Show Utefla Stfaups IEaDlly TT® DBeaitf Trimtinfisinnsn IPa©®n°§ IBaUtmced Scoring9 Strong Befense Give Stars Win Urn Series Qpener SALT LAKE CITY (UPI) came from Indiana 0 in a tight defensive battle Saturday as the Pacers went ice odd in the final minutes of the opening game of the American Basketball Association's Western Utah Stars P behind to down 106-10- Division playoffs Indiana paced by George McGinnis' h 31 points had moved ahead early in the make a single free throw in the next four minutes and got their final basket just before the buzzer with Utah well ahead The lead back and forth throughout the game with Utah holding a slim 5846 halftime margin and a edge at 1 at the end of three see-saw- ed one-poi- nt 82-8- periods Utah had a balanced scoring attack with James Jones getfinal period on a McGinnis' ting 2S points and Zelmo Beatty bucket Utah took the lead for and Willie Wise adding 23 apiece good with 4:41 remaining when Indiana shot a poor 39 per Utah's Red Robbins scored to cent from the field compared nuke it 9947 with Utah’s 506 but the Pacers The Pacers only managed to did it on 39 of 98 from the two- ne-hig- point range while Utah took fewer shots making 40 of 79 Utah's Glen Combs who set out much of the second half after scoring 18 first half points kept the Stars alive in the early going with three three-poibaskets Utah was also stronger on the boards outrefaounding the Pacers 9 Center Mel Daniels of Indiana fouled out with 2:28 left and was followed out of the game by Utah’s Wise at 1:14 The second game of the best of seven series will be played Monday night at the Salt nt 59-4- Palace in Salt Lake City The 3500 opener drew 9854-ab- out below capacity for the defending ABA champs T F Indiana (100) G 0 2 Netoilcky II McGinnis 0 31 13 11 13 Daniels Lewis Brown 3 13 Mount 4 0 Keller Hillman 2-0-- 2 41 Totals Utah (100) Robbins Wise Beaty 3 Jackson 0 n 04 2 43 147 23 20 2S 35 24 24 IN IN goals: McGinnis combs 3 Personal fouls: Netolicky 2 McGinnis 3 Daniels 4 Lewis 1 Brown 3 Mount 2 Hillman 3 Robbins 3 Wise 4 Beaty 4 Jones 1 Combs 3 Jackson 3 Boone 2 Harge 2 Three-poin- t Mount Eastern Division Finals 100 F T 0 10 3-- 3 23 11 23 7 10 25 5 7 10 Combs I 4 0-- 1 G 4 Jones Boone Harue Totals Indiana Utah 0-- 0-- 0 0 w Virginia I pet 0 1000 0 2 ON 2 New York Western Division Finals w Utah I pet Indiana Major Leagues Qpen Flag 11 Bags Late later everyone stood in Oakland Athletics beat the By United Press laternatioul Eleven days late the major in tribute to the late Mets' Minnesota Twins without pitleague baseball season ooened manager Gil Hodges who died ching star Vida Blue who was Saturday with 600 striking of a heart attack in West Palm still on strike-hold- ing out for ballplayers returning to the Beach Fla on April 2 Easter more money field a little out of shape and Sunday thousands of fans paying The New York Cans cheered admission into 12 ballparks to their heroes including starting watch America’s “national pas- pitcher Tom Seaver who is the time" With the baseball strike settled on Thursday the players had their first team workout since March 31 on Friday That one-da-y limbering up session obviously didn’t ! the rust that accumulated the layoff and a few muscles some shoddy and ineffective pitch-- t part of the opening day The openers were not drawing the traditional “opening day” capacity crowd The late start took some of the luster away from the first day ceremonies About 29000 fans showed up at Shea Stadium New York to watch Yogi Berra make hiu managerial debut in the National League with the New York Mets who played host to the world champion Pittsburgh 13-d- Pirates Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn was in attendance and threw out the first ball and AIL Mets' player representative and took part in the strike negotiations between the and the Players Association In fact Seaver and newly acquired Rusty Staub received the biggest ovations when the players were introduced In direct contrast was the reception given Jim Merritt Cincinnati's player rep at the Reds’ home opener against the Lm Angela Dodgers A crowd estimated at 25000 far below the expected attendance greeted Merritt with a long and loud chorus of boos as he was introduced Merritt reacted with an embarrassed smile as he joined his teammates on the sidelines before gametime The American League champion Baltimore Orioles' game with the New York Yankees was rained out but the AL’s