The Boston Splinters continued their hot season, holding off a late rally to top the Oakland Jacks 8-5 on the back of great pitching by Bert Blyleven. Blyleven took a 5-hit shutout into the 8th before Ken Griffey Jr. hit a solo home run. Oakland’s Addie Joss picked up his 1st loss thanks to two tough innings. With two outs in the 4th, Joss’ throwing error extended the inning and led to two unearned runs. In the 7th, Boston batted around, scoring 5 runs as 6 straight hitters reached base. Blyleven entered the 9th eyeing a complete game, but gave up a single to Jimmie Foxx and back-to-back doubles to Eddie Collins and Harmon Killebrew. Jim Kaat got Reggie Jackson to fly out before Lou Boudreau singled and Lou Gehrig doubled. With the score 8-4, and runners on 2nd and 3rd, Rollie Fingers came in. Fingers got Hank Greenberg to ground out, scoring another. But Griffey flew out to end the game. Blyleven improved to 7-0 on the season, and Fingers got his 9th save with the 8-5 win. George Brett had another hot game, going 4 for 5 to raise his average to .413. Boston is now 20-8 this season, with a 7-game lead over the 2nd-place Detroit Rockets.