June 19, 1984 - Hershiser Shines in Relief

 

Game #844 - Los Angeles Dodgers, 7 @ Cincinnati Reds, 5 (10 innings)

Jay Tibbs, one of the better pitchers for Cincy in 1984, got rocked right out of the gate in this contest.  In the top of the first the Dodgers bruised him for four runs, including a two-run homer from Greg Brock.  Tibbs lasted through the fifth, where he gave up another run on a Mike Marshall single that plated Mike Scioscia from second base.

The L.A. 5-0 lead, however, evaporated in the bottom of the fifth.  Alejandro Pena, a major Cy Young Award contender, had runners on first and second with one out.  Tom Lawless stroked a double to score Wayne Krenchicki.  Pinch-hitter Eric Davis came up next, hit a ground ball to Dave Anderson at short, but Anderson booted, leading to two more runs.  Nine Reds batters would eventually come to the plate against Pena, and by the time the dust settled it was a tie game.

Orel Hershiser, currently working out of the pen, took over in the sixth and held Cincinnati in check through the bottom of the ninth.  Meanwhile, in the top of the tenth, ace reliever John Franco started his third inning of work.  He walked two of the first three batters, and both runners advanced on a groundout from Mike Marshall.  There were two outs with both runners in scoring position when Steve Yeager subbed in for Greg Brock.  Yeager came through with a huge single that scored Dave Anderson and Pedro Guerrero.  Hershiser worked his fifth inning of scoreless relief in the bottom of tenth to secure the win!

Winning Pitcher - Orel Hershiser

Losing Pitcher - John Franco

Player of the Game - Hershiser, 5IP, 0H's, 2BB's, K

June 17, 1984 - Reynolds Raps

Game #827 - Los Angeles Dodgers, 11 @ Houston Astros, 5

Houston starter Mike LaCoss did himself no favors when he loaded the bases in the top of the first and then walked Mike Scioscia for the first run of the game.  R.J. Reynolds slapped a single to score the second.  Terry Puhl homered in the bottom of the first to cut it to 2-1.

The Dodgers struck again in the top of the third.  With two runners on Reynolds struck again, this time lacing a triple to plate two more runs.  Ken Landreaux then singled home Reynolds and it was 5-1.

Though the Astros managed a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth inning, they didn't really matter as L.A. kept their foot on the gas and scored six more.  That included a two-run homer by Pedro Guerrero, who appears to be awakening from a season-long slump.  Reynolds ended the game a home run shy of the cycle.

The Houston bullpen got taxed after three different relievers had to toss multiple innings following LaCoss.  They'll be short-staffed in their next game. 

Winning Pitcher - Bob Welch
Losing Pitcher - Mike LaCoss
Player of the Game - R.J. Reynolds, 3-4, BB, 2B, 3B, 3R's, 3RBI

June 16, 1984 - Flying in a "V" Formation

Game #813 - Philadelphia Phillies, 6 @ Chicago Cubs, 5

Yet another game where I couldn't pilot the Cubs to victory...

It was a scoreless game until the top of the second inning.  That's when Ozzie Virgil doubled home Tim Corcoran, and Virgil later scored when Juan Samuel hit an RBI sacrifice fly.

The Cubs took the lead in the bottom of the third when Charles Hudson surrendered an RBI to Cubs pitcher Dickie Noles, whose bloop hit caused Ivan DeJesus and Greg Gross to crash into each other, knocking both out of the game and putting them on the DL.  Ryne Sandberg plated another two three batters later to give Chicago a 3-2 lead.

It stayed that score until the top of the sixth.  Luis Aguayo led off with a solo homer (in the game in place of DeJesus) and later in the inning Joe Lefebvre hit a two-run dong of his own.  That made it 5-3 Phillies.  Philadelphia never relinquished the lead after that, thought they sent their third player to the DL when Tim Corcoran hurt his hand on a line drive catch.

Winning Pitcher - Charles Hudson
Losing Pitcher - Dickie Noles
Save - Al Holland
Player of the Game - Ozzie Virgil, 2-4, 2B, RBI, 3R's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Mike Schmidt, Ryne Sandberg, Lee Smith

Happy Trails...Dickie Noles

Dickie Noles started this game, his only start of the year for Chicago, thus completing his season for the Cubbies.  Don't worry, you haven't seen the last of him.  In the real 1984 he got traded to the Rangers, where I currently have him on their active roster.  Don't ask me how he can be pitching for two teams at the same time...

Let's compare the Dickies!

Statis Pro 1984 - 1-2, 6.05 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 4.40 FIP, 30K's
The Real 1984 - 2-2, 5.15 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 4.25 FIP, 14K's

If you go by WHIP and FIP, those are two very similar seasons.  Statis Pro Noles got tagged for more runs, though.  But he also doubled his strikeouts in fewer innings pitched.  Funny enough, Statis Pro Noles also recorded two hits, which didn't happen in the real 1984.  We'll see you down in Arlington, Dickie!

Game #814 - Los Angeles Dodgers, 10 @ Houston Astros, 1

Dial up the Fernandomania, because Valenzuela had himself a game.  He wasn't super dominant on the mound, but he scratched through eight innings by spreading eight hits and two walks, only allowing one run to cross the plate.  He really shined in the batter's box.  He went 2-4 with a double and home run!

Other Dodgers shone too.  Mike Scioscia scored three runs out of the lead-off spot and Mike Marshall homered from the cleanup spot.  Terry Whitfield had a nice game too, going 3-4 with a walk and a RBI.

Winning Pitcher - Fernando Valenzuela
Losing Pitcher - Mike Scott
Player of the Game - Fernando Valenzuela

June 15, 1984 - ...and I'm back!

Game #801 - Los Angeles Dodgers, 6 @ Houston Astros, 9

Sorry for the two months off, everyone!  During that time we had a major kitchen renovation to repair a slab leak and the table and area of the house I use to play my Statis Pro games became swamped with kitchen appliances during the upheaval. 

Let's catch up with this game in the top of the fourth.  The Dodgers had a 3-2 lead when Steve Yeager went yard with Greg Brock on base ahead of him, giving L.A. a three-run lead.  But Houston came roaring back in the bottom of the fifth.  Dodgers starter Jerry Reuss allowed four straight batters to reach base, including an RBI double by Jim Pankovits and an RBI triple by Bill Doran. 

The Dodgers managed to tie the game in the seventh after Terry Whitfield doubled home Pedro Guerrero.  But reliever Pat Zachry allowed two unearned runs in the seventh after a Mike Marshall fielding gaff.  Frank DiPino pitched two scoreless innings to notch the save.

Winning Pitcher - Bill Dawley
Losing Pitcher - Pat Zachry
Save - Frank DiPino
Player of the Game - Bill Doran, 4-4, 3B, BB, RBI, 2Rs

Game #802 - Minnesota Twins, 2 @ Kansas City Royals, 7

The Royals continued their climb towards first place in the AL West after a drubbing of the Twins.  Minnesota actually scored first, though, in the top of the fifth.  Consecutive fielding errors by George Brett resulted in two unearned runs.  But in the bottom half of the inning U.L. Washington singled home Pat Sheridan before back to back triples by Willie Wilson and George Brett gave K.C. the lead.  The Royals would tack on four more runs over the last third of the game to give them an easy win.

The Twins saw Kirby Puckett go down for 14 games after he dove for a ball and couldn't come up with it.

Winning Pitcher - Bret Saberhagen
Losing Pitcher - John Butcher
Player of the Game - Saberhagen, 7IP, 0ER, 2K's, 7H's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Kirby Puckett, George Brett

June 14, 1984 - Hall of Fame Effort

Game #789 - Philadelphia Phillies, 1 @ Chicago Cubs, 7

Tim Corcoran jumped on a Rick Reuschel fastball for a solo homer and an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first.  But the Cubs would triple that score in the bottom half with only one hit!  Jerry Koosman allowed a lead-off single to Bob Dernier and then walked Gary Matthews.  Ryne Sandberg was up next and hit a hard grounder to Juan Samuel who bobbled the play, allowing Dernier to score.  Keith Moreland was up next and hit a grounder in the infield.  Matthews charged for home and was safe on the fielder's choice.  A couple of batters later Henry Cotto hit a sacrifice fly to plate Sandberg. 

Reuschel cruised in and out of trouble through the seventh, and even had an RBI single in the fifth to extend the Cubs lead to 4-1.  Chicago added two more runs on a Sandberg homer in the sixth and the Phillies never threatened after that.

Winning Pitcher - Rick Reuschel
Losing Pitcher - Jerry Koosman
Player of the Game - Ryne Sandberg, 2-4, HR, 2RBI, 2Rs, BB
Hall of Famers in the Game - Mike Schmidt, Ryne Sandberg

Game #790 - Los Angeles Dodgers, 1 @ Houston Astros, 2

Nolan Ryan and Rick Honeycutt both looked good early, but especially Ryan.  The first five outs of the game for the Dodgers were all K's and Ryan had nine through four innings!  I thought we could be approaching Roger Clemens/Kerry Wood territory but Nolan let off the gas a bit after that.

The Dodgers scored first in the top of the fifth thanks to an RBI double by Pedro Guerrero.  But Houston responded by scratching out two runs in their half of the inning on RBI singles from Bill Doran and Jerry Mumphrey...

...and that would be all the offense on the day!  Ryan lasted seven innings while Dave Smith pitched two innings of relief for the win.

Winning Pitcher - Nolan Ryan
Losing Pitcher - Rick Honeycutt
Save - Dave Smith
Player of the Game - Ryan, 7IP, R, 11K's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Nolan Ryan

June 13, 1984 - Bailed Out

Game #777 - Cincinnati Reds, 3 @ Houston Astros, 6

Eddie Milner stood on third base with two outs in the top of the first when Dave Parker poked a ball into the outfield for the RBI and early 1-0 lead.  Houston went out front in the bottom of the third thanks to a two-run homer by Jose Cruz.

The Reds were still trailing by a run in the top of the fourth when Tom Lawless, playing second base for the injured Ron Oester, had runners on second and third.  He lined a single to plate two runs and, once again, give the Reds a lead.  But Terry Puhl tied it up again in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI to make it 3-3.

It stayed at that score until the bottom of the eighth.  The Astros combined for four doubles (Craig Reynolds, Mark Bailey, Phil Garner, and Bill Doran) for three runs off pitchers Ted Power and Bob Owchinko.  Bill Dawley closed things out in the top of the ninth and Houston secured the win.

Winning Pitcher - Frank DiPino
Losing Pitcher - Ted Power
Save - Bill Dawley
Player of the Game - Mark Bailey, 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB, 2R's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Tony Perez

Game #778 - San Francisco Giants, 5 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 9

My dad was back in town for Christmas, and his beloved Dodgers were due to play again for the first time since he managed them over Thanksgiving, so he put his coach's hat on and channeled his inner Tommy Lasorda once more.

Things started off terribly for him.  My Giants had runners on second and third with two outs when my father elected to intentionally walk Scot Thompson in order to face Joel Youngblood.  Youngblood didn't take to that too kindly and jacked a GRAND SLAM off Alejandro Pena to put my dad in a bad mood while I started giggling.

In the top of the second Johnnie LeMaster led off with a single and stole second base.  Mike Scoiscia's throw went into the outfield and LeMaster scored on the error.  The Dodgers did pick up their first run in the bottom of the second thanks to an RBI from Ken Landreaux, my longtime nemesis when playing against my father.

The Giants were still up, 5-2, going into the bottom of the sixth.  The Dodger bats exploded, led in large part by pinch-hitter Bob Bailor's bases clearing double.  They scored four runs total to go up by a run.  In the bottom of the seventh two fielding errors by backup shortstop Joe Pittman led to three more runs and my Dad ended the day with a smile on his face.

Winning Pitcher - Alejandro Pena
Losing Pitcher - Bob Lacey
Save - Tom Niedenfuer
Player of the Game - Bob Bailor, 1-2, 2B, 3RBI, R

June 12, 1984 - Grandpa FTW

I've mentioned this in the past, but my Dad is who got me into Statis Pro Baseball 30+ years ago.  I remember the Christmas morning I opened the game.  It came with the 1985 season in the box.  But all the player cards were attached to each other via perforated card stock.  My Dad started reading the directions as I meticulously tore the cards out.  It caused our dining room table to be covered in paper dust from the constant ripping.

In those early days I would always use my beloved Orioles and my Dad would use his Los Angeles Dodgers.  I always thought I had the superior lineup, but more times than not, he found a way to beat me.  More than one Fast Action Card turned up in favor of Ken Landreaux in particular.  Ken killed me back in the day!

I only mention all of this because my Dad was in town for Thanksgiving and, thanks to an aggressive playing schedule before he arrived, I made sure the Dodgers were up next so I could force him to play with me.  He "reluctantly" agreed but soon got into the spirit, cracking jokes about how Mike Marshall used to lumber around the base paths or Greg Brock's gorgeous blond hair. As things turned out, we got to play a pretty epic game...

Game #765 - San Francisco Giants, 1 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 2 (12 innings!)

My Dad had Bob Welch on the mound and I countered with Mike Krukow.  Jack Clark lined a double in the top of the first but got stranded at second.  Steve Sax singled in the bottom half of the inning but the Dodgers couldn't push him across home.

In the bottom of the second Mike Marshall reached second base on a Joel Youngblood fielding error (no wonder given his E10 rating).  Two batters later Candy Maldonado cracked a single and Marshall beat the throw to the plate.  Maldonado was then thrown out at second in a failed hit and run from my nemesis, Ken Landreaux.

And after that...it was nothing but goose eggs.  Krukow lasted seven innings only giving up the unearned run in the second.  Welch, meanwhile, held the Giants to four hits through eight.  In the top of the ninth the Giants were down to their last three outs and my Dad kept Welch on the mound in true Tommy Lasorda fashion.  With one out Jeff Leonard came up and launched a solo homer to tie the game!  I sprung up from my seat and did a one-flap-down run around the kitchen.  Gary LaVelle walked the lead-off batter in the bottom of the ninth but the Dodgers didn't score and we were on to extra innings!

My Dad brought in Orel Hershiser in the tenth and he got three quick outs.  Greg Minton did the same, lasting two innings of relief.  In the top of the 12th Hershiser was still on the mound but got into trouble.  Al Oliver walked and moved to second on a Bob Brenly single with one out.  Scot Thompson grounded into a fielder's choice that moved Oliver to third.  But John Rabb flew out to strand the runner and we moved to the bottom of the inning.

Frank Williams took over from Minton and, by his own fielding error, allowed Maldonado to reach base.  Maldonado moved to third on a hit and run from, you guessed it, Ken Landreaux (my Dad is obsessed with the hit and run in Statis Pro).  That brought up Steve Yeager, who entered the game in the tenth on a double switch.  Yeager poked a walk-off single to win the game!  Dad was happy and I was happy for him.

Winning Pitcher - Orel Hershiser
Losing Pitcher - Frank Williams
Player of the Game - Steve Yeager, 1-1, GWRBI, BB

Game #766 - Baltimore Orioles, 2 @ Milwaukee Brewers, 1

Scott McGregor and Mike Caldwell faced off in this one, and both did quite well for themselves.  Through five innings neither team scored.  McGregor was aided by three double plays.  In fact, the Brewers would hit into them six times in the game, which seems close to a record for the season.

A Jim Gantner error allowed Ken Singleton to reach in the sixth, and he eventually scored on a Todd Cruz single to give the O's the lead.  But the Brewers tied it up again in the bottom half of the inning.  Cecil Cooper singled home Ted Simmons, who was three for three on the day.

It was still 1-1 in the top of the ninth.  Bob McClure was on for Milwaukee but, with two outs, allowed a John Shelby single.  Shelby moved to second on a wild pitch, and then Gary Roenicke singled him home for the lead.  Tippy Martinez relieved McGregor in the ninth and got the save.

