1969 Hall of Fame Game
The Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros completed just five innings in the rain-shortened Hall of Fame Game on July 28, 1969. The Twins were winning 7-2 in front of 9,970 fans when the game was called.
Minnesota struck first in the top of the first inning when Ted Uhlaender led off with a double and scored on Rod Carew’s single off of Houston starter Dooley Womack.
The Astros responded, however, on Twins’ starter Dean Chance’s first pitch of the game when left fielder Sandy Valdespino hit a solo shot to knot the score at one run apiece.
Two hits and a three-run home run from Frank Quilici put the Twins ahead 4-1 in the top of the second.
Houston made it 4-2 when Denis Menke reached second on a wild throw by Harmon Killebrew and scored on a Doug Rader single.
A solo home run by Tony Oliva in the top of the third and a two-run shot by Graig Nettles ended the scoring.
Chance and Bucky Brandon allowed just four Houston hits and combined for nine strikeouts in the five innings. Womack allowed five runs on eight hits while Houston reliever Skip Guinn pitched the final two innings for the Astros, allowing two runs on three hits. Womack and Guinn combined for seven strikeouts.
Quilici’s two hits and three RBI led the Twins. Oliva chipped in two hits, one run scored and an RBI for Minnesota. Rader led the Astros offensively with two hits and an RBI.
