The game between the Detroit Rockets and Boston Splinters was called after 5 innings due to heavy downpours, but it was considered mercy for the home team. Roy Halladay and Walter Johnson had rude welcomes to the league in their 1st appearances. Halladay allowed 8 runs on 8 hits, including 3 home runs in just 3 innings. Walter Johnson allowed 5 more runs and 2 homers in his 2 innings of work. Detroit’s Bill Freehan kicked off the Detroit scoring with a grand slam in the 2nd. He added a 2-run homer in the 4th to knock Halladay from the game. Dick Allen also had 2 homers for the Rockets, driving in 4 runs himself as he became the 1st player to reach 10 homers this season, and that accomplishment in just 15 games. Meanwhile, Detroit starter Roger Clemens kept Boston hitters off-balance, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 4 in a rare 5-inning shutout. The 13-0 win improves Detroit to 8-7, just 2 games behind the Splinters, who have now lost 3 straight.

Rockets @ Splinters – 4/16/23

Robin Roberts allowed 2 runs on 7 hits in 8 innings, and the St. Louis Wizards offense put up a big inning on Bob Gibson as they topped the Houston Hoots 9-5. Duke Snider hit his first home run of the season, a 3-run shot in the 1st inning off Gibson, but it was the 7th inning when things really fell apart for the hurler. Gibson entered the inning having only given up 4 hits, but St. Louis batted around, scoring 5 runs on 8 hits in that inning alone. Jeff Bagwell homered off Roberts in the 2nd, and Oscar Charleston added an RBI single in the 8th. Eddie Mathews added another homer in the 9th, the 1st of 3 runs off reliever Rube Marquard. Burleigh Grimes came in to get the final out and end Houston’s comeback hopes. With the win, St. Louis is 8-7 and just a game behind Houston in the National League race.

Wizards @ Hoots – 4/16/23