We start June in ominously poor form being swept at Chicago, with the Cubs supplanting us atop the division but then bounce back with seven straight wins as the Cubs and ourselves pull away from the pack just a bit with the Expos riding in our slipstream.
After losing his first six decisions for us, Don Robinson finally gets a win against the Cubs in a home series toward the end of July in a game that also sees Dave Kingman mash a pair of taters and drive in four. We take three of four in that series but two are lucky walkoff wins and our BP is still untrustworthy, as a 13-5 pummelling in the final game highlights. Rod Scurry in particular has completely lost the strike zone.
Inconsistency continues to be our main bugbear throughout a 16-12 July and we enter August in a virtual tie for top spot with the Cubs.
The All-Star break sees us 1½ behind the Cubs at 45-35.
We have to negotiate the next period without UL Washington, who is a bit banged up and unable to do much, but the lads dig deep on a west coast road trip, winning six straight but the Cubbies come with us and this looks like its going to be yet another dogfight between the two of us.
In the meantime, we spend our last transaction ticket of the year in the following manner:
No blockbuster by any stretch, but in return for Kent Tekulve who has never really been of much use for us during his long tenure and a couple ineligibles we get a much-needed LHRP and a young IF who should prove pretty handy in a backup role. Both come straight into the group, with Tim Foli making way. Al, who is in his walk year and whom we will consider extending if things work out OK, will have a go at the vacant Closer role to begin with.
Despite a stretch of light hitting, we reach the 100-game mark at 59-41 and with a slight lead over the Cubs as our pitchers keep the runs down for a nice change, only for a the sectional to end in disaster as we lose Lance Parrish for the rest of the year to a broken kneecap. Steve Nicosia comes up in his place but it is a massive setback for us.
KC cools right off to open the AL West up for business just a little bit before steadying and they enter the stretch run NO clear. Boston and LA each has a similar break but plenty of work left to do.
Monthly Award Winners
June
American League
Batter Rickey Henderson (As): 333 / 3 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher Bruce Hurst (Red Sox): 5-1 / 2.15 / 18 K / 46 IP
Rookie Danny Cox (White Sox): 3-1 / 2.82 / 20 K / 38.1 IP
National League
Batter Greg Walker (Mets): 380 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 4-1 / 1.76 / 42 K / 51 IP
Rookie Charles Hudson (Cardinals): 4-0 / 2.14 / 19 K / 33.2 IP
July
American League
Batter Eddie Murray (Orioles): 360 / 10 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher Sid Fernandez (Twins): 5-1 / 1.36 / 39 K / 53 IP
Rookie Sid Fernandez
National League
Batter Rudy Law (Mets): 455 / 2 HR / 20 RBI
Pitcher Orel Hershiser (Dodgers): 5-0 / 1.72 / 38 K / 47 IP
Rookie Orel Hershiser
News, Leaders and Top 20s
Milestones and Observations of Note
3000 Hits: Rod Carew (16th player to reach this mark)
2000 Hits: Jose Cruz, Johnny Bench
The Halos put a 22-2 whipping on the Rangers in late-July and re-up with outfielder Tim Corcoran in August with a 4/3030 deal.
Another AAA no-no, with Dave Freisleben throwing one for Medford against Lamesa.
Doc Medich pitches a no-hitter for our AAA Lincoln club against Ottawa.
The Phillies lose pitcher Larry Christenson for the season to elbow surgery, as do the As with Pete Broberg after he suffers a torn labrum.
Veteran Brewers backstop Buck Martinez is another gone for the season after suffering a broken elbow bone.
Deadline trades of note:
