1972 AL Game Stories from Opening Day

April 15, 1972

The 1972 AL season finally got underway today after a week and a half delay due to a players strike. The following are the game stories from Opening Day. One Game of Note: Minnesota's Harmon Killabrew (pictured) blasted 3 homeruns and had 4 RBI leading the Twins to a 4-2 victory over the Oakland A's.

NEWSPAPER GAME STORIES FOR 1972 American League                Date: 4/16/1972
 
MILWAUKEE AT CLEVELAND
Brewers......... 0 0 0  0 0 0  1 0 0  -  1  5  2
Indians......... 0 0 0  3 0 4  1 1    -  9 13  0
Win:Perry(1-0) Loss:Parsons(0-1)
Homeruns- B.Bell(1st)
 
Gaylord Perry came through with a solid 9 innings and Buddy Bell touched them
all and had 4 RBI as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9
to 1 at Cleveland Stadium.
 
Bell had a big day at the plate.  He belted a three-run homer in the 4th
inning and lined a one-base hit which brought home a run in the 7th inning.
Cleveland finished with 13 hits in the victory.  
 
Perry(1-0) was the winner allowing 1 run for the game. Bill Parsons(0-1) was
the loser.  Cleveland scored big getting 7 runs off him in 5 and 2/3 innings.
 
Perry was obviously very pleased with his performance in the aftermath of the
game, 'It was just one of those games where everything worked.  My arm felt
great, heck, I could have pitched another two or three innings.  I only hope
that I can do it again next time out!'
 
CHICAGO AT KANSAS CITY
White Sox....... 0 0 0  1 0 1  0 0 2  -  4  7  2
Royals.......... 1 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  4  0
Win:Wood(1-0) Loss:Drago(0-1)
Homeruns- D.Allen(1st)
 
Wilbur Wood had an impressive outing as the Chicago White Sox topped the
Kansas City Royals by a score of 4 to 1 at Municipal Stadium.
 
Wood(1-0) was tremendous on the mound for Chicago.  He didn't allow much, just
4 hits and 1 walk in 9 innings.  Chicago had a total of 7 hits for the game.
 
Dick Drago(0-1) absorbed the loss.  He pitched 8 innings allowing only 4 hits
and 1 walk. 'Wood gave us exactly what we needed today.' Chuck Tanner said.
'When he threw the fastball he threw it for strikes.  They were really fooled
by his change.  Most of the time he had them chasing it.'
 
MINNESOTA AT OAKLAND
Twins........... 0 0 0  1 0 1  0 2 0  -  4  8  1
A's............. 0 0 0  0 1 0  1 0 0  -  2  5  1
Win:Laroche(1-0) Loss:Locker(0-1) Save:Granger(1st)
Homeruns- H.Killebrew-3(3rd)
 
Harmon Killebrew smashed 3 homeruns and had 4 RBI and Bert Blyleven went 6
strong innings at Oakland Co Stadium as the Minnesota Twins beat the Oakland
A's by the count of 4 to 2.
 
Killebrew was unconscious all day.  The Oakland fans hated to see him
approaching the batter's box as he just kept delivering base hits! He ripped
a solo home run in the 4th inning, lofted a solo-blast 'downtown' in the 6th
inning and cleared the fences for a two-run home run in the 8th inning.
Minnesota had 8 hits for the afternoon while Oakland had 5.  
 
Dave Laroche(1-0) picked up the victory, allowing 1 run in 2 and 2/3 innings.
Laroche got help from Wayne Granger who was credited with his 1st save.  Bob
Locker(0-1) was the loser in relief.  
 
'I've spent a lot of time in the cage and made some adjustments and they've
paid off,' Killebrew said. 'I just take the same approach up there. I don't
overanalyze it. I go up there, see the ball and try to put a good swing on
it.'
 
TEXAS AT CALIFORNIA
Rangers......... 0 1 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  1  5  0
Angels.......... 0 1 0  0 1 0  0 1    -  3  9  1
Win:Messersmith(1-0) Loss:Bosman(0-1)
 
Andy Messersmith tossed a complete game at Anaheim Stadium where the
California Angels beat the Texas Rangers by the score of 3 to
1.
 
Messersmith(1-0) was solid in the win.  He didn't give up much, just 5 hits
and 2 walks in 9 innings.  California banged out 9 hits on the night.  
 
Dick Bosman(0-1) was the losing pitcher.  He gave up 2 runs and 6 hits in 6
innings.
 
BOSTON AT DETROIT
Red Sox......... 0 0 0  0 0 3  0 0 1  -  4  7  1
Tigers.......... 1 0 0  0 0 1  0 0 0  -  2  7  2
Win:Pattin(1-0) Loss:Lolich(0-1)
 
Marty Pattin had a complete game as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Detroit
Tigers by a score of 4 to 2 at Tiger Stadium.
 
Boston scored 3 runs in the decisive top of the 6th inning when they came up
with 3 base hits.  Tommy Harper started the inning off right when he drew a
walk.  Luis Aparicio followed next and he ripped a base-hit.  After an out
was recorded, Reggie Smith came to the plate and doubled.  Rico Petrocelli
stepped in and he slapped a one-base hit.  Both teams ended up with 7 hits on
the afternoon.  
 
Pattin(1-0) lasted until the end allowing 2 runs for the win. Mickey
Lolich(0-1) was charged with the loss.  He surrendered 3 runs and 6 hits in 8
innings.