Tag: Dick Allen Page 6 of 7

TWIWBL 18.2: Series XV Notes – Cum Posey Division

On November 8, 2021

#Baltimore Black Sox

Bill Byrd allowed 3 hits (2 by Tom Herr, who continues to impress) in a complete-game shutout of Birmingham. The 7-0 win moved Byrd to 5-2 and lowered his ERA to a sparkling 3.16. Curt Blefary, Larry Gardner, and Dan McGann had 2 hits each in support of Byrd, with McGann and Bryce Harper driving in 2 each.

The Black Sox finally ran out of patience with Miller Huggins, sending the struggling 2B to AAA in favor of OF Baby Doll Jacobson, who had been absolutely demolishing minor league pitching.

#Chicago American Giants

Shoeless Joe Jackson took Jimmy Key‘s first ever pitch in the WBL out of the ballpark for the first of his 2 homeruns on the day, setting the tone for a blowout victory for the American Giants over Ottawa. Damian Jackson–who started the day hitting .165–went 4-for-5 and six–yes, six–Chicago batters had 3 hits (Shoeless Joe, Frank Thomas, Eddie Collins, Duffy Lewis, Dick Allen, and Carlton Fisk). Thomas drove in 4, and Tricky Nichols improved to 6-2 with 7 solid innings on the mound.

Not all news was good for Chicago, as Cristobal Torriente had to leave the game with a leg injury that landed him on the DL. Rocky Colavito was recalled from AAA in his place.

As the American Giants try to solve their bullpen, Frank Smith was returned to AAA, with Joe Lake coming up to Chicago to compete with Joe Horlen for the final rotation spot. Despite his good day detailed above, The Damian Jackson experiment is clearly on its way out. While Jackson stays with the big league club–someone has to play 2B when Collins is out–Jack Doyle, way down in AA, provides the same defensive flexibility, and cannot hit any worse. Avisail Garcia was also sent down, with Magglio Ordonez coming up to the big leagues. Jim Davenport and Nellie Fox were both released to make room on the 40-man roster.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Mark Melancon picked up his 5th victory from the bullpen when Lance Berkman won the ballgame with a walk-off homerun against Cleveland. Jorge Posada also went deep and Jeff Bagwell and HR Johnson added 2 hits in the 4-3 victory.

Melancon did it again, moving to 6-1 when Jim O’Rourke provided a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th. Felipe Alou–perhaps playing to remain in the league–had 3 hits and 2 RBIs and Melancon, Dock Ellis, and Trevor Hoffman combined for 3.2 innings of 2-hit, shutout relief of an effective Stephen Strasbourg.

#Ottawa Mounties

Just another day for Tim Raines: 2 hits, 3 runs scored, 3 stolen bases to lead Ottawa to a 7-2 win over Chicago. Freddy Parent added his 9th homerun of the year and Jim Clancy pitched well, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs in just over 5 innings, moving to 3-2 on the season.

Jimmy Key was waived and Clark Griffiths returned to AAA to make room for Ted Bowsfield and Steve Howe‘s return from injury. More dramatically, the Mounties sent down Steve Garvey, Ken Griffey, Jr., and Alex Rodriguez to AAA in an effort to jump start their offense. Rick Monday, Larry Parrish, and–surprisingly, all the way from AA–Harry Easterday were recalled, with Felix Hernandez being waived. The end result of all this is that Jackie Jensen and Roy Sievers will get a lot of at-bats for a while.

TWIWBL Special Edition: All Star Previews II – Third Basemen

By mknn

On October 4, 2021

In All Star Games

{ With under three weeks until the All Star Teams are announced, we’re looking at what’s changed since our original previews. }

Preview I here.

#AL – Bill James and Cum Posey Divisions

Original selections: Doug Rader, Dick Allen, Pinky Higgins.

It’s a pretty clear top three right now, with one change from the above. Not only has Kansas City’s Albert Pujols forced himself into the conversation, he may be the starter for the AL, with a 303/365/514 line.

Chicago’s Allen and Los Angeles’ Rader are holding steady, Allen at 278/335/512 and Rader at 306/362/505. Each of them match Pujols’ 9 homeruns, and Rader has 54 RBIs.

