A poor start to June as we lose John Smiley for what looks like the rest of the season to a labrum tear. He might make it back but we are planning our strategy based on the predication that he won't.
It’s time for John Burkett to get the call-up and we also recall Mike Bielecki, with a horribly overmatched Danny Cox (10.59 ERA) off to AAA.
Then we lose Joe Orsulak – who has become a key member of our squad as the 4th OF – for 5 weeks to a severe hip strain.
Albert Hall (PIT IRL 1989), picked up in the offseason on a minors deal, gets the summons from Lincoln to make his first appearance for us.
All of which seems to impact our form just as the Cards make a move and after a 15-17 June we find ourselves set to the chase.
Much of this has to do with our pallid offence. Burks and Bell both adding very little and need to be much better. Dan Plesac is another real concern, with his ERA precariously near 7.
Fair to say we are a bit of a mess.
Occasionally a hot mess, though, as is the case when Barry puts together arguably the best game of his career to date with 4 hits including 2 homers and 5 RBI to lead us to a thorough 14-1 whipping of the Dodgers.
We manage through all of this to remain on top of the division as we enter the stretch run, albeit narrowly, with only the Cards looking like rivals for the NL East title.
With little needed and little on offer at the Deadline, we decide to bolster our OF depth by getting Mitch Webster (PIT IRL 1991) – for almost zero cost thru 1981 after existing and new retentions – back to the club for a few ineligibles and unwanteds.
Both the Brewers in the AL East and Royals in the West give up sizeable leads as the Yanks and Halos make strong moves and ours is actually the least competitive of the four races, so it looks like we’re in for a gripping stretch drive.
Monthly Award Winners
June
American League
Batter – Jose Canseco (A’s): 365 / 6 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Steve Farr (Mariners): 2-1 / 1.45 / 11 SV / 13 K / 18.2 IP
Rookie – Barry Jones (Orioles): 2-1 / 0.48 / 8 SV / 6 K / 18.2 IP
National League
Batter – Kent Hrbek (Braves): 347 / 10 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – John Smoltz (Braves): 5-0 / 1.57 / 36 K / 46 IP
Rookie – Brian Barnes (Padres): 3-2 / 2.25 / 25 K / 36 IP
July
American League
Batter – Frank Thomas (White Sox): 295 / 10 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Melido Perez (Twins): 6-0 / 2.27 / 31 K / 43.2 IP
Rookie – Frank Thomas
National League
Batter – Barry Bonds (Pirates): 330 / 10 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Alex Fernandez (Giants): 5-0 / 2.35 / 27 K / 38.1 IP
Rookie – Alex Fernandez
News, Leaders and Top 20s
Fred McGriff is well in the hunt for a Triple Crown, currently top 3 in all 3.
Milestones and Observations of Note
2500 Hits: Robin Yount
2000 Hits: Chet Lemon
Cardinals OF Willie McGee misses the maximum 3-month Legacy period after tearing his hamstring, while shoulder woes put paid to Red Sox Closer Bryan Harvey’s 1990 season.
Houston extends Terry Puhl for a couple more years.
Baltimore’s Shawn Hillegas has a no-no going into the 8th against Toronto but runs out of puff and is relieved having still not given up a hit, with Rick Mahler unable to finish it off and they have to be content with a 1-hit 11-0 win.
At AAA, Ottawa’s Charlie Rogers no-hits Las Vegas.
Deadline trades of note:
