[GrimmyDee]

Fresh off of his newly signed contract extention, Atlanta's Andy Messersmith (3-3, 2.68 ERA) looked to prove his worth to the team and his fans.

He succeeded by throwing a one-hitter against the Chicago Cubs.

However, that one hit was a solo home run that led off the second inning by Chicago's Bobby Murcer (.274, 3 HR, 8 RBI) that proved to be the games only run.

While not quite as dominant as Messersmith, Cubs starter Steve Renko (3-2, 3.29 ERA) was equally effective, holding the Braves to four hits and more importantly no runs as he leads Chicago to a 1-0 victory over Atlanta.

Asked whether he was pleased with his performance despite the teams loss, an obviously frustrated Messersmith didn't pull any punches.

"What do you want me to say? A loss is a loss, period. It doesn't matter how well I pitch if we lose the game. You want an official quote? Try this - It sucks."

Messersmith faced just 26 batters over the eight innings, striking out seven hitters while walking just one.


American League News
Three Kansas City errors contribute to four unearned runs however Bert Blyleven (5-1, 1.59 ERA) makes the point moot as he throws a complete game shutout and lead the Rangers to a 5-0 victory. Mike Hargrove (.203) has a three-hit day for Texas while Bob Molinaro (.312) and John Wathan (.263) combine for six of the seven Royals hits. Over the last five games, the Rangers Roy Howell is batting .500 (10-20).

It took one month and seven starts, but former Cy Young Award winner Jim Palmer (1-5, 2.87 ERA) gets his first win of the season, scattering eight hits and striking out four in a 11-0 crushing of the Mariners - sending Seattle to their sixth straight loss. Eddie Murray (.323, 18 RBI) scores three runs on four hits, Ken Singleton (.380, 10 RBI) scores three and drives in three while Mark Belanger (.225, 6 RBI) adds three hits of his own in the win.

Angels starter Frank Tanana (5-1, 1.62 ERA) holds Boston to three hits while striking out six through 6 2/3 innings, but leaves the game in visible pain after a pitch in the seventh. Three relievers keep the Red Sox hitless the rest of the way to preserve California's 3-0 win and sixth victory in a row. Team doctors say the injury is in the shoulder area but will not know the severity of the injury until more tests can be done.

Milwaukee 2B Don Money (.269, 11 RBI) hits two home runs and drives in four off of Tigers starter Mark Fidrych (5-1, 2.55 ERA), handing Fidrych his first loss of the season, 7-4. Cecil Cooper (.265, 11 RBI) scores twice on three hits for the Brew Crew while Ben Oglivie (.299, 23 RBI) has three hits and two RBI for Detroit - including his league leading eighth home run. Detroit's Willie Horton is battling a 1-17 (.059) slump.

Rookie Blue Jays starter Jim Clancy wins his fifth game of the year, scattering seven hits in seven innings while Bob Bailor (.296, 11 RBI) and Alan Ashby (.322, 5 HR, 14 RBI) contribute three hits apiece as Toronto continues to impress with a 4-3 win over the Twins, running their record in one-run games to 9-0. The win gives the Jays a two game lead in the AL East.

American League Scores



National League News
Houston's Bob Watson (.293, 21 RBI) drives in a run in his 10th consecutive game, but the Astros lose to St. Louis 8-4 at Busch Stadium. Bake McBride (.326, 12 RBI, 15 SB) has four hits and steals four bases for the Cardinals and Jerry Mumphrey (.270) adds three hits of his own in the Cards' 16-hit assault. Astros pitchers allow two balks in the game.

Dave Parker (.320, 14 RBI) hits a two-run home run to lead the Pirates to three runs in the bottom of the eighth for a 6-4 win over Cincinnati in a battle of division leaders. Cesar Geronimo (.160, 8 RBI) hits a double and his second home run of the year in the loss while Phil Garner (18 SB) steals three bases against Reds catcher Johnny Bench. Kent Tekulve notches his league leading eighth save.

Bud Harrelson (.194, 9 RBI) hits a two-out, RBI single in the top of the ninth to give the Mets a 6-5 win on the road in San Francisco. Dave Kingman (.258) has three hits and John Milner (.289, 6 RBI) doubles and homers to lead New York while Jack Clark (.305) scores twice on three hits and Derrel Thomas (.279, 9 RBI) drives in three for San Francisco in the loss. Terry Whitfield of the Giants is hitting just .120 (2-37) in his last 14 games.

National League Scores


Trades

Kansas City trades 29-year-old 2B Bob Heise ($148,920 over 2 years) and 22-year old Double A 1B Kazuyoshi Miyazaki (Minor League Contract) to Oakland, getting 27-year-old MR Steve Dunning ($134,400 over 2 years) and 23-year-old Triple A 2B Juan Ortiz (Minor League Contract) in return.

To Oakland:

Bob Heise 1976 Stats 1977 Stats

AVG .268 .258

AB 56 62

H 15 16

R 5 9

2B 2 3

3B 0 1

HR 0 0

RBI 5 6

BB 1 5

K 2 5

OBP .293 .309

SLG .304 .339

Kaz Miyazaki 1977 Stats (AA)

AVG .364

AB 118

H 43

R 25

2B 4

3B 0

HR 4

RBI 14

BB 12

K 17

OBP .432

SLG .500

To Kansas City:

Steve Dunning 1976 Stats 1977 Stats

W 2 0

L 6 0

SV 0 1

ERA 4.35 11.00

IP 97.1 9.0

H 102 16

R 59 11

ER 47 11

BB 39 5

K 76 8

WHIP 1.45 2.33

AVG .268 .362

Juan Ortiz 1977 Stats (AAA)

AVG .220

AB 100

H 22

R 9

2B 3

3B 0

HR 0

RBI 13

BB 8

K 9

OBP .297

SLG .250

Injuries

SP Frank Tanana (5-1, 1.62 ERA) is expected to miss about 8 weeks with a strained rotator cuff. He is placed on the 15-day disabled list. SP Wayne Simpson (4-2, 2.29 ERA - AAA) recalled from Triple A Salt Lake City. Huge blow for the Angels as Tanana is shelved. Hopefully Simpson can provide 1/2 the performance.

Major Tranactions

MR Steve Dunning placed on the active roster (from trade). 2B Frank White (.237, 2 HR, 23 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Omaha. MR Gary Lance (DNP) optioned to Triple A Omaha. The progress of White made Heise expendable - White will start at 2B with Dunning filling in at middle relief.

2B Bob Heise placed on the active roster (from trade). MR Mike Norris (1-0, 2 SV, 2.29 ERA - AAA) recalled from Triple A San Jose. 2B Larry Lintz (.429, 1 RBI) optioned to Triple A San Jose. Heise will be backing up Rodney Scott who will play 2B on a more permanent basis, while Norris fills the bullpen vacancy.

Short Season Single A Update
No Games Scheduled