September 13, 1969, Los Angeles: Dodgers 7, Padres 2 (box score)
The Padres struck first, but wasted an opportunity to do even more damage. Nate Colbert led off the second inning with a double to right. One out later, Jerry Morales hit an infield single that advanced Colbert to third; an error by catcher Tom Haller on the play allowed Colbert to score the game’s first run. Chris Cannizzaro followed with a single to right, but pitcher Joe Niekro killed the rally by rapping into a 4-6-3 double play.
Los Angeles responded in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs, Willie Crawford homered to left, tying the score at 1-1.
In the fourth, the Padres pushed ahead again. Colbert reached base on a Bill Sudakis error to start the inning and then stole second. After Kelly popped out, Morales singled to center, plating Colbert. A Cannizzaro double play then brought the inning to an abrupt halt.
The Dodgers tied the score in the fourth on a triple, two singles, and a walk. What’s amazing isn’t that they scored, but that they managed to push across just one run. With the bases loaded and one out, Niekro retired Sudakis and Haller to keep the score tied, 2-2.
In the sixth, Niekro wasn’t so lucky. Again with the bases loaded and one out, he got Sudakis to fly out. But Niekro then walked Haller, forcing Willie Davis in from third and giving the Dodgers a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.
Los Angeles blew the game wide open in the eighth on four doubles and a single. Jim Bunning, meanwhile, shut down the Padres, going the distance and scattering nine hits en route to his 13th win. The Padres had reached a dubious milestone, reaching the 100-loss mark in their inaugural season.
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