Higgins of the New York Gothams is still in the conversation, he’s just fallen a bit off the pace with an OPS of .830.

None of the contenders are very good with the glove, with Higgins especially not showing much skill with the leather at the hot corner. But the best gloves in the league–Detroit’s Jimmy Collins and Baltimore’s Harlond Clift–aren’t hitting anywhere near enough to make it.

The AI picks Rader and Detroit’s Bob Bailey, but Bailey has spent only 44 innings at 3B, playing most of the time as a DH.

So, Pujols, Rader, and Allen it is.

#NL – Effa Manley and Marvin Miller Divisions

Original selections: Scott Rolen, Buddy Bell, Mike Schmidt.

Not much has changed in the NL: Portland’s Bell (312/382/540 with 10 homeruns) is head and shoulders above the rest, and Philadelphia’s Rolen (279/353/492) solidly behind him. But after that, it gets difficult.

Brooklyn’s Ron Cey, with an OPS just over .800, is the next best hitter. But Miami’s Manny Machado and the New York Black Yankees’ Schmidt are contributing a lot more defensively. Machado and Schmidt’s OPS’ are roughly equal, in the .780 range.

I continue to just have more faith that Schmidt will get hot, so we’ll keep going with him, but it really is likely to come down to which of those has a good rest of the month.

The AI shares the dilemma, picking only Bell and Rolen.

TWIWBL 17.2: Series XIV Notes – Cum Posey Division

By mknn

On September 17, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Chicago American Giants

Despite committing 4 errors, Chicago blew out the House of David 14-5 behind 4 hits from Dick Allen and 3 hits and 5 RBIs from Mike Fiore. The win went to Tricky Nichols, who improves to 5-2 in an outing that should also help rest the tired American Giants’ bullpen.

Dave Nilsson hit 2 homeruns and the Chicago bullpen survived some shaky moments–most notably a 3-run homerun by Dan Ford in the top of the 9th–as the American Giants beat the House of David 8-7. Shoeless Joe Jackson had 3 hits, and Frank Smith won his 2nd game of the year with a decent start.

Eddie Collins went 4-for-4 with 2 homeruns and Carlton Fisk and Fiore drove in 3 each as the American Giants put up 15 hits and 12 runs. The bad news was their pitchers gave up 18 hits–but only 9 runs, so Chicago beat the House of David once again, this time 12-9.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Stubby Overmire finally got his first victory of the year with another strong performance, delivering 8 innings of 5-hit, 2-run ball against Los Angeles. Gentleman Jim O’Rourke had 3 hits including his 3rd homerun of the year and 5 RBIs for Houston and Carlos Correa drove in 3 runs as well.

With Leon Day on the DL for 10 days with a shoulder injury, Houston brought Bones Ely back from AAA. The Colt 45’s also activated Casey Stengel from the DL, sending DJ LeMahieu to AAA.

#Kansas City Monarchs

Andy Pettite allowed 2 hits in 6 innings and Connie Johnson followed it with 3 perfect innings of relief as the Monarchs beat the Grays, 9-1. Rogers Hornsby and Gene Freese had 2 hits each and Hornsby hit a 3-run homerun (his 6th) and Albert Pujols a solo shot (his 9th). Pettite improved to 5-3 and Johnson picked up his first save.

Lou Brock had 3 hits and 4 stolen bases, scoring twice and helping the Monarchs ease to a 7-3 win over the Grays. Frank Castillo evened his record at 4-4 with 6 solid innings and Jose Rijo gave up 1 hit in 3 innings for his first save, although it may not be enough to keep Rijo in the WBL.

Robinson Cano led the way in a 15-5 demolition of Homestead, going 5-for-5 with 4 runs scored, 4 RBIs, and 2 homeruns. Ted Simmons and Boog Powell added 3 hits each with Powell and Brock driving in 3 each.

#Ottawa Mounties

Over 13 innings, the difference between Ottawa and Portland was … a wild pitch. In the top of the 13th, Anthony Rendon, who hit his 3rd homerun in the first inning to give the Mounties an early lead, singled off Elmer Brown. He moved to second on a walk to Carlos Delgado and to third when Brown induced a double play from Freddy Parent. Then Brown uncorked a wild pitch, giving the Mounties the 3-2 lead, which Johnny Podgajny was able to preserve in the bottom of the frame. Rendon went 3-for-6 in the game, with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. The victory went to Gary Lavelle, who moved to 3-1.

The injury news on Tom Henke was not good: he tore a ligament in his elbow, and will miss close to a year. Jimmy Key was recalled from AAA, with Lavelle the logical candidate to move into the closer role for the Mounties.

TWIWBL 15.2: Series XII Notes – Cum Posey Division

By mknn

On August 24, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Baltimore Black Sox

Ned Garvin kept Los Angeles’ Gerrit Cole from becoming the first 7 game winner in the WBL, spinning a brilliant 8 innings, allowing only 2 runs in a 4-2 Black Sox victory. Garvin moved to 4-1 on the year, and Bob Miller picked up his 4th save. Curt Blefary hit his 14th and Harlond Clift his 8th homerun of the year.

In the next game, Dennis Martinez moved to 6-1 on the year, allowing only 3 hits and 1 run in 7.2 innings. Bryce Harper drove in 2, and Harper, Ken Singleton, and Dan McGann all chipped in with 2 hits.

Bill Byrd pitched 8.1 innings of shutout ball before being relieved by Don Bessent, who finished the job in a 5-0 win for the Black Sox. Byrd brought his ERA under 4.00 and improved his record to 4-2, helped by 3 hits from Bobby Wallace and the suddenly resurgent Paul Blair, who even hit his 4th homerun of the year in the game.

Clearly not a fan of the if it ain’t broke school of thought, the team with the best record in the WBL shook its roster up some on the day off, demoting P Mark Baldwin, 3B Brooks Robinson, and SS Mark Belanger to AAA. Baldwin and Robinson had done very little in their opportunities, and Belanger had only played in 7 games all season. P Bob Welch, and IFs Cal Ripken, Jr. and Brian Roberts were recalled to the big league club.

#Chicago American Giants

Frank Thomas went 3-for-4 and Dick Allen had 3 RBI’s to lead Chicago to a 5-4 victory over Indianapolis. Herb Pennock survived 6 rocky innings to pick up his 2nd win, with AJ Minter pitching a perfect 9th for his 6th save.

Adrian Gonzalez was sent to AAA, ending his nightmare of a year so far in the majors; with Joe Horlen being promoted to fill out the bullpen and C Pop Snyder being waived.

All of that will result in Cristobal Torriente and Avisail Garcia seeing more time in the American Giants’ OF.

#Houston Colt 45s

Behind 3 hits and 3 RBIs from George Brett, including his 5th homerun of the year, the Colt 45s put away the Black Yankees, 9-4. It could be a difficult game for Houston, as Bret Saberhagen and Casey Stengel (who also hit his 5th homerun) both had to leave with injuries.

Bones Ely was recalled, and if you ignore a 499 foot homerun to Babe Ruth and one nearly as long to Lou Gehrig, he did alright, earning the save with 3 innings of work in a 13-5 blowout win. Craig Biggio drove in 4 and HR Johnson and Lance Berkman 3 each in support of Roy Oswalt, who moved to 5-2 on the year.

Brad Lidge was replaced by Billy Wagner as Houston’s closer, with Mike Hartley being sent to AAA. Carney Lansford was recalled from the minors to add another bat off the bench.

#Kansas City Monarchs

2 homeruns from Stan Musial helped the Monarchs overcome a 90 minute rain delay in an 11-5 win over the House of David. Musial drove in 4, and the win went to Connie Johnson, who pitched 3 scoreless innings after the rains came down.

Who knows what to make of Luke Hamlin? He seems to mix mediocre starts with absolute gems. This was one of the latter, as Hamlin had a no-hitter into the 7th and ended up with a 2-hit, complete game shutout to level his record at 3-3. 5 pitchers had thrown 3-hit shutouts, but this was the first game to go below that, and it was the 3rd best game score of the season at 86.

Willie McGee was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs in the 6-0 victory. Hamlin’s performance was especially welcome, as the Monarchs’ bullpen was fairly decimated.

Jose Rijo lost his spot in the starting rotation in favor of Adam Wainwright, and McGee–who had been in a platoon with Fielder Jones–has become the everyday CF for the Monarchs.

#Ottawa Mounties

Greg Holland was sent to AAA with Ryan Dempster coming back the other way. Josh Donaldson–0-for-15 in his time in the big leagues–was returned to AAA as well, with Steve Garvey coming off the DL to return to Ottawa. The Mounties would like to promote Larry Parrish, who is playing very well at 3B, but haven’t found a corresponding move to free up room on the 40-man roster.

TWIWBL Special Edition: All Star Preview – Third Basemen

By mknn

On July 28, 2021

In All Star Games, TWIWBL

{ The All-Star game is about a month away. We’ll post occasional articles about the contenders for participation in the mid-season classic. These are written “as of now,” so the final selections may vary dramatically, but hopefully these will add to the ongoing flavor of the league. }

#AL Third Basemen: Bill James & Cum Posey Divisions

Detroit’s Bob Bailey has been one of the surprise performers of the year so far, slashing 328/413/565. The problem is that he’s really been a DH for Detroit all season and, if he makes the all-star team, it should be at that position.

Doug Rader of the Los Angeles Angels merits strong consideration for the starting position. He’s second in the league in RBI with 49, and is hitting 317/365/511 to go with it.

The challenge is who the third selection could be. Kansas City’s Albert Pujols is hitting 304/368/492, but plays as much at LF, 1B, and DH as 3B. If either Chicago’s Dick Allen (253/302/482) or Ottawa’s Anthony Rendon (294/387/412) get hot, they could force their way into the conversation.

Perhaps the right selection is the New York Gothams’ Pinky Higgins, who has been very steady at 316/382/456.

Bailey’s teammate–and Detroit’s actual third baseman, Jimmy Collins, is hitting 236/284/401, which is nowhere near all-star levels. But he has been the best fulltime defensive 3B in the division (Baltimore’s Brooks Robinson has been even better with the glove, but absolutely putrid offensively), so perhaps that gives him a shot?

The AI prefers Bailey, Rader, and Pujols (as a LF). Removing Bailey from consideration here, I would select Rader, Allen (predicting he hits another hot streak and overtakes Rendon), and Higgins.

#NL Third Baseman: Effa Manley & Marvin Miller Divisions

The first two selections are pretty easy: Philadelphia’s Scott Rolen (306/373/556) and Portland’s Buddy Bell (325/388/537) should both make it, with Bell looking like the current starter. Rolen and Bell have also been the best defensive 3B, making the choice even easier.

After that, there are a lot of questions. Miami’s Manny Machado has 9 homeruns, but not much else, and New York’s Mike Schmidt has needed a recent surge to get his numbers up to 258/313/484.

The AI goes with Rolen and Bell. I’m going to predict that Schmidt continues his improved performance, and forces himself into the conversation as well.

TWIWBL 12.2: Series X Notes – Cum Posey Division

By mknn

On July 22, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Baltimore Black Sox

Bryce Harper hit 2 homeruns, scoring 4 runs and driving in 5, and Frank Robinson had 4 hits (including a homerun) as did Bobby Wallace (Wallace also drove in 4 runs). That was enough to support a decent effort from Jim Palmer and defeat the Black Yankees, 12-2. Palmer improves to 4-3 on the year.

Despite 15 strikeouts–a record 5 by Wallace–the Black Sox beat the Black Yankees in game 2 as well, 8-3 behind homeruns from Curt Blefary, Harlond Clift, and Robinson. Johnny Sain improved to 5-2 on the year and Mark Baldwin, recently moved to the bullpen, earned his first save with 3 scoreless innings.

Ned Garvin‘s hitless streak ended at 9 innings when Don Mattingly doubled with one out in the top of the first. That didn’t stop Garvin from another fine outing, holding the Black Yankees to one run in 7.2 innings. Robinson had 3 hits as the Black Sox triumphed, 4-2, with Garvin improving to 3-1 and Don Bessent picking up his 6th save.

#Chicago American Giants

Dick Allen made 3 errors in the American Giants’ 8-1 loss to Los Angeles. They led to 2 unearned runs, so the loss can’t really be pinned on Allen’s poor glovework. Tricky Nichols gave up 6 runs in 5 innings to take his first loss of the year.

Despite setting a league record for strikeouts with 13, Ed Walsh took the loss, 2-1 against Los Angeles, evening his record at 3-3.

#Houston Colt 45’s

A 3-run homerun by Lance Berkman and a dominant start from Roy Oswalt led to a 4-2 victory for Houston over Philadelphia. Oswalt allowed only 4 hits in 7 innings, moving to 4-2 on the year and Brad Lidge picked up his 5th save in a game that dealt the Stars’ Ray Collins his first loss of the season.

Jimmy Wynn went 5-for-5 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs as Houston routed Philadelphia 15-6. Felipe Alou made his WBL debut, and went 3-for-5 with 5 RBIs and HR Johnson added 4 hits, with the win going to Toad Ramsey, who is now 4-3 on the season.

With Trevor Hoffman complaining of shoulder pain, the Colt 45’s recalled Mike Hartley from his rehab assignment while placing Hoffman on the 10 day DL.

#Ottawa Mounties

Old Hoss Radbourn was brilliant, allowing 1 run and 4 hits over 8 innings, and Tom Henke struck out the side for his 10th save. Radbourn evened his record at 3-3, helped by a first inning HR from Tim Raines, who had 3 hits on the day. Carlos Delgado and Phil Bradley added 2 hits and an RBI each.

A pinch-hit single in the bottom of the 9th by Delgado scored Alex Rodriguez–who had singled home Freddy Parent to tie the game–and gave the Mounties a 4-3, walk-off win in a game they trailed 3-0 in the bottom of the 7th. Gary Carter hit a two-run homerun then, setting the stage for Delgado’s heroics.

Monk Dubiel will miss two or three weeks, prompting Ottawa to recall Chris Leroux, who has been essentially unhittable at AAA.

TWIWBL 11.2: Notes from Series IX – Cum Posey Division

By mknn

On July 11, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Baltimore Black Sox

Mark Baldwin has lost his spot in the starting rotation, with Ned Garvin taking his place.

#Chicago American Giants

Tricky Nichols is emerging as the ace of Chicago’s staff. He threw his second shutout of the season against Memphis, allowing only 4 hits in a 134 pitch effort. Frank Thomas went deep twice, and Mike Fiore and Duffy Lewis also homered, leading Chicago to a 5-0 victory. Nichols is now 4-0 on the season.

Two homeruns by Lewis were almost not enough, as Chicago gave up an early 5-0 lead to fall behind Memphis 6-5. But 4 runs in the bottom of the eighth, keyed by a pinch-hit double from Thomas, keyed a 9-5 American Giants victory. Sonny Dixon threw 2.1 scoreless innings of relief for the win, and AJ Minter picked up his 5th save with a perfect 9th inning.

Robin Ventura–whose OPS was under .400–was demoted to AAA, with Jim Davenport being promoted as Dick Allen‘s backup, and Kevin Mitchell went to the minors as Cristobal Torriente returned from injury.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Houston has been getting solid starts from surprising sources, the most recent being a 7 inning effort from Stubby Overmire where he only allowed 6 hits and 2 runs. Unfortunately, the Colt 45’s offense was totally shutdown, as they lost the game 3-0.

The performance moved Overmire into the rotation, despite Leon Day also making a case for regular starts. With Jeff Bagwell‘s production sky rocketing (he now leads the team in OPS), Paul Goldschmidt was demoted in hopes the big first baseman could find his stroke at AAA.

C Jason Castro has been the best player at AAA San Antonio, but the Colt 45’s already have three catchers on the roster, if you count Craig Biggio. As such, OF Felipe Alou was recalled to the big league club.

#Ottawa Mounties

With Steve Garvey out for at least a week with the flu, the Mounties recalled Josh Donaldson from AAA, a move designed both to add some depth at 3B behind Anthony Rendon and clear room for the impressive Larry Parrish to get more playing time with AAA Montreal.

Roy Halladay got his first win of the year with 8 strong innings, allowing 1 earned run. The Mounties hit 6 homeruns in a 14-2 rout of Birmingham, with Emil Gross hitting 2 and Tim Raines, Roy Sievers, Carlos Delgado, and Rendon all going deep as well.

