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1972 Western League Championship Sim

Seattle Cascades (1) vs. Houston Oilers (1)

vs.

Game 3



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In Game 3 of the Western League Championship Sim on October 14, 1972, the Seattle Cascades visited the Oilerdome in Houston and made a powerful statement from the very first pitch. Houston’s starting pitcher, LHP Mickey Lolich, took the mound, but Seattle wasted no time in exploding at the plate. Wes Parker’s early appearance was unremarkable, but RHB Glenn Beckert quickly ignited the offense with a blistering double to left-center. LHB Al Bumbry followed with a double of his own that drove Beckert home to give Seattle a 1–0 lead. RHB Frank Robinson then singled, allowing Bumbry—who had advanced to third—to score, and RHB Dave Duncan’s subsequent single set the stage for RHB Joe Torre’s majestic two-run home run, a towering drive that sailed 423 feet, pushing the Cascades’ total to 4–0 before Sonny Jackson’s fly out closed the frame.

Houston’s bats answered briefly in the bottom of the first when, facing Seattle’s RHP Skip Lockwood, LHB Lou Brock broke the silence with a double. However, subsequent outs by RHB Johnny Bench and RHB Dave Kingman kept the Oilers off the board, and the inning ended 4–0 in favor of Seattle. In the second inning, Seattle continued to press their advantage; RHB Mike Anderson singled to extend the momentum, while a bunt attempt by Skip Lockwood ended in a strikeout. Houston’s batters, however, were stifled in the bottom of the inning, as Jim Northrup and Freddie Patek produced routine outs that left the score unchanged.

The Cascades maintained their offensive intensity in the third inning. Glenn Beckert’s next appearance was short-lived as he was retired on a called strike, while Al Bumbry’s at-bat produced a ground out. RHB Frank Robinson then singled again, though his attempt to steal second was thwarted, and Dave Duncan struck out to end the inning with Seattle’s 4–0 lead intact. Houston’s response in the bottom of the third came when RHB Tommie Agee singled, but after a failed steal attempt and a subsequent fly out by Lou Brock, the visitors failed to generate a run.

In the fourth inning, Seattle’s hitters continued their efficient work against the Oilers. Dave Duncan was retired on a called strike and Joe Torre drew a walk before Sonny Jackson’s at-bat ended on a fielder’s choice that stranded a runner. Mike Anderson’s plate appearance produced a strikeout, and the inning closed 4–0. In the bottom of the fourth, Houston’s offense showed a glimmer of life; Graig Nettles recorded a fly out and Johnny Bench eventually reached on a line-drive single, while Dave Kingman grounded out, but the visitors were unable to add a run.

The fifth inning saw Seattle’s offensive pressure remain unrelenting as Skip Lockwood struck out and Wes Parker flied out, followed by another fly out from Glenn Beckert, keeping the lead at 4–0. Houston’s bats remained dormant in the bottom of the fifth, with Tim Foli grounding out and Tommie Agee’s at-bat ending in a ground out, leaving the score unchanged.

The sixth inning marked Houston’s first scoring attempt. In the top half, Al Bumbry appeared at the plate but popped out on a fly ball, and then Frank Robinson delivered a line-drive single. However, Dave Duncan’s subsequent strikeout—and Robinson being caught stealing second on the ensuing play—ended the rally without adding to Seattle’s total. In the bottom of the sixth, the Oilers finally chipped away when Lou Brock grounded out, and then Graig Nettles produced a fly ball single. Johnny Bench’s timely line-drive single advanced Nettles to second, and a subsequent walk to Dave Kingman advanced the runners, loading the bases. LHB Jim Northrup's flyout to center field allowed Nettles to tag up and score, cutting Seattle’s lead to 4–1.

In the seventh inning, Seattle's momentum showed no signs of slowing. Joe Torre started things off with a sharp line-drive single. Sonny Jackson followed, reaching base on a fielder's choice. Jackson then made an impressive series of plays, stealing second base and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Despite all his efforts and skillful maneuvers, a subsequent fielder's choice prevented him from scoring the crucial insurance run. The inning then concluded with Skip Lockwood's fly out, leaving the team just short of extending their lead. Houston’s response in the bottom of the seventh was minimal, as Tim Foli’s fly out, Tommie Agee’s unsuccessful at-bat, and a ground out from Mickey Lolich left the score unchanged.

Seattle’s firepower returned in the eighth inning when Wes Parker ignited the frame with a big double that energized the crowd. Glenn Beckert’s next appearance ended in a ground out, and although Al Bumbry’s subsequent at-bat produced a swinging attempt that ended in a pop out, Frank Robinson’s plate appearance also concluded with a ground out, keeping the score at 4–1. In the bottom of the eighth, Houston’s batters had an opportunity to respond. Lou Brock and then Graig Nettles both committed routine outs. Johnny Bench then worked the count and delivered a line-drive single. At that point, Seattle replaced Skip Lockwood with LHP Darold Knowles on the mound. Under Knowles, Dave Kingman’s subsequent plate appearance yielded a goundout via a fielders’ choice, and the inning ended with the score still 4–1.

In the ninth inning, Seattle’s offense sprang to life. Dave Duncan battled through several pitches before being hit by one, earning his place on base. Joe Torre then grounded out, allowing Duncan to advance to second. Sonny Jackson followed with a fly out, but Mike Anderson stepped up with a powerful double, driving Duncan home. A timely pinch-hit single by Tim McCarver allowed Anderson to score from second on a close play at home, boosting Seattle’s lead to 6–1. The inning concluded with Wes Parker's fielder’s choice, sealing the team’s impressive offensive burst.

In the bottom of the ninth, Seattle’s relief pitchers held firm. Jim Northrup grounded out, Freddie Patek flied out, and Tim Foli’s final plate appearance ended with a ground out, ensuring that the Oilers could not mount a comeback.

When the final out was recorded, the Seattle Cascades emerged with a decisive 6–1 victory over the Houston Oilers. The Cascades’ explosive early innings, timely doubles, and that towering two-run home run from Joe Torre—combined with effective relief from Darold Knowles—proved too much for Houston, whose bats never fully recovered. This commanding win extended Seattle’s series lead and sent a resounding message in this championship battle.



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