The Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs begins play on April 2nd, 1961. The Buffalo Lakers will be visiting the Minneapolis Millers. Here are the starting lineups
Buffalo Lakers
1) LF Ted Williams
2) 2B Billy Goodman
3) 3B Luis Marquez
4) RF Bill Wilson
5) C Roger McCardell
6) CF Tom Saffell
7) SS Artie Wilson
8) 1B Raymond Estes
9) P Leverette Spencer
Minneapolis Millers
1) SS Maury Wills
2) LF Thomas Adams
3) RF Gene Woodling
4) 1B Melvin Geho
5) C Cal Neeman
6) 2B Paul Gammel
7) 3B Roy Hartsfield
8) CF Clark Rex
9) P Richard Bolli
GAME RECAP
Ted Williams stepped to the plate as the first ever hitter in Continental League history, receiving a raucous ovation from the crowd, even in a visiting ballpark. His AB was anti-climactic, as he walked on five pitches. Millers starter Richard Bolli then walked Billy Goodman before giving up hits to Luis Marquez and Bill Wilson as the Lakers opened up the scoring in the top of the 1st. The Lakers finished the inning with a 3-0 lead.
Former Dodger Maury Wills led off with a single for the Millers, the first hit in franchise history. He then stole second base, good for the first steal in both franchise and league history. On a steal attempt of third base, Lakers catcher Roger McCardell sailed his throw into left field, allowing Mills to score. That would be all the scoring for the Millers in the bottom half as the Lakers led 3-1.
Mills made his presence felt again in the 2nd, singling home a run to make it 3-2. The Lakers scored again in the 3rd after Tom Saffell drive in Bill Wilson on a RBI ground out to second base. Wilson reached base on a double to left field.
Paul Gammel closed the gap in the bottom of the third on a 2-out double to drive in Melvin Geho. The Millers tied the game in the fifth after Cal Neeman drove in Woodling on a RBI fielders choice. Woodling reached base on a double in the left-center gap, before Geho moved him over and reached base on an infield single.
After the leadoff hitter reached base for the Lakers in the top of the 7th, the Millers brought in lefty reliever John Hanes. Hanes allowed two runs to score on a bases loaded double by the catcher McCardell, as the Lakers took a 6-4 lead. That closed the book on Bolli, who went 6 1/3, giving up 4 hits and 5 runs while walking 5 and striking out 4.
The Millers took an 8-6 lead in the bottom of the 7th behind 3 hits and a walk, all off the starter Spencer. After a wild pitch allowed the 8th run to score, Buffalo went to the bullpen. Spencer went 6 1/3, allowing 8 runs on 10 hits while walking 5 and striking out 4.
The Lakers did add one more run in the top of the 9th on a homer by Wilson, but Hanes struck out Saffrell to end the game and earn the save. Wills earned Player of the Game, going 3-for-5 with 3 steals.
