May 1, 1969...GAME 19 (SEA 1, SEA 0)

Ding Dong Bell went 7 scoreless innings and the Bulldog pitched a scoreless 8th, but the game still went 11 and Diego Segui was in there to get the win and increase his record to 4-0. Perranoski, the closer of the 60's gave up the winning run in the bottom of the 11th, when Steve Whitaker led off with a triple. Tommy Davis was called on to pitch for Don Mincher, who was not ecstatic about being removed from such a clutch situation. Tommy is a fantastic hitter when he see's lefthanded pitching and Mincher is not. Still Mincher is a veteran who still hold a grudge against the Twin organization for trading him to the Angels in 67 for a player to be named later and Dean Chance. Mincher wanted to get a bit of revenge, but he had to sit and watch Davis get an intentional walk instead. In a strange twist of fate Rich Rollins, another Twin castoff, lofted a sac fly to Greg Nettles in LF to plate Whitaker as the go ahead run. Segui got the Twins to go 3 up and 3 down in the home half and the Pilots stole a 1-0 win in 11. This was the third consecutive game the Pilots scored just 1 run. Consider them lucky to have won 1 of those 3.

Joe Schultz quote of the day: "Hey, I want to see some el stikos thrown around here."

Interaction with Maglie:

Bouton: Sal I've made some decisions about my knuckleball adn I's like to talk them over with you:

Sal: Mblvckd ?

Bouton: Yes, Well, I think I've got to throw the knuckleball all the time and forget about my other pitches.

Sal: Of course, Christ, if you don't do that you won't get anybody out. That's your bread and butter.

Bouton: Another thing, I've got to throw the ball for about 15 minutes before the game to get the feel of it. I don't worry about tiring my arm. Strength means nothing to me.

Sal: Certainly, Absolutely, otherwise you can't stay sharp with it.

Permission granted for the Bulldog to do it his way.

April 30, 1969...GAME 18 (MIN 3, SEA 1)

Second loss in a row. Brabender gave up 3 in the first 3 innings and the anemic Pilot offense was never able to recover. Bouton tossed a scoreless 8th and recorded one "K" of Johnny Roseboro. When you hold that All-Star Twin lineup to 3 runs you should be able to win, but this was not in the cards for the Pilots. Hall and Perranoski combined for a 4 hitter. The lone Pilot run came in the 5th when Jose Vidal stole home on a unique triple steal attempt while Brabender was up with 2 outs. Lots of confidence being shown in Brabender's bat with that play call.

April 29, 1969...GAME 17 (CAL 2, SEA 1)

Mary Pattin pitched a complete game gem and only gave up 2 runs. Unfortunately for the Pilots California's Jim McGlothlin gave up 1 run and outdueled Marty. Jay Johnstone homered in the 1st to start the scoring. No one scored after Reichardt singled Davillio home in the 3rd. Foul mouthed Oyler knocked in the Pilots only run. Hegan is still over .400, but most importantly one Jim Bouton was called up from Vancouver after holidaying in balmy Hawaii. The bulldog never got into the game, but had a fantastic dialogue with pitching coach Maglie:

Sal: Hi, what time did you get in

Bouton: 8 yesterday morning from Hawaii

Sal: Humglmpf

And they say coaches aren't articulate...

April 27, 1969...GAME 16 (SEA 6, OAK 5)

Final game in Hawaii before heading back to the mainland. Bouton notched another save, but gave up his first earned run in his stint down on the farm.

Meanwhile the big club took a 6-5 decision from the A's for a series sweep and 6th consecutive win. How is this possible ? Mike Marshall gave up 3 in a little over 6 innings of work to go 3-0. Segui got his 3rd save. Hegan hit a 2 run homer and went 2 for 3 as he raised his average to an obscene .432. Ray "filthy mouth" Oyler is hitting .250, which for him is like .432.

April 26, 1969...GAME 15 (SEA 4, OAK 0)

First time Bouton didn't get into a game for Vancouver. Bob Lemon spoke with Milkes (GM-SEA) to tell him how well the bulldog is doing. Goosen asked Bulldog if he calls home after every victory or save, to which he was told yes. Goosen replied, "big deal that means you only call 3 times a year".

Parent club won 4-0 over the A's. Sore armed Steve Barber tossed 8 shutout innings and Diego Segui notched his 2nd save of the season. Jack Aker was again ineffective and got only 1 out in the 9th before yielding to Segui. Hegan had 2 hits, including a triple, to raise his average to .415. If he keeps this up he'll wind up getting traded !

April 25, 1969...GAME 14 (SEA 7, OAK 2)

With Bouton still in the minors and tearing it up (7 straight appearances and 4 saves) the Pilots beat up on the A's. Ding Dong Bell went 8 innings and gave up just 1 run for the victory and evened his record at 2-2. Hegan went 1 for 3 and saw his average drop to .405.

April 23, 1969...GAME 13 (SEA 4, KC 3)

Marty Pattin went 8 strong innings and Jack Aker came on to save it with a scoreless 9th as the Pilots swept the Royals in a 3 games set. Each game was a one run affair. Aker lowered his ERA to 14.21, yet our hero Mr. Bouton is still toiling in the minors. Ok, it's tough to say toiling when you sit in the bullpen sipping mai tai's for 8 innings and come in to close out the game against minor league talent.

Bouton saved another one tonight. Jimmy Reese said, "What are you doing in this league ?". That's a compliment, by the way !!! Bob Lemon has complete faith in our hero who didn't expect to get called into his 3rd straight contest. When the call went to the pen he was on hold trying to make a collect call to his wife. Lucky for him Rollie Sheldon (pictured in Red Sox uni) was able to stall, so he could get ready. Is a return to the Emerald City eminent ?

Mike Hegan went 2 for 4 to raise his average to .412. Word has it that T.S. Williams, manager of the Washington Senators, is beginning to worry. No talks about asterisk's yet.