Sing Sing Throws Colts' First No-Hitter
Three Shutouts in Three Days by the Bay
CHICAGO (July 8) -- Colts ace Bill Singer tossed the second no-hitter of the season today, as Chicago narrowly edged Bob Moose, author of the April 16 no-hitter, 1-0 on a home run by Felix Mantilla.  Singer retired the first 21 batters he faced, taking a perfect game into the seventh inning, when he issued a six-pitch walk to Pete Rose.  But the no-hitter remained intact, and he retired the next eight batters in a row to become the 15th UL pitcher, and first Chicago Colt, to throw a no-hitter.

The no-no was the first of three straight shutouts at Seals Stadium, a league first?  The next night Mike Hedlund threw a two-hit gem in a 4-0 win, and Bob Friend capped the series with a three-hit, 11-K shutout in a 5-0 win.  Friend, 40, improved to 12-3 with the win.

Maroons Making Headway
St. Louis Wins Seven Straight, Mantle Hits for Cycle
ST. LOUIS (July 16) -- The St. Louis Maroons made the tight West Division race even closer after winning seven straight games, including three over division-leading Chicago.  Rookie southpaw Jon Matlack is 4-1, 1.93 in 5 starts since returning from a shoulder injury in mid-June, Joe Niekro (7-0, 2.20) is undefeated in 10 starts, and Nolan Ryan improved to 11-3 with a 10-strikeout performance at Manhattan on July 15.  Closer Dave LaRoche has been virtually unhittable, logging 24 saves and a 1.22 ERA in 37 appearances, helping the Maroons to a 15-9 record in one-run games.

The offense was also red-hot during the win streak, as the Dark Reds plated at least six runs in six of the seven wins.  Reggie Smith (.438-4-16, 1.247) and Mickey Mantle (.396-4-16, 1.267) have been hotter than July, and the 39-year-old Mantle hit for the cycle on July 9 in a 11-2 win at Dallas.

1972 RIVALRY WEEK
Sox Blast Superbas
Pizarro Wins Two, Spanky Hits Walk-Off Homer
MANHATTAN (July 8) -- Recent callup Juan Pizarro notched his first two wins of the season and the Gray Sox rallied to two late victories to roll to a 5-1 series win in Rivalry Week.  Elsewhere Pedro Ramos put on a one-man show with a three-hit shutout and a home run as Detroit beat Cleveland four games to two and Bernie Carbo homered three times as Washington beat Boston, 4-2.

Out West, only St. Louis could muster a series win.  The Maroons tallied 26 hits and 17 runs in the last two games to defeat Chicago 4-2.  Los Angeles won the last two games at Seals Stadium to tie the Spiders, 3-3; Larry Dierker won the finale after allowing only three hits in eight innings to beat Fergie Jenkins.  And Bruce Dal Canton won twice, including a 4-1 win in the finale at Dallas to tie the Toppers series with the Texans.

League owners are expected to discuss during the offseason a move to seven-game series during Rivalry Week to avoid tied series.
   

St. Louis def. Chicago, 4-2 Series MVP: Reggie Smith (.450-2-6) Game of the Series: Game 5 Reggie Smith was 4-for-5 with 4 RBIs in a 9-3 walkover.  The Maroons scored 8 of their 9 runs after the sixth inning.	Manhattan def Brooklyn, 5-1 Series MVP: Juan Pizarro (2-0, 3.14) Games of the Series: Games 4-5 The Sox twice rallied late.  Spanky Spangler hit a two-run walk-off homer for a 3-2 win, and then the Sox scored three runs in the eighth to win 4-3 the next night.
Los Angeles tied San Francisco, 3-3 Series MVP: Fergie Jenkins (1-1, 2.00) Game of the Series: Game 2 Chris Speier hit his second home run of the year, a three-run blast, and Fritz Peterson struck out seven Outlaws in a 3-1 win.	Detroit def. Cleveland, 4-2 Series MVP: Pedro Ramos (1-0, 0.00) Game of the Series: Game 3 Ramos was a one-man show, tossing a three-hit shutout and homered in the fifth inning
Atlanta tied Dallas, 3-3 Series MVP: Bruce Dal Canton (2-0, 1.20) Game of the Series: Game 6 Atlanta reversed a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 win to level the series.  Bruce Dal Canton got his second win of the series and Joe Torre drove in a pair of runs with a third inning double.	Washington def Boston, 4-2 Series MVP: Bernie Carbo (.412-3-5) Game of the Series: Game 6 Don Wilson blanked the Feds with a five-hit shutout and Al Oliver hit 2-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI.