Series 18: Franklins take two of three from Kennedys

Franklins 28-16, Kennedys 22-22

Pitcher use: Kennedys season over; Franklins bullpen fully rested for playoff game with Teddys.

Game One: Franklins 8, Teddys 5
WP: Hubbell (8-1)
LP: Carlton (4-5)
Save: Dean (7)
HR: Ruth (20), Gehrig (10), Hartnett (3)

Game Two: Franklins 4, Kennedys 2
WP: Feller (4-2)
LP: Gibson (6-4)
Save: Hoyt (2)
HR: Ruth (21), Aaron (11), Gehrig (11)

Game Three: Kennedys 4, Franklins 3 (10 innings)
WP: Koufax (2-1)
LP: Vance (5-4)
Save: Fingers (10)
HR: Ruth (22), R. Jackson (5), Gehrig (12)

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Forty-four games were not enough to settle Division A. The Franklins and Teddys each finished with 28 wins and will have a one-game playoff at the Teddys home park.

The Franklins came oh-so-close to the sweep of the Kennedys they needed to secure the division title.

The Franklins controlled Game One almost from the get-go. They roughed up Steve Carlton for five runs in the second inning -- Lou Gerhig started the inning with a homer -- and led 7-1 after three innings. Some shaky defense helped the Kennedys pull within three but no closer.

Bob Gibson dominated the Franklins for six innings in the second game, but his 2-0 lead evaporated in the seventh when Carl Yastzremski muffed a Rogers Hornsby fly ball and Gehrig followed with a homer -- only the second hit of the game for the Franklins. In the next inning, Babe Ruth homered with a man on for the 4-2 final score.

Gibson was good; Bob Feller was at least as effective. Rapid Robert went eight innings of six-hit ball, striking out eight.

One win away from wrapping up the division title, the Franklins got a two-run homer in the first inning from Ruth. Reggie Jackson tied it in the fourth with a two-run shot of his own. Gehrig homered in the sixth -- the third and final hit for the Franklins against Juan Marichal -- for a 3-2 lead.

But in the eighth, Joe Morgan doubled with one out, and George Brett followed with a fly ball that Mel Ott muffed for a two-base error. Morgan scored to tie the game, and the Franklins could not score against relievers Sandy Koufax and Rollie Fingers.

The Kennedys scored in the 10th on a double by Robin Yount and a single by Hank Aaron. Dazzy Vance lost despite allowing just five hits in 10 innings; he walked three and struck out eight.

Both Ruth and Gehrig homered in each game of the series.