George Brett hit 2-run homers in each of his first two at-bats, and Rod Carew added a solo shot to give the Oakland Jacks a 5-1 victory over the Detroit Rockets. Both of Brett’s homers came after Mickey Cochrane singles. Meanwhile, Oakland starter Bert Blyleven improved to 3-0. While the Rockets outhit the Jacks 11-9, Blyleven was able to pitch out of several tough spots, allowing just one run in the 8th. Blyleven accounts for half of Oakland’s wins this season. Bret Saberhagen fell to 1-2. Oakland improved to 6-6, while the Rockets fell to 5-7.

Hoots starter Tom Seaver struck out 13 in 8 innings and allowed just 2 runs to give Houston a 4-2 win. It was their 3rd straight win after a 1-8 start. Lee Smith picked up his 3rd save, pitching a scoreless 9th. Meanwhile, Houston hitters took advantage of miscues by Jeff Kent and Scott Rolen to score their first two runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings. Chicago Docs starter Jerry Koosman allowed just 2 earned runs in 7 innings, but has now lost all three of his starts. The Chicago Docs have now lost 4 straight. Both teams are 4-8.

The St. Louis Wizards won their 6th straight game, improving their record to a Baseball Maelstrom best 10-1, topping the Chicago Docs 5-0. Steve Carlton hurled a 3-hit shutout to improve to 2-0 with a league-best 1.04 ERA. Carlton didn’t allow a hit after the 3rd inning. Dwight Gooden also went the distance, though he fell to 0-2. Gooden allowed a Willie McCovey homer, a Larry Walker triple, and 9 singles. The loss drops the Chicago Docs to 4-7.

Detroit leadoff hitter, Kenny Lofton, went 5 for 6 with 3 RBI and added a walk to lead the Rockets over the New York Swats. This time it was Swats ace Nolan Ryan who suffered, allowing 10 runs in his 5 innings of work. Ryan allowed 14 hits and walked 5. Later, in the 9th, Detroit added five runs off reliever Waite Hoyt. It was the 5th game in which New York allowed over 10 runs this season. The Rockets’ Álex Rodríguez hit his 5th homer this year. Roger Clemens picked up his 2nd win, allowing just 4 hits and 1 run over 8 innings while striking out 8.

For the 2nd time in as many days, a Houston Hoots starter took a shutout into the 9th inning only to have it broken up by Los Angeles hitters. Dizzy Dean had a shutout in the 9th inning before allowing a single run in yesterday’s game to break Houston’s losing streak. Today, ace Bob Gibson took a 2-hit shutout into the 9th. Dynamos’ Chuck Klein led off with a double in the gap, and Willie Mays hit a deep single to score the first LA run. Gibson got two quick flyouts, but Eddie Mathews and Frank Robinson hit back-to-back homers. Lee Smith came in for his 2nd save, and Houston took its 2nd straight game, winning 6-4 against Los Angeles. Sandy Koufax picked up his 1st loss, thanks in part to 3 unearned runs after Mathews’ error in the 5th.