[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 9 - May 17, 1971

After being swept at Nashville and sweeping Dallas at home, the Flyers lost ground to the East-leading Ospreys, now 2 1/2 games ahead. With Monday off, the club will host San Antonio for three (including Batting Glove Day on Wednesday) and Houston for three (with Mini Bat Day on Sunday) to finish this homestand.


Last Week's Results

May 10 - OFF

May 11 - at NSH - L 2-4

Hounds starter Clifton Wilson (W, 5-1, 8 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 4 K) pitches well and drives in the game winner with a double in the 4th. Matt Halstead (5 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 5 K) is not sharp after missing his last start with a strained back.

L - Halstead (1-3)
HR - Weber (2)

May 12 - at NSH - L 2-5

Though Bob Findlay (W, 2-3, 7 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K) walks in two runs in the top of the 1st, Gene Arndt (4 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K) gives up a three-run homer to LF Paul Fisher in the bottom half of the inning, giving the Hounds a lead they never relinquish.

L - Arndt (2-3)

May 13 - OFF

Not a completely uneventful day, as LF Frank Thomas [6/4/6] (.222 in 27 AB) is claimed off waivers from New Orleans. Thomas is recalled to Carolina after Oscar Lazar refuses assignment to the minors and is released.

May 14 - vs DAL - W 6-3

Steven Robinson (3 for 4, 2B, 3 RBI) triples in a run and scores in a three-run Flyers 6th that makes the difference. Roger Coomes (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K) is outstanding, and Dave Powell gets his 2000th hit in the 1st with a single. Alan Bruns leaves in the 5th after a throw from third; he is listed as day-to-day with a "tender shoulder".

W - Coomes (3-2)
SV - Hodgkins (11)

At his post-game press conference, manager Jeremy McGrath revealed that Mark Johnson was being shopped around the league, most likely for a new third baseman.

May 15 - vs DAL - W 9-4

Mike Weber (2 for 5, 2B) drives in four, while Matt Kirk (4 for 5, RBI), Russ Roderick (3 for 4, RBI) and Darrel Robinson (2 for 4, 2B) each score twice to overcome a rusty Bill Morgan (5 2/3 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 K).

W - Morgan (4-0)
HR - Finney (3)

May 16 - vs DAL - W 5-2

Though the Flyers hit four doubles and a triple, it's four singles and a walk that score three in the 3rd to secure the sweep. Powell (2 for 5, 3B, 2 RBI) and Roderick (2 for 4, 2 R) are amongst five Carolina batters with two hits.

W - Halstead (2-3)
SV - Hodgkins (12)

Last Week: 3 - 2
This month: 6 - 7
Overall: 23 - 15, 2nd, -2 1/2 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Mike Weber
Last 6 games: 10-23 (.435), 1 HR, 7 RBI

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 7-17 (.412), 0 HR, 4 RBI

Bill Morgan
Last 3 games: 3-0, 2.50 ERA, 18 IP

Who's Not

Matt Halstead
Last 3 games: 1-2, 4.50 ERA, 12 IP


A Closer Look - AA Hickory

Hickory stands at 17-21, fifth amongst Eastern Division AA affiliates. RF Henry McKie (age 28, .336, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 13 2Bs) is the lone bright spot remaining after LF John Tidwell (age 24, .426 in 54 AB), claimed on waivers from Miami April 24, was sent up to Winston-Salem last week. 1B Christian Smithson (age 28, .333, OBP .469, 6 2Bs) was off to a good start but has been out of action since pulling his groin on April 16, and now top prospect 1B Everett Putman (age 22, .271 in 59 AB) is in AA after killing A-ball (.358 in 81 AB) in April. The only pitcher worth noting is southpaw starter Brock Leeds (3-3, 1.63, WHIP 1.19).

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Apparently, this isn't much of a road team! It's as if someone flips a switch; we're 17-4 at home, 6-11 away. I have two theories on this: one, our starters, short at home, are even shorter on the road, since being up first means you have to pinch-hit first; or two, Bill Morgan only has one road start so far.

Speaking of Morgan, he's feeling 100% again, so we have a completely healthy pitching staff. Alan Bruns will still be nursing his shoulder into next week, but Darrel Robinson has gotten his average up to .215 by hitting 4 of 10 last week. Hopefully the time on the bench helped him work out his stroke. Lloyd Mitchell has another week on the DL, so that's seven more days for Rudy Olson to show me something besides how to drag a bat back to the dugout (3 Ks in 6 AB).

I think Frank Thomas will prove to be a good addition to the club. He'll spell Steven Robinson in left against southpaw starters and get some pinch hits too.

Just because Mark Johnson is on the trading block does not mean he necessarily going anywhere. I still haven't decided how to resolve this situation, plus most teams aren't ready to talk deal in May.