'84 Amazin's Take 2 of 3 from D-Backs

METS TAKE TWO OF THREE FROM D-BACKS- GOODEN STRIKES OUT 16 IN  SEVEN INNINGS IN GAME THREE DEFEAT

Game 1 at Shea Stadium

Mets 8 D-Backs 4

Both starting pitchers (Sid Fernandez and Pat Corbin) had to leave early due to injuries, replaced by Ed Lynch for the Mets and Zack Godley for the D-Backs. Both pitched well into the 6th when the Mets broke a 2-2 game wide open. Darryl Strawberry gave the Mets the lead with a 2 run HR, his fourth of the year. George Foster followed with a 2 run HR (4) as the Mets quickly took a four run lead. A Brandon Drury error let in another run and Kelvin Chapman's grounder brought in the 6th run of the inning.

Lynch, pitched into the 8th, when JD Martinez and Paul Goldschmidt hit back to back solo HRs to make it 8-4. Brent Gaff then replaced Lynch and shut out Arizona the rest of the way.

Lynch (1-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings to get the win. Godley (0-2) took the loss, allowing 7 runs in 4 1/3.

Game 2 at Shea Stadium

Mets 8 D-Backs 3

Once again the Mets offense was in synch and once again both starting pitchers had to leave the game due to injuries. This time, the starters lasted a while as Arizona starter and loser, Zack Greinke (0-1) went 5 1/3, allowing 5 runs. Mets starter Walt Terrell (2-0) pitched a solid game, allowing only 2 runs in 6 2/3.

The Mets took a 4-0 lead in the third, sending 9 men to the plate. Hubie Brooks singled in two runs and George Foster doubled in two more. Arizona came back in the 5th, cutting the Mets lead in half, as Jeremy Hazelbaker singled in a run and Jeff Mathis singled in another.

Terrell helped his own cause in the bottom of the 5th doubling in a run to make it 5-3. Foster's RBI single in the 6th made it 6-2. After Arizona acored a run in the 7th, Hubie Brooks put thie iceing on the cake for the Mets with a 2 run HR (3) in the 8th, making the final score 8-3.

Brooks was 3-4 with a HR and 4 RBIs. Ron Gardenhire and Darryl Strawberry each went 3-4 with a double. Hazelbaker, making a rare start for the Diamondbacks, was 3-5.

Game 3 at Chase Field
 
D Backs 3 Mets 1

What do you get when you take the 19 year old Dwight Gooden, from 1984, and put him into the
homer happy/strikeout happy year of 2017? You get SIXTEEN STRIKEOUTS in 7 innings. Yet, despite this incredible performance by Dr. K, he took the loss (2-2) , as the Mets bats went silent.

Robbie Ray (1-2) started for Arizona and pitched a great 5 innings, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 6. TJ McFarland followed with 3 strong innings (1 R, 2 H) and Feranndo Rodney came on to get the save in the 9th, his second save of the season.

Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on an RBI double by SS Nick Ahmed. The D-Backs incresed the lead to 3-0 in the 5th when Jake Lamb singled in Martinez and Goldschmidt later came in to score on a wild pitch by Gooden.

The red-hot Hubie Brooks put the Mets on the board in the 7th with a solo HR (4) but that was the only offense the Mets could muster.

Bucs and Dodgers hook up for epic 3 game set

The 10-1 red hot Dodgers headed into Pittsburgh to face the 5-6 Bucs.  Not saying the Dodgers were complacent or reading their press clippings, but it didn't look like they expected the Bucs to take it to them like they did.  Each game in this series was decided late and by 1 run.  Either team could have easily swept.  This was as intense a series can be without it being a post season affair.  Series like this one are why we play these games.

GAME 1 - 3 Rivers
Foster vs Walk
Dodgers 5, Pirates 4

The Dodgers started the "weak link" of their rotation, Alan Foster, and got pretty much what they expected (6 IP / 4 ER).  The Bucs nicked Foster for solo runs in the first 2 innings.  Definitely could have been more, but somehow Foster stopped it from being a full blow blood letting.  LA answered back with 2 in the 3rd to tie it and both teams exchanged deuces in the 6th.  LA broke the 4-4 tie in the 8th when pinch hitter Len Gabrielson doubled home Wes Parker to make it 5-4.  Pete Mikkelsen took over for Al McBean in the 8th and pitched 2 scoreless innings to earn the save.

GAME 2

Drysdale vs R.Reed
Pirates 8, Dodgers 7 (11 inn)

Nothing like an extra inning shootout after a tense 1 run afair the night before.  Starters Drysdale and Reed didn't factor into the decision.  Reed was gone after 4 and 2/3.  Drysdale had issues holding leads and was bounced with 1 out in the 7th, still on top.  Al McBean pitched a scoreless inning for the second day in a row and all things looked good for LA with closer Jim Brewer getting the ball with 2 outs in the 7th.  Brewer proceeded to give up 3 runs as the Bucs rallied from a 7-4 deficit to tie it a 7 all.  In the bottom of the 11th the Bucs put together a 2 out rally that culminated with an RBI single off the bat of R.J. Reynolds scoring Barry Bonds, who walked previously.  Jim Gott, got (all puns) the win with 1.2 scoreless innings and Brewer took the loss.  Joe Moeller relieved Brewer with 1 out and allowed Reynolds' hit, but was not responsible for the runner (Bonds) that scored.

GAME 3 - Dodger Stadium
Drabek vs Singer
Dodgers 5, Pirates 4

The rubber match featured a battle of the aces.  Both Drabek (5IP/2ER) and Singer (8IP/2ER) didn't factor into the decisions thanks to errors (3 unearned runs) and poor bullpen support.  Pete Mikkelsen notched his 2nd win in relief, but that occurred only because he allowed an unearned run in the top of the 9th as the Bucs rallied to tie the game at 4-4.  A throwing error by catcher Tom Haller on a bunt attempt put runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out.  Pinch hitter Junior Ortiz hit a shot to deep center that would have been out of Three Rivers, but wound up in the glove of Willie Davis in Dodger Stadium.  On LaValliere's ground out to 2nd Glenn Wilson scored to tie the game.  Goat horns firmly planted on Haller at this point, but as we all know baseball is a game of redemption.  Closer Jim Gott started the 9th and served up back to back singles to Davis and Wes Parker before striking out rookie Bill Russell.  Kipper was brought in to face Tom Haller in a lefty vs lefty matchup.  With the infield drawn in Haller takes a 1-1 offering from Kipper and bloops it just in front of the hard charging Bonds in left to score Davis and give LA the walk off win.

Halos and Bombers settle series with 15 inning marathon.

GAME 1 - Big A
Stottlemyre vs C.Wright
Angels 7, Yankees 1

Clyde Wright dispatched the Bombers quite easily allowing just one unearned run in the 8th before exiting and handing he ball to Mel Queen to mop up.  Both of NY's hits were by rightfielder Andy Kosco.  The Halos unleashed a 15 hit barrage against New York's ace.  Catcher Joe Azcue (4-4) was perfect on the day with the bat.  Four Halos chipped in with 2 hit games, including Alex Johnson, who also had 2 RBI's.

 

GAME 2

Bahnsen vs Murphy
Yankees 6, Angels 2

After being held at bay the night before the Bronx Bombers attacked the scoreboard with 3 quick runs off of Tom Murphy in the top of the 1st with on swing of the bat.  Joe "ya could have made us proud" Pepitone slammed a 2 out 3 run blast to get New York on the board.  A solo run in the 5th and 2 more insurance runs in the 6th staked Bahnsen to a nearly insurmountable lead.  Then in the bottom of the 9th the Halos offense came to life as Bahnsen's fastball inched closer to death.  Steve Hamilton was summoned from the pen to put the fire out after the Angels scored 2 runs off the tiring Bahnsen.  After yielding an RBI single to pinch hitter Cowan Hamilton got pinch hitter Chico Ruiz to ground out weakly to short to end the game.

GAME 3 - Yankee Stadium
May vs Peterson
Yankees 5, Angels 4 (15 inn)

After splitting the first two games of the series the rubber match turned into a 15 inning extravaganza.  The Angels scored 3 off of Fritz Peterson in the 2nd with a 3 run shot by Cowan, who also knocked in the team's 4th run via ground out in the 6th.  Down 4-0 and going nowhere fast NY got its only 3 run blast to bring the game to within 1 run.  For the second day in a row Pepi went yard and NY was back in this one.  After Charley Smith led off the home half of the 8th with a pinch hit triple, Roy White doubled him home to tie the game.  White gambled and tried to tag up on a long fly to right, but was cut down at 3rd for the first out of the game.  With the next two batters working out walks the Yankees had 1st and 2nd with 2 out instead of bases loaded with one out.  That mistake loomed large and help facilitate the game moving into extra innings.  If the Yankees lose this game they drop further in the standings in the AL East, so a win was much needed.  For the next 5 innings goose eggs were thrown up on the scoreboard.  In the bottom of the 15th possible goat Roy White led off with a single and moved to second on Horace Clarke's walk.  Pepi popped up to second and the Mick, who barely missed a homer in the 13th, struck out looking.  It looked like Dave LaRoche had things in order and the game would move to the 16th inning, but veteran outfielder Andy Kosco would have none of that.  On a 1-2 count LaRoche threw Kosco an breaking ball on the outside corner.  Kosco didn't try to do too much with it and lined the ball down the 1st base line just out of the reach of a diving Jim Spencer.  Since there were two outs the runners were moving, which didn't really make much of a difference since the ball sliced into the rightfield corner as Roy White easily scored for the walk off win.

Phightin's end Dodgers 8-0 run, but drop final 2 to LA

GAME 1 - Dodgers Stadium

Greene vs Singer

Phillies 2, Dodgers 0

"No Hit" Tommy Greene was in actuality "5 hit" Tommy Greene today, as Philly's young star dominated the Dodgers and bested their ace Bill "the Throwing Machine" Singer.  The Phightin's staked Greene to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and that was all that was needed.  Back to back doubles by "Inky" and "Dutch" accounted for all of the offense for both teams.

GAME 2

Schilling vs Osteen

Dodgers 15, Philies 1

After seeing their 8 game winning streak come to an end the boys from Chavez Ravine came back hard with a vengeance scoring 15 runs on 17 hits off of 5 Phillie pitchers.  To be fair the Philly pen was stretched thin and called to duty way too early thanks to Curt Schilling rubbing up a blister and having to leave after 2 pedestrian innings of work.  While "Ketchup man" wasn't having a stellar day (3 runs in 2 innings) he still would have been able to eat up at least 3-4 more frames before the pen had to be used.  Dodger centerfielder Willie Davis had a monster day at the plate going 4-5 with 6 RBI's and 3 runs scored.  For good measure "3-Dog" also had 2 homers and 2 stole bags, which completely overshadowed Claude Osten's (3-0, 1.33) 4 hit/1 run complete game performance.

GAME 3 - The Vet

Sutton vs D.Jackson

Dodgers 6, Phillies 4

For the second day in a row the Phightin's lost their starting pitcher early on due to injury.  Today it was lefty Danny Jackson who after getting knocked around in the first (4 runs) managed to get two outs in the 2nd before coming down with a sore arm.  LA scored all of their opening stanza runs off of 5 singles, 3 of which had RBI's attached to them.  After Kosco and Parker knocked in runs, Ted Sizemore plated both of them with a 2 run knock.  A two run shot by Bill Sudakis in the top of the 5th gave LA a 6-0 lead and catapulted "Suds" into the league lead for HR's with 6, which completely shocks this humble scribe and probably the batsman himself.  In any case LA looked to be home free, but Philly answered back with 2 runs of their own on a single by Mickey Morandini.  The status quo remained in place until the bottom of the 9th.  After barely escaping a jam in the 8th Dodger hurler Don Sutton was lifted in favor of closer Jim Brewer, who decided to add some drama to the show.  Brewer proceeded to allow the first 4 batters that he faced (Dutch/Inky/Eisenreich/Duncan) to reach base in a variety of ways (HBP/Hit/Walk).  In a matter of minutes LA's safe 6-2 lead was now 6-3 with nobody out with pinch hitter Wes Chamberlain stepping to the plate.  Chamberlain didn't put up much of a fight fanning on 3 pitches for the first out of the inning.  Next up was Nails, who got himself a fastball on a 2-2 count which he ripped right back to Brewer, who gloved it to save not only the game, but his life.  Duncan, who got caught in "no man's land" was easily doubled up off of first to end the game.  By taking 2 of 3 in the series the Dodgers upped their record to 10-1, while the Phils fell below the .500 mark at 5-6.

"Stars see Hutch" manage both teams...

Fred Hutchinson was happy and upset at the same time, with his teams finishing 3-3 in a series between the 1957 St. Louis Cardinals and 1961 Cincinnati Reds. “Hutch” managed both teams in real life of course, and each team had a couple of common infielders. Second baseman Don Blasingame was no doubt worn out after the series, having played all three games for both clubs. Eddie Kasko also saw considerable action in both lineups.

