5/3/75 KC @ MINN

Five runs in the first inning, and 3 the rest of the game.  Kansas City wasted very little time getting on the board with a 2-run home run by Amos Otis.  But Paul Splittorff was shaky in his first inning, giving up 4 singles and a double.  The only reason the Twins stopped at three was because Disco Dan Ford, after doubling home 2 runs, was thrown out by Otis trying to score on Craig Kusick’s single for the third out.  If he stays put, Minnesota’s still got runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs.

Twins starter Dave Goltz settled down until the 5th when Vada Pinson singled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on George Brett’s single, which tied the game at 3-3.  He lasted until the 6th, when a double, followed by back-to-back walks to Jim Wohlford and Cookie Rojas ended his evening.  Bill Campbell came in to retire Pinson on a pop up and Freddie “The Flea” Patek on a fly ball to right to end the inning and keep the game tied.

Phil Roof came up with the clutch hit, a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 6th off Splittorff, giving the Twins a 5-3 lead, one that they would hold as Campbell threw 3-2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Interesting play of the game:  In the top of the 7th, Brett’s on first.  Fran Healy hits a groundball to Kusick at first.  Kusick fields the ball and tosses to Campbell covering for the out.  No big deal, at least until Brett decides he’s going to try to take third on the play.  He’s thrown out for a not-so-common 3-1-5 double play.