Phil Niekro quieted the Los Angeles Dynamos’ bats in his final start of the season, improving to 5-5 and allowing just 3 hits and a run in 8 innings as the Houston Hoots topped the Dynamos 4-1. The sole LA run came on a solo homer from Eddie Mathews. The LA offense has struggled down the stretch, but they had won their prior two games. Pete Alexander picked up the loss, allowing 4 runs on 11 hits in 7 innings. Pop Lloyd was 3 for 4 with an RBI, and Willie Stargell had a solo homer to lead the Houston offense. Lee Smith pitched a perfect 9th for his 14th save. Houston is 25-27 and is now just a game behind the 2nd-place Dynamos in the National League.