Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 69

Nothing Seems to Come Out Right for Padres By HERSCHEL MSSENSON AP Sports Writer They should have had an inkling that things were going to be slightly out of whack in San Diego Wednesday night when a Cuban manager sent a Panamanian outfielder to the plate with a Japanese bat. The Houston Astros won the zany opener of a twi-night doubleheader from the Padres 2-1 and Larry Dierker then hurled a one-hitter Ollie Brown's two-out bloop single in the seventh inning to win the nightcap 8-0 for a Houston one batter in the opener and then brought on southpaw Dave Roberts to face Hous-t 's predominantly left-handed line-up. "I knew Harry Walker wanted to pitch Dierker against Roberts-," Gomez said. "It would have been his best against our best. What I did was something I've done before in the minors.

When they saw Santorini warming up they had all those left-hand hitters ready to hit against him." Walker, however, has seen that ploy before. "Leo Durocher used to do that when he was managing the Dodgers," said the Houston skipper. "He did it against St. Louis when I played with the Cardinals and it always seemed to rile us up. It seemed to backfire more often than not." Even the San Diego players i 't know what was going on.

They could hear the thumpthump of ball hitting mitt as Roberts warmed up secretly in the San Diego Chargers' football clubhouse right next to their dressing room. There were a lot of puzzled expressions as the Padres headed for the field. In the second inning, Ivan Murrell came to the plate with a bat given to the Padres by a Japanese team which visited the United States during spring training. Plate umpire Stan Landes ordered Murrell to change bats and he returned to the dugout but marched right back to the plate carrying his samurai weapon. The Japanese baf is hollowed out at the thick end, sort of a concave ihape.

Gomez said Lou Brock of St. Louis used it against the Padres over the weekend and Al Barlick, the league's senior umpire, said it was legal. Walker, however, played the game under protest. In the fifth inning, still using Japanese bat, Murrell slammed a drive into the left field stands which third base umpire Bob Engel called foul. That drew a heated argument from the Padres, with the usual outcome.

The final indignity came in the seventh, when San Diego's Dave Campbell singled home the tying run. Catcher Jack Hiatt flung the bat away from the plate where Campbell had dropped it and it struck on-deck hitter Bob Barton in the stomach, momentarily knocking the wind out of him. Hiatt and Barton once were teammates in San Francisco. The Astros finally beat Roberts on ninth-inning singles by Doug Rader, Hiatt and pinch hitter Bob Watson. Gomez started Santorini again in the nightcap and the Astros beat him, too.

New York's Gary Gentry had the Phillies beaten 2-0 on one hit with two out in the ninth. But they suddenly tied the score on Tony Taylor's single, a triple by WiJlie Montanez and Deron Johnson's single. The winning run crossed in the 12th on Tim McCarver's lead-off double off Tug McGraw and Larry Bowa's two-out single. Ed Kranepool homered for the Mets. sweep.

Elsewhere in the National League, Philadelphia nipped the New York Mets 3-2 in 12 innings, St. Louis trounced the Chicago Cubs 9-4 and took over first place in the NL East. Pittsburgh shaded Cincinnati 20, San Francisco downed Los Angeles 6-4 and Montreal battered Atlanta 11-1. The fun started early in San Diego when manager Preston Gomez of the Padres let starter Al Santorini pitch to Proves Kilkenny Not Throm gh -a 1 I -Yi T-rlJ fr IIWII 4 J85w i.m i i. -ni.

i r' 1 iviV, tS'l SLi mSgSXSSmt i eJL By LARRY PALADINO DETROIT (AP) Mike Kilkenny, the skinny Canadian who nearly gave up pro baseball a couple months ago to play pro golf, is "over the hump." The Detroit Tiger left-hander, a borderline pitcher all season JOURNAL Lansing Michigan who was nearly cut from the roster in spring training, has suddenly thrust himself into the team's surprisingly effective group of starters. Despite losing 2-1 to the New York Yankees Wednesday night in a game that snapped Detroit's winning streak at seven, Kilkenny proved he isn't washed up at 26. "Geez, that kid pitched with great heart tonight," praised Manager Billy Martin. "I was proud of him." "I think he's over the hump." The 6-foot-3, 160-pounder who had hurled only three innings all season and had a 24.00 earned-run-average held New York to three hits and no runs until the eighth inning. That's when he walked Gene Michael and Thurman Munson and Roy White unloaded a two-out, two-run double off the left field wall to end the Tigers 1-0 advantage.

The loss, combined with Boston's triumph over Washington, dropped third-place Detroit 4'2 games behind the American League East-leading Red Sox. Baltimore is 2J4 games ahead of the Tigers. Mickey Lolich, 7-3, was scheduled to pitch tonight's rubber game of the three-game series against fellow lefty Fritz Peterson, 4-3, of New York. The Tiger's one run came in the fifth off Mel Stottlemyre, who scattered six hits in upping his record to 5-2. Aurelio Rodri-gez singled, took second on Kilkenny's bunt, and scored on a single by Al Kaline.

It was the career RBI for the 13-year veteran. "I went as hard as I could for as long as I could," explained Kilkenny, who spent 21 days on the disabled list with stomach trouble before rejoining the roster May 11. "There's no doubt about it," he added quietly, leaning on the clubhouse doorway ready to leave, "this game was a confidence builder." When the third-year hurler fared poorly in spring training and was in danger of being sent to the minors he said he would become a professional golfer before he would report to a farm club. (He is a low handicap golfer and won the players tournament in Florida.) It was thought he and Martin were at odds because of this attitude. SECTION (5 land, scoring this ninth round knockdown along the way to a unanimous 10-round decision.

(UPI Telephoto) STILL SLUGGING Former heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson is still at it, taking on opponents wherever he can find them. Wednesday, he met Terry Daniels in Cleve THKSTATE Lansing East May 27, 1971 Langdon dall (8-1). (9-1) and Steve Ran- Ohio University, champion of the Mid-American Conference and a World Series entry a year ago, is led by hurler Doug Spart ans Off on NCAA last Friday. "Rob is ready to go," said Spartan coach Danny Lit-whiler. "He is swinging the bat real well." Cincinnati took the field today as the hottest team currently in the tournament.

The Bearcats have won 23 of their last 30 games. Southern Illinois, winner of the Midwestern Conference, is ranked No. 9 in the NCAA's University Division. The Salu-kis boast two outstanding pitchers in southpaw Dick "One of these days I'll tell you the story about Kilkenny," the Tiger field boss said Wednesday. "I had him on the bench while he was on the disabled list and I talked to him, talked to him and talked to him," Martin said.

"The way he pitched tonight I can bring him in in relief or spot start him with all the confidence in the world." "Whatever way he wants to run it is the best way," Kilkenny said of his role. Martin didn't tell him until shortly before the game that he would pitch. "If I don't know I'm starting I don't worry and that's a good thing," the young hurler from Windsor, smiled. "He's a real conscientious boy and I didn't want him to stay up all night and worry about it," Billy said. "The next time I start him I'll probably do it the same way." Normally a curve ball specialist, Kilkenny threw mostly fast balls past the Yankees and Martin praised him for firing them past New York's top right handed hitters with ease.

Perhaps Kilkenny would have been the winner if third base umpire Ron Luciano hadn't prevented Martin from ivisiting his pitcher at the mound a second time while White batted in the eighth. It was ruled he must finish pitching to White before Martin could bring in reliever Fred Scherman. "That's a lousy rule, really," Martin moaned. "I never ran into it before. I knew about it but you try and get away with taking him out if you can.

Anyway, it gave Scherman 15 extra pitches in the bullpen." "That's their problem," Yank Manager Ralph Houk said of the rule. "We got two runs out of it and that's all I'm interested in." After Michael led off the eighth with his walk he stole second, although it appeared second-baseman Dick McAuliffe tagged him. Then Munson walked on a 3-2 pitch. The side was almost retired but a foul by White just barely reached the backstop. "I needed a call at second, another call on the 3-2 pitch, and six inches less of screen or (catcher) Bill Freehan to be 30 feet tall," Kilkenny joked.

Quest Diamond, who is 10-0, and Jim Bierman, 6-0. The Bobcats also have solid hitting, led by catcher Steve Swisher, .372. Tickets for all games are $2 general admission and $1 for students There is no advance sale. As for Unser, DePaolo not only counts on the ability of the older of the two Albuquerque, N.M., driving brothers, but he says "here again, the car will count. Bobby's car is a Dan Gurney Eagle, and you have to go along with the obvious fact that Gurney is one Patterson Continues Comeback CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) "I wasn't trying to put him away," said former world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson after scoring a unanimous 10-round decision over Terry Daniels of Dallas, Texas, Wednesday night before a crowd of 5,789 at the Cleveland Arena.

"I'm a boxer," said Patterson. "If I'm ahead, the longer I'm the ring, the better it is for me." The 36-year-old Patterson, who weighed in at 190V6 two pounds more than Daniels labeled his opponent as very tough. "If Terry Daniels had been the first fight of my comeback, I wouldn't be here," said the 19-year ring veteran. "He can take a good punch better than I thought he could." It was the fourth victory for Patterson since he came out of a two-year retirement last October and it boosted his career mark to 50-7-1. The loss was only the third for Daniels against 24 wins and one draw.

Patterson knocked down his 24-year-old Texas opponent in the third and ninth rounds, but was never able to land the finishing blow. He was in command the entire bout, landing most of the punches. Daniels finished with cuts on the head and above the right eye, a swollen face below his right eye and a very sore nose, which bled occasionally during the bout. Big Ten Hurrying Search IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) The Big Ten's search for a athletic commissioner was under full steam Wednesday with a preliminary list of about 20 candidates. As the conference ended its spring business meeting, its newly created five-member search committee already had contacted several prospects.

Chairman -George Young said the panel had even contacted Walter Byers, NCAA executive director, for other possible candidates. The commissioner vacancy developed last Thursday with the death of William R. "Bill" Reed, 55, who held the top conference post almost a decade. Young, Wisconsin faculty representative, said his committee also would contact the presidents of all conference schools for their possible nominations. "Each of our five man group has been given a list of four or five prospects and from now on we'll be getting in touch with the candidates on our list," Young said.

"We hope to reduce the list to between three and five top candidates and eventually will interview each one of them on a thorough basis," he added. After, that, the search committee will make its recommendations to a special meeting of the faculty representatives, who in turn will recommend their choice to the Council of Ten (school presidents) which does the formal hiring of the new commissioner for a term up to 10 years. By BOB GROSS State Journal Sports Writer University of Cincinnati baseball coach Glenn Sample sent his Bearcats through an hour of batting practice at Michigan State's Kobs Field Wednesday, preparing for today's 4 p.m. clash against the host Spartans. "This is a beautiful ball park," Sample said.

"Now, if we can just find somebody to lend us a few hits, we'll be in good shape." Michigan State, bidding for its first Collegiate World Series berth in 17 years, will test the Bearcats in the second game of today's NCAA District Four doubleheader. In the opener, Southern Illinois (36-6) played Ohio University (29-5) at 1 p.m. Michigan State is 36-8 and Cincinnati 24-16. Friday's lineup has three games beginning at 10 a.m. between today's losers.

Thursday's winners collide at 1 p.m. while the 4 p.m. game sends the Friday morning victor against the Friday afternoon loser. Two teams will be sidelined Friday in the double-elimina-t i tournament. Saturday's championship is at 1 p.m.

The District Four winner joins seven other district champions in the World Series scheduled June 11-17 in Omaha, Neb. Michigan State, which last competed in a World Series in 1954, when the Spartans won their first Big 10 title, sent ace Rob Clancy (10-1) against Cincinnati. Danny Walton (7-3) was the expected Bearcat hurler. Larry Ike, sophomore from Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, seeks to extend his winning streak to nine games Friday. Ike lost his first time out in Florida but since has not lost.

He has a 2.53 ERA. Rob Ellis, State's top hitter at .407 with 14 homers, was back in right field today despite a sore wrist. The junior rightfielder jammed his wrist attempting to climb the fence on a home run ball at Purdue MSU 3rd In Poll; CMU 1st TUCSON, Ariz. (UPI) Southern California, Pacific 8 champion, is No. 1 in the college baseball ratings released Wednesday by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper but three other teams are close behind.

The Trojans are only one point ahead of Pan American of Texas, three ahead of third-place Michigan State and eight in front of fourth ranked Arizona State. The college division was topped by Central Michigan with F'lorida Southern second and Springfield, third. Next in order were Southern University, Valley State, Grand Canyon College, New Haven, Upsala. Southern Illinois Edwardsville and St. Leo.

PRECISION PIT CREW The famed Wood brothers pit crew practices refueling and changing tires on A. J. Foyt's car during "pit practice" Wednesday at the Indianapolis Speedway. The Woods, from Stuart, are noted on the -southern NASCAR stock car circuit for their expert car preparation and speedy pit work during a race. (UPI Tele- 'Expert' Tabs Winners NEW YORK DETROIT ab bl bl Clarke 2b 4 0 0 0 AAAuliffe 2b 4 0 0 0 Munson 2 110 Kaline rf 3 0 11 White If 3 0 12 NorthruD cf 4 0 0 0 Murcer cf 4 0 10 WHorton If 4 0 10 JEllis lb 3 0 10 Cash lb 3 0 10 Kenney 3b 1 0 0 0 Freehan 3 0 10 FAlou rf 4 0 0 0 GBrown ph 10 0 0 Cater 3b 4 0 10 ARodrgez 3b 3 1 I 0 Michael ss 3 10 0 OJones ph 10 0 0 Stotlmyre 3 0 0 0 Brnkman ss 3 0 1 0 Colinj ph 10 0 0 Kilkenny 2 0 0 0 Schermn 0 0 0 0 Total 31 2 5 2 Total 32 1 1 New York (00 000 0202 Detroit 1 0 0 1 Cater.

DP Detroit 1. LOB New York 6. Detroit 7. 2B Cash, W.Horton, White. SB Michael.

Kilkenny. IP RER BB SO Stottlemyre (W.5-2) 9 6 1 1 1 Kilkenny (U-2 7 2-3 4 2 2 4 2 Scherman 1 1-3 1 0 0 0 I HBP by Stottlemyro (Kaline). 2:23. A-l 1,545. fier at 174.910 m.p.h., is driving one of the new winged McLarens built in England.

A fof-mer world driving champion and two-time winner ok the Can-Am road racing series, Hulme has been a part of the McLaren organization for several years and actually had a part in designing the car he'll drive Saturday. of the best race car builders in the world." DePaolo rode "shotgun" with his uncle Ralph DePalma in two Indy 500s before making the first of his eight starts as a driver in 1922. He was the first to break the 100 m.p.h. barrier at the speedway and his 101.13 m.p.h. average for the 1925 race stood for seven years.

the track at 172.084 miles per hour Wednesday while carrying a full load of fuel. The speed was only about three miles per hour slower than his four lap qualifying speed of 175.816 m.p.h. Unser, the 1968 winner, will start outside on the front row. Hulme, the fourth best quali Indy By BLOYS BR ITT INDIANAPOLIS (AP) It will be Bobby Unser, Denis Hulme and Lloyd Ruby against the field in Saturday's 55th running of the Indianapolis 500-mile race. That's the word from Peter DePaolo, for 51 years a court-side observer at the Speedway and winner of the 13th edition of the race in 1925.

"Unser is a tiger," DePaolo said Wednesday as drivers in the 33-car starting field ran through carburetion tests their last chance to run the 2.5-mile speedway until the 11 a.m. start Saturday. "He's cool and he's smart." "Hulme is the long distance boy, a cold-hard professional and he probably knows the car hell drive better than any driver in the field. "Ruby is my sentimental favorite," the 72-year-old De-Paolo continued. "This is his 12th start at the Speedway and for that reason, alone, I'd like to see him win.

But Ruby also is a whale of a driver and he has a top-notch car. I think he can do it." Bobby Unser backed up DePaolo's selection by lapping Spartans Set Sights on Second Indiana Favored to Win Big Ten Outdoor Track Title "We feel we can score in every running event (there are 12), with the exception of the three-mile run and steeplechase, and if we can score well enough to offset Indiana's advantage in field events, we can make it a real battle." Gibbard thinks that running on a neutral track (host Iowa is not a contender) won't hurt the Spartans' chances. The meet opens Friday afternoon with preliminaries in eight events and finals in the long jump and discus. Finals in the other 16 events will be run off starting at 1 p.m. Saturday.

One Spartan, sprinter Herb Washington, is considered a favorite, and one other, hurdler Wayne Hartwick, is at worst a 50-50 bet to bag an individual championship. Washington is defending titlist in the century, and only one other Big Ten dashman, Mike Miller of Indiana, has equaled his season best time of 9.3. Hartwick owns the league's fastest clocking of 51.3 in the 440 intermediate hurdles, but must beat defending champion Mark Koste of Illinois, who has the second best effort of the season, 51.8. Gibbard singles out Bob Cassleman in the See SPARTANS, G-4, Col. 3 By DAVE MATTHEWS State Journal Sports Writer Michigan State is intent upon chasing favored defending champion Indiana right down to the wire this weekend, in the Big Ten Conference outdoor track and field championships at Iowa.

The Spartans can't guarantee they'll catch the speedy Hoosiers, but they do promise to fare a great deal better than conference experts most of whom tab MSU for fifth place expect. "The way we have it figured, Indiana will win by a few points," said assistant coach Jim Gibbard Wednesday, "and we'll come in a real strong second or third..