The BP situation deteriorates further and we remove Cecilio Guante from the Closer role and switch to a committee structure.
Worse than that, we lose Steve Buechele, who has been great, for what looks almost certain to be the season with back troubles.
Not wanting to start the clock just yet on Jay Bell, we promote Jerry Dybzinski and do a bit of the old infield shuffle—but we go on the lookout for a less stopgap measure.
And yet, by dint of a 11-1 run that includes 7 one-run wins and an astonishing 10-8 walkoff win in 15 against the Cards, we keep things ticking along nicely and extend our NL East lead to 4 by mid-June.
To try and consolidate our gains, we decide to bring back a veteran presence to plug the gap at 3B for the rest of the year, via this trade with the Giants:
We enter July at 46-29 having moved 6 clear but a terrible spell by our staff ensues and it’s clear we are extremely vulnerable to a full-blown regression after this early period of outperformance and being run down over the stretch if we’re not very careful.
We hit the ASB at 53-35, 4½ clear of the Cubs with the Mets having made a charge, winning 11 straight in early July but still 9 back. Sadly, we lose Scott Fletcher for up to 5 weeks in the very last game before the break with a hamstring strain.
That leaves us no choice but to start the clock on Jay Bell, who’ll come into the starting role to see how he goes.
The break seems to do us good as we win 4 from 5 when we come back, including a fine 1-hitter by Danny Darwin against the Dodgers.
We put together a nice little stretch to finish out the sectional at 61-40 and 5½ clear of the Cubs.
In the shadows of the Deadline, we spend our final ticket offloading problem child Cecilio Guante for a handy type who should hopefully bolster our BP now and prove a useful swingman over oncoming years:
We also tie up a few loose ends with 4-year low-cost deals for Bob Walk and Walt Terrell and a 3/690 extension for Larry McWilliams.
Only the Dodgers can consider themselves comfortably in control entering the stretch run.
Monthly Award Winners
June
American League
Batter – Chet Lemon (Tigers): 384 / 7 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Roger Clemens (Red Sox): 5-1 / 1.72 / 44 K / 52.1 IP
Rookie – Rafael Palmeiro (Rangers): 374 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
National League
Batter – Pedro Guerrero (Dodgers): 356 / 3 HR / 17 RBI
Pitcher – Jose Rijo (Reds): 5-0 / 1.77 / 30 K / 40.2 IP
Rookie – David Cone (Phillies): 4-0 / 2.36 / 30 K / 42 IP
July
American League
Batter – Don Mattingly (Yankees): 422 / 6 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Bruce Hurst (Red Sox): 5-1 / 2.72 / 33 K / 46.1 IP
Rookie – Mark McGwire (A’s): 253 / 9 HR / 19 RBI
National League
Batter – Jack Clark (Braves): 333 / 8 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher – Rick Rhoden (Cardinals): 4-0 / 2.02 / 24 K / 40 IP
Rookie – Kevin Seitzer (Padres): 398 / 2 HR / 18 RBI
News, Leaders and Top 20s
Milestones and Observations of Note
400 Saves: Rich Gossage (first to this mark)
Detroit loses gun SS Alan Trammell for 6 weeks to shoulder tendinitis, while Rangers shortstop Greg Gagne is gone for the year after he suffers a torn back muscle.
Deadline trades of note:
