May 6, 1985
Orel Hershiser is having a breakout season. He tosses a one-hit shutout against the Cubs, striking out nine and walking two. He now has a 1.07 ERA on this season, with 32 strikeouts and six walks.
May 7, 1985
Just a two-gamer coming up with the Reds, but we’re talking the National League’s top two clubs at the moment. Should be fun!
Game 1985-24: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 5, Reds 0 / 17-7
A heck of a job by Kevin Gross (7.1 IP, 4 H, 4 K, 2 BB), with Kenneth Walker and Don Carman finishing it off. Dave Stegman homers (it’s his fourth), while Mike Schmidt continues his scorching hitting, notching three base hits and getting on base every time up. Von Hayes adds three hits and two RBI.
May 8, 1985
Game 1985-25: Veterans Stadium - Reds 4, Phillies 0 / 17-8
We get almost nothing from the offense today, stymied by Mario Soto, who lowers his ERA to 4.88. Yuck. Still, Mike Schmidt gets two more hits and a walk. On fire.
May 9, 1985
Tough news out of St. Louis: SP Jerry Koosman is out four months with bone chips in his elbow. Koosman, 42, was 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA this season. And apparently in New York, Yankees 2B Toby Harrah wants to be traded. He’s not getting regular playing time despite hitting .273/.385/.409; of course, the team’s top second baseman is Willie Randolph. He must’ve known going in?
May 10, 1985
Going to Shea Stadium, and it’s time to face Dwight Gooden once again.
Game 1985-26: Shea Stadium - Mets 4, Phillies 3 / 17-9
Questionable decision by Dick Howser to turn to Donnie Moore with a lefty Darryl Strawberry at the plate with two on and two out in the seventh. It hurt, as Straw singled home a run. Keith Hernandez, also a lefty, singled to give the Mets the lead and, ultimately, the win. With a 7.36 ERA, it has not been a good start for Moore.
Tonight for the Royals, Hal McRae collected his career 2,000th hit. At age 39, he’s probably close to finished, but a great accomplishment nonetheless.
May 11, 1985
Howser wants to sit Mike Schmidt tonight. I’ll go with him on this one ...
Game 1985-27: Shea Stadium - Mets 12, Phillies 1 / 17-10
It wouldn’t have mattered, as John Denny puts up the worst start of the season so far. The offense gets nothing going. Our third-straight loss. Hopefully this isn’t an indication of some bad times to come.
May 12, 1985
Game 1985-28: Shea Stadium - Phillies 4, Mets 0 / 18-10
An elixir of a win, with Charles Hudson blanking New York for eight innings (3 R, 2 K, 1 BB). He is the only qualified starter remaining in baseball with an ERA under 1.00 (0.80). Von Hayes with three hits including a double, and Mike Schmidt knocks a two-run insurance single in the ninth; he’s hitting .414.
Kirk Gibson is named the American League Player of the Week, while Darryl Strawberry (we can attest) took home National League honors. Also, California SP Geoff Zahn has announced he’ll retire at the end of the season. Zahn is 107-119 with a 3.97 ERA over his 13-year career that includes stints with the Dodgers, Cubs, Twins, and now Angels.
Finally, the power rankings. We went just 2-3 this week, so ...
1. Detroit Tigers - 18-9
2. Cincinnati Reds - 20-9
3. Milwaukee Brewers - 19-10
4. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - 18-10
5. San Diego Padres - 18-11
Now it’s off to Riverfront Stadium for a big two-gamer against the Reds.