Baseball in the Pythagorean Universe: 1981

Here's the National League West Report for Wednesday, August 5:

Astros 8, Padres 1 (Game 1)

The Astros took the first half of this double dip rather easily, keyed by a five-run fifth. Craig Reynolds and Alan Ashby were the hitting stars, each going two for four, scoring a run, and driving in two. Bob Knepper wrapped up his season on a excellent note, going eight strong innings on the mound and driving in a run at the plate. Juan Bonilla had the only RBI for the Friars.

W- Knepper (15-7)
L- Kuhaulua (1-2)

Padres 6, Astros 0 (Game 2)

The Padres got the breaks for once, as the Astros committed two errors that led to a five-run fifth. They also got superb pitching from ace Juan Eichelberger, as he pitched a six-hit complete game shutout. The offense was truly spread around, as six different members of the San Diego lineup drove in a run. First baseman Broderick Perkins led the way offensively with two hits. Meanwhile, Alan Ashby was the only Astro with two hits off of Eichelberger.

W- Eichelberger (11-9)
L- Ruhle (6-9)

Giants 6, Reds 5

The Giants stole one from the Reds, or so the Reds think.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Jack Clark singled. Milt May's base hit moved him to second, and Larry Herndon reached on a fielder's choice. Dave Bergman then launched a 2-1 curve from Tommy Hume into center field, where it dropped in and rolls to the wall. Clark scored easily to tie the game, but Ken Griffey came up throwing in an effort to nail Herndon at the plate. The throw was on time; the question was whether Herndon touched home plate before catcher Mike O'Berry's tag touched his rump.

After a few seconds, plate umpire Doug Harvey ruled in the affirmative, and what seemed like the entire city of Cincinnati poured out of the dugout to protest. In the melee, it appeared that manager John McNamara bumped Harvey, and first base umpire Dick Stello swore after the game that Davey Concepcion spit on him. Both incidents are under review, with discipline unlikely to come before next season.

In other news, Johnny Bench started at first base for the Reds and acquitted himself well, going two for three with a run scored and an RBI. George Foster and Ray Knight each drove in two for the Reds, while Bergman knocked in a total of three for Frisco.

W- Lavelle (5-7)
L- Hume (9-6)

HR- CIN: Knight (8)

Braves 3, Dodgers 1

Bob Welch, Steve Howe, and Bobby Castillo combined to hold the Braves to four hits, but one of them is an eighth-inning single by Terry Harper that drives in the winning run. The Dodgers got three-for-four performances from Mike Scioscia and Dusty Baker, but wasted them both. Rufino Linares went two for three with a home run for Atlanta.

The Dodgers learned during the seventh-inning stretch that they've won the National League West, thanks to the Padres' win over the Astros in Game 2 of their doubleheader. Congratulations to the 1981 National League Western Division Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers!

W- Niekro (11-10)
S- Camp (27)
L- Howe (6-5)

HR: ATL: Linares (7)
LA: Cey (19)

Final National League West Standings:

Dodgers: 95-66
Astros: 93-68- 2 GB
Reds: 86-74- 8.5 GB
Giants: 79-77- 13.5 GB
Padres: 72-86- 21.5 GB
Braves: 70-86- 22.5 GB

All National League West games scheduled for Thursday, August 6 have been canceled due to the continued lack of progress toward a collective bargaining agreement.

So one league is set: the Cardinals and Dodgers will square off in the NLCS, with home field advantage going to the Cardinals as the Eastern champs. But what about the American League? We'll begin to solve that mystery next time. Stay with us!
 
To start us off, here are the American League standings as we begin the "makeup season". First, the American League East:

Yankees: 63-44 (+4)
Red Sox: 58-50- 5.5 GB (-1)
Brewers: 58-51- 6 GB (-4)
Tigers: 57-52- 7 GB (-3)
Orioles: 52-53- 10 GB (-7)
Indians: 50-53- 11 GB (-2)
Blue Jays: 37-69- 25.5 GB (0)

Now, the West:

Rangers: 60-45 (+3)
Athletics: 61-48- 1 GB (-3)
White Sox: 59-47- 1.5 GB (+5)
Angels: 57-53- 5.5 GB (+6)
Royals: 51-52- 8 GB (+1)
Mariners: 45-64- 17 GB (+1)
Twins: 42-67- 20 GB (+1)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the difference between a team's real record and its Pythagorean record.

Next: We begin with the American League games of June 12.

Thoughts?
 
This season brings back memories for me. I am a die-hard Indians fan and the 70's through the mid 90's was a tough time to be an Indians fan!
 
It doesn't seem like there's much hope for the Tribe as we begin, Tonrich, but who can tell what will happen in this universe? I borrowed the game results from a "real-life" (using the actual records) version of this project I did on another board, and on that board, the Reds eventually won it all. Here, they finished third in the NL West, and the Astros had a "what more could we have done?" 93-win season that got them diddly zip. Stay tuned; your boys may be world champions yet!
 
Here's the American League Report for Friday, June 12:

Note: I won't be providing all of the usual winning and losing pitchers and home runs for the first few days. Desmond (who did the majority of the AL) did his first couple of reports in text format when we first did this project for the All Time Sports board years ago. We should be back to the normal look soon. When I can figure them out, they'll be in parentheses next to the player in question.

The Red Sox beat the Angels, 9-6. Dwight Evans hit two home runs (23, 24) to key the Sox on offense. Angels starter Ken Forsch lasted just four and a third innings.

Steve McCatty (15-7) allowed just three hits in seven strong innings as the Athletics throttled the Indians, 12-0. Four A's starters - Rickey Henderson, Dwayne Murphy, Cliff Johnson, and Mike Heath - had three hits each, and the team totaled eighteen hits.

Lenny Randle struck out with the bases loaded in the eighth against closer Tippy Martinez (12th save), who then cruised through the ninth as the Orioles beat the Mariners, 3-2. All five runs came in the fourth inning, and the O's only scoring came on a Ken Singleton home run (14). This was one time when Earl Weaver's famous comments about waiting for the three-run homer came true.

George Brett hit two home runs (7, 8), including the eventual game winner in the eighth inning, as the Royals topped the Tigers, 4-3.

Britt Burns and three other pitchers held the potent Brewers offense to just six hits in a 7-2 White Sox victory up in Milwaukee. Robin Yount, Cecil Cooper, and Paul Molitor were a combined 0 for 12 in the loss. Ben Ogilvie provided the only Brewer scoring with a two-run homer (15).

The Rangers tallied a 6-4 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto. Buddy Bell went three for five with a home run (11) to pace Texas on offense. The Blue Jays left fifteen runners on base, including the bases loaded in the ninth inning.

The Yankees beat the Twins, but Desmond forgot to provide a summary.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 64-44
Red Sox: 59-50- 5.5 GB
Brewers: 58-52- 7 GB
Tigers: 57-53- 8 GB
Orioles: 53-53- 10 GB
Indians: 51-54- 11.5 GB
Blue Jays: 37-70- 26.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 61-45
Athletics: 62-48- 1 GB
White Sox: 60-47- 1.5 GB
Angels: 57-54- 6.5 GB
Royals: 52-52- 8 GB
Mariners: 45-65- 18 GB
Twins: 42-68- 21 GB

Next: A double treat, as we examine June 13 and 14.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14:

The Red Sox and Angels split the rest of the weekend. Boston won again 6-1 on Saturday, then California took the Sunday game, 2-1. In Sunday's game, Frank Tanana (4-11) pitched a complete game in a losing cause, allowing just four hits and striking out ten.

The Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Twins with 4-3 and 8-3 wins on the respective dates. Dave Winfield's homecoming was fruitful, as the St. Paul native went seven for twelve with two home runs (14, 15) and six runs batted in.

The Athletics beat the Indians, 1-0, on Saturday. The only run was a sacrifice fly from Dwayne Murphy that scored Rob Picciolo. The red-hot A's then completed a four-game sweep with doubleheader wins on Sunday, 13-5 in the first game and 5-1 in the second. Tony Armas, the AL leader in home runs, had homers in both games (23, 24). These wins moved the A's into first place in the West by the end of the day on Sunday; they're a half-game ahead of the Rangers.

The Orioles won on both Saturday (6-2) and Sunday (11-9) in Seattle. On Sunday, the O's scored eight runs in the second inning, then withstood a Mariners' rally late in the game. The day before, Shane Rawley had been ejected for throwing a beanball at Al Bumbry; the O's leadoff hitter suffered a mild concussion and is out indefinitely.

On Saturday, George Brett had five hits, including a 422-foot home run (9), as K.C. topped Detroit, 10-2. Sunday was a different story, as Milt Wilcox (13-9) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning; he ended with a complete game shutout win, 4-0.

The Brewers took the final two games of the "I-94 Series" with the White Sox. The respective scores were 7-2 and 7-5. On Sunday, all seven Brewers runs came on homers; the hitters were Robin Yount (11), Ben Ogilvie (16), Cecil Cooper (13), Gorman Thomas (22), and Don Money (3).

The Rangers-Blue Jays series resulted in two more one-run games. Texas won 4-3 on Saturday, but then Toronto avoided the sweep with an 8-7 victory on Sunday. George Bell hit a walk-off three-run homer (6) to win the series finale.


The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 66-44
Red Sox: 60-51- 6.5 GB
Brewers: 60-52- 6 GB
Tigers: 58-54- 8 GB
Orioles: 55-53- 9 GB
Indians: 51-57- 13 GB
Blue Jays: 38-71- 26.5 GB

In the West:

Athletics: 65-48
Rangers: 62-46- .5 GB
White Sox: 60-49- 3 GB
Angels: 58-55- 7 GB
Royals: 53-53- 8.5 GB
Mariners: 45-67- 19.5 GB
Twins: 42-70- 22.5 GB

Next: We look at June 15.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Monday, June 15:

The Mariners stunned the Brewers, 6-4, in their series opener. Bruce Bochte (7) and Tom Paciorek (15) hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the first inning. and the M's built a 6-0 lead. A late Milwaukee comeback fell short when M's closer Jim Beattie (2nd save) struck out Robin Yount with one man on base in the bottom of the ninth.

The Blue Jays' young bats paced a 12-7 win over the Rangers, thwarting Texas' effort to make up ground on the first-place A's. Both teams had grand-slam home runs, Lloyd Moseby (10) for the Blue Jays and Jim Sundberg (4) for the Rangers.

Finally, Kansas City defeated Chicago, 5-3. The White Sox left fifteen runners on base in the loss, while Frank White had three hits at the plate and a very spectacular play in the field; he flipped the ball backward to U.L. Washington to start a double play.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 66-44
Red Sox: 60-51- 5.5 GB
Brewers: 60-53- 6.5 GB
Tigers: 58-54- 8 GB
Orioles: 55-53- 9 GB
Indians: 51-57- 13 GB
Blue Jays: 39-71- 26 GB

In the West:

Athletics: 65-48
Rangers: 62-47- 1 GB
White Sox: 60-50- 3.5 GB
Angels: 58-55- 7 GB
Royals: 54-53- 8 GB
Mariners: 46-67- 19 GB
Twins: 42-70- 22.5 GB

Next: We look at June 16.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Tuesday, June 16:

Texas 6, Baltimore 5
WP - Steve Comer (9-2)
LP - Tim Stoddard (4-3)
HR - TEX: Buddy Bell (11)
Summary: Al Bumbry struck out with the tying run on base. (Note: Desmond doesn't specify which inning.)

Boston 15, Toronto 1
WP - Dennis Eckersley (10-8)
LP - Jim Clancy (6-13)
HR- BOS: Dwight Evans (25), Carl Yastrzemski (8), Rich Gedman (6)

Summary: The Red Sox scored nine in the fourth inning and never looked back.

Cleveland 2, Minnesota 1 (11)
WP - Mike Stanton (4-3)
LP - Don Cooper (1-6)
Summary: Rick Manning scored on Andre Thornton's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eleventh inning.

Detroit 5, Oakland 3
WP - Dan Petry (11-9)
LP - Steve McCatty (15-8)
S - Kevin Saucier (14)
HR - DET: Lance Parrish (11)
OAK: Dwayne Murphy (16)

Summary: The Tigers cool off the A's, at least for the night, and send them into a virtual tie for first with the Rangers in the West.

Milwaukee 10, Seattle 7
WP - Reggie Cleveland (3-3)
LP - Shane Rawley (4-7)
HR - SEA: Jim Presley 2 (2)
MIL: Gorman Thomas (23), Paul Molitor (3)

Summary: The Brewers scored five in the ninth, and Thomas' walk-off home run won it for the pre-"Harvey's Wallbangers" team.

New York 7, California 2
WP - Dave LaRoche (5-1)
LP - Ken Forsch (11-8)
HR - NYY: Graig Nettles (16), Reggie Jackson (16)
CAL: Bobby Grich (23)

Summary: Three pitchers (LaRoche, Ron Davis, and Goose Gossage) held the Angels to just five hits.

Chicago 1, Kansas City 0
WP - Dennis Lamp (8-6)
LP - Paul Splittorff (5-6)

Summary: Both pitchers threw complete games, rare even for 1981. The only run was unearned; Carlton Fisk reached first on an error and came around after consecutive singles by Tony Bernazard and Bill Almon.