Winning Pitcher - Scott McGregor
Losing Pitcher - Bob McClure
Save - Tippy Martinez
Player of the Game - Gary Roenicke, 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2BBs
Hall of Famers in the Game - Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray, Robin Yount

June 11, 1984 - Lefties Dominate the NL West

Game #753 - Cincinnati Reds, 2 @ Houston Astros, 6

Mario Soto took the mound for the Reds and Bob Knepper was handed the ball for Houston, and both pitchers were dominant early.  In fact, through the first four innings, it was all goose eggs on the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the fifth, though, Houston finally came up big.  Craig Reynolds reached on an error with one out and then moved to third on a Ray Knight double.  That brought up Mark Bailey he launched his first homer of the year, good for three RBI.

The sixth and seventh innings were uneventful but the Reds finally put some runs on the board in the eighth when Cesar Cedeno took Knepper deep for a two-run blast.  But Houston picked up three insurance runs in the bottom half of the inning to guarantee the win.

Winning Pitcher - Bob Knepper
Losing Pitcher - Mario Soto
Player of the Game - Mark Bailey, 1-3, HR, 3RBI
Hall of Famers in the Game - Tony Perez

Game #754 - San Fransisco Giants, 1 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 6

Fernandomania was in full effect in this game.  Valenzuela struck out the first two batters he faced.  Meanwhile, in the bottom of the first, LA posted an early 3-0 lead thanks in large part to a two-run bomb from Pedro Guerrero.  Guerrero is showing signs of finally heating up after a dismal start to the Statis Pro season.

Valenzuela picked up two more K's in the second and another in the third and I started to think something special was going on.  I wasn't disappointed!  In the fourth inning he fanned another two Giants and then he struck out the side in the fifth!!!  The Statis Pro single game strike out record so far is 15, by Steve Carlton, and it looked like he might fly by that.  But he "only" got one strike out in each of his last four frames to fall short of 15 by just one.  What a game!!!

Winning Pitcher - Fernando Valenzuela
Losing Pitcher - Mark Davis
Player of the Game - Fernandomania, 14Ks, CG, 1R, 4Hs, 3BBs

June 10, 1984 - Blowouts and Nail Biters

Game #743 - Atlanta Braves, 16 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 1

You want to know something funny?  The Dodgers actually led this game 1-0 after the first.  Mike Marshall doubled home Pedro Guerrero but Pascual Perez settled down after that.

Randy Johnson was the big star on offense for the Braves.  In the third inning he hit a double that scored Albert Hall and later crossed home himself thanks to a Brad Komminsk hit. 

In the fourth inning he tattooed a homer for three RBI.

In the fifth, for the third consecutive inning, he had yet another RBI base knock. 

He added his sixth and final RBI of the day in the seventh, one of seven runs that scored in the inning.

Winning Pitcher - Pascual Perez
Losing Pitcher - Jerry Reuss
Player of the Game - Randy Johnson, 5-6, 2B, HR, 6RBI, 3Rs

Game #744 - New York Mets, 3 @ Montreal Exops, 2

Ron Darling and Bryn Smith were posting goose eggs through the first three frames of this game.  But in the top of the fourth Darryl Strawberry led off with a double, and scored two batters later when Mookie Wilson ripped a triple.  In the top of the sixth the Mets got two more runs.  George Foster hit a solo shot to start the inning.  Strawberry came up next and walked.  From there he stole second base, but moved to third on a throwing error by Gary Carter.  He then scored on a Hubie Brooks sacrifice fly.

Darling, meanwhile, continued to cruise until the eighth.  With two outs he walked Derrell Thomas.  Gary Carter made up for his gaff by blasting Darling's next pitch into the bleachers to close the lead to a run.  But Doug Sisk recorded the last four outs to save the win for the Metropolitans. 

Winning Pitcher - Ron Darling
Losing Pitcher - Bryn Smith
Save - Doug Sisk
Player of the Game - Darryl Strawberry, 1-3, 2B, BB, SB, 2Rs
Hall of Famers in the Game - Tim Raines, Gary Carter, Andre Dawson

June 9, 1984 - Fireworks

Game #727 - Atlanta Braves, 6 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 3

Back to back RBI singles by Claudell Washington and Brad Komminsk in the top of the first gave Atlanta a quick 2-0 lead against the Dodgers.  But in the bottom of the second the L.A. offense would respond in the exact same way.  Steve Sax and starting pitcher Rick Honeycutt were the culprits this time, tying the game at two apiece.

And that was all the offense there was until the eighth inning!  Still tied at two, reliever Gene Garber was in his second inning of work when Ken Landreaux zapped a solo homer to give the Dodgers a lead heading into the top of the ninth!  Pat Zachry was trying to record the final three outs but lead-off hitter Komminsk jacked his own homer to tie the game!  The Braves would record another three runs, including a 2-RBI double by Gerald Perry.  It was a stunning loss for the Dodgers.

Winning Pitcher - Gene Garber
Losing Pitcher - Pat Zachry
Save - Donnie Moore
Player of the Game - Brad Komminsk, 3-4, HR, 2RBI.

Game #728 - Toronto Blue Jays, 5 @ New York Yankees, 9

It looked like the first place Blue Jays were going to run away with the game when they plated four in the top of the second inning.  They batted around with RBI singles from Garth Iorg, Dave Collins, Jorge Bell, and Jesse Barfield.

But the Yankees came charging back in the bottom of the third.  Donnie Baseball blasted a three-run job to bring the Bronx within a run of the lead.  Barfield responded in the fourth with his second RBI of the game, extending the Toronto lead to 5-3.  But the Yankees tagged starter Jim Clancy with five straight singles in the bottom of the fifth, and then Ken Griffey ripped a double off reliever Jimmy Key to help the Yankees post five runs in the inning.  Mattingly added a solo homer in the eighth for a bit of insurance.

Winning Pitcher - Ray Fontenot
Losing Pitcher - Jim Clancy
Save - Bob Shirley
Player of the Game - Don Mattingly, 3-5, 2HRs, 4RBI, 3Rs

June 8, 1984 - The City of Angels that Never Sleeps

Game #713 - Atlanta Braves, 0 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 4

Braves starter Rick Mahler got into trouble right away in the bottom of the first.  Pedro Guerrero had an RBI ground out that plated Dave Anderson for the first run.  Mike Marshall had an RBI ground out that plated Mike Scioscia for the second run.  And then Ken Landreaux blasted a two-run homer to score himself and Greg Brock.

Alejandro Pena, meanwhile, was dealing the nasty stuff.  He logged six innings of work, surrendering zero runs and just three hits and two walks.  Carlos Diaz, Pat Zachry, and Tom Niedenfuer pitched a scoreless three innings of relief to to blank the hapless Braves.

Winning Pitcher - Alejandro Pena
Losing Pitcher - Rick Mahler
Player of the Game - Mike Scioscia, 3-4, R, threw out Claudell Washington when he tried to steal second base.

Game #714 - New York Mets, 10 @ Montreal Expos, 5

The Mets send eleven straight batters to the plate in the first inning before recording their first out.  Expos starter Bill Gullickson was yanked after just facing nine hitters.  Four Mets had doubles in the inning - Wally Backman, Darryl Strawberry, George Foster, and Keith Hernandez.  It was 9-0 before it reached the bottom of the first!

Dwight Gooden didn't look good either, though.  He gave up three runs in the bottom half of the inning, which included a Tim Wallach homer.  He settled down after that and lasted six total innings before Ed Lynch came in for the final three frames.  Wallach managed his second homer of the day in the eighth, but it wasn't enough to overcome that first inning onslaught.

Winning Pitcher - Dwight Gooden
Losing Pitcher - Bill Gullickson
Save - Ed Lynch
Player of the Game - Keith Hernandez, 3-4, 2 2Bs, 2RBI, 2Rs, BB
Hall of Famers in the Game - Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, Gary Carter

June 7, 1984 - Battles for Second Place

Game #703 - Seattle Mariners, 5 @ Kansas City Royals, 8

The charging Kansas City Royals continued their march up the AL West standings, starting the game in third place with the Mariners just a game ahead of them.  Ed VandeBerg got into a heap of trouble in the bottom of the second as his own fielding error, along with another glove blunder from right fielder Dave Henderson, allowed four Royals to cross home plate.  KC posted another run in the third and then chased VandeBerg out of the game in the fourth after RBI hits from Darryl Motley and Steve Balboni.

In the top of the seventh the Royals saw their 8-0 lead come into trouble.  Bud Black surrendered a walk and three straight hits before getting pulled in favor of Danny Jackson.  The Mariners scored three that inning and then two more in the eighth, and suddenly they only had a three run lead.  But Dan Quisenberry came in for the ninth and got Henderson, Ken Phelps, and Barr Bonnell to all fly out quietly for a Royals win.  They're now tied for second with the M's.

Winning Pitcher - Bud Black
Losing Pitcher - Ed VandeBerg
Save - Dan Quisenberry
Player of the Game - Darryl Motley, 4-5, 2 2Bs, 2Rs, RBI
Hall of Famers in the Game - George Brett

Game #704 - Atlanta Braves, 5 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 3

Atlanta entered the game just a game and a half behind the Dodgers for second place in the NL West.  They scored first in the top of the first with an RBI from (not that) Randy Johnson that plated Claudell Washington.  Bob Welch settled down after that, striking out seven Braves until Washington launched a two-run homer in the fifth to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth a Dale Murphy error allowed Bob Welch to score from first.  Welch was on first because of a Craig McMurtry fielding gaff.  Mike Scioscia lined out to Rafael Ramirez with R.J. Reynolds on first, but the liner injured Ramirez and now he'll be out for the next ten games.  That brought up Pedro Guerrero, who is stone cold this Statis Pro season despite having a good 1984.  He finally showed life by roping a triple to plate Reynolds and reduce the Atlanta lead to one run.

The Braves managed two more runs to L.A.'s additional run in the eighth, and Donnie Moore locked it down in the bottom of the ninth to give Atlanta the win.  They're now just a half game back of the Dodgers.

Winning Pitcher - Craig McMurtry
Losing Pitcher - Bob Welch
Save - Donnie Moore
Player of the Game - McMurtry, 6IP, ER, 3Hs, 4Ks

June 6, 1984 - It Only Takes One to Win

Game #691 - Seattle Mariners, 6 @ Kansas City Royals, 7

Rookie Alvin Davis continued his torrid start to the season with a home run in the top of the first off Larry Gura.  The Mariners poured three more runs in the third, courtesy of RBI hits from Steve Henderson, Al Cowens, and Spike Owen.

But in the bottom of the third the Royals managed to tie the game.  George Brett knocked home Don Slaught and then two batters later Jorge Orta jacked a three-run homer. 

It stayed 4-4 until the bottom of the fifth.  Jim Beattie was in trouble once again.  With Greg Pryor and Brett on base, Darryl Motley added the second three-run homer of the game for KC.  Joe Beckwith gutted out three solid innings of relief work while Mark Huismann garnered the save.

Winning Pitcher - Larry Gura
Losing Pitcher - Jim Beattie
Save - Mark Huismann
Player of the Game - Joe Beckwith, 3IP, R, 2K's
Hall of Famers in the Game - George Brett

Game #692 - Cincinnati Reds, 0 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 1

Mario Soto teed off against Fernando Valenzuela, and I thought Fernando Valenzuela was going to get rocked.  He drew a "bad luck" FAC out of the gate, dropping his pitch rating from 2-7 to 2-5.  Little did I know the first five outs of the ball game would be by STRIKE OUT!  Fernando mania!!!

Soto was touched with terrible luck.  He went seven strong innings, only giving up three hits.  But one of them was a solo blast by Greg Brock.  Valenzuela was on cruise control until the top of the ninth.  He struck out Dave Parker and Tony Perez to bring up Dave Concepcion.  But Concepcion doubled!  With the tying run on second I was tempted to call in Tom Niedenfuer, but I let Fernando pitch to Ron Oester.  He K-ed Oester for the third strikeout of the inning!  Dodgers win!

Winning Pitcher - Fernando Valenzuela
Losing Pitcher - Mario Soto
Player of the Game - Valenzuela, CG SHO, 11K's, 7H's, 2BB's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Tony Perez

June 5, 1984 - Rated PG

Game #679 - Cincinnati Reds, 2 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 0

I'm not exaggerating when I say Frank Pastore might be the worst starter in Statis Pro so far, but good governor, he pitched one of the most fantastic starts of the  year!

The Dodgers recorded their first base-runner in the bottom of the second.  Ken Landreaux singled with two outs.  He was stranded after R.J. Reynolds struck out to end the inning.  L.A. didn't have a new runner until the bottom of the sixth!  Orel Hershiser singled but Dave Anderson struck out and then Mike Scioscia grounded out to Dave Concepcion.

Speaking of Hershiser...he was nearly as brilliant.  He only allowed one run over eight innings, a Tom Foley sacrifice fly that plated Dave Parker.  But Pastore was practically perfect, so Orel got stuck with the loss.

Winning Pitcher - Frank Pastore
Losing Pitcher - Orel Hershiser
Player of the Game - Pastore, CG SHO, 3H's, BB, 7K's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Tony Perez

Game #680 - Texas Rangers, 5 @ Minnesota Twins, 8

Mike Smithson worked a perfect first inning but ran into a buzz-saw in the top of the second.  The Rangers smoked him for three runs and only escaped when Wayne Tolleson got thrown out trying to steal second base.

In the bottom of the fourth the Rangers were up 4-0 when the Twins came roaring back.  A Gary Gaetti RBI single led the way as they tied the game back up.  Gaetti drove in two more in the fifth to give Minnesota their first lead of the game.  They'd go on to win the game, breaking their tie for last place with Texas.

Winning Pitcher - Mike Smithson
Losing Pitcher - Frank Tanana
Save - Mike Walters
Player of the Game - Gary Gaetti, 4-4, 2R's, 3RBI
Hall of Famers in the Game - Kirby Puckett

June 4, 1984 - Identical Scores

Game #667 - Cincinnati Reds, 6 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 5

Gary Redus stood on second base with one out in the top of the first when Cesar Cedeno dug in against Rick Honeycutt.  He must have ate his Wheaties because he jacked it over the fence for a quick 2-0 lead for the Reds.

Cincy was up 3-0 by the bottom of the second, but back to back RBI hits by Steve Sax and Dave Anderson closed the lead to one.  The Reds responded in the top of the fourth.  This time it was Cedeno standing on second when Dave Parker went big-fly for the second two-run homer of the game.

The Dodgers kept chipping back, especially in the bottom of the seventh when Ken Landreaux launched his own two-run bomb but John Franco recorded the last four outs to save the game for the Reds.

Winning Pitcher - Joe Price
Losing Pitcher - Rick Honeycutt
Save - John Franco
Player of the Game - Cesar Cedeno, 2-4, HR, 2RBI, 2R's, SB

Game #668 - Texas Rangers, 6 @ Minnesota Twins, 5

It was a scoreless game until the top of the second, when the Rangers sent nine batters to the plate against Minnesota starter John Butcher.  Gary Ward walked to start that inning and then stole his first base of the year.  But Dave Engle air-mailed the throw allowing Ward to score on the error.  Marv Foley followed later with a two-RBI single.

By the bottom of the ninth the Rangers had a 6-1 lead.  Danny Darwin was masterful, and the only run he allowed was unearned thanks to a Buddy Bell throwing error.  With the five run cushion Tom Henke trotted to the mound to close things out.  His real 1984 was atrocious and his Statis Pro form is even worse.  He maintained that rep by allowing a double to Dave Engle and then a hit plus a fielding error on a Jim Eisenreich single.  Pinch-hitter Randy Bush walked and that brought up Kirby Puckett.  He was 0 for 4 up to that point but jumped all over a Henke fastball to zap a triple that plated two.  All of a sudden the Twins were only down two!  Henke got yanked for closer Dave Schmidt.  With Puckett on third Mickey Hatcher flew out deep enough in right field to score Puckett.  That made it a one-run lead with two outs and Kent Hrbek at the plate.  But Schmidt dug deep and K-ed Hrbek for the ballgame. 

There were eight total errors in the game, which I'm pretty sure was a record for the season.

Winning Pitcher - Danny Darwin
Losing Pitcher - John Butcher
Save - Dave Schmidt
Player of the Game - Darwin, 8IP, 1R, 7K's, 6H's, 0BB's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Kirby Puckett

Happy Trails...Jim Eisenreich

This was Eisenreich's last game of the Statis Pro season.  In the real 1984 he left baseball for three years to overcome his case of Tourettes.  He was quite the inspiration for others who suffer from the symptom when he came back to baseball in 1987 and found success with the Phillies and Marlins among other teams.

Let's see how he did in the real 1984 compared to this Statis Pro season:

Real 1984:  1R, 7H, 2B, 3RBI, 2S, 2BB, .219/.250/.250
Statis Pro:  3R, 9H, 0B, 1RBI, 2S, 5BB, .391/.500/.391

Yikes - that's a huge difference.  In a very small sample size (28 plate appearances on the Statis Pro season) Eisenreich got very lucky.  In the real 1984 his departure from the team cleared the way for future Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett.  I've been playing Puckett since day one, though.  I'm bringing in Pat Putnam to replace Eisenreich's spot on the roster.

June 3, 1984 - Holy Calamity Scream Insanity

Game #651 - Baltimore Orioles, 10 @ Detroit Tigers, 9 (14 innings!)

Baltimore entered the game without a win in their road trip to Detroit and were desperate to get a "W".  What happened next was pure insanity.

The O's took the lead in the top of the third when Mike Young doubled home John Shelby.  But in the bottom of the third Tom Brookens went yard, continuing his hot hitting since coming off the DL.  Then in the top of the fifth Baltimore tagged Jack Morris for another three runs, including another RBI from Young.

It would stay 4-2 in favor of the Orioles until the bottom of the sixth.  Scott McGregor, who was pitching without his best stuff, gave up a solo homer to Chet Lemon.  But he lasted through seven and handed the ball over to Sammy Stewart, who has not been good this season despite supposed to being their closer.  Sure enough, in the bottom of the ninth with a one run lead, he gave up a sacrifice fly RBI to Darrell Evans that scored pinch-hitter Dave Bergman.  Extra innings!  And by extra, I mean EXTRA...

Tippy Martinez took the mound for the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth inning and was in total control, striking out seven Tigers.  In the top of the 13th the Orioles rewarded his grit by plastering Sid Monge for FOUR runs, including an Earl Weaver-approved three run dong from, you guessed it, Mike Young.  Tippy went back out to the mound in the bottom of the inning to nail down the win.  Until he didn't.  He walked Kirk Gibson, struck out Bergman, but then gave up a two-run homer to Rupert Jones!  That got Martinez removed for Tom Underwood...who gave up a 2-out, 2-run homer to Alan Trammell!  Tie game again!!!

Carl Willis was now on the mound for Detroit because he was the last arm left.  His real life 1984 season was awful and so was his appearance in this game.  He loaded the bases with no outs and then gave up a 2-RBI double to Al Bumbry.  He managed to strand three runners after that but now Detroit had a two run deficit to overcome.  And they almost did!  A Rupert Jones ground out plated Gibson but Howard Johnson lined out to Underwood to end this completely ridiculous game.

Winning Pitcher - Tom Underwood
Losing Pitcher - Carl Willis
Player of the Game - Mike Young, 5-8, 2B, HR, 5RBI, 2R's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray

Game #652 - Houston Astros, 0 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 3

Phil Garner, who normally has a decent glove, was a total calamity in this game.  He registered THREE ERRORS in the first four innings of the game.  I actually yanked him on principle and trotted Denny Walling out there.

It ultimately didn't matter, because the Astros wasted a decent start by Vern Ruhle.  The reason?  Alejandro Pena.  He clocked  his third shutout of the season, only giving up seven hits while striking out six.  Mike Scioscia had a solo homer while also throwing out Jerry Mumphrey on a failed hit and run in the top of the ninth.  Enos Cabell also got injured for 14 games chasing a foul ball into the stands.

Winning Pitcher - Alejandro Pena
Losing Pitcher - Vern Ruhle
Player of the Game - Pena, CG SHO

June 2, 1984 - Shutout and a Near No-No!

Game #639 - Houston Astros, 1 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 0

Bill Doran led off the top of the first with a triple.  Terry Puhl was next to the plate and easily singled him home.  He moved to second on a sacrifice fly by Jerry Mumphrey and third on an infield single from Jose Cruz but got stranded there after Bob Welch retired Denny Walling and Craig Reynolds.

And that was it.

That was the only stinking run of the ball game!

Astros starter Mike Scott went eight strong, striking out six and only allowing five hits.  Dave Smith worked the ninth and the heart of the Dodgers order for the save.

Winning Pitcher - Mike Scott
Losing Pitcher - Bob Welch
Save - Dave Smith
Player of the Game - Mike Scott

Game #640 - Boston Red Sox, 10 @ Milwaukee Brewers, 2

If you're a new reader to this Statis Pro Blog (I doubt you are, I think there are only a dozen of you who check in regularly!), you know I'm obsessed with seeing a cylce or a no-hitter this season.  So far...nada!  But, this game NEARLY provided both!

In the top of the first Jim Rice doubled and later scored on a Mike Easler single.  In the fourth he blasted a three-run homer!  And then in the seventh he poked a single...he was only missing the triple!  Alas, in the top of the ninth he flied out to Rick Manning.

Meanwhile...Oil Can Boyd was tossing a no-hitter!  Through the first six innings he had faced the minimum number of batters, with Robin Yount the only base runner when he walked in the second (Ben Oglivie immediately grounded into a double play).  So in the top of the seventh Dion James popped out to Rich Gedman, back in the lineup after a stint on the DL.  Then Jim Sundberg flew out to Rice.  With two outs and the no-hitter still intact, Cecil Cooper hit a bouncer to Mike Easler...who miffed the play!  Cooper reached on the Easler error.  And that brought up Hall of Famer Robin Yount.  And what did Yount do...?  HOME.  RUN.  With two outs in the seventh Yount ruined the no-no with a donger!  That's cold-blooded, Robin!

Winning Pitcher - Oil Can Boyd
Losing Pitcher - Mike Caldwell
Player of the Game - Jim Rice, 4-5, 2b, HR, 4RBI, 3Rs, nice mustache
Hall of Famers in the Game - Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, Robin Yount

June 1, 1984 - Saved the Day

Game #625 - Baltimore Orioles, 3 @ Detroit Tigers, 6

This game kicked off a crucial home series for the Tigers as they faced off against a fellow AL East team, the Baltimore Orioles, who are also chasing the Blue Jays for the division lead.

The game was scoreless through four innings until John Shelby doubled home John "Tonight, let it be..." Lowenstein in the top of the fifth.  The O's picked up two more runs in the sixth on a Wayne Gross home run.  Gross leads the team in that category.

The Tigers came roaring back in the bottom half of the inning.  Baltimore starter Mike Flanagan had been nearly unhittable until that point but gave game up a 2-RBI single to Barnabo Garbey and a two-run homer to Marty Castillo.  Kirk Gibson added an insurance dinger in the seventh and Willie Hernandez pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to save the game.

Winning Pitcher - Milt Wilcox
Losing Pitcher - Mike Flanagan
Save - Willie Hernandez
Player of the Game - Kirk Gibson, 2-4, 2B, HR, 2R's, 2RBI
Hall of Famers in the Game - Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray

Game #626 - Houston Astros, 7 @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 4

Fernandomania was not in effect for the Dodgers in this game.  Valenzuela gave up three runs in the top of the first while facing eight different hitters.  The Dodgers picked up a run in the third when Steve Yeager parked a solo shot off Bob Knepper to make it 3-1.

Jerry Mumphrey knocked home Phil Garner in the fourth and seldom used backup shortstop Bert Pena cranked a two-run homer in the fifth to give Houston a 6-1 lead. 

Knepper gave up two more runs in the seventh and was lifted for Bill Dawley in the eighth.  The Astros picked up another run in the top of the ninth so Frank DiPino came in to mop up the victory.  He gave up a solo shot to German Rivera in the bottom of the ninth and then proceeded to load the bases before Dave Smith came in to record one out to save the game.

Winning Pitcher - Bob Knepper
Losing Pitcher - Fernando Valenzuela
Save - Dave Smith
Player of the Game - Dave Smith

May 30, 1984 - Home Invasion

Game #611 - Los Angeles Dodgers, 1 @ Montreal Expos, 0

Orel Hershiser of the Dodgers and Bryn Smith of the Expos locked horns in a masterful pitcher's duel.  Each hurler managed six innings of shutout work until the top of the seventh.  With one out Mike Marshall singled and then advanced to third on a hit by Ken Landreaux.  With runners on the corners R.J. Reynolds singled home Marshall.  Smith got out of the jam by inducing  a double play ground out from Steve Sax.

The Expos never advanced a runner past second base because Hershiser was lethal.  In one of the best pitched games of the season he only allowed three hits and three walks, all while striking out nine in the effort.

Winning Pitcher - Orel Hershiser
Losing Pitcher - Bryn Smith
Player of the Game - Hershiser, CG SHO
Hall of Famers in the Game - Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, Gary Carter

Game #612 - Detroit Tigers, 6 @ Oakland A's, 3

Mike Warren of the A's tried, God bless him, but it was ultimately a wasted effort.  Lou Whitaker, the very first batter of the game, launched a solo jack that gave the Tigers a quick lead they never relinquished.  Warren got through five innings of work but surrendered a staggering fourteen hits doing it.  The Tigers hit into four double plays on the day, which helped minimize the damage.

Mother Nature took pity on the A's in the top of the eighth.  With a runner on third the skies opened up and pelted the field with rain.  The "Z" card said no more baseball would be played, and Detroit exited with the win.

Winning Pitcher - Dan Petry
Losing Pitcher - Mike Warren
Player of the Game - Lou Whitaker, 3-4, HR, 2RBI
Hall of Famers in the Game - Rickey Henderson, Joe Morgan

May 28, 1984 - Pitcher's Who Rake

Game #587 - Los Angeles Dodgers, 3 @ Montreal Expos, 6

The Dodgers were never really in this game.  Andre Dawson roped a double in the bottom of the first to plate Miguel Dilone, but it was the bottom of the second when the most damage occurred.  Bobby Ramos had and RBI single, Charie Lea laid down a squeeze bunt to score Derrell Thomas, and Dilone singled home Ramos.  Lea had two hits after his sacrifice bunt, too!

Winning Pitcher - Charlie Lea
Losing Pitcher - Rick Honeycutt
Player of the Game - Lea, 8IP, 2ER, 4K's, 2-2, RBI
Hall of Famers in the Game - Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, Gary Carter

Game #588 - Pittsburgh Pirates, 4  Houston Astros, 1

This was the final game in a four-game match for Houston, but the Pirates managed to split the series at two games apiece.  Rick Rhoden was filthy, and is in the early conversation for Cy Young.  He went eight innings and only allowed four hits.  He also ripped a double, scored a run, and walked.  Lee Mazzilli had a good day too, going two for two with a double and a solo homer.

Winning Pitcher - Rick Rhoden
Losing Pitcher - Vern Ruhle
Save - Kent Tekulve
Player of the Game - Rhoden