June 4, 1969, Philadelphia: Padres 3, Phillies 0 (box score)
The Padres entered Wednesday evening’s contest having taken the first two against Philadelphia at Shibe Park. Dick Kelley and rookie right-hander Bill Champion hooked up in the finale.
San Diego drew first blood. With two out in the first, Al Ferrara singled home Roberto Pena to give the Padres an early 1-0 lead.
Kelley and the Padres clung to that one-run lead until the eighth, when the Phillies mounted their first serious threat of the night. Johnny Callison led off with a single to center. After a failed bunt attempt by Mike Ryan, rookie Larry Hisle reached on an infield single to shortstop. Kelley then retired Terry Harmon and pinch hitter Rick Joseph on ground balls to quell the threat.
In the top of the ninth, the visitors extended their lead. With two on and two out, Kelley batted for himself and knocked a double to right-center, plating Ed Spiezio and Cito Gaston.
Now up by three runs, Kelley returned to the mound to finish the deal. With one out, however, he walked Cookie Rojas, prompting Padres manager Preston Gomez to summon help from the bullpen. Right-hander Jack Baldschun came in and retired Dick Allen but allowed a single to Deron Johnson, bringing Johnny Callison to the plate representing the tying run.
Gomez called on southpaw Billy McCool to face the lefty-swinging Callison. For the second straight game, McCool lived up to his name, getting Callison on a fly ball to right to end the game. The Padres had won their sixth straight contest and could enjoy their flight home to San Diego and off day on Thursday before facing the Mets over the weekend.
Trivia: Kelley finished his career with a .096/.124/.112 batting line over 134 plate appearances. His double this night was one of two he hit over parts of seven seasons and was responsible for two of three career RBI.
Elsewhere in the world: Comedian Horatio Sanz was born in Santiago, Chile.
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