Here are the standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 67-46
Red Sox: 61-51- 5.5 GB
Brewers: 61-53- 6.5 GB
Tigers: 59-54- 8 GB
Orioles: 55-54- 10 GB
Indians: 52-57- 13 GB
Blue Jays: 39-72- 27 GB

In the West:

(tie)Athletics: 65-49
(tie)Rangers: 63-47

White Sox: 61-50- 2.5 GB
Angels: 58-56- 7 GB
Royals: 54-54- 8 GB
Mariners: 46-68- 19 GB
Twins: 42-71- 22.5 GB

Next: We look at June 17.

Thoughts?
 
Here's the American League Report for Wednesday, June 17:

Boston 11, Toronto 4
WP - Dennis Eckersley (11-8)
LP - Jackson Todd (2-8)
HR - BOS: Jim Rice (18), Rick Miller (3)

Summary: The Red Sox scored a relatively easy win to keep the Yankees within shouting distance. (I don't think Eckersley would have started two days in a row by this point, but I'll leave the result as Desmond wrote it.)

Baltimore 3, Texas 2
WP - Tim Stoddard (5-3)
LP - Charlie Hough (4-2)

Summary: Eddie Murray's walk-off single won it.

Minnesota 6, Cleveland 2
WP - Pete Redfern (10-8)
LP - Len Barker (8-8)

Summary: The Twins beat the Indians in front of a crowd of only about 7,000 at Municipal Stadium. (Bear in mind that the crowd looks a lot smaller there.)

Detroit 8, Oakland 6
WP - Dave Rozema (6-5)
LP - Matt Keough (10-7)
HR - DET: Steve Kemp (10), Tom Brookens (5)
OAK: Tony Armas (25), Dwayne Murphy (17)

Summary: The Tigers scored five in the second and three in the fourth, then held off an A's rally to keep pace in the AL East.

California 4, New York 1
WP - Mike Witt (9-9)
LP - Tommy John (9-9)
HR - Brian Downing (10)

Summary: The rookie beat the veteran on the mound.

Milwaukee 7, Seattle 4
WP - Mike Caldwell (12-9)
LP - Glenn Abbott (4-10)
HR - SEA: Tom Paciorek (16)
MIL: Paul Molitor (4)

Summary: Molitor went four for five to key the Brewers' offense in another big win.

Kansas City 8, Chicago 0
WP - Larry Gura (12-8)
LP - Britt Burns (10-7)
HR - KC: George Brett 2 (11), John Wathan (2)

Summary: A dominant performance in all phases by the Royals drew them just a bit closer to the top of the West.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 67-47
Red Sox: 62-51- 4.5 GB
Brewers: 62-53- 5.5 GB
Tigers: 60-54- 7 GB
Orioles: 56-54- 9 GB
Indians: 52-58- 13 GB
Blue Jays: 39-73- 27 GB

In the West:

(tie) Athletics: 65-50
(tie) Rangers: 63-48

White Sox: 61-51- 2.5 GB
Angels: 59-56- 6 GB
Royals: 55-54- 7 GB
Mariners: 46-69- 19 GB
Twins: 43-71- 21.5 GB

Next: We look at June 18.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Thursday, June 18:

Boston 5, Toronto 4

W: Frank Tanana (5-11)
S: Tom Burgmeier (7)
L: Mike Willis (0-5)

Boston won a close one and got the sweep with a four-run fifth, courtesy of a Rich Gedman grand slam off of losing pitcher Mike Willis (6). Toronto clawed back with runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth; future basketball star Danny Ainge drove in one of those runs. Toronto starter Juan Berenguer lasted just four innings before giving way to Willis.

Boston has a home set against the Angels next, while Toronto goes to Kansas City to take on the Royals.

Texas 5, Baltimore 0

W: Danny Darwin (10-9)
L: Scott McGregor (13-6)

The Rangers upset the Orioles, winning the series. Darwin pitched a complete game three-hit shutout, and the team was led by two Mario Mendoza doubles. The Orioles only got hits from Ken Singleton, Gary Roenicke, and Lenn Sakata, and Scott McGregor allowed ten hits in eight innings.

The Mariners will come to Baltimore over the weekend, while Texas travels home to Arlington Stadium to take on the Brewers. This victory combined with the A's loss to the Tigers (details below) has put the Rangers back in first by themselves in the West by a full game.

Minnesota 13, Cleveland 9

W: Albert Williams (7-10)
L: Rick Waits (8-11)

The Twins won again in a game delayed thirty-two minutes by rain at "The Mistake by the Lake", as Roy Smalley drove in five runs, four of them on a grand slam (his eighth home run of the year). Pete Mackanin, Reds interim manager of 2007 and current Phillies skipper, had three RBIs for the Twins. Mike Hargrove had an RBI for the Tribe. Indians starter Rick Waits didn't make it out of the second, as the Twins broke the game open with six runs.

The Twins go to Yankee Stadium next, while Cleveland hosts the AL West-leading A's.

Detroit 4, Oakland 3

W: Jack Morris (15-7)
L: Brian Kingman (3-7)

Jack Morris pitched a complete game three-hitter, racking up ten strikeouts. Rick Peters and John Wockenfuss provided two RBIs each, with Wockenfuss hitting the go-ahead home run in the second (10). Cliff Johnson had two RBIs for the A's, while Rob Piccolo hit a home run (5).

Oakland will now go to Cleveland as stated above, while the Tigers go to Comiskey to play the White Sox.

California 11, New York 4

W: Ken Forsch (12-8)
L: Dave Righetti (8-5)

Rick Burleson drove in three runs for the Angels, while the Yanks lost ground to the Red Sox, Brewers, and Tigers.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 67-48
Red Sox: 63-51- 3.5 GB
Brewers: 62-53- 5 GB
Tigers: 61-54- 6 GB
Orioles: 56-55- 9 GB
Indians: 52-59- 13 GB
Blue Jays: 39-74- 27 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 64-48
Athletics: 65-51- 1 GB
White Sox: 61-51- 3 GB
Angels: 60-56- 6 GB
Royals: 55-54- 7.5 GB
Mariners: 46-69- 19.5 GB
Twins: 44-71- 21.5 GB

Today's Report is courtesy of Joe Ray Wright, otherwise known as "sctvhound" on various message boards. We'll be hearing from him occasionally on days when Desmond is otherwise engaged.

Next: We look at June 19.

Thoughts?
 
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It's time to do what I did for the American League what I did for the National League: "stop time" and play the games that weren't made up for reasons other than the strike. We'll begin with the games in the AL East, and our first stop is Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees are entertaining the Blue Jays.

Yankees 1, Blue Jays 0

It was a pitcher's duel in the Bronx between Rudy May (Yanks) and Dave Stieb (Jays). Both men threw complete games, but May ended up with the win thanks to a manufactured run in the fifth. Shortstop Larry Milbourne drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on an infield hit by catcher Rick Cerone, went to third on a flyout by second baseman Willie Randolph, and scored when center fielder Jerry Mumphrey bounced into a fielder's choice. Cerone was the only Yankee with more than one hit.

