Anatomy of a Season

[luckymann]

June 10, 1985: Milwaukee Brewers (21-30) @ Boston Red Sox (31-22)

Back home we go for our first games against the Brew Crew for this season. They are a better group than their 21-30 record to this point would suggest, and have highly-regarded rookie Teddy Higuera going for them today, so we best not take them lightly. Bobby Ojeda up for us.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

We fall behind in the 2nd as Bob gives up a solo shot to the mighty Ted Simmons, only for Dewey to respond in kind in our half to make it 1-1.

Another run on 3 hits in the next puts them back on top and then Bobby gets wild in the 4th and they tag him for two more.

We only manage 2 hits off Higuera through 6 but then finally get something going and pull back within one in the 7th on a 2-run double by Marty Barrett. A Cecil Cooper sac fly gives them a buffer run in the 9th and our flat performance ends weakly as we load them up but leave them that way to take a disappointing loss. I’m as bad as anyone, going 0-for-4 and offering little resistance.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• Jack Morris notches 15 strikeouts in the Tigers' 6-3 win at home to Baltimore.

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: NIL

[luckymann]

June 11, 1985: Milwaukee Brewers (22-30) @ Boston Red Sox (31-23)

Rocket Clemens returns to starting duties tonight after a spell in the pen to try get his mojo back. He takes on Danny Darwin, a pitcher I have only faced in one game last year when he was with Texas, even though he has been around for a fair while now. I went 1-for-3 and will be looking to improve on that in this one in front of a healthy Tuesday night crowd here in Boston.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

After facing the minimum over the first two frames and getting the first two outs in the 3rd without any problem, Roger then gets into trouble again as they tag him for 2 runs on 3 hits.

Darwin is keeping us off balance and only allows 4 hits through 4 before we finally come alive in the 5th. RBI singles to Lyons and Rice get us back on even footing and then I get one right in my wheelhouse and make the most of it for a 2-run homer to put us in front.

But things just aren’t falling into place for Rocket and he is chased in the next as they go back ahead with a 3-spot. We get him off the loss in the home half, however, with 2 errors helping our cause as we put 2 in the frame to make it 6-5. We get another one in the next when I get my second double of the game and end up coming in on a Marty Barrett single.

Hurst and Crawford keep them quiet for the remainder as we get a hard-fought win.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• A 12-5 win over the Padres gets Houston's Mike Scott out to 11-0 for the season.

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: IRL, Von Hayes becomes the first major-league player ever to hit two home runs in the 1st inning - one to lead it off and the other a grand slam to cap a 9-run inning as the Phillies blasts the Mets 26-7.

[luckymann]

June 12, 1985: Milwaukee Brewers (22-31) @ Boston Red Sox (32-23)

The third and final game in this series pits Al Nipper against big Moose Haas, who I’ve had a bit of success against in limited opportunities – 3-for-7 with a double and 3 RBI. As much as I like to think of myself as a “team-first” sort of guy, I’m only human and take pride in my own accomplishments. The beauty in baseball is that the individual and collective are so closely interwoven, so the former invariably helps the latter. For me, a guy not blessed with huge power and certainly no Rickey Henderson speed-wise or Ozzie Smith defensively on and around the bases, contact hitting is my main focus, my thang. So old Billy Buck is very happy to be leading the AL batting title at the moment and hope to continue along that vein for the rest of the year and produce plenty of runs for the club.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

We fly out of the blocks with a 5-spot on 4 hits in the 2nd, with Glenn Hoffman knocking in 3 of them on a bases-loaded double. Two more in the next send Haas off for an early shower and put the big crowd who’ve come out in a festive mood indeed.

The game is all but over in the 5th as we go wild again with 5 more on the back of a grand slam by Boggsy, and peters out from there as Nips goes the distance and we romp home in a 12-1 laugher.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Bruce Tanner, Rick Aguilera
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1939, the Hall of Fame is officially dedicated at Cooperstown, New York.

[luckymann]

June 13, 1985: Toronto Blue Jays (31-26) @ Boston Red Sox (33-23)

Our first meeting for the season with Toronto in a top of the AL East clash – the Blue Jays sit 2 ½ games back and tied in second with the Tigers, who are in fact our next opponent after these four home games. With our next 14 games against these two clubs it is fair to say we’ll have a much clearer idea in a fortnight as to how we are really travelling.

The series opener sees Bruce Kison take on Louis Leal, a handy enough type who has won his share of games these past three seasons. I’ve only faced him a couple times when we met last year, going 1-for-5 so far. I distinctly remember the first of those games here at Fenway because I smoked three would-be hits only to have their 2B Damaso Garcia snaffle each of them for a harmless groundout. He’s in the same spot tonight so I’ll try remember to hit them somewhere else if I can. Boston fans are hopping on board this season and there's a bunch of them here tonight looking for another win.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Ernie Whitt opens the scoring for them in the 2nd with a solo shot and would you believe it, my first AB of the night ends up 4-3. Garcia then extends their lead with a 2-run double in the 4th as our bats struggle against Leal.

We finally get something going in the next and tie the game with 3 runs on 4 hits, as Jim Rice singles two of them in and I also get my first hit of the game.

Whitt puts them back on top with an RBI single in the 7th and we swap Bruce for Bruce as Hurst takes over from Kison. Hoff makes it 4-4 in the 8th with a run-scoring double after Marty Barrett had singled and into extras we head.

Two hits wedged around a steal in the 10th off Bob Stanley put them in front once more but Dewey Evans saves our bacon with a solo shot in the home half. And then, in the 11th with Dennis Lamp on the mound, Boggsy leads off with a double and advances to third on a deep flyout by Jim Rice to give me a chance to win it. Irony of ironies, I smack a groundball with eyes past my old foe Garcia for the walkoff to send the big crowd into raptures.

So much heart shown here by the lads – a massive win.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Bill Wilkinson
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1957, Ted Williams hits three home runs in a 9-3 win against the Indians, becoming the first AL player to achieve the feat twice in a single season.

[luckymann]

June 14, 1985: Toronto Blue Jays (31-27) @ Boston Red Sox (34-23)

Oil Can Boyd takes on righty Jim Clancy tonight, our last night game before a couple afternooners. Because of all the prepping I have to do before and after each game, I find these quick turnarounds from night to day really take it out of me. So the next 72 hours won’t be much fun for old Billy Buck. A bunch of wins will remedy that no end, as will a few hits although I’ve not had much luck against Clancy in limited opposition, going 1-for-7 in three games last year. Let’s try fix that today then.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

We are once again set to the chase when Jesse Barfield goes deep with one on in the 3rd and doubles to Tony Fernandez and that man Garcia add a third.

We are sluggish early but come alive in the 4th when we bat around and post 4 runs on 5 hits. Jim Rice is in the thick of things once more, singling in a pair to give us the lead. We double our lead in the 6th on a sac fly by yours truly, and that’s it for Clancy.

They come straight back with one in the top 7th but a run-scoring single by Boggs cancels that out and restores our 2-run cushion, then 5 more in the 8th finally put them away after I finally get my first hit of the game with a leadoff double and the boys just keep on swinging the pipe.

We finish the game with 17 hits led by Barrett’s 4 and can only be encouraged by the different ways we are finding to win.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• Cleveland's Bert Blyleven notches #200 with a 12-3 win over Oakland.

The Real Deal

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• MLB Debuts: Steve Ontiveros, Al Newman
• Daily Notes: IRL, Earl Weaver - who led Baltimore to four American League titles from 1968 to 1982 - comes out of retirement and returns to the Orioles' dugout, replacing Joe Altobelli as manager.

[luckymann]

June 15, 1985: Toronto Blue Jays (31-28) @ Boston Red Sox (35-23)

Wily veteran Doyle Alexander up on the hill for the Jays today with Bob Ojeda going for us. Scary to think it is five years since Doyle and I first crossed paths while I was at LA and he was a Brave. We’ve kinda shared the spoils since them, as I’ve gone 5-for-22 with an RBI double. He’s got a nifty change of pace and just always seems to have me off-balance. I made some adjustments in this regard over the offseason so let’s see if they help any. Other than a few scattered clouds, it is a beau-ti-ful day for baseball in front of a healthy Saturday afternoon Boston crowd.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

I just miss hitting one out in the 1st but it still opens the scoring as a sac fly without the need of a hit after Lyons walked, swiped second and went to third on an error. In fact, we are still hitless when they tie it up in the top 4th before finally going back ahead when Dewey Evans doubles and scores on a single by Geds.

Little else to report, really, as the pitching dominance holds all the way through. Ojeda gives up just 3 hits himself over 8 and Crawford lands his 9th save of the season to give us our 5th win on the go. Ah ohfer ends Jim Rice's hitting streak at 22 games.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: NIL

[luckymann]

June 16, 1985: Toronto Blue Jays (31-29) @ Boston Red Sox (36-23)

Looking to finish off what would be a nice little sweep of the Jays here this afternoon before heading off for a quick circuit to Detroit and back by way of Toronto on the homeward leg. Promising young southpaw Jimmy Key on the hill for them tonight against Al Nipper. I’ve not managed a hit off Jim in two tries to this point when he was working in the BP last season. Obviously the Jays think highly enough of him to have moved him into the rotation, and his curveball is already well-regarded around the league.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Things start poorly for us when their leadoff man gets aboard on an error and they end up posting 3 on 3 hits in the 1st, but we hit back immediately on a 2-run homer by Jim Rice.
Nipper’s struggles continue, however, and he is done when they tack on another 3 runs in the 3rd, with rookie Jeff Sellers sent out for his first MLB appearance.

The rout continues as they go 8-2 ahead in the 5th but we creep closer again in the 6th on a 3-run monster jam from Tony Armas. We threaten again in the 9th, getting to within a run in a valiant but eventually futile effort as I bomb one out with two down and one on before the game ends with an 8-7 final when Jim Rice just misses one and it ends up in their CF’s glove right at the apex of the triangle. If you’re going to lose, that’s the way to do it – fighting til the last out is made.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• A couple dramatic wins as the Padres score 3 in the 9th and then again in the top 13th to pinch one from the Giants, while the A's extend their game at Cleveland with a late score then eventually win it with 4 more in the 15th - a long day indeed given that was the nightcap of a doubleheader.

The Real Deal

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Clearly a bug here with Clemens the IRL starter, not Nipper. Roger is actually on the DL in-game. With this being played on v22, I presume somebody has corrected this in the versions hence.

• MLB Debuts: Ed Wojna
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1938, the Browns walk Red Sox star Jimmie Foxx all six times he comes to bat and still lose 12-8. This sets an AL record that matches the mark set by Walt Wilmot in the NL in 1891.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

June 17, 1985: Boston Red Sox (36-24) @ Detroit Tigers (32-26)

And so onto Detroit now, who have sole possession of second place in our div and sit 3 GB us. To get things underway, Al Nipper takes on the tricky Dan Petry – winner of 37 games the past two seasons, who I’ve had some success against, going 2-for-7 with a dinger and 3 ribbies. A real chance for us to put some serious distance between ourselves and the pack. Certainly, the locals see the significance with in excess of 40000 jammed into Tiger Stadium – on a Monday night, no less!

Yesterday's bug with Nipper erroneously starting might have some ramifications here with him now listed as 14% - exhausted for this game. We shall see.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

A run on 3 hits including a single to Billy Buck gets us in the frame in the 1st but they reply immediately with one of their own on a single by Darrell Evans. We keep at Petry with gusto in the next, posting a 4-spot on 5 more hits and they again keep their half of the board ticking along with a solo homer by Johnny Grubb making it 5-2.

Nipper is already done for the night by this point and they come at us in the next against sparsely-used Charlie Mitchell, closing to within a run, but Dewey Evans gives us some breathing-room in the 5th with a 2-run big fly.

A solo shot by Parrish in the 7th makes it 7-5 and keeps them close enough to make us nervous until Boggsy puts another one in the seats with a man on in the top 9th and Clear closes it out for a really tough win by the boys.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

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• MLB Debuts: Darrin Jackson
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1960, Ted Williams hits his 500th career home run in a 3-1 win at Cleveland, becoming the fourth player to reach that mark after Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx and Mel Ott.

[luckymann]

June 18, 1985: Boston Red Sox (37-24) @ Detroit Tigers (32-27)

Back at it with the Tigers tonight with Bruce Kison taking on veteran righty Doug Bair. I’ve had a bunch of games against Doug going all the way back to 1978, and have gone 6-for-17 all up with a couple extra-base hits but neither homer nor RBI – a situation I’d be more than pleased to remedy in this one.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

A tentative start by both lineups before Steve Lyons gets us in front in the 3rd with a solo jack and they hit back with a run in the 4th.

Bair gets pulled at that point for whatever reason, and we go back in front immediately on an RBI double by Boggs, just our third hit of the night. But then Kison, who has also looked sharp to this point, makes a mistake in the next and young Nelson Simmons pounces with a 3-run homer to give them the 4-2 lead.

More trouble in the next pulls the curtain on Kison as they tack on another two runs on 2 hits and an error, and we go down quietly in a really flat performance in every regard – including just 5 hits from our bats.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• On top of Lansford's cycle in their 16-3 destruction of the White Sox, Oakland's Bruce Bochte has a 5-hit game, while the Jays recover from blowing a big lead to sneak home 8-7 in 14 against the Brew Crew.

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1953 at Fenway Park, a 17-run, 14-hit 7th inning highlights the Red Sox 23-3 demolition of the Tigers.

[luckymann]

June 19, 1985: Boston Red Sox (37-25) @ Detroit Tigers (33-27)

Our third of three here at Tiger Stadium before we head across the border for the same number of fixtures at the Jays. Keen to bounce back from last night’s shocker as Oil Can Boyd faces Walt Terrell, who I came up against a few times a couple seasons back in the NL when he was with the Mets and me a Cubbie, going 5-for-12 with a solo jack on my very first AB against him. He’s a tough competitor and we’ll need to be much improved. Another big crowd in attendance.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Another quiet start for the bats in this one until the wrong D. Evans – as far as we’re concerned, at any rate – their 3B Darrell, bombs one out to lead off the 4th. He doubles in another run a couple frames later to make it 2-0 as our offensive futility persists.

All hell breaks loose in the 7th as they go absolutely nutso on our guys, and when the smoke clears the game is just rubble courtesy of an 11-run wrecking ball. Evans adds four more ribeyes to his plate in the process.

We are eventually shut out on 5 hits in a 13-0 embarrassment that leaves us fairly shell-shocked as we head to Canada.

That's why they're the reigning World Champions.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• That shutout win takes Dwight Gooden to 10-2 / 2.19.

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: NIL

[luckymann]

June 20, 1985: Boston Red Sox (37-26) @ Toronto Blue Jays (34-30)

No doubt we are in some danger of undoing all of our good recent work if we can’t get things back on track quick smart and stem the bleeding. Losing is one thing, getting thumped another. So we at least need to put in a competitive performance tonight in the first of four here in Toronto. A straight-up rematch of that tight 2-1 win we got against Doyle Alexander at Fenway last week behind Bobby Ojeda. Let’s see if we can repeat the dose in this one.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Geds puts us ahead in the 2nd on an RBI single, only for Bob to lose his way in the 3rd and concede 3, two via a long double by big George Bell.

We are showing more fight tonight and quickly get back on even terms with a pair in the 4th, only for Ojeda to get into more strife in the home half and give em straight back to make it 5-3 at the halfway mark.

We get the big inning we need in the next, chasing Alexander with a 5-spot on 4 hits including Jim Rice’s 17th dinger of the season but they close the gap to a single run as they end Bob’s game with two more.

A solo jack by Mike Easler in the 7th gets us an insurance run and that 9-7 scoreline holds right through to the bottom 9th. But Steve Crawford can’t get the job done, blowing the save to send the game into extras tied at 9.

We go ahead once more with a deuce in the 11th but it isn’t our night as they walk it off when Jeff Sellers gives up a grand slam to Willie Upshaw for a 13-11 final - the second straight game we've conceded a baker's dozen.

Devastating. That one will leave a mark.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• Montreal and Texas also get walkoff wins, while the White Sox score 3 in the 9th to just miss out 9-8 against Oakland.

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: NIL

[luckymann]

June 21, 1985: Boston Red Sox (37-27) @ Toronto Blue Jays (35-30)

Shell-shocked is a fair description of the group’s mood after that tough loss last night and figuring out a way to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off will be a true test for our boys. We do have Bruce Hurst back in the rotation and making his first start since right at the start of the month, and he’s taking on Jimmy Key. A Friday night special here in Ontario with a raucous 40,000 in attendance. The place, it’s fair to say, is jumping.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

A double by yours truly is the centrepiece in a 2-run 1st as Jim Rice singles myself and Boggsy in.

From there, the pitchers settle in for a good old arm-wrestle, with very few baserunners and no additional scoring until they halve the deficit in the 7th on a Buck Martinez RBI single.