Western Division champs the batters banged out hits and Rico Petrocelli singled home the first Boston run Luis Aparicio doubled in a run in the third but Doug Griffin's single in the fourth was the last hit given up by Lolich The crowd of 31510 gave little evidence of resentment against the recent baseball strike as they cheered the Tigers on to the victory John Mayberry stappril a two-osingle in the 11th to score Paul Schaal from third base and give the Kansas City Royals a M decision over the ut 3-- UTAH STARS’ guard Gka u 1 a sharp tun for the basket Paeers’ Fteddie Lewis tries to stop him duriag the Stars’ 6 victory Saturday la the opener of their American Basketball Association Western 108-16- ee Division title playoff Combs missed the shot bat teammate Willie Wise scored aa the rebound AIm seen Is Jim Jones of the Stars (UPI Telephoto) Mets Make Berra9s Be but Successful By United Pros International Ed Kranepool drove in three runs with a two-ru- n homer and a sacrifice fly Saturday the New York Mets succeufully marked Yogi Berra's National League managerial debut with a 0 victory over the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirata in the delayed season opener for both teams The New York at Baltimore Tom Saver pitched the first game wu rained out and Trims six at in California innings for the Mets a night played blanking the Pirata on five game 4-- u 4-- Virginia Takes e Lead Two-Gam- nets in the toad but they (UPI-R- ay the Virginia couldn't shoot well enough to 6 win over hold it and lot the game Squires to a the New York Nets Saturday Gama three and four of the night giving the Squires a 0 seria will be played in New lad in the finals of the York American Basketball Association’s Eastern Division playoffs Virginia squandered several early leads and New York managed to take a 100-9-6 lead Va Scott propelled 115-10- 2-- Gaylord Combs wfcp u Chicago White Sox A disappointing crowd of 8749 braved temperature but there was no booing and the fans seemed enthusiastic Schaal led off the 11th against reliever Bart Johnson by drawing a walk SdiaB went with five minuta left But to second on a wild pitch and Scott a pro veteran took third on Cookie Rojast stepped in with two key baskets sacrifice bunt After Lou to tie the score and added two PinieUa fouled out Mayberry more to give Virginia the lead making his Kansu City debut for good stroked a twoatrike pitch to Julia Erving led the Squires left field to score Schaal Dick with 38 points and 20 rebounds Allen homered for the only while guard Bernie Williams Chicago run had 20 points and Scott 16 Rick Barry forced to play Dave May ignited a two-ru- n rally in the fifth inning with an guard after John Roche susinfield single and added a solo tained an ankle injury and Joe the DePre fouled out led New York homer in the seventh Milwaukee Brewers spoiled with 29 points Ollie Taylor Perry's American added 22 It wu Barry's shooting which League debut by downing the Cleveland Indians 5-brought the Nets back from an deficit at the end of May's homer in the seventh eight-poioff Perry and Ron Theobald's the third quarter Barry put the u Telecast York-Bost- homer off Denny Riddleberger in the ninth highlighted the scoring before a belated opening day crowd of 22JB1 The crowd wu generally in a jovial mood and cheered the Indians despite the strike Joe Rudi scored the deciding run in the llth inning on George Mitterwald's bobble the Oakland A’s Saturday downed the Minnesota Twin 3 Rudi scored from third when Gene Tenace rifled a shot to third and Eric Soderholm threw home but Mitterwald dropped the ball for an error when Rudi barrled into him A crowd of 9912 showed up for the season opener NORFOLK 0 MILWAUKEE Wis (UP1)-T- he Block who took over for Perry Los Angela were in in the final period also wu position to deal the Milwaukee held to just a pair of points Bucks deadly blow when they “That position is the key for meet again Sunday afternoon us" Costello said “We’ve got A Laker win would give the to get some scoring there West Coast ball club a 1 lead When we do we win" in the bestaf-seve- n National Basketball Association Western Conference championship (day-ofTwo of the remaining three gama if necessary will The New NBA be played at Los Angeles Eastern Division Championship "People keep talking about Seria game will be telecast the home court advantage” today at noon on KCPX-- 4 The Milwaukee Coach Larry Costel- Lm Angeles-MilwaukNBA