I haven't logged multiple games in the same post in months, so enjoy the double dose.
Game #167 - California Angels, 9 @ Toronto Blue Jays, 11
This was a long, strange game. In the bottom of the first George Bell supposedly beat out a grounder up the first base line, but Angels starter Mike Witt, catcher Bob Boone, and first baseman Rod Carew were so enraged by what they considered a bad call that all three were ejected! You've got to love Statis Pro and crazy "Z" plays like this. The Angels had to use four relievers just to finish this game after the early exit of Witt.
Dave Stieb was cruising through the first five innings of the game, but then another "Z" play happened: rain delay. I actually pulled out my history book of baseball stadiums to verify Toronto wasn't in a dome in 1984. I pulled Stieb after the rain delay and Jimmy Key proceeded to surrender seven runs over two innings. Lucky for the Blue Jays they had built an insurmountable lead. Fred Lynn was 3 for 5 in the losing effort, with a triple and two homers.
Winning Pitcher - Dave Stieb
Losing Pitcher - Bruce Kison
Save - Roy Lee Jackson
Player of the Game - Willie Upshaw, 3-5, 2B, HR, 3RBI's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson
Game #168 - Houston Astros, 3 @ Atlanta Braves, 4
On paper this looked like a pitcher's duel, as Joe Niekro and Rick Mahler have both been aces in the early going of this Statis Pro season, but both gave up three runs before getting pulled. Mahler made it through six innings, but with all the runners the Astros stranded the damage should have been worse. Niekro was grooving until he reached the eighth. A Claudell Washington walk, Dale Murphy single, and Bob Horner homer (for his first RBI's of the season - after a twelve game drought) had the game tied and both pitchers facing a no decision. It stayed that way until the bottom of the ninth. There were two outs and Astros ace reliever Bill Dawley on the mound. Gerald Perry dug into the batter's box and hit a...WALK-OFF HOMER!!! BRAVES WIN!!!
Winning Pitcher - Donnie Moore
Losing Pitcher - Bill Dawley
Player of the Game - Gerald Perry, 2-4, BB, Game Winning Home Run
Ah, I know all too well the infamous 'lose three players at once' Z Play card...I've seen it many times over 1,200 games. I once had it happen on the very first play of the game...and Steve Garvey was the first baseman ejected. I had to check the rule book to make sure his games-played streak was still intact!
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