Series 9: Orators sweep Rams

Orators 13-14, Rams 11-16

Game One: Orators 3, Rams 1 (10 innings)
WP: Sutton (3-2)
LP: Perry (4-3)
Save: Danforth (4)

Game Two: Orators 4, Rams 1
WP: Jenkins (4-3)
LP: Ruffing (2-4)
Save: Pruett (1)

Game Three: Orators 3, Rams 1
WP: Wingard (1-3)
LP: Whitehill (1-3)
Save: Vangilder (2)

In a rare low-scoring series, the Orators starters held Raymond to two runs in 24 innings.

The first game was a dandy duel between Don Sutton and Gaylord Perry, each of whom tossed nine scoreless innings. Sutton allowed four hits and walked one; he had to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning. Perry wasn't quite as efficient, allowing seven hits in his first nine innings. Perry opened the 10th, and three of the first four batters singled to force him from the mound. The Orators scored two more in the inning. The Rams got one back in the bottom of the inning off Dave Danforth, but it wasn't enough.

Ferguson Jenkins outworked Red Ruffing in the second game. The Orators strung together three singles and a double in the fourth for two runs and were never caught. Jenkins went eight innings allowing one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out seven. Richie Ashburn had three hits for Ortonville, including a pair of RBI doubles, and scored a run.

Ortonville completed the seep behind Ernie Wingard, who went seven innings for his first win. Jim O'Rourke had three hits for the winners, including a pair of doubles, and scored twice. The Rams left 10 men on base in Wingard's seven innings and 12 for the game.

Neither team had a home run or triple in the series.

Pitcher availability: Bill Bayne went 1.6 innings for the Orators in the finale and Lil Stoner went two for the Rams; ideally neither will pitch in their team's next game, but if they do, one game off for each inning. Elam Vangilder faced just one man in the finale, and that will not be held against him.

Projected rotations: Rams -- Collins-Perry-Ruffing-Holloway-Whitehill. Orators: Shocker-Sutton-Jenkins-Davis-Wingard.