lo said “But right now I'm not Western Division Championship so sure if there is one" Seria game will be telecast over What concerns Costello is the KCPX--4 today at 3 pm physicial condition of guard Oscar Robertson and the lack Happy Hairston was given of scoring punch displayed at one of the Bucks' forward spots credibby laker teammate Jim McMillian for putting the in Friday night’s 4 loss on Perry stoppers Curtis Perry totaled 26 points "Happy kept him off the in the first two gama at Los boards" said McMillian “and Angela but fell off to just two that's the whole thing with points Friday night The Bucks' No 3 forward John Perry He couldn’t get to the fs Teams As Season Gets Hinder Way 3-- as the Utah Stars bent the Saturday Indiana eenter Mel Daniels watches helplessly (UPI Telephoto) : 118-11- Los Angeles Seeking Third Victorg Todag Fans Cheer American League! By United Press International Bill Freehan singled home the run in the seventh inning Saturday and Mickey Lolich pitched nine innings to give the Detroit Tigers a 2 opening victory over the Boston Red Sox before 31510 enthusiastic fans Ed Brinkman hit a two-ru- n home run after Freehan doubled with two outs in the second inning while Freehan's single was the sixth and last hit given up by loser Marty Pattin Lolich struck out nine allowed only six hits and retired the last 17 batters Three of the first Red Sox effort lW Pacers BIG ZELMO BEATY who spent most of the week on cratches becauseef knee trouble leaps high to stuff in two mare points during his 23- - hits and striking out six to gain pinch-singl- e to Ron Stone and the victory and spoil Pittsburgh hit to Larry Bowa Tim McCarver whose single in the manage1 Bill Virdon’s debut Tug McGraw pitched the last seventh inning broke a tie three innings for the Mets and hit a long drive to right field retired all nine batters he Cardenal starting back slowly reached the ball but it popped faced Baseball Commissioner Bowie out of his glove for a three-bas- e Kuhn threw out the first ball A error permitting Stone and brief ceremony was held in Bowa to score Mike Jorgensen's two-ru- n memory of the Mets’ late manage Gil Hodga who died homer off Bob Gibson in his two weeks ago in Florida A first at bat in a Montreal crowd of only 15894 braved uniform in the first inning and chilly damp 45degree weathe his sacrifice fly in the eighth to watch the game gave the Expos a 2 win over Jim Lefebvre doubled home the St Louis Cardinals The Bill Buckner to break a tie game was watched by only in the sixth inning and Duke 7808 fans —the third smallot Sims added a home in the crowd in the history of the SL to carry the Los Louis stadium which was built seventh Angela Dodgers to a 3 1 in 1966 San Diego (UPI)— The San victory ove the Cincinnati Reds in an opening game Diego Padres came up with four runs in the sixth inning played before 37895 fans Don Sutton getting relief help Saturday night to break a 2 from Jim Brewer in the last tie and held on to shade the two innings picked up the Atlanta Brava 55 in the clubs’ season openers victory for the Dodgers A home run by Denis Menke Clay Kirby who tired after one of three hits yielded by six innings wu the winner Sutton accounted for the Reds Phil Niekro victim of the only run Padres’ four-rurally took the The Reds' players received a lukewarm reception from the fans before the game and Jim Merritt the player representative received a heavy barrage of boos However Merritt Conference Finale resigned before the game as W L Pci player rep and Johnny Bench New York 1 0 1000 was elected to replace him 0 1 000 Boston Jose Cardenal making his Western Conference Finals Chicago debut misjudged a fly W L Pet ball that bounced off his glove 447 2 1 Los Angeles for a two-ruerror with two Milwaukee 1 2 333 out in the ninth inning as the Friday's Results Los Ang IN Milwaukee 105 Philadelphia Phillies edged the 1- -1 3-- 1- -1 2-- n NBA Playoff Standings New Yerk 30 25 24 21 31 3 Virginia Three point goals: Roche Personal tools Barry 3 Wash ington 4 Paulti 5 O Taylor 3 Artf Baum 4 Depre 4 Moore Irvine 1 Erving 3 Eakins Wil Hams 4 0 Taylor 3 Smith 2 Moe 4 Scott 5 25-I- n Cubs 4--2 before 17401 chilled fans Cub reliever Bill Hands who retired the first two Phils' batters in the ninth gave up a (Only game scheduled! Saturday's Results (No games scheduled) Sunday's Games Los Angeles at Milwaukee New York at Boston 135-13- ill Molds 5-Stro- boards and it wu ova” Costello's