Speaking of hits, May mo-hit the Jays for seven and two-thirds innings before center fielder Lloyd Moseby broke it up with a single to left center. Before that, May had only allowed two baserunners, both on walks: second baseman Garth Iorg in the fourth and designated hitter Greg Wells in the eighth. The Jays eventually loaded the bases in the eighth after May hit catcher Buck Martinez in the arm with a pitch, but pinch hitter Danny Ainge took a called third strike to end the threat. May eventually settled for a three-hit shutout, while Stieb gave up a run on seven hits. May threw a hundred and seven pitches, Stieb a hundred and eleven.

W- May (7-11)
L- Stieb (11-11)

Now to Boston, where the Red Sox are hosting the Orioles:

Orioles 14, Red Sox 6

The Os lit up the Bosox for seventeen hits, and shortstop Lenn Sakata provided the power, socking two home runs and driving in five runs in total. His first homer was a two-run shot that tied the game at two in the second. His second was a three-run blast in the fourth which put the visitors in front to stay. Both home runs were hit to straightaway center. Sakata was supported by third baseman Doug DeCinces, who was three for four with a walk two RBIs and scored three runs. Designated hitter Terry Crowley was two for three with two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. The Baltimore offensive outburst ended Bosox starter Dennis Eckersley's day early; he lasted just three and a third innings, giving up eight runs (five earned) on six hits and two walks.

Left fielder Jim Rice and third baseman Dave Stapleton went deep for the home squad, and Rice drove in three runs in total on the day. Rice's homer gave the Sox a 2-0 first inning lead, while Stapleton's two-run shot finished the scoring in the bottom of the ninth. Shortstop Glenn Hoffman had the other Boston RBI. Dennis Martinez was the winning pitcher for the Os despite giving up seven hits and six walks to go with four runs in eight innings of work.

The Sox are now four and a half games behind the Yankees.

W- Martinez (15-5)
L- Eckersley (12-9)

HR- BAL: Sakata 2 (7)
BOS: Rice (19), Stapleton (11)

Finally, we go to Milwaukee, where the Brewers are hosting the Indians:

Indians 7, Brewers 0

The Tribe posted the second shutout of this "makeup day", as Len Barker tossed a five-hitter at Harvey's Wallbangers. Barker struck out six while going the distance in just a hundred and six pitches. On offense, the day belonged to right fielder Alan Bannister, who went three for five and drove in five runs. His biggest blow of the day was a two-run single in the ninth, when the Tribe scored four times to blow the game wide open. Left fielder Miguel Dilone and designated hitter Andre Thornton had the other Cleveland ribbies, and Dilone and shortstop Jerry Dybzinski each scored a pair of runs.

No Brewer had more than one hit, and Mike Caldwell took the loss despite giving up just two runs on six hits in seven innings.

W- Barker (9-8)
L- Caldwell (12-10)

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 68-48
Red Sox: 63-52- 4.5 GB
Brewers: 62-54- 6 GB
Tigers: 61-54- 6.5 GB
Orioles: 57-55- 9 GB
Indians: 53-59- 13 GB
Blue Jays: 39-75- 28 GB

Next: More makeup games in the East.

Thoughts?
 
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We continue our "makeup days" in Cleveland, where the Yankees are visiting the Indians:

Indians 6, Yankees 3

The Tribe broke a 3-3 tie with three in the last of the sixth to stun the division leaders. Miguel Dilone had the game-winning hit, and he singled in second baseman Duane Kuiper, who had reached when Yankee right fielder Reggie Jackson misplayed his leadoff fly ball. Designated hitter Von Hayes provided insurance later in the inning with a two-run double. The Indians had taken a 3-1 lead into the top of the sixth, but the Yanks tied the game on an RBI double by shortstop Larry Milbourne and a fielder's choice from Willie Randolph. Several Cleveland players had two hits and an RBI, and center fielder Rick Manning scored a pair of runs. First baseman Bob Watson had the other Yankee RBI, and third baseman Aurelio Rodriguez had a perfect four-for-four day and the plate and scored a run, while Randolph collected three hits.

On the mound, reliever Dan Spilner got the win for the Indians. He relieved starter Rick Waits in the sixth and shut out the Bombers on two hits over the final three and two-thirds innings. Waits had given up three runs on ten hits over the first five and a third. Ron Guidry took the loss for New York, giving up all six Cleveland runs on ten hits in six innings.

W- Spilner (5-4)
L- Guidry (11-6)

We wrap up the East's makeup games in Toronto, where the Blue Jays are entertaining the red-hot Tribe:

Indians 6, Blue Jays 5

The Indians continued their hot streak, nipping the Jays at Exhibition Stadium to win their third in a row. A four-run first told the tale, as the Tribe jumped on Jays starter Jim Clancy right off the bat. The key blow in the inning was Rick Manning's two-run single. Manning was the team's overall offensive leader on the day, going two for four and driving in three runs.

The Tribe took a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth, but the Jays got one back in that frame on a Lloyd Moseby homer and scored two more in the last of the ninth to cut the Cleveland lead to 6-5 and knock out starter Bert Blyleven. Designated hitter Willie Upshaw hit a two-run homer in the third, and the other RBIs came from third baseman Alfredo Griffin and shortstop Fred Manrique. Manrique's fielder's choice and Griffin's infield hit scored the Jays' runs in the ninth, but Dan Spilner played hero for the second game in a row, coming on to strike out Moseby on three pitches to end the game. Blyleven thus got the win after giving up five runs on nine hits in eight and two-thirds innings while striking out six. Clancy took the loss, giving up six runs on nine hits and four walks in six and two-thirds innings.

W- Blyleven (12-7)
S- Spilner (8)
L- Clancy (6-14)

HR- TOR: Moseby (10), Upshaw (5)

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 68-49
Red Sox: 63-52- 4 GB
Brewers: 62-54- 5.5 GB
Tigers: 61-54- 6 GB
Orioles: 57-55- 8.5 GB
Indians: 55-59- 11.5 GB
Blue Jays: 39-76- 28 GB

Next: We look at the interdivisional matchups.

Thoughts?
 
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We now begin our interdivisional "makeup days" with a trip to Kansas City, where the Royals are hosting the Orioles:

Orioles 11, Royals 4

The Os continued their hot hitting, pounding Royals pitching for sixteen hits. Second baseman Rich Dauer led the way, going three for four with three RBIs and also scoring twice. His biggest blow was a two-run double in the fourth that staked the visitors to a 3-0 lead. Left fielder Gary Roenicke also drove in three runs; his two-run single paced a four-run eighth that allowed the Birds to break the game open for good. Center fielder Al Bumbry went three for six and scored twice, and right fielder Ken Singleton went three for five, scored a pair and drove in a pair. Winning pitcher Scott McGregor went six and two-thirds innings, giving up all four Royals runs on six hits and four walks.

The Royals' big inning was the seventh, when they scored three times to cut into a 7-1 Baltimore lead. Third baseman George Brett doubled a run home, center fielder Amos Otis singled home another, and a third came home on a sacrifice fly by second baseman Frank White. First baseman Willie Aikens had the other RBI, and Otis led the offense with three hits. Dennis Leonard took the loss on the mound after giving up six runs on nine hits and five walks in six and two-thirds innings.

W- McGregor (14-6)
L- Leonard (13-12)

Now to Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees are entertaining the Mariners:

Mariners 4, Yankees 0

The visiting Ms blanked the Bombers before a sellout crowd at Yankee Stadium. Glenn Abbott went all the way on the mound, holding the home squad to four hits, two of which came from Willie Randolph. Abbott got better as the game went along, retiring fourteen of the final fifteen New York hitters he faced. Still, it was only a 1-0 game until the ninth, when the Mariners scored three times to put the game on ice. Center fielder Joe Simpson's ground-rule double plated one run, while two more scored on sacrifice flies by third baseman Dan Meyer and right fielder Tom Paciorek. Catcher Bud Bulling, who went three for three, knocked in the eventual game winner with a sixth-inning single.

Losing pitcher Tommy John departed after eight innings, having given up just one run on seven hits; reliever Ron Davis allowed all three Seattle ninth-inning runs on three hits and a walk, and wasn't helped by a costly fielding error from catcher Rick Cerone. Yankee manager Bob Lemon was ejected in the ninth for disputing ball and strike calls that might have unnerved Davis and led to his awful showing.

The Yanks' lead over the Red Sox in the East is now down to three and a half games.

W- Abbott (5-10)
L- John (9-10)

Our final stop for this post is Cleveland Stadium, where the Indians are hosting the Rangers:

Rangers 10, Indians 4

The visiting Lawmen put an end to the Tribe's hot streak, scoring four in the first and five in the third to settle the issue early. Right fielder Leon Roberts led the offense with three RBIs, two of which came on a base hit which was part of the five-run third. First baseman Pat Putnam had two hits, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs, and second baseman Mark Wagner had two hits and drove in a pair, while designated hitter Bump Wills had two hits and scored twice. All of the foregoing led to an early shower for Indians starter John Denny, who gave up nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits and four walks in three and two-thirds innings.

The Tribe was led once again on offense by Rick Manning, who was three for four and drove in two runs. The other ribbies came from catcher Ron Hassey and first baseman Mike Hargrove. Left fielder Miguel Dilone had a pair of hits. Danny Darwin went eight strong innings for Texas, giving up four runs on eight hits to get the victory.

The Rangers now lead the A's by a game and a half in the West.

W- Darwin (11-9)
L- Denny (10-7)

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 68-50
Red Sox: 63-52- 3.5 GB
Brewers: 62-54- 5 GB
Tigers: 61-54- 5.5 GB
Orioles: 58-55- 7.5 GB
Indians: 55-60- 11.5 GB
Blue Jays: 39-76- 27.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 65-48
Athletics: 65-51- 1.5 GB
White Sox: 61-51- 3.5 GB
Angels: 60-56- 6.5 GB
Royals: 55-55- 8.5 GB
Mariners: 47-69- 19.5 GB
Twins: 44-71- 22 GB

Next: More interdivisional makeups.

Thoughts?
 
We begin this post at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, where the Royals have traveled to take on the Blue Jays:

Blue Jays 6, Royals 5 (10 innings)

John Mayberry's walk-off homer in the last of the tenth propelled the Jays over the Royals. But even though Mayberry provided the game-winning hit, he wasn't the Jays' offensive star; that distinction belonged to designated hitter Willie Upshaw, who was three for four on the evening with two home runs and four RBIs. His first homer was a three-run bomb down the right field line in the fourth which just eluded the glove of Royals right fielder (and current Pirates skipper) Clint Hurdle and disappeared over the fence to tie the game at three. His second dinger found the right field upper deck in the last of the sixth to give the Jays a 5-4 lead. Shortstop Alfredo Griffin had the other RBI for the Jays.

The Royals got the biggest portion of their offense out of the DH spot as well; Hal McRae went four for five and drove in a pair of runs. His RBIs came on a ground-rule double in the third and a conventional double in the sixth. Hurdle drove in a pair of runs himself with a two-run homer in the second that put the Royals up 2-0. The other run came on a bases-loaded walk to Amos Otis in the seventh which tied the game at five. Another star for the Royals was starting pitcher Larry Gura, who went all the way (nine and two-thirds innings), giving up all six Toronto runs on nine hits. Jays starter Luis Leal gave up five runs on eight hits and five walks in six and two-thirds innings. Roy Lee Jackson got the win in relief, as he held the Royals to just one hit in his two innings of work.

Royals first baseman Willie Aikens was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Jim McKean after being called out on strikes in the second.

W- Jackson (2-2)
L- Gura (12-9)

HR- KC: Hurdle (5)
TOR: Upshaw 2 (7), Mayberry (18)

Next, we follow the Royals to Cleveland, where they'll take on the Indians:

Indians 7, Royals 5

The Tribe scored three times in the last of the eighth to deal the Royals their third loss in a row. Second baseman Dave Rosello's single scored pinch runner Von Hayes with the tying run, Rick Manning doubled in the go-ahead run, and shortstop Jerry Dybzinski singled in Manning with an insurance run. Catcher Bo Diaz also drove in a pair for the home squad, while right fielder Alan Bannister went two for three and scored twice. Third baseman Toby Harrah homered as well.

The Royals started fast, as third baseman George Brett hit a two-run homer in the third to open the scoring. McRae and Frank White each had two hits and an RBI, with the other ribbie coming from Aikens. The Royals led 5-2 after five and a half before the Tribe started their comeback with two runs in the sixth. Mike Stanton picked up the win in relief for the Tribe, while Renie Martin took the loss.

W- Stanton (5-3)
L- Martin (4-6)

HR- KC: Brett (12)
CLE: Harrah (6)

We wrap up the interdivisional makeup games in Detroit, where the Tigers are entertaining the Mariners:

Tigers 8, Mariners 4

The Tigers erased a 3-0 deficit with six runs in the second, then went on cruise control. The key blow in the inning was the game-tying three-run homer by right fielder Lynn Jones to dead center, which at Tiger Stadium is 440 feet from home plate. Shortstop Alan Trammell doubled in the eventual winning run, with the other RBIs coming from center fielder Kirk Gibson and left fielder Steve Kemp. Jones went on to drive in four runs on the day. Catcher Lance Parrish had the other RBI and also contributed two hits. On the mound, Jack Morris went the distance, giving up four runs on seven hits but limiting the Mariners to just one run on four hits over the final seven innings.

The Ms started fast; third baseman Dan Meyer homered in the first to open the scoring, and, like Jones, he hit the ball to straightaway center. Bud Bulling added a two-run homer into the left field upper deck in the second. Right fielder Tom Paciorek drove in the other Seattle run with a single in the fifth. Starter Floyd Bannister lasted just three innings in a losing effort, giving up six runs (all earned) on six hits.

The Tigers are now tied for third in the East with the Brewers, five games behind the Yankees.

W- Morris (16-7)
L- F. Bannister (9-10)

HR- SEA: Meyer (4), Bulling (3)
DET: Jones (3)

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 68-50
Red Sox: 63-52- 3.5 GB
(tie) Brewers: 62-54- 5 GB
(tie) Tigers: 62-54- 5 GB

Orioles: 58-55- 7.5 GB
Indians: 56-60- 11 GB
Blue Jays: 40-76- 27 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 65-48
Athletics: 65-51- 1.5 GB
White Sox: 61-51- 3.5 GB
Angels: 60-56- 6.5 GB
Royals: 55-57- 9.5 GB
Mariners: 47-70- 20 GB
Twins: 44-71- 22 GB

Next: We finish our "makeup days" by looking at the West.

Thoughts?
 
We begin our look at the West in Kansas City, where the Royals are hosting the Rangers:

Rangers 6, Royals 5

The Rangers scored three in the first and managed to make it stand up against the scrappy Royals. First baseman John Ellis singled in one run, and right fielder Leon Roberts doubled in two more to stake the Lawmen to their early lead. But the offensive stars of the day for Texas were found at the top of their lineup: leadoff man and third baseman Wayne Tolleson went two for four and scored three runs, and number-two hitter Jim Sundberg, who started in left field, was a perfect four for four. Ellis drove in another run later in the game, and other Texas RBIs came from center fielder Billy Sample and rookie catcher Bob Johnson. Starter Rick Honeycutt pitched seven and two-thirds innings to get the win, giving up five runs on eight hits and three walks. Jim Kern got the last four outs in order to earn the save.

The Royals were led on offense by Amos Otis, who went three for four, scored twice, and drove in three runs. His two-run double in the bottom of the first got the Royals back to within 3-2, and he added a run-scoring triple in the sixth. Designated hitter Hal McRae had two hits and drove in the other two Kansas City runs, while George Brett went one for three and scored a pair. Starter Paul Splittorff took the loss, giving up five runs on nine hits in four and two-thirds innings.

The Rangers now lead the A's by two full games in the West.

W- Honeycutt (12-6)
S- Kern (7)
L- Splittorff (5-7)

Now we follow the Royals to Comiskey Park, where they'll take on the White Sox:

White Sox 10, Royals 9

The Pale Hose led 8-2 after three, then watched the Royals come back to tie the game at eight, took the lead with a pair in the bottom of the sixth, then watched a second Royals comeback fall just short. The eventual game-winning hit for the Chisox was a two-run homer by left fielder Wayne Nordhagen, who ended the day three for five with two runs scored and three RBIs. Right fielder Jerry Hairston had two hits and drove in two runs, while second baseman Tony Bernazard went three for four and drove in another pair. Rookie center fielder Leo Sutherland had a hit and an RBI and scored three times, with the other Chicago RBI coming from shortstop Greg Pryor. The Sox built their big lead with three runs in the first, one in the second, and four in the third, and forced Royals starter Mike Jones from the game after just two and two-thirds innings, during which he gave up eight runs (six earned) on seven hits. Renie Martin eventually took the loss.

The Royals' comeback was slow, sure, and fueled by the home run. George Brett's solo shot in the third cut the Chicago lead to 4-2, and a dinger from shortstop U.L. Washington made it 8-4 in the fifth. The big blow came in the sixth, when Willie Aikens' three-run blast to left brought the visitors back within 8-7. They tied the game later in the inning on Clint Hurdle's RBI single. Willie Wilson's RBI single in the eighth closed the gap to 10-9, but the Royals couldn't manage any more offense. Hurdle ended his day four for five, while Wilson was three for six. Ed Famer got the win in relief for the Sox, and Dennis Lamp, normally a starter, pitched a scoreless inning and a third to record the save.

W- Farmer (4-3)
S- Lamp (1)
L- Martin (4-7)

HR- KC: Aikens (18), Brett (13), Washington (3)
CWS: Nordhagen (7)

Our final makeup game takes place at Anaheim Stadium, where the Angels are hosting the Twins:

Angels 3, Twins 1

The Halos broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of runs in the sixth, then held on for the win. Rookie third baseman Steve Lubratich led off the inning by beating out an infield hit, then scored on second baseman Bobby Grich's double to left. Grich then scored on shortstop Rick Burleson's double to left center. Starter Geoff Zahn made it stand up, pitching a complete game and holding the Twins to a run on six hits while striking out six, all in a hundred and eleven pitches. Grich homered in the first to provide the other California run.

Twins starter Pete Redfern also went the distance and threw just ninety-eight pitches. He gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out just two. The Minnesota run came in the fifth on a bloop single by shortstop Ron Washington and a double by left fielder (and former Pirate coach) Rick Sofield. Sofield and second baseman Rob Wilfong had a pair of hits apiece for the Twins, while Burleson joined Grich with a pair of hits apiece for the Halos.

W- Zahn (11-11)
L- Redfern (10-9)

HR- CAL: Grich (24)

The standings in the West to the moment:

Rangers: 66-48
Athletics: 65-51- 2 GB
White Sox: 62-51- 3.5 GB
Angels: 61-56- 6.5 GB
Royals: 55-59- 11 GB
Mariners: 47-70- 20.5 GB
Twins: 44-72- 23 GB

Next: Time's back in, as we look at June 19.

Thoughts?
 
Good news! All Time Sports isn't gone, it just moved to a new host site. Here's the real American League Report for Friday, June 19:

Baltimore 8, Seattle 2
W - Mike Flanagan (10-6)
L - Floyd Bannister (9-11)
HR - BAL: Eddie Murray (11)
SEA: Bruce Bochte (8)

Summary: Cal Ripken, Jr. made his big league debut. He pinch-hit in the bottom of the eighth against Jim Beattie, but struck out.

Boston 13, California 8
W - Frank Tanana (6-11)
L - Steve Renko (8-5)
HR - BOS: Jim Rice (20), Dwight Evans (26)
CAL: Brian Downing (12), Bobby Grich (25), Butch Hobson (5)

Summary: The Bosox and Halos combined for twenty-one runs with the wind blowing out at Fenway Park.

Cleveland 3, Oakland 2
W - Mike Stanton (6-3)
L - Bob Owchinko (4-4)

Summary: The Indians beat the A's on a two-run game-winning double by Rick Manning.

