the SPBL (statis pro baseball league) began its first season last night when the Brooklyn Beez travelled to Oregon to take on the Portland Beavers.  using the 1974 season, the Beavers sent lefty Steve Carlton to the hill.  he would be facing a lineup that boasted of Lopes, Stargell, Aaron, and Rudi and quickly discovered that he didn’t have what he would need.

the Beez jumped to an early lead when Hammerin’ Hank crushed a two out double to the gap that plated Pops Stargell from first base.  Brooklyn threatened in the second and third innings, too.  but it was the fourth where the floodgates were opened and Carlton was chased from the game.  catcher, Manny Sanguillen, led off with a single and moved to second when Graig Nettles singled to right.  Maddox flew out to right for the first out.  Sutton laid down a great bunt down the third base line to move the runners up.  with men at second and third and two outs the Beez were back at the top of their lineup.  Lopes singled to bring in Sanguillen.  Campaneris tripled to clear the bases.  Pops doubled.  Aaron and Rudi both singled to plate two more runs.  before the fans could finish their hot dogs Brooklyn had taken a 6-0 lead.

Sutton coasted.  after a lead off single to Pete Rose in the first inning he just went his business.  three up and three down after Rose’s first inning single.  Then the next two innings went even quicker.  the Beavers got a one out double in the fourth, but couldn’t move him past third.  Portland was able to lace two hits in the sixth, but again, left them stranded.  when the game was over the Beavers only had five hits and had stranded all of them.

an opening day, five hit, shut out performance from Don Sutton that tied him with Stargell for opening day star of the game.  Pops went 4-5 with a single, two doubles, a triple, scored three times and had 1 RBI.

BRO 100 500 001 - 7 17 0
POR 000 000 000 - 0  5 0

BRO: Sutton (W) 9.0; Sanguillen 4.0, Lemont 5.0
POR: Carlton (L) 3.2, Hargan 2.1, Hands 2.0, Wallace 1.0; Munson 9.0

Sanguillen was injured on a foul tip and will be out 14 days.