The Mounties may have found something in thirty-five year old Jamie Moyer. Helped by three hits from Alex Rodriguez, Moyer allowed only 1 run in 8 innings for his first victory of the year, lowering his ERA to 2.08 as Ottawa won 5-1.

TWIWBL 10.2: Series VII Notes – Cum Posey Division

By mknn

On July 4, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Baltimore Black Sox

Ned Garvin shut out Philadelphia on 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 4, improving his record to 2-1 in easily his best performance of the year.

A pinch-hit grand slam from Frank Robinson helped power the Black Sox past the Stars in the second game. Dennis Martinez had another strong outing, improving to 3-1 and Ken Singleton also went deep.

#Chicago American Giants

Frank Thomas hit 2 homeruns, leading Chicago past the New York Black Yankees, 8-4. Ben Sheets moved to 4-1 on the year with a strong effort, and Carlton Fisk and Joe Jackson also went deep.

In game two of the series, down 4-2 in the top of the 7th, the American Giants responded with 6 runs, shocking the Black Yankees and providing the final score in the 8-4 victory. The inning started with hits from Luke Appling and Dave Nilsson, chasing New York’s starter, Jake Scott, from the game. He was relieved by A.J. Burnett, who allowed a run to score on a wild pitch, then surrendered a single to Jackson to tie the game … and then things got rough, with Dick Allen hitting a 2 run homerun and Mike Fiore scoring on a fielders’ choice. Thomas went 3-for-5, and both Adrian Gonzalez and Duffy Lewis hit homers as well. The win went to Ed Walsh, who struggled through 126 pitches over 7 innings, allowing 4 runs. Akinori Otsuka and A.J. Minter combined for 2 scoreless innings in relief.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Stubby Overmire got a spot start and made the most of it, allowing only 2 runs in 7 innings against Brooklyn in a game Houston eventually won in the bottom of the 9th, with the victory going to Andrew Chafin, who evened his record at 1-1.

Jeff Bagwell went deep twice–perhaps an indication he’s finding his swing at last–to lead Houston to a 6-2 victory in the 2nd game, with Tony Gwynn adding 3 RBI’s as well. Trevor Hoffman moved to 3-0 on the year, after a decent effort from Stephen Strasburg.

#Ottawa Mounties

Jamie Moyer‘s WBL debut was a thing of beauty: 7.2 innings, 6 hits, 4 strikeouts, and a single earned run. Tom Henke‘s total meltdown was not–4 runs on three hits in the 9th inning, turning a 2-1 lead into a 5-2 defeat to Indianapolis.

The question of what it would take for Ottawa to give up on Randy Johnson–at least for a while–was answered: 1-4 with an ERA approaching 9 and a WHIP over 2. It’s unclear what the long term plans are in Ottawa: for now, Monk Dubiel gets a start and a likely quick hook, with Greg Holland called up to the bullpen.

Holland did well: 3.1 innings in relief of Dubiel (who gave up 4 runs in 3 innings), allowing only 1 run. It was enough, as Ottawa took advantage of a total implosion by Rob Murphy that included 2 bases-loaded walks and a grand slam by the suddenly red-hot Freddy Parent. It all added up to an 8-5 victory for the Mounties.

TWIWBL 8.2: Series VII Notes – Cum Posey Division

By mknn

On June 20, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Baltimore Black Sox

Curt Blefary hit 2 HRs, bringing his season total to a whopping 12, in an 8-4 loss to the Detroit Wolverines.

#Chicago American Giants

Cristobal Torriente was placed on the DL after severely twisting an ankle in the American Giants‘ 7-6 victory over San Francisco, a game won on a walk-off HR by Dick Allen. It could be a hard game for Chicago: Herb Pennock was injured as well, but may be able to make his next start and, more importantly, superstar 2B Eddie Collins left the game favoring his leg. His diagnosis is currently unknown.

Avisail Garcia was promoted from AAA Milwaukee to take Torriente’s place.

Collins will miss about 2 weeks: Nellie Fox was called up from AAA, but the bulk of the 2B duties will fall to Damian Jackson.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Casey Stengel–yes, Casey Stengel–hit the second longest HR in WBL history when he launched a 517ft mammoth shot off Miami‘s Bill Landrum, leading Houston to a 4-1 victory over the Cuban Giants.

Only slightly less improbably than the above paragraph: Toad Ramsey, who has been thoroughly mediocre at best, delivered a 4-hit shutout against Miami in a 3-0 Houston victory. Ramsey walked 7, so it wasn’t exactly a dominant performance; still, a 4-hitter is a 4-hitter.

#Kansas City Monarchs

How do you win a game when you give up 10 walks? By pounding out 23 hits and scoring 17 runs … the Monarchs blew away Memphis 17-3, led by Rogers Hornsby‘s 2 HRs and 6 RBIs. Hornsby, Stan Musial, and Ozzie Smith scored 3 runs each, and recently recalled Robinson Cano added 4 hits. Jose Rijo pitched well enough for the win, improving to 2-1, and Trevor Rosenthal and Craig Kimbrel provided 4 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief.

#Ottawa Mounties

OF Larry Walker is heading back to the DL with a sprained wrist, leaving the Mounties without one of their only 2 higher end offensive performers so far (the other being Tim Raines). Rick Monday was recalled from AAA, increasing the pressure on Ken Griffey, Jr. to come out of his slump.

Series VI Featured Matchup- Chicago American Giants @ Philadelphia Stars

By mknn

On June 1, 2021

In Featured Series, Game Recaps

The American Giants (12-10) head to Philadelphia to take on the Stars (13-9) in a four game series. Series preview here.

Game 1: Mark Buehrle v Robin Roberts

Mark Buehrle brings a 1-2 record and a 3.20 ERA into his matchup with Robin Roberts who is at 2-1 with an inflated ERA of 6.30. Roberts has pitched better than his ERA would indicate, for sure.

Still, the American Giants have a heckuva lineup. Roberts would give up three runs four innings, first on an RBI single by Dick Allen, then twice when Duffy Lewis scored without a hit (first on a Luke Appling double play, then, in the top of the fourth, on a wild pitch).

Buehrle sailed along for five innings, but the Stars broke through in a big way in the bottom of the sixth with George Hendrick, Sherry Magee, and Rico Carty all hitting doubles to cut the lead to 3 to 2. Ted Kluszewski–gaining some redemption on his return from AAA–then took Buehrle deep for a 3-run HR, putting Philadelphia on top, 5-3, and chasing Buehrle from the game, relieved by Koji Uehara.

The lead was short-lived: Roberts would walk Adrian Gonzalez and give up a single to pinch-hitter Kevin Mitchell before giving way to Rheal Cormier. Brought in to face three consecutive left-handed batters, Cormier was hit hard despite getting a few outs, with Dave Nilsson hitting a deep fly to score Gonzalez, Eddie Collins doubling, and Shoeless Joe Jackson plating Mitchell with a groundout. Jack Meyer relieved Cormier and got Frank Thomas to popout to 1B for the final out with the score tied at 5.

Philadelphia’s strategy in the top of the eighth was a bit of a surprise: when Meyer couldn’t come out due to injury, the Stars turned to Jaret Wright, just recalled from AAA. It was a mistake: Allen greeted him with a triple, Mike Fiore walked, and Wright was pulled midway through Duffy Lewis’ AB in favor of Pedro Feliciano, who had been fantastic so far this season. Feliciano gave up a single to Lewis, scoring Allen and then a 2-run double to light-hitting Damian Jackson. An RBI groundout from Eddie Collins pushed the score to 9-5.

Philadelphia would claw back one run, but that was it, and Chicago had the victory in hand.

Carty had three hits, all doubles, for Philadelphia. Lewis went four-for-four and scored 3 runs for Chicago.

CAG 9 (Uehara 1-0; Minter 3 Sv) @ PHI 6 (Wright 0-1; Cormier 1 BS)
HRs: Kluszewski (PHI, 5)
Box Score

Game 2: Joe Lake @ J.M. Ward

John Montgomery Ward gets a spot start for Chicago, his first of the year. Ward has pitched 7 times in relief, with a 1-0 record and 4.50 ERA. Joe Lake is just trying to get on track, coming in with an 0-1 record and an ERA approaching 8.

It was a rough day for everyone who took the mound …

Chicago roared out of the gate, taking a 7-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth, but Philadelphia would at least make a game of it, starting the frame off with five consecutive hits and a sacrifice fly, closing the gap to two runs at 7-5.

