Cleveland’s Oscar Gamble hit a two-run homer that proved to be the difference as the Indians beat Milwaukee 3-1.
After Rico Carty singled in the seventh, Gamble’s blast made a loser out of Brewers starter Pete Broberg, who limited the Indians to five hits in seven innings.
Dennis Eckersley, who went the distance for the Indians, held the Brewers to four hits with nine strikeouts.
The only run for the Brewers came on a homer by George Scott in the second inning. Sixto Lezcano led the Brewers with two hits, while Robin Yount had the other.
Boog Powell hit a solo homer in the second for the Indians as Duane Kuiper and Alan Ashby added hits.
Chambliss Leads Yankees to Win
The New York Yankees got started early scoring four times in the first three innings as they held on for a 5-4 victory over Detroit.
Chris Chambliss led the Yankees with three hits, including a homer in the second inning of Tigers starter Mickey Lolich.
Elliott Maddox added two hits with a RBI for New York, while Thurman Munson and Fred Stanley each knocked in a run.
Leon Roberts topped the Tigers with two hits with Willie Horton and Tom Veryzer hitting homers in the eighth against Yankees starter Catfish Hunter. Tippy Martinez got the last four outs to record a save.
American League East Results and Schedule
(4) Indians 3, (5) Brewers 1
(4) Indians at (1) Red Sox
(3) Yankees 5, (6) Tigers 4
(3) Yankees at (2) Orioles
IN REAL LIFE:
While Oscar Gamble may have been known for his hairstyle in the 1970s, he had a productive 17-year big league career with 1,195 hits a 200 home runs.
During his third season with Cleveland in 1975, Gamble hit 15 homers and drove in 45 runs with a career-best 11 steals.
After being traded by the New York Yankees in the Bucky Dent deal at the beginning of the 1977 season, Gamble would have his most productive year with the Chicago White Sox as he banged out 31 homers with 83 RBI.
He played in the post-season with the Yankees in 1976, 1980 and 1981. He began his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1969 as a 19-year old. He retired in 1985 having also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers.