Baseball in the Pythagorean Universe: 1981

Now it's time for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The date is Wednesday, October 7:

Lineup Changes:

Cardinals- Despite yesterday's win, manager Whitey Herzog has changed his lineup drastically. Most importantly, Keith Hernandez is starting in left field, with Gene Tenace taking his place at first base and batting fifth. Also, Tito Landrum will start in right field in place of Dane Iorg and bat seventh, with third baseman Kenny Oberkfell moving up to sixth.

We begin our report with a great defensive play from the Dodgers. It's the top of the third, one out, no score, with Landrum at first base for St. Louis and pitcher Lary Sorensen at the plate. Here's Dick Enberg:

Enberg: "One-one pitch grounded to first. Garvey has it, tries to go to second........THEY GET THE OUT! OH, MY! Russell had Landrum bearing down on him, got flipped over, but still managed to tag him somehow! Sorensen safe at first on the fielder's choice."

Tom Seaver: "Garvey and Russell have been working together for many years in the Dodger infield, and here they showed why they're still two of the best. Garvey not known as a thrower, but this one was right on target. If Bill has to reach, Landrum's safe easily."

Dodgers 3rd: After one out, Davey Lopes tried to bunt for a base hit. His squibber ended up in front of home plate, but Darrell Porter couldn't handle it, and Lopes was on. Davey stole second easily, and Kenny Landreaux brought him home with a line single to right to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Dusty Baker's single to right center put blue at the corners, but Sorensen struck out Garvey looking and got Ron Cey to line to Oberkfell at third, ending the inning. After two and a half, the home squad has grabbed a 1-0 lead.

Dodgers 5th: Lopes was once again the catalyst, as he took a Sorensen fastball off of his shin after one out. Landreaux's base hit to right moved him to third, and Baker's ground single to left brought him home to make it 2-0 Dodgers. Landreaux came home on Garvey's grounder to third to make it 3-0, with Baker moving to second. But Cey grounded to Garry Templeton at short, and the side was retired. The Dodgers have extended their lead to 3-0 after five.

As the game moved along, the big story was Fernando's strikeout total. His screwball either sent the Redbirds fishing in vain or froze them like statues all night long. He struck out nine in the first seven innings, with Garry Templeton a three-time victim, each time on balls in the dirt. "He looks like he's swinging at a piñata with a blindfold on," observed Jerry Coleman on CBS Radio. Through seven, Senor Valenzuela had held the visitors to just three hits.

Cardinals 8th: Porter worked a leadoff walk. Iorg batted for Sorensen and dumped a base hit into center, but was then forced by Herr, moving Porter to third. Templeton went down swinging for the fourth time, but Hernandez cracked a base hit to right center to score Porter and put the Eastern champs on the board. George Hendrick had the chance to get at least one more run home, by his shallow fly to center was caught by Landreaux to end the inning with runners still at first and third. After seven and a half, it's Los Angeles 3, St. Louis 1.

Cardinals 9th: Tenace led off against Valenzuela, and put an end to his night thusly:

Enberg: "One ball. two strikes to Tenace. Oberkfell on deck, then it looks like Willie McGee has a bat and will hit for Tito Landrum. Fernando has his sign, the one-two pitch......line drive, going deep to center, it's got a chance, Landreaux looks up, AND IT'S GONE! Touch 'em all, Gene Tenace! The veteran a surprise starter at first, moving Hernandez to left field, and he comes through here to make it a one-run game. And that's all for Valenzuela; the call's been made by Tommy Lasorda for Steve Howe. Listen to this ovation for Senor Fernando!"

Seaver: "A really special performance tonight, Dick. Presumably the first of many, and I just hope I'm not on the wrong end of too many of them."

Oberkfell greeted Howe with a chopper that bounced just high enough to elude Steve's glove for an infield hit. But he was soon thrown out trying to steal second. McGee batted for Landrum and flew to Baker in left, and Porter's grounder to Lopes wrapped things up. The Dodgers had held on to win 3-2, and this series is headed to Busch Stadium tied at a game apiece.

Valenzuela was named Player of the Game by NBC. His final line: eight-plus innings, one run on five hits, two walks and ten strikeouts.

Final totals: Dodgers 3-6-0, Cardinals 2-7-2.

W- Valenzuela (1-0)
S- Howe (1)
L- Sorensen (0-1)

HR- STL: Tenace (1)

This series will resume with Game 3 at Busch Stadium on Friday night. Jerry Reuss will take the mound for the Dodgers, while the Redbirds counter with Joaquin Andujar.

Next: June 22 in the American League.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Monday, June 22:

Baltimore 4, Milwaukee 0
WP - Jim Palmer (9-8)
LP - Moose Haas (11-9)
HR - BAL: Eddie Murray (13)

Summary: Palmer and reliever Sammy Stewart combined for a five-hit shutout as a key series in the division began.

Cleveland 9, Detroit 6
WP - Rick Waits (9-11)
LP - Jack Morris (16-8)
SV - Sid Monge (6)
HR - CLE: Andre Thornton 2 (9), Rick Manning (6)
DET: Steve Kemp (12)

Summary: Thornton was four for four with two home runs and six RBIs in the Indians' road triumph.

NY Yankees 5, Boston 1 (ABC: Keith Jackson, Don Drysdale, Howard Cosell)
WP - Ron Davis (5-5)
LP - Dennis Eckersley (12-10)
HR - NYY: Dave Winfield (18)

Summary: The latest chapter in the rivalry went to the Yanks, who now lead the East by five and a half games. In the bottom of the seventh, Eckersley was ejected for throwing at Oscar Gamble in retaliation after Davis had brushed back Jim Rice in the top of the inning. Red Sox manager Ralph Houk, who apparently kept Eck in the game just for that reason, was tossed as well. Ironically, Houk managed the Yanks to World Series titles in 1961 and '62.

Oakland 11, Kansas City 5
WP - Steve McCatty (16-8)
LP - Mike Jones (6-4)
HR - OAK: Dwayne Murphy (19), Rob Picciolo (6), Tony Armas (26), Mike Heath (9)
KC: Frank White (11)

Summary: The A's offense came alive with four home runs and sixteen total hits. The A's now trail the Rangers by just a game and a half in the West.

Toronto 3, Seattle 2
WP - Luis Leal (8-13)
SV- Joey McLaughlin (11)
LP - Floyd Bannister (9-12)
HR - TOR: George Bell (7)

Summary: Bell's ninth-inning home run was the difference in this one.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 72-50
Red Sox: 65-54- 5.5 GB
Tigers: 65-55- 6 GB
Brewers: 64-56- 7 GB
Orioles: 62-55- 7.5 GB
Indians: 59-61- 12 GB
Blue Jays: 40-79- 30.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 67-50
Athletics: 67-53- 1.5 GB
White Sox: 62-54- 4.5 GB
Angels: 62-58- 6.5 GB
Royals: 58-60- 9.5 GB
Mariners: 47-74- 22 GB
Twins: 44-75- 24 GB

Next: Game 3 of the NLCS.

Thoughts?
 
Now it's time for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series from Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The date is Friday, October 9:

Lineup Changes:

Cardinals- First, Garry Templeton has food poisoning and isn't starting. He can pinch-hit in an emergency. although manager Whitey Herzog would prefer not to use him at all with a day game tomorrow following tonight's game. The upshot of all this is that Kenny Oberkfell moves into the two-hole, and Mike Ramsey starts at short and bats eighth, which in turn bumps Darrell Porter up to seventh. Next, Keith Hernandez is back at first, with Gene Roof starting in left and batting sixth. Lastly, Dane Iorg is back in right in place of Tito Landrum and will bat fifth.

Dodgers 1st: With one out, Kenny Landreaux banged a double off the right field wall. Dusty Baker's fly chased George Handrick back to the wall in center, but George made the catch, with Landreaux moving to third. That brought up Steve Garvey, who grounded a base hit to left center that scored Landreaux and gave the Western champs a 1-0 lead. Jim Kaat began to throw in the Cardinal bullpen, and Ron Cey's single to left gave the Dodgers the potential for a blowout inning with runners at first and second. But Cardinal starter Joaquin Andujar got Pedro Guerrero to look at strike three on the outside corner to end the inning. The Dodgers settled for one with the Redbirds coming to bat.

The defensive play of the game led off the bottom off the first. The count is no balls and two strikes to Tommy Herr, and here's Dick Enberg:

Enberg: "Herr looking to jumpstart the Cardinal offense as he has throughout the year, and they need it, already down 1-0. Reuss's 0-2 pitch........lined up the middle for........NO! RUSSELL'S GOT IT! I thought for sure that was going into center for a base hit, and so did Tommy Herr! Oh, my!"

Tom Seaver: "Bill Russell may be a bit older, but he's still got his reflexes, and he shows them here. Just a step to his left and spears the ball before it gets through into the outfield. What a huge play early on for the Dodgers."

Cardinals 2nd: Roof drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and moved to third on Porter's infield out. Ramsey then tied the game by grounding a base hit into right center which scored Roof. Andujar bunted Ramsey over to second, and Herr drove one to deep right center, but it died just before the wall, allowing Landreaux to make the catch. But the Cardinals have tied the game at one after two.

This one developed into a pitcher's duel, with Reuss allowing only one hit over the next four innings and Andujar only two. Andujar also pitched out of a first-and-third mess in the fifth that was partially caused by a Herr error.

Cardinals 6th: Oberkfell led off against Reuss and broke the tie with one swing. Here's Jack Buck of CBS Radio:

Buck: "One and one to Oberkfell leading off here in the sixth, tied at one. The pitcher's spot due to lead off in the top of the seventh, so this is probably Reuss's last inning, and he wants to get outta here tied at one. Pitch.......line drive to right, let's see, does it have enough, Guerrero back, to the wall, leaps........GONE! He got just enough, did Kenny Oberkfell, and the Cardinals lead 2-1 here in the bottom of the sixth."

Coleman: "Oberkfell one of this team's best clutch hitters, and he had to step in to the second slot tonight when Templeton was scratched. He fits anywhere in this lineup, and he just showed why right there."

Hernandez whacked the next pitch from Reuss into the right center power alley for a double, and Hendrick followed that up by serving a bloop just over the head of an outgoing Garvey and into right field. Hernandez hustled around third to score, and it was 3-1 St. Louis. After Iorg and Roof were each retired on deep fly balls, Porter singled to left center to put runners at first and third. Most people at Busch thought that this was an ideal spot for Templeton to bat for Ramsey, but Garry was too weak to play the field, so Herzog stayed with his starter. He was rewarded when Ramsey beat out a grounder to Cey at third, which allowed Hendrick to scamper home with the fourth Cardinal run.

That was all for Reuss; Dave Goltz came out of the Dodger pen to retire Andujar on a fly to center to end the inning. The Redbirds had scored three times on five hits and chased Reuss, which meant that Busch Stadium was alive and rocking. After six, it was East Champs 4, West Champs 1.

Cardinals 7th: Herr led off with a base hit against new Dodger pitcher Bob Welch. After one out, Welch was charged with a balk by home plate umpire Paul Runge, which moved Herr to second. Hernandez grounded to third for the second out, which brought up Hendrick. Here's Dick:

Enberg: "Runner at second, two out, Cardinals 4, Dodgers 1 here in the seventh. A base hit would just about put the game away for the Cardinals and put the Dodgers' backs to the wall tomorrow afternoon, with Burt Hooton going against Bob Forsch. Welch pauses, looks at Herr, here's the pitch.......fly ball deep to left, Baker going back, ball still carrying, IT'S GONE! Touch 'em all, George Hendrick! The power man of the Cardinals has just about put this one away for them, as they now lead 6-1."

Seaver: "Hendrick one of the premier power hitters in the National League, right up there with the likes of George Foster and Mike Schmidt, and this one was right over the plate, not where Welch wanted it at all. I think they want a curtain call, Dick."

Enberg: "And that's what they're getting, as Hendrick doffs his cap to this capacity crowd at Busch Stadium."

Iorg popped out to Garvey to end the inning, but Hendrick's blast has extended the Cardinal lead to five through seven.

That was all the scoring; Andujar departed after eight strong innings, giving up just one run on seven hits. Kaat mopped up in the ninth, and the Cardinals put a 6-1 win in the bank. They now lead the series two games to one, and can wrap up the pennant and a trip to the World Series with a win tomorrow afternoon in Game 4.

Hendrick's home run earned him NBC's Player of the Game award, although Andujar's performance was also given its due.

Final totals: Cardinals 6-11-1, Dodgers 1-7-0.

W- Andujar (1-0)
L- Reuss (0-1)

HR- STL: Oberkfell (1), Hendrick (1)

Game 4 will be here at Busch Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Burt Hooton will start for the Dodgers, while ace Bob Forsch takes the hill for the Cards.

Next: June 23 in the American League.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Tuesday, June 23:

Milwaukee 8, Baltimore 5
W- Jim Slaton (7-7)
S- Rollie Fingers (29)
L- Mike Flanagan (10-7)

HR- Orioles: Eddie Murray (14), Rick Dempsey (7).
Brewers: Cecil Cooper (14, later ejected for arguing balls and strikes)

The Brewers won a key game against the O's to keep pace in the AL East race, as Jim Slaton allowed eight hits in six innings and Milwaukee survived a late Baltimore rally (two runs in the bottom of the ninth after Milwaukee got three insurance runs in the top half). Flanagan was rocked in this game, allowing twelve hits in six innings. Don Money had two RBI, as did Ted Simmons.

Detroit 17, Cleveland 12
W- Dave Rozema (8-5)
L- John Denny (10-8)
HR- Indians: Toby Harrah (7)
Tigers: Kirk Gibson (10, three-run)

The Tigers won a very wild game at Tiger Stadium which went almost four hours, one of the longest nine-inning games ever in Major League Baseball. Every player for the Tigers except Tom Brookens had an RBI, as the Indians take a 5-1 lead in the second, but the Tigers came back with six runs in the third (led by an Al Cowens double; he had four RBIs on the night) and seven in the fourth to make it 13-5.

Cleveland made a charge by getting five runs of their own in the sixth, and they added one in the seventh to make it competitive. However, Detroit got two in the eighth and shut down Cleveland in the ninth.

Boston 10, Yankees 9
W: Bob Stanley (12-9)
S: Bill Campbell (8)
L: Dave Laroche (5-2)

HR- Yankees: Bobby Murcer (8), Aurelio Rodriguez (3), Oscar Gamble (13)

Another great game in the rivalry in front of 49,000 at Yankee Stadium, as Boston scored nine in the final three innings to take a 10-5 lead, but the Yankees come back, scoring four in the ninth. Rick Cerone struck out on a very questionable call by home plate umpire Jim McKean to end the game, as most of the fans thought he had checked his swing. This call will be debated throughout New York for days to come.

The Yankees used seven pitchers, including Ron Guidry in the ninth. Right fielder Rick Miller of the Red Sox had four hits and three RBIs, and he was the hero in the eighth, smackinging a two-run double to give the Red Sox the lead for good.

Kansas City 8, Oakland 6
W: Rich Gale (7-6)
S: Dan Quisenberry (19)
L: Jeff Jones (4-2)

HR- A's: Dwayne Murphy (20), Rob Piccolo (7, first-inning grand slam).

Oakland scored four runs in the first inning with Rob Piccolo's grand slam, which ended Royals starter Paul Splittorff's night. The Royals answer with one run in the first and two in the third, as Willie Wilson hit a ground-rule double and Clint Hurdle grounded a single to drive him in. Willie Wilson scored three runs, and George Brett's single in the fifth tied the game.

The Royals made a big comeback in the eighth inning, scoring three to take the lead.

Minnesota 4, White Sox 3
W: Darrell Jackson (4-3)
L: La Marr Hoyt (9-4)
HR- White Sox: Harold Baines (11, two-run)
Twins: John Castino (7), Roy Smalley (9)

In a very exciting game, with 15,002 (the third-largest crowd of the year so far) in attendance at the Met for High School State Championship Night, Roy Smalley hit a game-winning home run in the ninth to send the fans home happy. Rob Wilfong had two RBI, and Fernando Arroyo was knocked out in the fifth inning. The Twins tied the game in the sixth, and almost took the lead except for a perfect Baines throw.

Seattle 7, Toronto 6
W: Shane Rawley (5-7)
L: Joey McLaughlin (1-6)
HR- Blue Jays: Damaso Garcia (2), John Mayberry (19), Buck Martinez (5, grand slam)
Mariners: Tom Paciorek (17), Jeff Burroughs (11, grand slam)

A great game in the Kingdome, even with two bad teams, but only 8,113 attended. Tom Paciorek hit a game-winning home run on the second pitch of the bottom of the ninth inning. Damaso Garcia and John Mayberry hit homers in the first to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead. Jeff Burroughs hit his grand slam in the bottom of the first after Jim Clancy loaded the bases. Joe Simpson's single in the third gave the Mariners a 5-2 lead.

However, Buck Martinez hit a grand slam of his own in the sixth, and Toronto took the lead 6-5, which they had until the eighth when Jerry Narron's single scored Lenny Randle.

Texas 3, California 2 (12 innings)
W: Bob Babcock (2-1)
L: Luis Sanchez (0-3)
HR- Angels: Juan Beniquez (4)

A very exciting game at Arlington Stadium, as the Rangers reestablished a two and a half game lead over the A's in the West. Leon Roberts' double scored Jim Sundberg in the bottom of the twelfth. Juan Beniquez scored the first run in the second. Jim Sundberg reached on a throwing error in the third and Mario Mendoza scored. Beniquez hit his home run in the sixth. Texas was held hitless until the sixth. The score stayed tied until the twelfth, when Roberts sent the Ranger faithful home happy.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 72-51
Red Sox: 66-54- 4.5 GB
Tigers: 66-55- 5 GB
Brewers: 65-56- 6 GB
Orioles: 62-56- 7.5 GB
Indians: 59-62- 12 GB
Blue Jays: 40-80- 30.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 68-50
Athletics: 67-54- 2.5 GB
White Sox: 62-55- 5.5 GB
Angels: 62-59- 7.5 GB
Royals: 59-60- 10.5 GB
Mariners: 48-74- 22 GB
Twins: 45-75- 24 GB

Special thanks to Joe Ray for pinch-hitting for Desmond, who will return tomorrow.

Note: The NLCS will return shortly; I'm doing some extra work on the main thread for the next few days.

Next: We look at June 24.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Wednesday, June 24:

Milwaukee 5, Baltimore 4
WP - Jim Slaton (8-7)
SV- Jerry Augustine (3)
LP - Scott McGregor (14-7)
HR - MIL: Gorman Thomas (26)

Summary: The Brewers built a 5-0 lead through six innings and survived for a key AL East victory. (Then again, aren't they all key these days?)

Cleveland 5, Detroit 0 (1st game)
Detroit 9, Cleveland 4 (2nd game)

1st game:
WP - Len Barker (10-9)
LP - Jack Morris (16-9)
HR - CLE: Andre Thornton (10)

2nd game:
WP - Dan Petry (12-9)
LP - Rick Waits (8-12)
HR - DET: Alan Trammell (3), Tom Brookens (6), Steve Kemp (13)
CLE: Miguel Dilone (1)

Summary: Barker, who threw a perfect game this past May, allowed just four hits in shutting out the Tigers this time. In Game 2, Trammell, Brookens, and Kemp went back-to-back-to-back.

Boston 3, NY Yankees 2 (14 innings)
WP - Bill Campbell (2-1)
SV- Dennis Eckersley (1)
LP - Dave LaRoche (5-3)

Summary: This chapter in the rivalry became the longest AL game since this thread began. The Red Sox scored the winning run in the top of the fourteenth when Jim Rice doubles in Dwight Evans. The Yanks left men on first and second to close it out. Eck, who has not yet become the dominant closer of future years, was pressed into duty two days after he had started against the Yanks.

Kansas City 8, Oakland 1
WP - Paul Splittorff (6-7)
LP - Matt Keough (10-8)
HR - KC: George Brett (15), Willie Wilson (2)
OAK: Rickey Henderson (8)

Summary: Henderson led off with a home run for the A's, but the Oakland offense could only get three more hits off of Splittorff for the entire game.

Minnesota 5, Chicago 2
WP - Pete Redfern (11-9)
LP - Rich Dotson (9-9)
HR - MIN: Kent Hrbek (2), John Castino (8)

Summary: Hrbek, a homegrown product in more ways than one, went deep for the second time in his major league career. Hrbek grew up just blocks from Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, which is in its final season.

Seattle 10, Toronto 7
WP - Shane Rawley (6-7)
LP - Juan Berenguer (2-10)
HR - TOR: George Bell 2 (9), Lloyd Moseby (11)
SEA:Tom Paciorek (18), Jeff Burroughs (12), Bruce Bochte (10)

Summary: The Jays couldn't hold a 7-3 lead after six innings. Bochte ended it with a three-run game-winner in the bottom of the ninth.

Texas 6, California 2
WP - Danny Darwin (13-9)
LP - Geoff Zahn (11-12)
HR - TEX: Buddy Bell (12)
CAL: Don Baylor (18)

Summary: Darwin allowed just six hits and two runs in a complete game.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 72-52
Red Sox: 67-54- 3.5 GB
Tigers: 67-56- 4.5 GB
Brewers: 66-56- 5 GB
Orioles: 62-57- 7.5 GB
Indians: 60-63- 11.5 GB
Blue Jays: 40-81- 30.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 69-50
Athletics: 67-55- 3.5 GB
White Sox: 62-56- 6.5 GB
Angels: 62-60- 8.5 GB
Royals: 60-60- 9.5 GB
Mariners: 49-74- 22 GB
Twins: 46-75- 24 GB

Next: We look at June 25.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Thursday, June 25:

Baltimore 3, Milwaukee 2
WP - Mike Flanagan (11-7)
SV- Sammy Stewart (5)
LP - Randy Lerch (7-10)

Summary: A hard-fought battle was decided with Al Bumbry's two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Boston 8, NY Yankees 3
WP - Mike Torrez (11-3)
LP - Ron Guidry (12-7)
HR - BOS: Tony Perez (10), Carney Lansford (5), Jim Rice (22)
NYY: Dave Winfield (19)

Summary: The Red Sox bounced back well from news of Ralph Houk's three-game suspension for ordering the hitting of Yankee batters in the first game of the series. The Yankees took a 3-0 lead on the Winfield homer, but Guidry fell apart later in the game. The Red Sox' three-out-of-four performance in this series has left them just two and a half games behind the Yankees in the East.

Chicago 1, Minnesota 0
WP - Dennis Lamp (9-7)
LP - Roger Erickson (3-9)

Summary: Ron LeFlore singled in Tony Bernazard in the top of the fifth inning for the only run of the game. There were just eight hits in the entire contest, four by each team.

California 4, Texas 2 (12 innings)
WP - Jesse Jefferson (3-4)
LP - Dave Schmidt (0-2)
HR - CAL: Rick Burleson (6)

Summary: A rare home run from "The Rooster" was the difference.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 72-53
Red Sox: 68-54- 2.5 GB
Tigers: 67-56- 4 GB
Brewers: 66-57- 5 GB
Orioles: 63-57- 6.5 GB
Indians: 60-63- 11 GB
Blue Jays: 40-81- 30 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 69-51
Athletics: 67-55- 3 GB
White Sox: 62-56- 6 GB
Angels: 63-60- 7.5 GB
Royals: 60-60- 9 GB
Mariners: 49-74- 21.5 GB
Twins: 46-76- 24 GB

Next: We look at June 26.

Thoughts?
 
I was planning on doing Game 4 of the NLCS tonight, but I'm starting a World Series sim (1947, in case you want to check it out) tomorrow night in the main thread, and I need to get a day ahead of myself since I don't anticipate much computer time on Sunday. Therefore, here's the American League Report for Friday, June 26:

Boston 11, Detroit 8
WP - Dennis Eckersley (13-10)
SV- Tom Burgmeier (8)
LP - Dave Rozema (8-6)
HR - BOS: Jim Rice 2 (24), Jerry Remy (1), Dwight Evans (27)
DET: Kirk Gibson 2 (12)

Summary: In the wildest affair since Abscam, the teams traded runs throughout the night. Evans untied it in the eighth with a three-run circuit clout. This game also saw a baseball rarity, as more than one player hit multiple homers in the same game.

Milwaukee 4, NY Yankees 3
WP - Reggie Cleveland (4-3)
LP - Rick Reuschel (4-5)
HR - MIL: Gorman Thomas (27)

Summary: Thomas was the hitting star. In addition to the homer, Thomas won it with a single in the bottom of the ninth. The Yanks' lead in the AL East is now down to just a game and a half. Meanwhile, the Brewers are once again tied with the Tigers for third place just four games off the pace.

Toronto 8, Minnesota 4
WP - Mike Willis (1-5)
LP - Fernando Arroyo (7-12)
HR - TOR: Jesse Barfield (4), Lloyd Moseby (12), George Bell (10), Ernie Whitt (2), Barry Bonnell (5)

Summary: Five homers provide all of the runs for the Jays in this battle of last-place teams.

California 13, Seattle 1
WP - Mike Witt (10-9)
LP - Ken Clay (2-8)
HR - CAL: Brian Downing (14), Dan Ford (16) , Butch Hobson (6), Ed Ott (3)

Summary: This game was a runaway from the start, as the Angels chased Clay with nine runs in just two and a third innings.

Chicago 5, Baltimore 3
WP - Britt Burns (11-8)
LP - Jim Palmer (9-9)
HR - CWS: Carlton Fisk (10), Mike Squires (3)
BAL: Terry Crowley (5)

Summary: The Orioles left the bases loaded in three different innings and stranded sixteen runners on the night. After the game, Earl Weaver excoriated his fifth-place team in a long closed-door meeting.

Kansas City 4, Cleveland 2
WP - Larry Gura (14-8)
SV- Dan Quisenberry (20)
LP - John Denny (10-9)
HR - KC: Frank White (12)

Summary: U.L. Washington and John Wathan stroked back-to-back singles in the seventh to break the tie.

Oakland 4, Texas 0
WP - Mike Norris (14-10)
LP - Danny Darwin (13-10)
HR - OAK: Dwayne Murphy (21)

Summary: Norris retired the first twenty Texas batters and ended up with a two-hit shutout. The A's are now within two games of the Rangers in the West.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 72-54
Red Sox: 69-54- 1.5 GB
(tie) Tigers: 67-57- 4 GB
(tie) Brewers: 67-57- 4 GB

Orioles: 63-58- 6.5 GB
Indians: 60-64- 11 GB
Blue Jays: 41-81- 29 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 69-52
Athletics: 68-55- 2 GB
White Sox: 63-56- 5 GB
Angels: 64-60- 6.5 GB
Royals: 61-60- 8 GB
Mariners: 49-75- 21.5 GB
Twins: 46-77- 24 GB

Next: We look at June 27.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Saturday, June 27:

Boston 18, Detroit 6
WP - John Tudor (5-3)
LP - Dan Petry (12-10)
HR - BOS: Dwight Evans 2 (29), Rick Miller (4), Carl Yastrzemski (10), Jim Rice (25)
DET: Tom Brookens (7)

Summary: The Red Sox celebrated skipper Ralph Houk's return by clubbing five home runs.

NY Yankees 4, Milwaukee 2 (NBC: Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek)
WP - Rudy May (9-11)
LP - Pete Vuckovich (14-5)
HR - NYY: Oscar Gamble (14)

Summary: The Yankees finally got a win to temporarily halt their backward momentum.

Toronto 6, Minnesota 0
WP - Jim Clancy (7-15)
LP - Al Williams (7-12)
HR - TOR: George Bell (11)

Summary: Clancy and reliever Roy Lee Jackson shut out the Twins on six hits.

California 9, Seattle 3
WP - Ken Forsch (13-8)
LP - Glenn Abbott (5-11)
HR - CAL: Brian Downing (15), Fred Lynn (6), Bobby Grich (26)

Summary: Lynn hit his first home run since this thread began. Unfortunately, the ON-TV viewers in the L.A. area didn't see the first third of the game; a programming error at master control put an ynidentified avant-garde film on the screen, and the error wasn't corrected until the fourth inning.

Baltimore 5, Chicago 1
WP - Mike Flanagan (12-7)
LP - Steve Trout (8-8)
HR - BAL: Eddie Murray (15)

Summary: The White Sox managed only one run on three hits against the brilliant Flanagan.

Cleveland 5, Kansas City 4
WP - Dan Spillner (6-4)
SV- Sid Monge (7)
LP - Ken Brett (1-2)
HR - CLE: Andre Thornton (11), Rick Manning (7)

Summary: Manning's solo home run in the top of the ninth gave the Indians the lead. In the bottom of the inning, Monge faced the heart of the Royals order (George Brett, Frank White, John Wathan) and retired them all.

Oakland 8, Texas 6
WP - Brian Kingman (4-7)
LP - Rick Honeycutt (12-8)
SV - Bob Owchinko (4)
HR - OAK: Tony Armas (27), Mike Heath (10)
TEX: Jim Sundberg (4), Al Oliver (5)

Summary: The A's survived a shaky outing from Kingman (six runs, thirteen hits allowed in seven and two-thirds innings) to reduce the Rangers' lead in the West to a game with a crucial doubleheader coming up tomorrow at the Coliseum.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 73-54
Red Sox: 70-54- 1.5 GB
(tie) Tigers: 67-58- 5 GB
(tie) Brewers: 67-58- 5 GB

Orioles: 64-58- 6.5 GB
Indians: 61-64- 11 GB
Blue Jays: 42-81- 29 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 69-53
Athletics: 69-55- 1 GB
White Sox: 63-57- 5 GB
Angels: 65-60- 5.5 GB
Royals: 61-61- 8 GB
Mariners: 49-76- 21.5 GB
Twins: 46-78- 24 GB

Next: We look at June 28.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Sunday, June 28:

Boston 4, Detroit 2
W- Dennis Eckersley (13-10)
L- Jack Morris (16-10)
HR- Red Sox: Dwight Evans (30)

Dennis Eckersley pitched a huge complete game victory, completing the sweep for the Sox and moving them ever closer in the pennant race. A two-run fourth gave them the lead, and they escaped a Tigers ninth-inning rally, leaving the tying run at first. Jack Morris also threw a complete game for Detroit.

Milwaukee 2, Yankees 1
W: Moose Haas (12-9)
S: Rollie Fingers (30)
L: Tommy John (10-11)

Milwaukee salvaged a win out of the series, as Moose Haas pitched a six-hitter. Ted Simmons doubled in the second to score a run, and the Brewers never lost the lead. The Yankees got a man on base in the ninth, but Rollie Fingers closed it out. Moose Haas threw eight and two-thirds strong innings for the Brew Crew, while Tommy John pitched a complete game in a losing effort for the Yankees, who now lead the Red Sox by just half a game in the East. Meanwhile, the Brewers move into third place by themselves, just four games back.

Toronto 2, Minnesota 1
W: Joey McLaughlin (2-6)
L: Jack O'Connor (3-3)
HR: TOR: Buck Martinez (6)

Yet another tight one, as Toronto completed the sweep. The Martinez home run in the eighth broke a 1-1 tie, and George Bell had two hits in his role, starting for the injured Lloyd Moseby, who twisted his ankle getting out of a taxi after last night's game. Luis Leal and Joey McLaughlin combined on a four-hitter.

California 10, Seattle 3
W: Steve Renko (9-6)
L: Jerry Don Gleaton (4-8)
HR: Mariners- Dave Henderson (7), Bud Bulling (4)

Rick Burleson kept his hot streak going with four hits and three RBIs, leading the charge in the Angels' two-run fifth and seventh innings. A two-run eighth, started by a Fred Lynn single and capped off by a Bud Bulling pickoff throw that went five rows into the stands, clinched the game for the Angels. The Angels won the three games of this series by a combined score of 32-7.

Indians 9, Royals 3
W: Sid Monge (4-5)
L: Mike Jones (6-5)
HR- KC: Clint Hurdle (6)
CLE: Bo Diaz (8)

The Indians dominated against the Royals, even after a first inning Clint Hurdle home run gives Kansas City an early lead.. The Indians scored three in the second and four in the ninth to clinch the victory. Duane Kuiper (the announcer of Giants fame) drove in three runs, and Paul Splittorff (normally a starter) threw a wretched twenty-five pitches for the Royals in the ninth, allowing four runs.

Texas 5, Oakland 2 (1st game)
Texas 6, Oakland 4 (2nd game)

W: Doc Medich (11-6), Fergie Jenkins (6-8)
L: Steve McCatty (16-9), Matt Keough (10-9)
S: Bob Babcock (1), Steve Comer (7)

Texas got a doubleheader sweep they had to have in order to put some distance between themselves and Oakland. In the first game, Doc Medich went six and a third innings for the win, getting help from three Bump Wills hits and two costly Oakland errors. Wills's single in the eighth was huge, as it gave the Rangers a three-run lead it never lost. The Rangers needed that lead desperately in the ninth, as the A's loaded the bases before Dwayne Murphy grounded out to end the game.

In Game 2, which was delayed by twenty-five minutes due to a rare late afternoon fog in Oakland, Fergie Jenkins gave a gutty seven and a third inning performance, and Buddy Bell's bloop single in the sixth inning gave Texas the lead for good. The Rangers now have regained a three-game lead over the A's in the West.

Orioles 7, White Sox 6

The Os overcame a 6-1 Chicago lead with a six-run eighth. Rick Dempsey's force play scored Rich Dauer with the winning run. In an outstanding display of sarcasm, the Orioles' TV crew gave their Player of the Game award to La Marr Hoyt, who gave up five runs on five hits in the eighth without getting an out. The loss cost the White Sox third place in the West, as the Angels have now moved ahead of them.

W- Stewart (5-8)
L- Farmer (4-5)

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 73-55
Red Sox: 71-54- .5 GB
Brewers: 68-58- 4 GB
Tigers: 67-59- 5 GB
Orioles: 65-58- 5.5 GB
Indians: 62-64- 10 GB
Blue Jays: 43-81- 28 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 71-53
Athletics: 69-57- 3 GB
Angels: 66-60- 6 GB
White Sox: 63-58- 6.5 GB
Royals: 61-62- 9.5 GB
Mariners: 49-77- 23 GB
Twins: 46-79- 25.5 GB

Special thanks to Joe Ray for today's report. (I added Orioles-White Sox myself; it was rained out in the original project and never made up.)

Next: We look at June 29.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Monday, June 29:

Yankees 4, Milwaukee 3 (10 innings)
W: Rich Gossage (4-2)
S: Ron Davis (7)
L: Reggie Cleveland (4-4)

HR- NYY: Graig Nettles (18)
MIL: Ted Simmons (15)

The Yankees held the lead until a clutch Ted Simmons home run in the ninth (on a 3-2 pitch) tied the game. Reggie Jackson singled in the top of the tenth to score Dave Winfield, and Gorman Thomas flied out with runners at first and third to end the game. The Yanks lead the idle Red Sox by a game with a three-game head-to-head showdown beginning tomorrow night at Fenway Park.

Detroit 6, Cleveland 3
W: Milt Wilcox (15-9)
S. Kevin Saucier (15)
L: Wayne Garland (3-8)

Detroit got a win over the Indians in front of 14,423 at Cleveland Stadium. Wayne Garland didn't get an out, allowing three hits and three earned runs. This outing might earn him a demotion. Kirk Gibson's double led the charge, and after half an inning, it was 3-0 Detroit. The Indians cut the lead to 3-2 in the second, but Lou Whitaker rapped a third-inning single. He had two RBI on the day.

In the ninth, Steve Kemp singled to make it 6-3 and put the game away for the Tigers, who are once again tied with the Brewers for third place in the East thanks to this win and the Brewers' loss to the Yankees.

Texas 8, California 7 (12 innings)
W: Charlie Hough (5-2)
L: Steve Renko (9-7)

Yet another exciting finish for the Rangers, who won their third in a row. Al Oliver scored three runs to lead the way, and the Rangers scored six runs in the sixth to overcome a 5-1 deficit. The big play of the game was Mickey Rivers' single in the twelfth inning which drove in the winning run.

The Angels used eight pitchers in the game, and starter Steve Renko finished and took the loss.

Chicago 7, Minnesota 6 (10 innings)
W: Kevin Hickey (1-2)
L: Jack O'Connor (3-4)
HR- MIN: Pete Mackanin (5)
CWS: Chet Lemon (11), Wayne Nordhagen (8, two-run)

Another extra-inning game with a great finish. Down 6-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the White Sox came back with two home runs that barely cleared the wall. The first was by Chet Lemon, and it bounced off the foul pole and back onto the field. The other, by Wayne Nordhagen, inspired a weird moment when a young fan in the stands tried to grab the ball before it went over the fence. Twins right fielder Dave Engle accidentally made contact with the fan in a futile effort to get the ball; no one was hurt.

In the tenth, White Sox manager Tony LaRussa was ejected for arguing a clear strike that was called a ball on Twins second baseman Rob Wilfong. The Twins got runners to second and third later in the inning but couldn't score, as Pale Hose catcher Carlton Fisk scooted to the backstop to retrieve a Kevin Hickey wild pitch and tagged out pinch runner Gary Gaetti before he could touch home plate. The Sox won it in the bottom of the tenth on a single by Harold Baines. This win coupled with the Angels' loss has sent the Chisox back into third place in the West.

Kansas City 4, Oakland 0
W: Jim Wright (3-3)
L: Brian Kingman (4-8)

Oakland lost their third in a row. They stumbled in the first inning, allowing a Clint Hurdle single and a Hal McRae double, and the Royals never looked back, even with a below average (three and two-thirds innings) start by Atlee Hammaker. McRae and Hurdle combined for all the RBIs in this game, as Kingman struggled through four innings. The A's now trail the Rangers by three and a half games in the AL West.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 74-55
Red Sox: 71-54- 1 GB
(tie) Tigers: 68-59- 5 GB
(tie) Brewers: 68-59- 5 GB

Orioles: 65-58- 6 GB
Indians: 62-65- 11 GB
Blue Jays: 43-81- 28.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 71-53
Athletics: 69-58- 3.5 GB
White Sox: 64-58- 6 GB
Angels: 66-61- 6.5 GB
Royals: 62-62- 9 GB
Mariners: 49-77- 23 GB
Twins: 46-80- 26 GB

Special thanks to Joe Ray for filling in for Desmond again. They'll split tomorrow's report, with Desmond taking over in full again the day after.

Next: We look at June 30.

Thoughts?
 
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I've decided to post each half of the June 30 report separately. Here's the AL East, as done by Joe Ray:

Yankees 11, Red Sox 9
W: Ron Guidry (13-7)
S: Rich Gossage (21)
L: Frank Tanana (5-12)

HR- NYY: Bobby Murcer (9), Aurelio Rodriguez (4)
BOS: Tony Perez (11)

A very exciting win for the Yankees tonight, as Larry Milbourne, of all people, got four hits. Carl Yastrzemski struck out in the ninth inning with two men on to end the game and give the Yankees a two-game lead.

Cleveland 6, Detroit 2
W: Sid Monge (5-5)
L: Dan Schatzeder (7-9)
HR: DET: Lance Parrish (12)

A big win by the Indians at Cleveland Stadium, as Jorge Orta collected four hits and the Indians led all the way.

Milwaukee 8, Baltimore 0
W: Randy Lerch (8-10)
L: Scott McGregor (14-8)
HR- MIL: Gorman Thomas (28)

A four-run third led the Brewers to a huge win over the Orioles. Gorman Thomas led the inning off with a home run. Ben Oglivie drove in the final Milwaukee run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Os manager Earl Weaver was concerned enough about his team's performance to hold his second closed-door meeting in a week after the game, but is it already too late for the fading Birds? Meanwhile, the Brewers are now in third place by themselves as a result of this win and the Tigers' loss.

Toronto 6, Seattle 1
W: Dave Stieb (12-12)
L: Mike Parrott (3-8)

Barry Bonnell and Alfredo Griffin led the Blue Jays with two RBIs apiece, as they scored two in the seventh to take the lead, then three more in the eighth to break the game open. Dave Stieb threw a complete game five-hitter, with the only Mariner run coming on a fifth-inning double by Budd Buling.

The standings to the moment:

Yankees: 75-55
Red Sox: 71-55- 2 GB
Brewers: 69-59- 5 GB
Tigers: 68-60- 6 GB
Orioles: 65-59- 7 GB
Indians: 63-65- 11 GB
Blue Jays: 44-81- 28.5 GB

Next: We look at June 30 in the West.

Thoughts?
 
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Now here's Desmond with the AL West Report for Tuesday, June 30:

California 6, Texas 3
WP - Mike Witt (11-9)
LP - Danny Darwin (13-11)
HR - CAL: Brian Downing (16), Butch Hobson (7)

Summary: The Angels took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and held on for the rest of the game.

Chicago 10, Minnesota 1
WP - Britt Burns (12-8)
LP - Jerry Koosman (3-11)
HR - CWS: Carlton Fisk (11), Mike Squires (4), Jim Morrison (12)

Summary: The White Sox put together ten runs and sixteen hits. Fisk was four for four with a home run and five RBIs.

Oakland 3, Kansas City 2 (14 innings)
WP - Bob Owchinko (5-4)
LP - Renie Martin (4-8)

Summary: The Royals thought they had won the game in the tenth when U.L. Washington apparently scored on a sacrifice fly, but he was called out for leaving third base too soon. In the fourteenth, Dwayne Murphy's RBI single scored Rob Picciolo with the game winner. Dan Quisenberry pitched four(!) innings in relief for the Royals.

The standings to the moment:

Rangers: 71-54
Athletics: 70-58- 2.5 GB
White Sox: 65-58- 5 GB
Angels: 67-61- 5.5 GB
Royals: 62-63- 9 GB
Mariners: 49-78- 23 GB
Twins: 46-81- 26 GB

Next: We look at July 1.

Thoughts?
 
Here's the American League Report for Wednesday, July 1:

Boston 6, NY Yankees 5
WP - Frank Tanana (6-12)
SV- Tom Burgmeier (9)
LP - Dave LaRoche (5-4)
HR - BOS: Carl Yastrzemski (11), Jim Rice (26)
NYY: Oscar Gamble (15), Dave Winfield (20)

Summary: Rice came up clutch for the Sox with a two-run, two-out home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Sox now trail the Yankees by just a game in the East.

Detroit 8, Cleveland 1
WP - Dan Schatzeder (8-9)
LP - Len Barker (10-10)
HR - DET: Steve Kemp 2 (15)

Summary: Kemp's big offensive night (4 for 5, 2 HR, 6 RBI) propelled Sparky Anderson's Tigers as they stayed in contention.

Milwaukee 9, Baltimore 7
WP - Reggie Cleveland (5-4)
SV- Rollie Fingers (31)
LP - Tippy Martinez (3-4)
HR - MIL: Gorman Thomas (29), Robin Yount (13) , Ben Ogilvie (17)
BAL: Eddie Murray 2 (17)

Summary: After both starters (Pete Vukovich and Jim Palmer) were shelled early, the bullpens decided the game. Cleveland pitched four shutout innings, while Thomas and Yount went back-to-back to break a 7-7 tie.

Toronto 3, Seattle 2 (1st game)
W- Mike Willis (2-5)
L- Ken Clay (2-9)

Seattle 6, Toronto 1 (2nd game)
W- Floyd Bannister (10-12)
L- Mark Bomback (5-7)
HR- TOR: George Bell (12)
SEA: Tom Paciorek (19)

Summary: The two newest teams in the American League split a doubleheader at Exhibition Stadium. Paciorek had three hits in each game.

California 3, Texas 1
WP - Mike Witt (12-9)
LP - Fergie Jenkins (6-9)
HR - CAL: Brian Downing (17)

Summary: Downing's seventh-inning home run broke a 1-1 tie and gave the Angels a home victory.

Chicago 10, Minnesota 6
WP - Dennis Lamp (10-7)
LP - Jerry Koosman (3-12)
HR - CWS: Mike Squires (5), Bill Almon (5)
MIN: Gary Ward (4)

Summary: The Sox took a 5-0 lead in the second inning and never looked back.

Kansas City 8, Oakland 4
WP - Mike Jones (7-5)
LP - Brian Kingman (4-9)
HR - KC: George Brett 2 (17), Frank White 2 (14)

Summary: An unusual display of concentrated power propelled the Royals to a win. Kingman had to leave after just four innings due to a sprained arm, and it's uncertain whether he'll make his next start.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 75-56
Red Sox: 72-55- 1 GB
Brewers: 70-59- 4 GB
Tigers: 69-60- 5 GB
Orioles: 65-60- 7 GB
Indians: 63-66- 11 GB
Blue Jays: 45-82- 28 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 71-55
Athletics: 70-59- 2.5 GB
White Sox: 66-58- 4 GB
Angels: 68-61- 4.5 GB
Royals: 63-63- 8 GB
Mariners: 50-79- 22.5 GB
Twins: 46-82- 26 GB

Next: We look at July 2.

Thoughts?
 
The Pythagorean universe is a world where only scoring is taken into account, without any allowances in the records for things like injuries, home field advantage/disadvantage, etc. A more common way to phrase is that a team's Pythagorean record is how good a team should have been, as opposed to what it actually was on the field/court, where various human factors like the one I just mentioned come into play.

It's a bit of a far-out concept, and I don't completely understand it myself. But it's a way to play with different matchups than the ones that occurred in real life, which is what makes it fun.

Thanks for reading and commenting!
 
Now it's time for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series from Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The date is Saturday, October 10:

Lineup Changes:

Dodgers- The big news is that Rick Monday will make his initial start of the series in right field and bat sixth. Pedro Guerrero moves to center to accommodate him and will hit seventh. Also, Bill Russell takes the two-hole in the absence of Kenny Landreaux, with Mike Scioscia batting eighth.

Cardinals- Garry Templeton is back in the lineup after his bout with food poisoning and will bat second as usual. George Hendrick will move from center field to right field, and Tito Landrum will take over in center and bat eighth. Also, Dane Iorg is back in left field and will hit fifth. Kenny Oberkfell will move down to sixth.

Dodgers 1st: Russell drew a one-out walk, but was forced by Dusty Baker. Steve Garvey's base hit to left put runners on the corners, then Ron Cey lined a single to right center to score Baker and put the Dodgers up 1-0. Garvey moved to third on Cey's hit, so there were still runners on the corners for Monday. Unfortunately, he grounded to third to end the inning. But the Dodgers have drawn first blood in a do-or-die game for them; now it's up to the Redbirds to respond.

Dodgers 2nd: Guerrero worked a leadoff walk, and Mike Scioscia's single to right put two men on. Hooton bounced into a 6-4 fielder's choice, with Guerrero moving to third, and Pedro came home when Lopes forced Hooton 3-6. Lopes was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning. The Dodgers have added another tally to lead 2-0 after an inning and a half.

Dodgers 5th: After one out, Russell's high fly to left dropped on the left field chalk line for a double. He held at second while Baker grounded to short, but Garvey cashed him in by socking a double of his own to left. Cey's rocket into the left center power alley scored Garvey to make it 4-0 Dodgers, and Jim Kaat began throwing in the Cardinal bullpen. Cardinals starter Bob Forsch walked Monday to put two on, but got out of the inning courtesy of Guerrero's fly to right center. The Dodgers have added two more runs and started to rough up the Cards' ace; halfway through Game 4, they now lead 4-0.