But Shoeless Joe Jackson would hit two homeruns in the later innings, and Herb Pennock would throw a perfect 2.2 IP to close it out. Pennock was the only successful hurler for either team: Ward was rocked for 7 runs in under 4 innings, and Rheal Cormier and Pedro Feliciano gave up 6 more in 4 innings in relief. Lake was hit hard as well, surrendering 5 runs and 9 hits in 5 innings, and Lee Meadows gave up 3 more in just over an inning of relief.

Meadows and Lake are unlikely to be in Chicago much longer, as today’s performances were no worse than they’ve shown all season.

Shoeless Joe went 3-for-6 with 4 RBIs, and Mike Fiore added 3 hits and scored 3 times as the American Giants pounded out seventeen hits, with only Dick Allen failing to get a hit on the day.

For Philadelphia, Buck Freeman, Rico Carty, Chase Utley, and Mickey Doolin each had two hits apiece.

CAG 14 (Lake 1-1; Pennock 1 Sv; Meadows 1 H) @ PHI 8 (Ward 1-1)
HRs: Jackson 2 (CAG, 8); Lewis (CAG, 3)
Box Score

Game 3: Tricky Nichols @ Ray Collins

Because of the surprise start of JM Ward last game, game three of the series features the first matchup of two 3-0 pitchers on the season, with Chicago’s Tricky Nichols facing Philadelphia’s Ray Collins. Both pitched well for a while, and then ran out of gas.

Nichols was cruising with a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th, but a 3-run HR by Chase Utley and a solo shot by Bill Dickey chased him from the game giving Philadelphia a 5-4 lead.

Collins left after 7 innings with the 1 run lead, but Ron Reed immediately gave it up, surrendering a 2-run blast to Mike Fiore to give the American Giants the edge, 6-5. But, an error by Dick Allen allowed a run to score in the bottom of the 8th, tying it up at 6.

Bob Howry–fantastic so far on the season–came in for Chicago and promptly gave away the farm: Allen atoned for the error with a leadoff shot, and after an RBI single from Duffy Lewis, Shoeless Joe Jackson capped off a 4-for-4 day with a 3-run shot to RF. Ken Sanders mowed through the Philadelphia lineup in the bottom of the 9th, giving Chicago the 12-6 victory and a 3-0 lead in the series.

CAG 12 (Sanders 2-0, 1 BSv) @ PHI 6 (Howry 0-1; Reed 2 BSv)
HRs: Dickey (PHI, 2); Utley (PHI, 1); Jackson (CAG, 9); Fiore (CAG, 3); Allen (CAG, 4)
Box Score

Game 4: Ben Sheets @ Steve Carlton

Despite similar numbers, Ben Sheets comes into the game with a 3-0 record while Steve Carlton sits at 1-3 on the season.

Each pitched a strong game. Sheets looked sharper, but he had one bad inning–with Chicago ahead 2-1 heading into the bottom of the 6th, the big righthander made three mistakes in the span of six pitches, with Buck Freeman, Gavvy Cravath, and Sherry Magee each blasting solo HRs, giving the Stars a 4-2 lead.

Carlton left after getting one out in the seventh, with the Stars having to bring in SP Pete Alexander because their bullpen was so depleted. It worked: Alexander pitched 2.2 perfect innings, and the game ended 4-2 with Carlton picking up the win and Alexander the save for Philadelphia’s first win in the series.

The three homeruns were half the hits Sheets surrendered, but he still went down to his first loss on the year.

CAG 2 (Sheets 3-1) @ PHI 4 (Carlton 2-3; Alexander 1 Sv)
HRs: Freeman (PHI, 4); Kluszewski (PHI, 6); Magee (PHI, 2); Cravath (PHI, 5).
Box Score

Series Notes

For Chicago, Shoeless Joe went 9-for-16 in the series with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs and Fiore went 6-for-13.

Despite going hitless at AAA, Kluszewski found his stroke immediately on his promotion, going 5-for-15 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI’s for Philadelphia.

Chicago looks to have a shot at being a real contender, something that will elude Philadelphia until they find some more consistency on offense.