The Whirled League

Baseball The Way It Never Was

Tag: Tony Gwynn

Series XIII Preview: Memphis Red Sox @ Houston Colt 45’s

By

On August 29, 2021

In Series Previews

We haven’t touched on these two clubs since the very start of the season, when Houston visited Homestead in Series I and Memphis hosted Birmingham in Series III.

#Memphis Red Sox

Memphis is struggling. They come into series XII 10 games below .500 at 20-30, but only 6 games out in the Bill James Division.

They have really had issues across the board, with some recent hiccups in the bullpen calling what had been a strength all season into question.

There are some bright spots: Ted Williams is a likely all-star, slashing 291/381/542 and Reggie Smith has been on a tear, bringing his line up to 307/368/513. Those two, along with Mookie Betts and Bill White have been quite dependable all season.

The biggest concern offensively is probably Wade Boggs, who has been removed from the 2-spot in the lineup given his 244/362/327 slash line. Still, the OBP is solid and the Memphis faithful are convinced he’ll bounce back. The bigger question is how the sextet of recently promoted players, especially infielders Claude Ritchey and Wayne Causey, will perform at the WBL level.

On the mound Jon Lester leads the staff in wins at 5-3 with a quite solid 3.91 ERA. Roger Clemens, who has shown real flashes of brilliance, has little to show for it, at 0-4 with a 5.56 ERA to date. The other starters–Dean Chance, Tim Wakefield and Nixey Callahan–have been perfectly fine, but little more.

Joe Beggs has 7 saves and is yet to allow a run over 13 innings, and Jonathan Papelbon has been fantastic setting him up. Getting to Papelbon via Turk Farrell and Heath Bell has been bumpy at times, but overall the bullpen has been solid for the Red Sox.

So, it’s a team in need of better starting pitching and hoping the changes they have made offensively might all click.

#Houston Colt 45’s

Houston is who they are: currently 25-25 and 7 games back in the Cum Posey Division. They’re a solid team across the board, lacking power and suffering a bit in their bullpen, but just … solid. Which is almost a compliment.

Jim Wynn, Jeff Bagwell, and HR Johnson have been their best players offensively. Wynn, slashing 293/402/467, leads the team in OBP and SLG, and Johnson at .324 in BA. Wynn and Johnson have combined to steal 33 bases in 42 attempts, making the top of their lineup dangerous on the basepaths. Bagwell has 7 homeruns to lead the Colt 45’s and his 27 RBIs trail George Brett by 1.

The most obvious need is for one or more of Tony Gwynn, Craig Biggio, or Carlos Correa to break out of OPS’ hovering roughly around .700.

The starting pitching has been anchored, as expected, by Roy Oswalt at 5-2, 4.21. But the contributions of Toad Ramsey and Stubby Overmire have been totally unexpected, and if Bret Saberhagen‘s recent starts are indicative of him getting back on track, the rotation could be significantly better than average.

In the bullpen, Brad Lidge leads with 6 saves, but his 9.35 ERA has moved him out of the closer role, which now falls to Billy Wagner, who has impressed with a team low 2.38 ERA and 0.79 WHIP. It’s not clear how much longer the team will stick with Leon Day, Dock Ellis, or Bones Ely at the deep end of the bullpen.

#Series Matchups

Memphis’ starter listed first. Nixey Callahan (3-5, 4.91) @ Stubby Overmire (0-2, 3.58); Tim Wakefield (2-3, 4.33) @ Stephen Strasburg (2-3, 3.81); Roger Clemens (0-4, 5.56) @ Bret Saberhagen (3-3, 5.29); Jon Lester (5-3, 3.91) @ Roy Oswalt (5-2, 4.21).

It’s hard to argue that Memphis has the edge in any of the matchups: maybe, if Clemens puts together all the parts of his best starts and maybe Lester over Oswalt.

Series XI Featured Game: San Francisco Sea Lions @ Houston Colt 45’s

By

On August 3, 2021

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

The featured game in Series XI is the opening tilt between two teams hovering around .500 as the San Francisco Sea Lions visit the Houston Colt 45’s. San Francisco will start Dennis Eckersley to face Houston’s Bret Saberhagen.

Both pitchers have had a rough go: Saberhagen has just struggled to find much consistency, while Eckersley has been absolutely hammered since an early-season trip to the DL.