In fact, Kasko had quite a series, going 8 for 22 (.364), doing most of the heavy lifting as a Cardinal (6 for 13).  The series started in Crosley Field, with veteran right-hander Murry Dickson making his first start, opposed by left-hander Jim O’Toole.  Stan Musial got the Cardinals off and running in the top of the first inning, following an Al Dark double with his first home run of the year. Both pitchers dominated from there, and that 2-0 lead ended up being the final score.  The two starters struck out four and walked none, with Dickson scattering 5 hits over 8 innings, and O’Toole 7 hits over 8 2/3. Cardinal Kasko went 3 for 4 in this one.

Game two was more of the same, with Joey Jay going 8 shutout innings, and Jim Brosnan covering the ninth for a 1-0 Cincinnati victory. Larry Jackson started for St. Louis, giving up the lone run in 8 innings of work, although he was often in trouble during the contest.  He kept getting key outs, and the game was scoreless going into the bottom of the 8^th..  With one out,  Gordy Coleman doubled and Gene Freese followed with a single to score Coleman. That was all the scoring as the Reds evened the series with the 1-0 win. The Cincy ball club left 11 on base in this one, and the Cards 6.

Game three matched Bob Purkey and Lindy McDaniel on the hill, as the series shifted to Busch Stadium (aka Sportsman’s Park).  The change in venue did wonders for the hitters, as this one featured 27 combined hits and 13 runners crossing home plate. The Cardinals put 10 of those runners home, coasting to a 10-3 victory.  Wally Moon lauched a 3-run homer, while Blasingame, Dark, Musial and McDaniel chipped in with 2 hits apiece. Our man Eddie Kasko had three tallies for St. Louis, while going 1 for 5 as a Red.

Purkey dropped to 0-2, walking 4 in only 2 1/3 innings. McDaniel improved to 2-1 on the season.  Neither team looks like post season contenders in the early going. The Cardinals are 5-6 after three weeks, while the Reds are struggling along at 3-8. The Cards ability to keep stars Vada Pinson and Frank Robinson in check was a key to their series win.

Bike Mike

84 METS TAKE OUT THE BROOM AND SWEEP THE 82 PADRES

Mets 2 Padres 1  at Jack Murphy Stadium

Rookie sensation Dwight Gooden pitched a complete game victory, allowing only 1 run and 5 hits, while striking out 8 and walking only one. The 19 year old righthander is now 2-1 on the season. The Mets got all the runs they needed in the third inning when Mookie Wilson hit a 2 run HR off San Diego starter and loser Chris Welsh (0-1). It was Wilson's 3rd HR of the season. Welsh pitched 8 2/3 solid innings and was the hard luck loser in this old fashioned pitchers duel.

Mets 8 Padres 0 at Jack Murphy Stadium

For the second day in a row, the Mets got terrific starting pitching.

This time it was Ron Darling who went 8 shutout innings, allowing only 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2. Darling is now 3-0 on the year with an incredible 0.78 ERA! Craig Swan pitched the 9th and completed the shutout.

The outcome in this one was barely in doubt as the Mets battered San Diego starter and loser John Curtis (0-2) for 8 runs in 5 innings. Darryl Strawberry got things started with a 2 run HR (3) in the second inning. Darling helped his own cause with a bases loaded squeeze bunt to make it 3-0. In the next inning, the Mets sent 7 men to the plate and scored 2 more, with the help of 2 walks, as Mike Fitzgerald singled both runs in. The onslaught continued in the very next frame (the 4th) as the Mets again sent 7 men to the plate and scored three times. Mookie Wilson scored on a wild pitch, George Foster singled in a run and Hubie Brooks drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. The eight runs were more than enough for Darling as the Mets took a 2-0 series lead.

Mets 12 Padres 7 at Shea Stadium

The teams travel to Shea Stadium for the series finale and it all Mets once again. The Mets jump out to a 10-0 lead after four and lead 12-1 before the Padres scored six late game runs to make the score look more respectable.

The long ball got the Mets started once again as George Foster belted his 2d HR of the season to make it 1-0 in the second. Strawberry singled in Wilson in the third to make it 2-0. Then the Amazin's
exploded in the 4th, sending 12 men to the plate, scoring 8 runs on 7 hits and one costly San Diego error (by 3B Luis Salazar). Catcher Mike Fitzgerald continued his hot hitting with a 2 RBI double. Wally Backman singled in a run as did Keith Hernandez. Hubie Brooks hit a 3 run HR to make it 9-0
Rafael Santana singled to make it 10-0 before the Padres finally got out of the inning.

Foster added another solo HR in the 6th as he went 3-4 with a triple to go with the 2 HRs, 4 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Mookie Wilson was 3-5 and had THREE stolen bases. For San Diego, Terry Kennedy was 3-5 with a HR. Gene Richards also homered.

