After a bit of a sluggish start the bats bust out with a 19-hit 11-2 thumping of the Expos as Bobby Bo goes 5-for-5.
But that’s the exception as we lack much zip in the early going and can only manage a split over our first 20.
One of the main issues is the number of walks our pitchers are issuing, with Jose De Leon giving free passes at a clip north of 6 per 9 IP and Mike Scott nearly 5.
Andy Van picks up a niggle but hopefully we can just nurse him through it and keep him off the IL.
We start kicking up a few stones with an 8-2 run but then score just a single run in each of our final four games as we close out a decidedly scratchy first stanza at 28-23.
We lose both Larry McWilliams (to the Cards) and Mike Maddux (Expos) on the WW.
We sign a big-money long-term extension with Bobby Bo that will keep him at TRS thru 1997 at an AAV of $3.75m.
Our attitude with this – and others we sign similar deals with – is that even if we can’t afford them we’ll know in advance that this is the case or alternatively how much we'll need to cut elsewhere to keep them.
We also sign 1-year deals with Ellis Burks ($1.18m) and Cecil Fielder ($1m).
The Mariners are competitive early, winning 11 on the trot and currently leading the AL West, albeit narrowly.
All four races are incredibly close so far.
Monthly Award Winners
April
American League
Batter – Kelly Gruber (Mariners): 479 / 8 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Bret Saberhagen (Royals): 4-0 / 1.84 / 25 K / 49 IP
Rookie – Kenny Rogers (Rangers): 3-0 / 0.72 / 28 K / 37.1 IP
National League
Batter – Kevin Mitchell (Braves): 315 / 8 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – Greg Maddux (Braves): 4-0 / 2.11 / 31 K / 47 IP
Rookie – David Justice (Astros): 312 / 7 HR / 19 RBI
May
American League
Batter – Fred McGriff (Brewers): 299 / 10 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Mike Witt (Blue Jays): 4-0 / 0.81 / 26 K / 44.1 IP
Rookie – Kevin Tapani (Brewers): 4-2 / 1.83 / 22 K / 44.1 IP
National League
Batter – Will Clark (Giants): 375 / 5 HR / 19 RBI
Pitcher – Tim Leary (Cardinals): 5-2 / 2.77 / 32 K / 48.2 IP
Rookie – John Olerud (Cardinals): 337 / 3 HR / 13 RBI
News and Leaders
Milestones and Observations of Note
2500 Hits: George Brett
2000 Hits: Frank White, Chris Speier
200 Wins: Rick Reuschel
Atlanta’s Joe Carter has two 3-homer games—both against the Cubs.
The Expos lose Daryl Boston for the season due to an “undisclosed injury” and then his outfield partner Lyman Bostock for the year to elbow problems.
An oblique strain sidelines Oakland superstar Rickey Henderson for 5 weeks, while Doc Gooden will miss 4 months with a torn meniscus.