A 3-run homerun by Jeff Bagwell, his 6th of the year, opened the scoring in the bottom of the first for Houston. Eckersley continued to struggle, allowing a run in the 3rd, and another in the 4th on a solo shot by Tony Gwynn. That ended his day, with the Sea Lions forced to go to their bullpen early. Charlie Root relieved Eckersley, and wasn’t much better, giving up 2 runs in just under 3 innings before giving way to Jim Devlin.

Saberhagen, on the other hand, seemed to find some rhythm. He ended up giving up 3 runs over 7 innings–not great, but far better than he had been providing for Houston. All three runs were solo homeruns, from Wally Moon, John Beckwith, and Charlie Reilly.

Put all that together, and we headed to the 8th with Houston on top, 7-3.

Leon Day was on to pitch for Houston, but he only lasted one batter, grabbing his elbow in pain after walking San Francisco’s Jimmy Bloodworth. Day was replaced by Mark Melancon, who gave up a 2-run double to Moon, closing the score to 7-5.

Devlin surrendered a single to HR Johnson and a walk to Lance Berkman, but two groundball outs–one a double play–kept Houston off the scoreboard in the bottom of the 8th.

Houston sent their closer, Brad Lidge, out in the top of the 9th. Lidge has been mediocre at best all season, and seems in danger of losing his job to Billy Wagner. This outing didn’t help: Bob Cerv pinch-hit for Eddie Joost and deposited Lidge’s third pitch into the seats for a solo homerun. Lidge sandwiched a strikeout between walks to Mickey Cochrane and Bloodoworth, setting the stage for San Francisco’s hottest hitter–and the league leader in BA and OBP–Reggie Jackson.

The small contingent of visiting fans started up the chant heard in San Francisco when he approaches the plate: REG-GIE, REG-GIE, REG-GIE.

Jackson responded with a deep fly that sailed into the second deck, for a 3-run homerun and a 9-7 lead for San Francisco.

The Sea Lions’ closer, Rod Beck, cut through Houston in the bottom of the frame, three-up and three-down, to preserve the victory.

Johnson had 3 hits for Houston, but the 10 runners left on base, combined with Lidge’s implosion at the end, were just too much to overcome for the Colt 45’s.

Jackson and Moon had 3 RBI each, with Moon adding 3 hits for San Francisco. Beckwith continued to fight his way out of his early season doldrums, going 2-for-4 and raising his average to .234.

SFS 9 (Devlin 1-3; Beck 10 Sv) @ HOU 7 (Lidge 0-2, 1 BSv)
HRs: SFS – Reilly (5), Jackson (8), Moon (3), Beckwith (4), Cerv (2); HOU – Wynn (5), Gwynn (2), Bagwell (6)
Box Score

TWIWBL 10.2: Series VII Notes – Cum Posey Division

By

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.

Series VIII Featured Game: Brooklyn Royal Giants @ Houston Colt 45’s, Game 4

By

On June 29, 2021

In Featured Games, Game Recaps

These are, simply, fair-to-middling teams with more promise than performance so far on the season. Houston has won the first three games of the series, raising their record to 15-18 while lowering Brooklyn‘s to 18-14.

The final game would see Brooklyn’s Don Sutton face the Colt 45’s Roy Oswalt, a well anticipated matchup as both hurlers have shown flashes of strong performances.

In the top of the first, Oswalt gave up a 1-out double to Beals Becker, but he struck out Duke Snider and seemed to be out of danger when Roy White lashed the first pitch he saw into right field for an RBI single, giving the Royal Giants an early 1-0 lead.

Houston would tie it up in the bottom of the frame when Casey Stengel sent a pitch from Sutton deep into the night for a solo homerun.

Oswalt struggled all day, never really finding his rhythm, giving up 2 more runs in the top of the second on RBI hits from Jackie Robinson and Becker, and then another in the top of the third on a double from Robinson. He would get through 5 innings, leaving the game with Houston down 4-2 (they scored their second run in the bottom of the 5th on an RBI groundout from DJ LeMahieu, scoring Carlos Correa who had led off the inning with a double down the left field line).

Houston would tie it up in the bottom of the 6th on doubles from Jimmie Wynn, Jeff Bagwell, and Lance Berkman. Despite the 4 runs, Sutton was actually in control for most of the game, and lasted 8 innings, allowing only 6 hits and 1 walk.

Houston’s Leon Day followed Oswalt with 2 scoreless innings, and he was followed by Trevor Hoffman, who pitched a scoreless 8th.

That brought us to the top of the 9th, with Hoffman still on the mound. Dickie Thon led it off with a single, then stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Robinson. Becker hit a ball deep enough to centerfield to score Thon, and Brooklyn had a 5-4 lead. Hoffman served a gopher ball into the short left field seats to Snider, giving the Royal Giants a 2-run cushion.

Brooklyn’s closer, Watty Clark, relieved Sutton in the bottom of the 9th. His first 16 pitches included 11 balls and a wild pitch, with George Brett and Correa starting the inning with walks before Jorge Posada doubled them both home to tie the game at 6. That was enough for Clark, who was relieved by Terry Forster … who had similar problems, walking pinch-hitter Paul Goldschmidt on five pitches (HR Johnson replaced Posada as a pinch-runner) and Tony Gwynn on four to load the bases. Forster got Wynn to ground weakly to Robinson at second, who threw to Mike Piazza to force Johnson at the plate, and when Stengel flew out in shallow right field, it looked like extra innings were likely.

Bagwell worked Forster from a 1-2 count to 3-2 … and looked on as his next pitch was low and outside, forcing in the winning run.

Bagwell finished the game 2-for-4 with a run and 2 RBIs, Correa scored twice and Posada drove in 2 as well as the Colt 45’s left only 3 runners on base all day.

Brooklyn outhit Houston 11 to 7, with Robinson, Becker, White, and Thon each having 2. Thon scored three times and Robinson and Becker drove in 2 each.

Clark suffered both his 2nd blown save of the year and his first loss, giving up 3 runs on a hit and 2 walks without recording an out. Mark Melancon picked up the win for one-third of an inning in relief of Hoffman.

BRK 6 (Clark 2-1, 2 BS) @ HOU 7 (Melancon 2-1)
HRs: BRK – Snider (8); HOU – Stengel (4)
Box Score

TWIWBL 6.2: Series V Notes – Cum Posey Division

By

On May 24, 2021

In TWIWBL

#Houston Colt 45’s

Bret Saberhagen was hit hard falling to 0-2 and seeing his ERA reach 10.45, but you have to feel for Scott Erickson, who gave up 12 hits and 10 runs in 3 IP in relief of Saberhagen as a sacrificial arm in a blowout loss.

The team bounced back with an extra-innings win, sparked when Tony Gwynn tripled with 1 out in the 10th against New York Gothams‘ closer Robb Nen. Gwynn scored on a single from George Brett; then Brett and Lance Berkman (who singled) scored on a hit from HR Johnson, giving the Colt 45’s a 6-3 victory.

Erickson was sent to AAA, both for the performance and to help get a fresh arm to the big leagues, with hard-throwing Billy Wagner coming back the other way.

#Ottawa Mounties

After a 15 inning marathon loss against Memphis, Ottawa needs pitching arms: C Kirk Manwaring was released and SP Terry Mulholland added to the 40-man roster and promoted to the big leagues.

They’ll need more, as the season finale against Memphis went 18 innings. Jim Clancy started his WBL career strong, with a scoreless inning in the first extra-inning game, and then 3 more in the 18 inning marathon where he combined with Ted Bowsfield, Gary Lavelle, and Old Hoss Radbourne for 12.1 scoreless innings in relief of Roy Halladay. Despite giving up a HR, Tom Henke picked up the save, while Radbourn got the victory.

A pitch from Tim Wakefield broke Larry Walker‘s nose in the top of the 13th, but it’s not clear if Walker will hit the DL or not.

Mulholland was sent right back down, along with Clark Griffith, with Gary Peters called back from his rehab assignment along with Greg Holland.

TWIWBL 2.0: Series I – Houston @ Homestead

By

On September 3, 2020

In TWIWBL

For each set of games played, we’ll go in-depth for one series, and then have an issue of TWIWBL with news and notes from around the league.

For the opening round of games, it’s the Houston Colt 45’s visiting Pittsburgh to play the Homestead Grays.

Houston is a dark horse pick to make some noise in the league, but like so many teams, there are questions on the mound. Roy Oswalt was virtually unhittable in Spring Training, but the names Toad Ramsey and Ice Box Chamberlain don’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of many. But they should score some runs with Jim Wynn, Tony Gwynn, and George Brett setting the stage for Lance Berkman, Paul Goldschmidt, and Jeff Bagwell.

But Homestead may be one of the favorites with a lineup anchored by Pops Stargell and wunderkid Josh Gibson. The question is if Mike Epstein and Rick Reichardt–both of whom hit well in the Spring–can continue to contribute. The rotation looks good, with Corey Kluber, Carlos Zambrano, and Vean Gregg leading the way.

And then they actually play the games …

Andrew McCutchen opened the season for the Grays by taking Oswalt 388 feet to left for a HR in his first at-bat. Houston would tie it up in the top of the 3rd on a bloop single to right by Gwynn, but at that point it was clear both pitchers were on their game.

The top of the 5th saw back-to-back doubles by Grant “HR” Johnson and Jorge Posada, giving the Colt 45’s a 2-1 lead, but an inning later Epstein would tie the game with a groundout, scoring Stargell from 3rd.

A Kluber wild pitch would prove decisive, scoring Johnson from 3rd. That was it: Gwynn would score Craig Biggio, but Michael Jackson would slam the door in the 8th and Brad Lidge would earn the save, giving Houston an opening day 4-2 win.

Game 2 was close for 7 innings, as Ramsey and Gregg traded zeros, each allowing only 1 run. But Daniel Hudson relieved Gregg and was torched for 4 runs in 1 inning, The big blow was a 3 run HR from Berkman that traveled nearly 500 feet, and Houston went on to win 7-1.

Zambrano struggled through 3 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, with doubles by Goldschmidt and Wynn knocking in the runs. Stephen Strasburg had no such issues, throwing 6 shutout innings. Each team would add a run in the 8th, but Houston won again, 4-1.

At this point, the home fans were getting restless. At the least, they wanted to see the Grays score more than 1 run. Which they did–9 of them, in fact. The question is, would it be enough?

It didn’t seem so early on, as Houston scored 3 in the 1st and another Berkman HR in the 3rd put the Colt 45’s up 4-0. But in the bottom of the 4th, back-to-back doubles by Stargell and Roberto Clemente scored the Grays’ 1st run, and consecutive sacrifice flies brought the score to 4-3.

It stayed that way to the 7th, when Houston finally knocked Homestead starter Francisco Liriano out of the game, and a Wynn double made the score 5-3. Houston would add 6 more in the 8th, with a 3 run double by Bagwell and a 2 run HR by Wynn accounting for most of the damage.

The Grays would score 2 in the 8th and 4 on the 9th, with a bases-loaded triple by Davey Johnson the big hit, but it wasn’t enough, and Houston held on for the 11-9 win.

The Grays would finally get their 1st victory of the year in the series finale, winning 10-5 behind a strong start from Ray Brown. Stargell and Reichardt each hit HRs, and Clemente chipped in with 3 hits and 3 RBIs.

The strong start from Oswalt was expected, but those from Ramsey and Strasburg were a pleasant surprise for Houston, who were led by Berkman and Wynn, who combined for 11 RBI and 3 HRs. Wynn also stole 5 bases in the 5 games.

Clemente started the year red-hot with 9 hits and 5 RBI in the series, but really their issues were on the mound. The starters were mediocre, but the bullpen finished the 5 games with a 9.89 ERA.

Both teams emerged largely unscathed in the opening series: Houston’s game 5 starter, Bret Saberhagen, will miss about a week, with Dock Ellis or Scott Erickson likely to get the start when his turn in the rotation comes up again.

Season Preview: Houston Colt 45’s

By

On August 20, 2020

In Team News

Houston is a dark horse to do something this year with a starting rotation that looks solid led by Roy Oswalt and an offense that is good top to bottom, anchored by the talents of Tony Gwynn, George Brett, and the intriguing potential of HR Johnson.

Final Roster

SP: Roy Oswalt, Toad Ramsey, Stephen Strasbourg, Ice Box Chamberlain, Bret Saberhagen.
RP: Scott Erickson & Dock Ellis; Mike Hartley & Andrew Chafin; Trevor Hoffman & Mark Melancon; Brad Lidge.

C: Jorge Posada & Jim O’Rourke
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
2B: HR Johnson; Craig Biggio
3B: George Brett
SS: Carlos Correa
LF: Lance Berkman
CF: Jim Wynn; Larry Hisle
RF: Tony Gwynn; Casey Stengel
DH: Jeff Bagwell

Notes

The final rotation spot goes to Bret Saberhagen … Most of the other cuts were obvious due to poor Spring performances: Andres Galarraga and Luis Gonzalez were especially disappointing … several players rebounded over the 2nd half of the Spring: Larry Hisle was red hot after a short stint in minor league camp, and Jeff Bagwell began to hit with some power … all of that made the final cut very hard, coming down, effectively, to DJ LeMahieu and Craig Biggio. Biggio stays due to his ability to fill in at some other positions, despite LeMahieu being older (27 to 25) and looking better at bat … Biggio’s ability to catch may come in handy early as Jim O’Rourke works his way back from injury.

