The Royals came up with five runs over the last two innings, snapping a five-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the White Sox at County Stadium in Milwaukee.
The White Sox played nine games in Milwaukee in 1968 and 11 more there (one against each American League team) in 1969, as the city was trying to attract a major-league team after the Braves left for Atlanta following the 1965 season. Of course, although no one knew it would happen when this game was played, the Seattle Pilots would move to Milwaukee before the 1970 season to fill that void.
The Royals’ first-ever game in Milwaukee was a success thanks to a pair of big home runs. Trailing 2-0 entering the eighth inning, Kansas City had been held to six hits by Chicago starter Joe Horlen. With one out, Joe Foy singled. With two outs, Lou Piniella reached on an infield single. Jerry Adair, who had doubled in the second and been stranded at third, launched his fifth home run of the year to give the Royals a 3-2 lead.
But the White Sox tied the score right away in the bottom of the eighth. Luis Aparicio led off with a single, then stole second and took third on a throwing error by catcher Ellie Rodriguez. A Tommy McCraw single tied things up. Reliever Jerry Cram recovered to get the next two batters out, but an error by Foy and a walk loaded the bases. Reliever Moe Drabowsky entered the game and struck out Gail Hopkins to preserve the tie.
With Horlen still in the game, the Royals rallied in the ninth. With one out, Buck Martinez singled. With two outs, Mike Fiore hit his 12th home run of the season. Drabowsky retired the Sox in order in the ninth to finish off his 10th win of the year.
With the win, the Royals improved to 65-92 on the season. They were in fifth place in the AL West, 29 games behind Minnesota.
Box score and play-by-play: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA196909260.shtml
Today’s birthdays: Brian Shouse (1968), Brooks Pounders (1990)
U.L.'s Toothpick 