other worry is something that affects the whole style of the Bucks' attack Robertson hu been with an abdominal strain for more than a and while he’s still able to score with some regularity the veteran playmaker is unable to engineer the fast break because of the pain he suffers “It's difficult for us to run because Oscar just cut advance the ball" Costello uid The other guard Jon in who returned to the lineup last Wednesday following a back strain and scored 16 points only to be held scoreless Friday night put the seria into the bat perspective "The home court advantage may be important but what’s more important is that we have to win three gama out of four” he ukL Me-Clo- ck ke Lead In Monsanto ©pen PENSACOLA Fla ling Dave Hill shot his Hill said after his round “ I wu in and out of trouble on a third straight round in the 60s Saturday to forge into a lead in the Monsanto Open and virtually lock up his first golf victory in two years Hill formerly one of the top money winners on the tour but in a slump since last summer 68 Saturday shot a and with the 64-he shot in the first two rounds stood at 200 for 54 holes With big Chris Blocker who had a 67 Saturday his nearest 205 and pursuer at second-roun- d runnerup Bob E Smith another stroke back at 6 it appeared that the only thing that could halt the Hill would be a collapse in Sunday's final round Hill 34 from Jackson Mich wu the No 2 money winner on the 1969 tour and won more than 8116000 the following year But he appeared in only 24 tournaments last year and hu few holes out there but generally I played a lot better than I did the first two days" Hill started the day four stroke ahead of Smith and five ahead of 1969 Monsanto cham- (UPI)-Scramb- five-stro- 68 70-20- often-outspok- won only $23000 — $7000 less pion Jim Colbert who wu able only to match par Saturday playing in the same twosome with Hill Ray Floyd with a 68 and Citrus Open champ Jerry Hard with a 69 wen tied for fourth seven strokes behind Hill at 207 after Saturday's play and Tommy Aaron (67) Dan Siku (68) A1 Geiberger (69) were tied with Colbeu at 208 "I'm still ball not swinging would u well u I “About at the like” Hill complained all I can do is keep on trying to find my groove and hope my luck of the past three days carria me through Sunday” Hill played fairly steady golf on the front nine Saturday getting a birdie at the first hole and then pairing the next eight But he really began scrambling just as he did the first two days after he made the turn He made back to back birdies at holes 10 and 11 with putts of better than 10 feet each but three-putte-d the 14th Then he sank a Moot birdie putt at No trying to make the cut because of the way he had been playing has led this tournament from the first round —something no winner here hu ever done His 200 score for three rounds is the lowest 54 hole score on the tour so for this year Blocker said he still felt Hill could be aught Sunday “but it will take a great round to do tt “Dave Hill is a good golfer" aid Blocker “He’s had his troubla but he appears to have his game going again and when that happen he's mighty tough low I can "I shot shoot” Blocker added "That's all I can do ID just go out there Sunday and give it the bat I've got" u u Lee Elder wu alone at 209 after a Saturday 69 and there were five golfers at 210 including Dave Marr and Bobby Nichols whe both shot 66s Saturday Bob Goalby and Bon Stanton who both shot 68s and Kermit Zarley who shot 71 A total of 24 of the 70 golfers' who made the halfway cut were under par after 54 hides and there were 28 sub-pa- r shooters in Saturday's round including 20 who shot in the 60s the ' near-9- 0 degree hat and almost windless day had the Pensacola Country Club course playing at its easiest Many of the biggest names of the pro golf tour are not in this tournament however Lee Trevino the reigning UK and British Opm champ withdrew than the first prize in the Monsanto —so far this year Hill who hu won eight PGA tournaments —including three times at Memphis is as well known for speaking his mind for his golf and has run into trouble at times with the PGA However as he uid earlier this week “These days I'm leaving 15 only to bogey No 16 and them alone and they're laving then sank a Mooter at No 17 to go 13 under again me alone" Hill who insisted artier in "I pulled the right numbers out today" and obviously tired the week that he wu only after Thursday's round u u r ' |