Cardinals 6th: Gene Roof batted for Forsch leading off the inning and drew a walk. Dodger starter Burt Hooton came back to strike out Tommy Herr swinging and catch Templeton looking, but Roof stole second. After a walk to Keith Hernandez, Hendrick slapped a base hit to left to score Roof and put the Redbirds on the board. Iorg's grounder to Lopes at second ended the inning, but the Redbirds have finally gotten on the board after being shut out on two hits through five. After six, it's Los Angeles 4, St. Louis 1.

Hooton managed to pitch out of a first-and-third jam in the bottom of the seventh, which set up the inning where the Dodgers put the game away for good:

Dodgers 8th: Monday walked leading off against Kaat. Guerrero singled to left to put two on, and a wild pitch moved the runners up a base each. Scioscia bounced to short, with the runners holding. Then came the big decision of the day, as Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda decided to let Hooton bat for himself. How did it work out? Let's find out from Dick Enberg:

"Kaat already behind Hooton 2-0; he needs to throw a strike. Monday at third, Guerrero at second, and many in Los Angeles are probably wondering why Landreaux or Jay Johnstone, the fine pinch-hitter, isn't up here. A hit can put this game away. Here's the 2-0.........line drive, left field, Iorg coming over, but it's over his head and to the wall! Here comes Monday, and Guerrero's behind him! The Dodgers lead 6-1, Hooton's at second with a double, and Lasorda looks like a genius!"

Wanting a bit more speed on the basepaths, Lasorda sent Landreaux in to run for Hooton, and Kenny promptly stole third. Lopes' grounder to Oberkfell couldn't score him, but Russell walked on five pitches to keep the inning alive. Baker was jammed, however, and his weak grounder to first retired the side. Hooton's big hit has most likely bought the Dodgers one more day of life, as the Cardinals now trail by five with six outs to go.

Cardinals 8th: New Dodger pitcher Steve Howe gave up back-to-back singles to Templeton and Hernandez leading off the inning, which put runners at the corners. But he got Hendrick to ground into a Lopes-Russell-Garvey double play, which scored Templeton to make it 6-2 but also let the air out of the rally. Iorg's grounder to second retired the side. Howe retired the home team with ease in the ninth, and the Dodgers had prevailed 6-2 to tie the series at two games apiece and force a deciding Game 5 tomorrow at 4PM Eastern.

Hooton's seven strong innings on the mound and game-clinching double in the eighth made him the easy choice for NBC's Player of the Game award. He gave up just one run on five hits, walked two and struck out three, plus went two for four at the plate with two RBIs.

Final totals: Dodgers 6-12-0, Cardinals 2-7-0.

W- Hooton (1-1)
L- Forsch (0-1)

As I just stated above, Game 5 will be tomorrow here at Busch Stadium. Fernando Valenzuela will take the mound for the Dodgers, while it looks like Silvio Martinez will start for the Cards.

Before we go, here's the Krylon "No Hits, No Runs, No Errors" Defensive Play of The Game. It's the top of the sixth, Scioscia leading off against Forsch, and Jack Buck on the call for CBS Radio:

"Rapped down to first, Hernandez bobbles it, now he'll have to hurry, he shovels to Forsch, and THEY GOT HIM AT FIRST!......The ball just did get there in time for Forsch to put his foot down before Scioscia could put his down. My (Monday Night Football) partner Hank Stram would've loved the form on the shovel pass as well. One out in the Dodger sixth."

Next: We look at July 2 in the American League.

Note; It'll be a while before I get to Game 5; I'm doing three World Series sims in a row over on the main thread. Don't worry, I won't forget!

Thoughts?
 
Here's the American League Report for Thursday, July 2:

Boston 5, NY Yankees 0
WP - Mike Torrez (12-3)
LP - Ron Davis (5-6)
HR- BOS: Jim Rice (27)

Summary: Torrez threw the second no-hitter of the season in the American League (Len Barker had a perfect game for Cleveland on May 15). He solved his former team with ten strikeouts and just two walks. This was the Red Sox' first no-hitter since 1966. Just as importantly, the Red Sox have moved into a virtual tie for first place in the East with the Yanks.

Milwaukee 6, Baltimore 4
WP - Jim Slaton (9-7)
SV- Rollie Fingers (32)
LP - Scott McGregor (14-9)
HR- MIL: Robin Yount (14), Ben Ogilvie (18)
BAL: Ken Singleton (15)

Summary: The Brewers took two of three in this crucial AL East series. Fingers earned a two-inning save.

Texas 7, California 5
WP- Steve Comer (10-2)
SV- Dave Schmidt (2)
LP - Andy Hassler (4-4)
HR - TEX: Billy Sample (4), Pat Putnam (9)
CAL: Fred Lynn (7), Dan Ford (16)

Summary: The Rangers scored four in the eighth inning. Putnam's three-run shot provided the final margin of victory.

Minnesota 3, Chicago 1
WP- Al Williams (8-12)
LP- Dennis Lamp (10-8)
HR- MIN: Kent Hrbek (3)

Summary: In a rare occurrence even for 1981, both pitchers threw complete games.

Oakland 4, Kansas City 3 (USA: Monte Moore, Wes Parker)
WP - Steve McCatty (17-9)
SV- Bob Owchinko (5)
LP - Dennis Leonard (15-13)
HR - OAK: Dwayne Murphy (22)

Summary: Owchinko struck out George Brett with two runners on and two outs to end the game and keep the A's deficit in the AL West at two and a half games.

The standings in the East to the moment:

(tie) Yankees: 75-57
(tie) Red Sox: 73-55

Brewers: 71-59- 3 GB
Tigers: 69-60- 4.5 GB
Orioles: 65-61- 7 GB
Indians: 63-66- 10.5 GB
Blue Jays: 45-82- 27.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 72-55
Athletics: 71-59- 2.5 GB
White Sox: 66-59- 5 GB
Angels: 68-62- 5.5 GB
Royals: 63-64- 9 GB
Mariners: 50-79- 23 GB
Twins: 47-82- 26 GB

Next: We look at July 3.

Thoughts?
 
Here's the American League Report for Friday, July 3:

Cleveland 5, Baltimore 4
WP - Rick Waits (9-12)
SV- Sid Monge (8)
LP - Sammy Stewart (5-9)
HR - CLE: Andre Thornton (12)

Summary: Thornton's three-run shot with two outs in the seventh inning helped to continue the Orioles' downward slide.

Detroit 10, Boston 0
WP - Dan Petry (13-10)
LP - Frank Tanana (6-13)
HR - DET: Steve Kemp (16), Lance Parrish (13), Richie Hebner (6)

Summary: Tanana was pulled after allowing seven runs in just two and a third innings at the famed corner of Michigan and Trumbull.

NY Yankees 14, Milwaukee 8
WP - Ron Davis (6-6)
LP - Moose Haas (12-10)
HR - NYY:Reggie Jackson (19), Oscar Gamble (16), Dave Winfield (21), Bucky Dent (8)
MIL: Robin Yount (15), Ben Ogilvie (19), Cecil Cooper (15)

Summary: It seemed everyone had their home run swing ready in the Bronx, even Bucky Bleepin' Dent. The Yanks are back on top of the Red Sox by a game in the East.

California 6, Kansas City 1
WP - Mike Witt (13-9)
LP - Paul Splittorff (6-8)

Summary: The Angels scored five in the fifth to break a 1-1 tie. From there, they trusted in Witt, who struck out twelve and shut down a lineup that is usually one of the best in the league.

Minnesota 4, Toronto 2
WP - Al Williams (9-12)
LP - Mike Willis (2-6)
HR - MIN: John Castino (9)

Summary: The Twins took the opener as the countdown continued to the end of Metropolitan Stadium. The announced attendance was only about 7,500.

Seattle 4, Chicago 3 (10 innings)
WP - Shane Rawley (7-7)
LP - Ed Farmer (4-6)
HR - SEA: Tom Paciorek (20)

Summary: Paciorek's two-run shot in the bottom of the 10th won it after Tony Bernazard's RBI single had given the Pale Hose the lead in the top of the inning. The Sox have tumbled into fourth place in the West as their game of leapfrog with the Angels continues.

Oakland 5, Texas 1
WP - Mike Norris (15-10)
LP - Doc Medich (11-7)
HR - OAK: Rickey Henderson (9)
TEX: Jim Sundberg (5)

Summary: The A's took the opening game of the series between the two leading teams in the West. Game time temperature was 97 degrees and the heat index was 106(!) Those numbers are extreme even by Texas standards. The win by the A's means that the Rangers' lead in the West is down to a game and a half.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 76-57
Red Sox: 73-56- 1 GB
Brewers: 71-60- 4 GB
Tigers: 70-60- 4.5 GB
Orioles: 65-62- 8 GB
Indians: 64-66- 10.5 GB
Blue Jays: 45-83- 28.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 72-56
Athletics: 72-59- 1.5 GB
Angels: 69-62- 4.5 GB
White Sox: 66-60- 5 GB
Royals: 63-65- 9 GB
Mariners: 51-79- 22 GB
Twins: 48-82- 25 GB

Next: We look at July 4.

Thoughts?
 
With the Pirates on the West Coast, I'm doubling up today so I can take off tomorrow. Here's the American League Report for Saturday, July 4:

Baltimore 2, Cleveland 1
WP - Mike Flanagan (13-7)
SV- Tippy Martinez (13)
LP - Rick Waits (9-13)

Summary: All the runs in this game came in the first inning. Waits struck out eleven in the complete game loss, while Flanagan and Martinez combined for thirteen.

Boston 7, Detroit 4
WP - Dennis Eckersley (14-10)
LP - Dan Petry (13-11)
HR - BOS: Jim Rice (28), Tony Perez (12)
DET: John Wockenfuss (11)

Summary: Rice and Perez went back-to-back in the fourth inning to give the Red Sox a lead they would not relinquish.

Milwaukee 9, NY Yankees 6 (10 innings; NBC: Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek)
WP - Jamie Easterly (5-3)
LP - Ron Davis (6-7)
HR - MIL: Robin Yount (16), Ben Ogilvie (20)
NYY: Reggie Jackson (20)

Summary: Ogilvie's three-run homer in the bottom of the tenth inning gave the Brewers a much-needed victory as the battle for the East continues. The Yanks had tied it on Jackson's eighth-inning home run, one of the longest ever hit at County Stadium. The earlier win by the Red Sox coupled with this Yankee loss means that there's once again a tie in the East, with the Brewers lurking in third place just three games back.

California 3, Kansas City 2
WP - Don Aase (6-4)
LP - Paul Splittorff (6-9)
HR - CAL: Brian Downing (18)

Summary: Royals manager Dick Howser sent Splittorff out for the ninth inning instead of bringing in Dan Quisenberry. The decision backfired, as Downing won the game with a walk-off shot.

Minnesota 10, Toronto 5
WP - Pete Redfern (12-9)
LP - Jim Clancy (7-16)
HR - MIN: John Castino (10), Gary Ward (5), Sal Butera (1)

Summary: The Twins' bats came alive. Ward hit for the cycle, the first such occurrence in the "makeup season".

Chicago 4, Seattle 1
WP - Britt Burns (13-8)
LP - Mike Parrott (3-9)

Summary: Burns allowed just four hits and one run in a complete game win.

Oakland 15, Texas 10
WP - Steve McCatty (18-9)
LP - Jon Matlack (4-8)
SV - Bob Owchinko (6)
HR - OAK: Rickey Henderson (10), Cliff Johnson (18), Rob Picciolo (8), Dwayne Murphy (23)
TEX: Buddy Bell 2 (14), Leon Roberts (5)

Summary: How wild was this game? The A's led 12-2, then the Rangers roared back to within 13-10 before Murphy's ninth-inning dinger put it away. The Rangers' lead in the West is now down to just half a game.

The standings in the East to the moment:

(tie) Yankees: 76-58
(tie) Red Sox: 74-56

Brewers: 72-60- 3 GB
Tigers: 70-61- 4.5 GB
Orioles: 66-62- 7 GB
Indians: 64-67- 10.5 GB
Blue Jays: 45-84- 28.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 72-57
Athletics: 73-59- .5 GB
Angels: 70-62- 3.5 GB
White Sox: 67-60- 4 GB
Royals: 63-66- 9 GB
Mariners: 51-80- 22 GB
Twins: 49-82- 24 GB

Next: We look at July 5.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Sunday, July 5:

(1st game) Baltimore 5, Cleveland 2
WP - Jim Palmer (10-9)
LP - Len Barker (10-11)
HR - BAL: Eddie Murray (18)

Summary: Palmer allowed just six hits and two runs over eight innings for the win.

(2nd game) Baltimore 10, Cleveland 5
WP - Scott McGregor (15-9)
LP - Wayne Garland (3-9)
HR - BAL: Rick Dempsey (8), Ken Singleton (16)
CLE: Andre Thornton (13)

Summary: The Orioles completed a vital doubleheader sweep. Dempsey hit a grand slam home run in the second inning and Cal Ripken Jr. had a pinch-hit RBI double.

Detroit 4, Boston 0
WP - Dan Schatzeder (9-9)
LP - Frank Tanana (6-14)

Summary: Schatzeder allowed only four hits from the usually potent Red Sox offense.

NY Yankees 5, Milwaukee 3
WP - Ron Guidry (14-7)
LP - Moose Haas (12-11)
HR - NYY: Dave Winfield 2 (23)

Summary: Winfield was the unquestioned hitting star with all five RBIs for the Yanks. The Brewers had runners on second and third with none out and failed to score in the top of the ninth; the game ended when Gorman Thomas struck out. The Yanks again lead the Red Sox by two games in the East.

Kansas City 3, California 2
WP - Dennis Leonard (16-13)
SV- Dan Quisenberry (21)
LP - Andy Hassler (4-5)
HR - CAL: Brian Downing (19)

Summary: This time, manager Dick Howser went with Quisenberry at the end of the game, and the submariner rewarded him with two perfect innings.

Toronto 6, Minnesota 1
WP - Jim Clancy (8-16)
LP - Fernando Arroyo (7-13)
HR - TOR: Jesse Barfield (5), Lloyd Moseby (13)

Summary: Barfield and Moseby went back-to-back in the fourth inning. Frank Viola made his big-league debut in the eighth, pitching one inning.

Chicago 8, Seattle 5
WP - Rich Dotson (10-9)
LP - Ken Clay (2-10)
HR - CWS: Carlton Fisk (12), Bill Almon (6)
SEA: Jerry Narron (4)

Summary: Fisk and Almon's home runs powered the White Sox to a much-needed victory which put them back in third place in the West.

Texas 8, Oakland 7 (10 innings)
WP - Dave Schmidt (1-2)
LP - Jeff Jones (4-3)
HR - TEX: Johnny Grubb (4), Bump Wills (4)
OAK: Rob Picciolo (9)

Summary: A high-scoring series ended with a rare home run from Bump Wills to win it for the Rangers in the bottom of the tenth. The Rangers had trailed 7-1 after five innings. The Rangers' lead over the A's in the West is back up to a game and a half.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 77-56
Red Sox: 74-57- 2 GB
Brewers: 72-61- 5 GB
Tigers: 71-61- 5.5 GB
Orioles: 68-62- 7.5 GB
Indians: 64-69- 13 GB
Blue Jays: 46-84- 29.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 73-57
Athletics: 73-60- 1.5 GB
White Sox: 68-60- 4 GB
Angels: 70-63- 4.5 GB
Royals: 64-66- 9 GB
Mariners: 51-81- 23 GB
Twins: 49-83- 25 GB

NOTE: The AL East standings have been wrong all along. I had the Yankees with two more losses than I should have. What you see here are the correct and official standings. Sorry for the screwup!

Next: We look at July 6.

Thoughts?
 
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