Two of the top pitchers in the Baseball Maelstrom, both lefties, faced off at Sportman’s Park when Sandy Koufax and the Los Angeles Dodgers came to town to face Steve Carlton’s St. Louis Wizards. Koufax scattered 7 hits, striking out 7 for his league-leading 6th win, improving his ERA to 2.19, tops in the Maelstrom. Carlton’s bad luck continued, as he allowed just 4 hits in the loss. Rogers Hornsby couldn’t hold on to a throw from Mike Piazza, which would have caught Jackie Robinson stealing. Instead, Johnny Bench drew a 2-out walk and Frank Robinson hit an RBI single to put LA up 2-1. Robinson has struggled this season, hitting under .200, but came in with the clutch hit when the Dynamos needed it most. Johnny Mize hit a solo homer for LA’s other run. Goose Gossage struck out all 3 hitters he faced in the 9th to pick up his 6th save. Los Angeles improved to 17-14 to cut the St. Louis lead in the National League to 5 games.