Bruce Berenyi made it three great starts in a row for Mets pitchers as he allowed only one earned run (plus 3 unearned) in 6 2/3 innings, to gain his first win of the year (1-0). Reliever Tom Gorman gave up 3 additional runs. For San Diego, Andy Hawkins (0-1) was clobbered, yielding 10 runs in 4 innings. EIGHT of those runs were UNEARNED as San Diego made four errors in the game, two by 3B Salazar to go with miscues by catcher Kennedy and 2B Juan Bonilla.

In addition to the three steals by Mookie, Strawberry stole a base as the Mets were 4-4 in the stolen base department.

The Mets are now 7-4 as they contend with the 97 Marlins for first place in the NL East. San Diego drops to 4-7 in the NL West.  Next: The Mets play 2017 Arizona (last in the NL West) while  San Diego plays the 57 Cardinals (last in the NL East).

1988 Bucs take 3 of 4 from 1957 Redbirds

The 1988 Pittsburgh Pirates got to .500 with good pitching and timely hitting to take three straight games after the Cardinals won the opener of a four-game home-and-home series.

The series highlight for St. Louis came in the bottom of the first inning of the first game when they put together four hits to plate three runs off Pirate starter Bob Walk. Don Blasingame and Joe Cunningham started the game with singles, followed by Stan Musial double plating Blazer. Wally Moon flew out to deep left, getting Cunningham home. After a strike out of Del Ennis, Ken Boyer singled home Musial.

‘Toothpick’ Sam Jones pitched 8 shutout innings before being touched for a run in the ninth, completing the game for his second win of the season. Big Sam struck out 8 and walked none in a dominating performance.

Doug Drabek and Jeff Robinson combined on a two-hitter in game two, as the Pirates evened the series with a 4-1 win. The Bucs returned the favor on the Cardinals in this one, scoring three of their own in the first. Cardinal starter Lindy McDaniel was forced to exit the game after facing only two batters, both of whom had reached as Mike Lavalliere doubled to lead off the game, and Andy Van Slyke drew a walk.  The Pirates probably thought Lindy was still pitching, as Von McDaniel took over for his ailing big brother. Von looked to stabilize the situation by striking out Sid Bream, but Bobby Bonilla tripled in the two runners, and Barry Bonds followed with a run-scoring ground out. 

Each club added a run, but with Drabek in control and Robinson strong out of the ‘pen the first inning

outburst was all the Pirates needed, just like the Cardinals in the first game, in a 4-1 win.

John Smiley over-powered the Cardinals in game three, and the Pirates chipped away for four runs off Cardinal starter ‘Vinegar Bend’ Mizell (these Cardinal hurlers have some colorful nicknames) as R.J. Reynolds and Sid Bream homered, to capture game three at home 4-2.  Wally Moon’s two-run “moon” shot in the ninth was all the scoring for St. Louis.

Game four was a case of one team coming through in the clutch, and the other missing opportunities. It looked to be the Cardinals getting the breaks early, scoring a single run in the top of the first after two-out-none-on, when Pirate starter Dave LaPoint walked Musial and Boyer, and Ennis singled in Stan the Man. The Pirates then loaded the bases in the bottom half with one out, but Herm Wehmeier got Barry Bonds on an inning-ending double play.

The Cardinals added single tallies in the second and third to take a 3-0 lead, and Wehmeier clamped down on the Pirates holding them scoreless through six. Meanwhile LaPoint and Brian Fisher kept the Cardinals from adding to their lead. Bobby  Bonilla started the Pirate 7^th inning with a single, and Barry Bonds followed with a walk. Jose Lind singled loading the bases, and Glenn Wilson then doubled home two, with Lind stopping at third. Billy Muffet replaced Wehmeier, and promptly struck out Rafael Belliard and Ken Oberkfell.  It looked like the Cardinals might retain their now slim lead, but Lavaliere drove a two-out single to center to plate Lind and Wilson, putting the Pirates up 4-3.

The score held going in to the top of the ninth. With Jeff Robinson on the mound for Pittsburgh, Blasingame and Al Dark started the ninth with singles, with Blazer going to third on Dark’s single. The Cards had the tying run at third, no out, and Stan Musial at the dish. Pirate Skipper Bill Schneider brought the infield in, and Stan obliged by hitting a sharp one hopper directly to shortstop, for the first out. Ken Boyer, already with 9 RBIs on the young season, then struck out while Del Ennis hit a drive to deep right an out too late, to end the game.

--submitted by Bike Mike--