Our offence stops in its tracks after that early flurry and we fall behind when they score a pair in the next as Hurst’s lack of recent activity has its say, then take another loss as we go quietly in the 9th. The rot has set in, folks, and our lead is down to one.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• Walkoff wins aplenty again - to Oakland 6-5 in 10 over Cleveland), Milwaukee (2-1 in 10 over the O's) and Cincy (6-5 in 12 over Atlanta).
• The 'Stros beat LA 5-1 to take Mike Scott to 13-0 / 2.24 on the year.

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1916, Rube Foster (not the NeL legend) pitches the first no-hitter at Fenway, against the Yanks no less, in a 2-0 win.
• Transactions of Interest: The Tigers trade minor-leaguer Duane James to Texas for Frank Tanana, a swap that definitely works out in Detroit's favour.

[luckymann]

June 22, 1985: Boston Red Sox (37-28) @ Toronto Blue Jays (36-30)

Well, we just have to build ourselves a bridge and get over these past few games before the slow leak becomes a deluge. Few, if any teams go on to successful seasons if they cannot limit bad streaks and extend the good ones, which is what we must do here. Al Nipper on the hill for us against Ron Musselman, who I have faced just the one time last year, flying out to center. He doesn’t get many starts so this looks like it might well be a bullpen game for them. A blustery night so things could get a bit wild and woolly.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

We get on the board straight away with a couple runs in the 1st on 3 hits including my double but they get one of those back in the 3rd and then leapfrog us with 2 more in the next on a homer by Ernie Whitt.

Five innings sees the end of Musselman and we immediately tie the game at 3 off his replacement, Jim Acker. A two-out single in the next by Lloyd Moseby edges them back in front and we come up empty to drop our fifth straight, putting the Jays just a half-game back of us and the Tigers the same margin behind them.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Curt Ford
• Daily Notes: IRL, debutant Curt Ford delivers a pinch single off Lee Smith to give St. Louis sole possession of first place in the NL East with a 2-1 win over the Cubs, who have now lost 11 in a row.

[luckymann]

June 23, 1985: Boston Red Sox (37-29) @ Toronto Blue Jays (37-30)

If there’s panic among the group we sure aren’t showing it yet, but rather a steely determination to get things back on track in as quick and orderly fashion as we can. As so often happens in this sort of situation, however, we’re going to need to beat one of their best if that turnaround is to start this afternoon – Dave Stieb, who has racked up 50 wins the past 3 seasons and another 9 already in this one. I have singled twice and driven in a run in the 7 times I have faced him, and would dearly love to add to that total in this one. Bruce Kison going for us. A warm day with the wind blowing out might make this a high-scoring affair.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

We go ahead early when Steve Lyons leads off the game with a trip and comes in on a sac fly from yours truly. We put ourselves under undue pressure with a couple errors but still hold that lead thru 4.

We go further ahead in the 5th with a strong rally that nets us two on a Jim Rice triple (after they choose to walk Boggs intentionally with two out and face him) and a third on a Billy Buck double and tack on yet one more in the inning after that on an error.

Kison has looked sharp all game but gives up a run in the 7th to spoil the shutout, although Barrett cancels that run out with an RBI single in the 8th to make it 6-1. Charlie Mitchell comes in and holds his nerve to close out a much-needed win by that score.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Glen Cook
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1963, Red Sox 1B Dick Stuart handles three 1st-inning grounders and tosses each to pitcher Bob Heffner for a putout, making him just the second pitcher to have three putouts in an inning after Boston's Jim Bagby in 1940. Rick Reuschel will be the next to achieve the feat in 1975.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

June 24, 1985: Detroit Tigers (35-30) @ Boston Red Sox (38-29)

Home, sweet home for three v the Tigers beginning with Oil Can Boyd taking on Walt Terrell, and let’s hope the change of scenery leads to a change of fortune compared to last time these two met. On that occasion, only five days ago to be precise, Detroit laid a very crooked number on us en route to a 13-0 whitewash. A small measure of payback would be nice in front of a healthy crowd on a near-perfect night for baseball.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

A 2-run triple by Jim Rice in the 1st gets us off on the right foot but Darrell Evans ties it straight back up with a 2-run jack in the 2nd.

Boggsy erases them a couple innings later with a 2-run bomb of his own but Lance Parrish then goes solo yard to make it 4-3. The outward-blowing wind is making it tough for the hurlers to keep the ball in the park.

We look to have broken it open with a 6-hit, 4-run 5th that chases Terrell, but they keep us in range with 2 in the next, pulling the curtain down on Boyd as well. This one will be decided by the bullpens.

They chip away further at our lead with one in the 7th to make it 8-6 and another in the 8th to really make us squirm, before Boggs’ big game continues with a 2-run double to let us breathe a bit easier and Bob Stanley closes it out with a scoreless 9th. Ugly as all get-up and I don't contribute a lick, but I’ll happily take it nonetheless.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: NIL

[luckymann]

June 25, 1985: Detroit Tigers (35-31) @ Boston Red Sox (39-29)

A tough roadblock for us today as our homestand against the Tigers continues, with Jack Morris on duty against Bobby Ojeda. Despite he and I having been around the traps for a while, Jack has been over in this league for his whole career so I’ve not faced him much – 2-for-4 last year, but one of those was a grand slam I remember well. Another of those would be handy tonight. It’s mild and blustery, with the wind again favouring hitters.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

A run on 3 hits in the 2nd puts them ahead, but only briefly as Mike Easler doubles and scores on a Geds single to tie it up again.

That scoreline holds until the 5th, when they edge ahead again on a solo shot by Barbaro Garbey, but we again have the ready reply in the home half as a 2-run double by Jim Rice gives us a 3-2 lead.

It all comes unstuck for Bobby O in the next, however, as he gives up a slam to Chet Lemon and that is his game over and done with. Another two runs in the next puts them in total control at 8-3 but we keep fighting and put up 3 in the bottom 7th including 2 on a Billy Buck double.

But this bullpen of ours is a real concern and they just blow us out of the water with 7 and go on to win it 17-6. That’s twice in fairly quick succession the Tigers have put a real hurtin’ on us and the third time in less than a fortnight we've conceded double figures to one of our nearest rivals – that is never a good sign, especially in late June.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Sam Khalifa
• Daily Notes: On this day in 1970, the Red Sox blow a 7-0 lead after 5 innings as the Orioles tie the game in the 9th and then go on to win it with a six-run 14th.

[luckymann]

June 26, 1985: Detroit Tigers (36-31) @ Boston Red Sox (39-30)

On and on it goes, with this our final game before a lay day and then we head into another stretch of 17 straight gamedays that runs through the midpoint of the season and into the All-Star Break. Perhaps the most challenging aspect is the weather as we trudge through the dog days of summer. Even though more games are played at night than in the daytime, nevertheless the temperature increase is noticeable and adds another dimension to the wear and tear. Such is the lot of a major league baseballer.

Al Nipper takes on second-year righty Randy O’Neal tonight, the first time I'll have faced him.

Bill Buckner YTD stats entering the game




Game Recap

Al Nipper takes on second-year righty Randy O’Neal tonight, the first time I'll have faced him.

They get a run without a hit in the top 1st and tack on 3 more in the 4th, with our bats ineffective in the extreme – just one hit to this point.

We scratch one back in the bottom of that inning but the Tigers further extend their lead with 3 in the 7th off Jeff Sellers, who I hate to say looks totally overmatched at this level. I don’t help matters with an error in the next that opens the door for 2 more runs and we end up with another horrendous loss as the final score is 11-1. Fair to say that Chet Lemon has beaten us like a disobedient stepchild this series. He wasn't alone.

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

The Real Deal

(click link for BBRef boxscore)

• MLB Debuts: Bob Sebra
• Daily Notes: IRL, the Cubs beat the Mets 7-3 to end their club-record-tying losing streak at 13 games - their longest since 1944.

[luckymann]

June 27, 1985: No game scheduled

Best Performances, News & Highlights of the Day

• Those four hits put Pete Rose at 4155 for his career, just 34 shy of Ty Cobb.

The Real Deal

• MLB Debuts: NIL
• Daily Notes: IRL, San Francisco's Jeffrey Leonard hits for the cycle in a 7-6 loss to the Reds - the first Giant to do so since Dave Kingman in 1972.
• Transactions of Interest: The Orioles trade pitcher Roy Lee Jackson and a player to be named later (Rich Caldwell) to the Padres for 2B Alan Wiggins, who recently completed his second stay at a drug rehabilitation centre, and whom the Friars do not reactivate, having vowed that he would never play for them again.