New York 7, Minnesota 1
W - Rudy May (8-11)
L - Jerry Koosman (3-10)
HR - NYY: Reggie Jackson (17), Oscar Gamble (11)

Summary: The Yankees kept the home teams perfect tonight so far with an impressive win over the last-place Twins.

Detroit 6, Chicago 5
W - Dan Schatzeder (7-8)
L - Dennis Lamp (8-7)
S - Aurelio Lopez (4)
HR - DET: Steve Kemp (11)
CWS: Carlton Fisk (8), Jim Morrison(11)

Summary: Lopez struck out Ron LeFlore with two outs in the ninth to clinch the victory for the Tigers.

Kansas City 13, Toronto 0
W - Dennis Leonard (14-12)
L - Jim Clancy (6-15)
HR - KC: George Brett (13), Frank White (10), Willie "Mays" Aikens (19)

Summary: The Royals whitewashed the hapless Jays. They scored five in the first inning and four in the third.

Texas 8, Milwaukee 5
W - Danny Darwin (12-9)
L - Moose Haas (11-8)
HR - TEX: Leon Roberts (5), Bump Wills (3)
MIL: Gorman Thomas 2 (25)

Summary: So this is what happens when the wind blows out at Arlington Stadium: Bump Wills hits a home run(!) The loss and the Tigers' victory knocks Milwaukee back into fourth place in the East.

Here are the standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 69-50
Red Sox: 64-52- 3.5 GB
Tigers: 63-54- 5 GB
Brewers: 62-55- 6 GB
Orioles: 59-55- 9 GB
Indians: 57-60- 11 GB
Blue Jays: 39-77- 28.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 67-48
Athletics: 65-52- 3 GB
White Sox: 62-52- 4.5 GB
Angels: 61-57- 7.5 GB
Royals: 56-59- 11 GB
Mariners: 47-71- 22 GB
Twins: 44-73- 28.5 GB

Next: We look at June 20.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Saturday, June 20:

California 5, Boston 4 (10 innings; NBC: Merle Harmon, Ron Luciano)
W - Don Aase (5-4)
SV - Luis Sanchez (3)
L- Bob Stanley (10-9)
HR - CAL: Brian Downing (13)
BOS: Carl Yastrzemski (9)

Summary: The Angels scored on a RBI single from Bobby Grich in the top of the tenth inning. The Sox then loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning with no one out and still failed to score.

Milwaukee 6, Texas 0
W - Jim Slaton (6-7)
L - Danny Darwin (12-10)
HR - MIL: Paul Molitor (5)

Summary: Slaton solved the Rangers' hitters, allowing just four hits in the complete game shutout victory.

New York 11, Minnesota 4
W - Ron Guidry (12-6)
L - Fernando Arroyo (7-11)
HR - NYY: Oscar Gamble (12), Graig Nettles (17), Bob Watson (7)

Summary: An easy win for the AL East leaders, who are now in front of the Red Sox by four and a half.

Oakland 12, Cleveland 10
W - Mike Norris (13-9)
L - Len Barker (9-9)
SV - Bob Owchinko (3)
HR - OAK: Dwayne Murphy (18), Rickey Henderson (7), Rob Picciolo (5)
CLE: Andre Thornton (7), Rick Manning (5)

Summary: In an exciting contest, the teams traded the lead five times before the A's scored three runs in the eighth inning to take the lead for good. Yes, Henderson's big fly did lead off the game.

Detroit 4, Chicago 2
W - Milt Wilcox (14-9)
L - Britt Burns (10-8)
HR - CWS: Mike Squires (1)

Summary: Interestingly, no inning had more than one run scored. The Tigers tallied in the second, fifth, seventh, and eighth; the White Sox in the third and eighth.

Kansas City 7, Toronto 4
W - Larry Gura (13-8)
L - Mark Bomback (5-6)
HR - KC: Willie "Mays" Aikens (20)
TOR: Jesse Barfield (3)

Summary: Aikens hit one out for the second day in a row, but it was a three-run double from Frank White that was key in deciding the outcome.

Baltimore 3, Seattle 2 (12 innings)
W - Tim Stoddard (6-3)
L - Larry Andersen (3-4)

Summary: The M's pushed the O's to twelve innings, but lost again at Memorial Stadium. Al Bumbry scored on Rick Dempsey's sacrifice fly in the twelfth to win the game.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 70-50
Red Sox: 64-53- 4.5 GB
Tigers: 64-54- 5 GB
Brewers: 63-55- 6 GB
Orioles: 60-55- 7.5 GB
Indians: 57-61- 12 GB
Blue Jays: 39-78- 29.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 67-49
Athletics: 66-52- 2 GB
White Sox: 62-53- 4.5 GB
Angels: 62-57- 6.5 GB
Royals: 57-59- 10 GB
Mariners: 47-72- 21.5 GB
Twins: 44-74- 24 GB

Next: We look at June 21.

Thoughts?
 
I've decided to go ahead and do the 1981 NLCS, since we know the matchup already.

It's the Cardinals against the Dodgers, of course, and it's the East's turn to have home field advantage, which means that the first two games will be at Dodger Stadium and the last three at Busch Stadium. The announcers are the same as in real life: for NBC Television, Dick Enberg and Tom Seaver; for CBS Radio, Jack Buck and Jerry Coleman. The starting pitchers are Burt Hooton for the Dodgers and (somewhat controversially) John Martin for the Cardinals. The date is Tuesday, October 6.

I'll just provide the scoring innings; full-game write-ups are for World Series games only.

Dodgers 1st: After the Redbirds went out in order in the top of the first against Hooton, the Men in Blue got to Martin in the bottom of the inning and drew first blood. Second baseman Davey Lopes drew a leadoff walk, was bunted over to second by center fielder Kenny Landreaux, then had to hold when left fielder Dusty Baker's fly to right center couldn't move him over to third. Thus it was up to first baseman Steve Garvey, who lined a base hit into left to bring home Landreaux and give the home squad a 1-0 lead. Third baseman Ron Cey flew to left center to end the inning, but the NL West champs led 1-0 after one.

Cardinals 3rd: Hooton set the Cardinals down in order again in the second, but third baseman Kenny Oberkfell beat out an infield hit to get them their first baserunner. He then stole second. Left fielder Gene Roof walked on five pitches, then it was up to Martin to bunt the runners over, which he did easily. With runners at second and third and one out, second baseman Tommy Herr stepped in:

Enberg: "Second and third, one out, one and one to Herr. Oberkfell taking a big lead at third, they may try to steal home if they think they can get away with it. Roof held at second by Lopes. Here's the pitch to the plate.........ground ball, between first and second, gets through into right center! Oberkfell scores, Roof coming around third, there won't be a play, and the Cardinals lead 2-1! Tommy Herr put one right between Garvey and Lopes, and it found its way into right center to give the Cardinals their first lead."

Hooton came back to strike out shortstop Garry Templeton, but Herr stole second soon after. First baseman Keith Hernandez's grounder to short ended the inning, but Herr's base hit has given the Cards a 2-1 lead after two and a half.

Here's a defensive gem from the Dodger sixth. It's still 2-1 St. Louis, nobody on, one out, and Baker at the plate. Let's hear how Jack Buck called this one:

Buck: "Pitch grounded deep in the hole, Templeton has to hurry, bare-hand throw......did he.......YES, HE DID! Eric Gregg at first base with the call, and Baker slams his helmet in frustration. Two gone, and as my partner Mr. Coleman would say, oh, doctor!"

Coleman: "Took the words right out of my mouth, Jack. It was one thing to get to the ball, but Templeton had to make the pickup with his bare hand and throw, because Baker was really busting it down the line. But the throw was perfect to Hernandez."

Dodgers 7th: Let's check back in with Dick to hear how Cey led off the bottom of the seventh against Martin:

Enberg: "Martin has done a masterful job so far, holding the Dodgers to just a run on three hits, with nothing after Cey's walk in the fourth. He's up again leading off the seventh here. First pitch.......driven deep to left, Roof going back, to the wall.....IT'S GONE! Touch 'em all, Ron Cey!......The Penguin has tied this game at two here in the seventh, and just like that a superb performance goes by the boards for John Martin."

Seaver: "Nothing cheap about this one, Dick. Cey's done this to me and a lot of other pitchers in his career. He gets every bit of this pitch, and we're tied just like that."

That wasn't all; a rattled Martin then walked right fielder Pedro Guerrero. After catcher Mike Scioscia flew to George Hendrick in left center for out number one, shortstop Bill Russell singled to left center, putting runners at first and third. With the pitcher's spot due up, Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda sent Rick Monday up to bat for Hooton, and Cardinal skipper Whitey Herzog countered by bringing in Mark Littell from the bullpen. End result: Monday grounded into a 4-6-3 double play on the first pitch, and the inning was over. But Cey's round tripper has tied this game at two through seven.

Cardinals 8th: Herr drew a leadoff walk against new Dodger pitcher Bobby Castillo. Templeton's base hit to right center moved him to third, and Hernandez's tapper to first scored him with the go-ahead run. Center fielder Hendrick then walked to put two men on again. Lopes speared catcher Darrell Porter's line drive for out number two, but right fielder Dane Iorg's bloop single to right loaded the bases. Lasorda called on Dave Stewart to restore order, and the future Cy Young winner got Oberkfell to ground to Garvey, retiring the side. But the Runnin' Redbirds have scratched one across here in the eighth to take a 3-2 lead.

Cardinals 9th: Sixto Lezcano led off (batting for Roof) and drew a walk against Stewart. Gene Tenace then batted for Littell and also walked. Herr's fly to shallow right was caught by Guerrero for the first out, but Templeton lined a base hit to center to bring home Lezcano with a big insurance run, with Willie McGee (pinch runner for Tenace) moving to third. Hernandez flew to left center for the second out, and Hendrick's fly to left ended the inning. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, it's time to face Bruce Sutter in the last of the ninth, and they're now trailing by two.

Sutter made one-two-three work of the Dodgers in the last of the ninth, and the Cardinals bagged a 4-2 win to lead the best-of-five series one game to none.

Hernandez was named Player of the Game by NBC for driving in the winning run, even though he ended the day hitless in five at-bats.

Final totals: Cardinals 4-8-0, Dodgers 2-6-0.

W- Littell (1-0)
S- Sutter (1)
L- Castillo (0-1)

HR- LA: Cey (1)

Game 2 will be in prime time tomorrow night, with Fernando Valenzuela starting for the Dodgers and Lary Sorensen going for the Cardinals.

Next: We look at June 21 in the American League.

Thoughts?
 
Here's the American League Report for Sunday, June 21:

Boston 6, California 1
WP - Bob Stanley (11-9)
LP - Steve Renko (8-6)
HR - BOS: Jim Rice (21)

Summary: The Red Sox took two of three from the Angels to keep pace with the Yankees. The two teams begin a key three-game series tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium.

Cleveland 7, Oakland 4
WP - Bert Blyleven (13-7)
LP - Mike Norris (13-10)
SV - Sid Monge (5)

Summary: The Indians won despite being outhit 10-8. The A's left fourteen runners on base as the team continues to cool down after a hot start to the season.

New York 16, Minnesota 4
WP - Tommy John (10-10)
LP - Al Williams (7-11)
HR - NYY: Reggie Jackson (18), Dave Winfield 2 (17), Rick Cerone (3), Bobby Murcer (7)

Summary: Dave Winfield drove in seven runs as the Bronx Bombers lived up to their nickname with five home runs.

Detroit 8, Chicago 7 (10 innings)
WP - Dave Rozema (7-5)
LP - Ed Farmer (4-4)
SV - Aurelio Lopez (5)
HR - CWS: Chet Lemon (10), Mike Squires (2), Greg Luzinski (22), Carlton Fisk (9)

Summary: Lou Whittaker's RBI single in the tenth inning was the eventual game-winner for the Tigers.

Baltimore 10, Seattle 5
WP - Jim Palmer (8-8)
LP - Mike Parrott (3-7)
HR - BAL: Eddie Murray (12), Mark Belanger (2)
SEA: Bruce Bochte (9)

Summary: Cal Ripken, Jr. got another pinch-hit appearance, and this time picked up his first major league hit.

Milwaukee 4, Texas 3
WP - Jamie Easterly (4-3)
LP - Rick Honeycutt (12-7)
HR - MIL: Robin Yount (12)

Summary: Easterly came in when Pete Vukovich suffered a pulled hamstring on his pivot foot in the third inning and held the Rangers at bay.

Kansas City 5, Toronto 1
WP - Dennis Leonard (15-12)
LP - Dave Stieb (11-12)
HR - KC: George Brett (14)

Summary: The Royals were the only team to win a series against an Eastern Division opponent this weekend. Meanwhile, the Jays continue their downward slide as the worst team in MLB.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 71-50
Red Sox: 65-53- 4.5 GB
Tigers: 65-54- 5 GB
Brewers: 64-55- 6 GB
Orioles: 61-55- 7.5 GB
Indians: 58-61- 12 GB
Blue Jays: 39-79- 30.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 67-50
Athletics: 66-53- 2 GB
White Sox: 62-54- 4.5 GB
Angels: 62-58- 6.5 GB
Royals: 58-59- 9 GB
Mariners: 47-73- 21.5 GB
Twins: 44-75- 24 GB

Next: Game 2 of the NLCS.

Thoughts?
 
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