34 year old C Jorge Posada is the oldest player on the opening day roster, which sports 2 teenagers in the starting rotation: 18 year old Ice Box Chamberlain and 19 year old Bret Saberhagen.

Speaking of teenagers .. 17 year old OF Pete Hill and 18 year old P Leon Day are developing at AAA (although Stubby Overmire–at the ripe old age of 23–may be of more immediate help). Things are a bit leaner at AA, but a trio of OFers, all 24 years old, may help down the road: Shin-Soo Choo, Al Cowens, and Hack Wilson.

Spring Training Preview: Houston

By

On June 20, 2020

In 2000 Spring Training, Team News

  • There’s a lot to sort out here starting with the starting rotation, where the final 2 slots will go to someone from the group of Dock Ellis, Stubby Overmire, Bret Saberhagen, and Leon Day.
    • Saberhagen is leading the way in this group, and Scott Erickson has forced himself into the conversation as well. Day and Overmire are most likely to miss the roster cut based on performances so far.
      • Day has been horrible, earning a trip to AAA, along with Overmire.
      • The rotation is still a bit up for grabs. Stephen Strasbourg, Roy Oswalt, Ice Box Chamberlain, and Toad Ramsey are likely in, leaving Saberhagen, Ellis, and Erickson vying for the final spot and the long relief roles.
  • The bullpen is a bit more settled: Brad Lidge is set as the closer, but Spring performances will determine the exact roles for Trevor Hoffman, Tug McGraw, Mark Melancon, and Billy Wagner.
    • Melancon, Hoffman, and Andrew Chafin have been great, while Wagner has been hit extraordinarily hard.
      • Wagner and Dan Quisenberry are both on the verge of heading to AAA.
  • On the infield, only SS is set with Carlos Correa. Paul Goldschmidt and Jeff Bagwell are vying to start at 1B, DJ LeMahieu, Craig Biggio, and HR Johnson are in the mix at 2B, and George Brett, Morgan Ensberg, and Aramis Ramirez all have shot to start at 3B.
    • At 1B, Andres Galarraga has been the best of the bunch by a fair measure, with both Bagwell and especially Goldschmidt struggling.
      • Right now, there’s nothing to choose between Galarraga, Bagwell, and Goldschmidt.
    • Johnson’s forcing himself into the conversation somewhere as well, especially given Correa’s struggles at SS.
      • This is still true: Johnson is hitting everything thrown to him. The end result of this is Shawon Dunston likely not making the opening day roster.
      • 3B is pretty much settled: Brett is pounding the ball and both Ramirez and Ensberg are struggling.
  • The OF isn’t much clearer: the group of Luis Gonzalez, Larry Hisle, Gorman Thomas, and Casey Stengel look to have a slight edge, but any of Lance Berkman, Pete Hill, Felipe Alou, Jim Wynn, and Tony Gwynn could earn a starting position.
    • Wynn, Gwynn, and Stengel have been the standouts so far, with Wynn being perhaps Houston’s best hitter through 10 games. Hill, and especially Hisle, have struggled, with Hisle being sent to AAA in an effort to clear some roster space.
      • Alou and Hill are both struggling, and seem unlikely to make the roster. Hisle has been recalled, along with Lance Blankenship.
Near DefiniteLikelyPossibleLong Shot
Starting PitchersToad Ramsey
Roy Oswalt
Stephen Strasbourg
Ice Box Chamberlain		Scott Erickson
Dock Ellis
Bret Saberhagen
Middle RelieversMike Hartley
Tug McGraw
Andrew Chafin		Dan Quisenberry
Billy Wagner
SetupTervor Hoffman
Mark Melancon
CloserBrad Lidge
CJim O'RourkeJorge Posada
1BJeff Bagwell
Paul Goldschmidt
Andres Galarraga
2BHR JohnsonCraig Biggio
DJ LeMahieu		Lance Blankenship
3BGeorge BrettMorgan Ensberg
Aramis Ramirez
SSCarlos CorreaShawon Dunston
OFCasey Stengel
Jim Wynn
Tony Gwynn		Luis Gonzalez
Gorman Thomas
Lance Berkman		Pete Hill
Felipe Alou
Larry Hisle

Page 4 of 4

Previous

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén