Alternating wins and losses mean we hover around that 500 mark in the first half of June. Unable to abide by how poorly Rick Rhoden continues to pitch, he and his near-7 ERA go off in shame to the BP to think about things, with Bob Moose called into the rotation for a while.
After that, just disaster, plain and simple as this pitching horror show continues as we give up 14 and then 16 runs on consecutive days against the Giants. By this point our team ERA is pushing 5 with both the SP and BP back to ranking next-to-last. And thats with Candy, Guidry and Kison all doing well. The lower end and parts of the relief corps, on the other hand, have just melted.
We are once again fortunate in that none of our competitors really take the bull by the horns as all this is playing out, and we remain in touch with the division-leading Phillies throughout.
Just as we get a bit of a run going with 6 straight wins that put us 43-38 at the midpoint and get us within one of the lead, we lose Bill Robinson for 5 weeks to a labrum tear. Not wanting to start the clock just yet on Dale Berra, we call up Mario Mendoza and his mighty bat for his first go in the bigs.
We struggle a bit for the next bit, as the Phils flatten us taking three of four at TRC and hand Bruce Kison his first loss of the year after 9 wins, but are still just one off the pace at the All-Star Game in a super tight race with four teams within a game or so of the lead.
The lads would be the first to admit we arent playing great baseball, but we keep scratching together the wins and eventually move into first place for a while then regress once more.
After 100 games we sit at a barely-winning 51-49 and yet still lead the div by a half-game, and this looks set to be an utterly gripping stretch run as we close out the sectional similarly-placed.
Strong performances abound but you really are only ever as good as your worst performers let you be.
Dave Parker wins the June hitter prize...
... and Candyman the July pitcher gong.
It isn't just our div that seems destined for late drama, wit hall four races incredibly tight with many chances.
News, Leaders and Top 20s
Monthly Award Winners
June
American League
- Batter Cecil Cooper (Tigers): 417 / 10 HR / 34 RBI
- Pitcher Dennis Martinez (Orioles): 5-1 / 2.30 / 29 K / 54.2 IP
- Rookie Mike Paxton (Rangers): 5-1 / 2.36 / 21 K / 42 IP
National League
- Batter Dave Parker (Pirates): 340 / 4 HR / 26 RBI
- Pitcher Steve Carlton (Phillies): 5-1 / 2.01 / 43 K / 53.2 IP
- Rookie Jack Morris (Cardinals): 4-2 / 3.16 / 32 K / 42.2 IP
July
American League
- Batter Jim Rice (Red Sox): 349 / 8 HR / 25 RBI
- Pitcher Fritz Peterson (Royals): 5-0 / 2.66 / 18 K / 40.2 IP
- Rookie Matt Keough (Indians): 4-1 / 1.90 / 26 K / 42.2 IP
National League
- Batter Greg Luzinski (Phillies): 317 / 11 HR / 22 RBI
- Pitcher John Candelaria (Pirates): 4-0 / 2.47 / 37 K / 43.2 IP
- Rookie Ed Whitson (Expos): 4 1/ 2.11 / 37 K / 42.2 IP
Milestones and Observations of Note
- 2000 Hits: Rico Carty
- The Mariners lose rookie outfielders Barry Bonnell (to a torn ACL) and Steve Kemp (to a finger injury) for the season, while Tigers outfielder Chet Lemon is sidelined for 5 weeks with an ankle sprain.
- Both Jim Rice and Dave Winfield are having a strong run at the Triple Crown.
- We are not involved in any of the noteworthy Deadline trades:
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