twins 5 (76-58), Tigers 0 (74-61)

The Twins took a half game lead in the American League while the Tigers fell to fourth place as Dave Boswell shutout visiting Detroit.  Boswell improved to 12-9.  He gave up six hits with three strikeouts in the win.  Denny McLain took the loss for the Tigers and he fell to 17-15.  He gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Ted Uhlaender was the hitting star for the Twins.  He went three for four and he drove in three of the Twins five runs.  Tony Oliva pitched in with two singles, a walk, a run and an RBI.  For the Tigers, Al Kaline and Bill Freehan were the only Tigers with two hits.

September 1, 1967 at Metropolitan Stadium
Twins 5 (75-58), Tigers 4 (74-60)

The Tigers come back fell short against their rival contendor the Twins in their series opener.  Joe Sparma gave up five runs in the first three innings and while the Tigers eventually made it a one run game, that’s as close as they’d get.  Jim Kaat went the distance for the Twins and he improved to 10-13.  He gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

Cesar Tovar tripled, singled and drove in a run in the win to lead the Twins at the plate.  Bill Freehan belted his nineteenth homerun and he scored twice for the Tigers.