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Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 23 - August 23, 1971

While the Ospreys are losing four of seven, the Flyers win four of six to take a 1 1/2 game lead of the Eastern Division. The club ends this homestand with three against Houston (with Bobblehead Doll Day on Wednesday), then takes a day off before beginning a nine-game Western trip with three in Dallas.


Last Week's Results

Aug 16 - vs DAL - W 7-5

An exciting Retro Game Day at State Fair Park, as Dallas ties the game at five with three runs in the top of the 8th off Justin Randolph (1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K), Bob Lamb (1/3 IP) and Terry Bingham (2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 BB). Former Flyer Evan Becnel (L, 2-4, 0 IP, 1 R, 1 BB) walks Dale Francis to leadoff the bottom half, then another walk, a Valentine Stephens single, a bunt, and a Dave Powell (HR, 2 RBI) sac fly lead to two Carolina runs and their eighth straight victory. Matt Kirk goes 2 for 4 with a homer, two runs and two RBIs. Matt Halstead (6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 4 K) outpitches former teammate Elmer Sexton (5 1/3 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 K); another ex-Flyer, Mark Johnson, makes a pinch-hitting appearance for the Drifters.

W - Bingham (5-1)
SV - Thorn (1)
HR - Kirk (13), Powell (7)

Elsewhere, Jacksonville loses at Tampa, 4-2, giving Carolina the outright division lead for the first time since mid-June.

Aug 17 - vs DAL - L 3-6

Keith Becker (5 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 5 K) is hit hard and brings home the losing run in the 3rd with a wild throw to first. Powell (2 for 4, 2B) drives in all three Flyers runs, twice in the person of Steven Robinson (2 for 4, 2B). Kevin Hodgkins (1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB) cannot keep the game within one in the 9th; Carolina hitters #1 thru #4 hit a combined 1 for 15 on the night.

L - Becker (8-7)

Aug 18 - vs DAL - W 8-6

Steven Robinson hits 2 for 3 with a double, two runs, two stolen bases and three RBIs, while Bud Fox (7 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 1 K) throws better than his line indicates, taking a shutout into the 6th inning. Powell (2 for 4) drives in a pair, Mike Weber doubles and homers, scoring twice, and Clark Davidson goes 2 for 2 with a run, a stolen base and an RBI in his first start of the season at second. The bullpen makes the game a bit too exciting at the end, allowing two runs in the 8th and one in the 9th. Kevin Hodgkins (1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) puts the tying run on first before Randolph (2/3 IP, 2 K) whiffs a pair of Drifters for his second save.

W - Fox (6-4)
SV - Randolph (2)
HR - Weber (16), Davidson (1)

Aug 19 - OFF

Aug 20 - vs SAN - L 6-8 (10)

Yet another bullpen implosion ruins Mini Bat Day in front of a sellout crowd of 41,796 at State Fair Park. Bingham (2/3 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 2 BB) cannot hold a four-run lead in the 9th, then Bob Lamb (1 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 BB) gives up two in the top of the 10th for the loss. Francis goes 2 for 4 with a double, a run and three RBIs; Stephens drives in a run as well on a 3 for 5 night.

L - Lamb (2-1)

Aug 21 - vs SAN - W 3-0

Halstead (8 IP, 5 H, 3 K) wins his tenth straight decision, and George Thorn (1 IP, 2 K) finishes the shutout for his second save of the season. Francis hits 3 of 4 with a double, a triple, a run and an RBI.

W - Halstead (11-3)
SV - Thorn (2)

Aug 22 - vs SAN - W 9-4

The Flyers jump on Missions starter Martin Wright (L, 11-8, 1/3 IP, 6 R, 7 H) early, scoring six runs in the 1st on seven consecutive hits, including a three-run homer by Francis. Weber (2 for 5, 2 R) hits a two-run shot in the 2nd; Russ Roderick (2 for 4) also drives in a pair. Keith Becker (6 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K) has a stellar outing despite a hour-long rain delay in the 5th.

W - Becker (9-7)
HR - Weber (17), Francis (15)

Last week: 4 - 2
This month: 15 - 5
Overall: 76 - 48, 1st, +1 1/2 on Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 7-18 (.389), 0 HR, 4 RBI

Valentine Stephens
Last 8 games: 12-31 (.387), 1 HR, 5 RBI

Dale Francis
Last 5 games: 7-19 (.368), 1 HR, 7 RBI

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 7-20 (.350), 2 HR, 3 RBI

Keith Becker
Last 3 games: 2-1, 1.80 ERA, 20 IP

Who's Not

Nobody!


A Closer Look - AA Hickory

Hickory's 73-51 record is the best mark in AA. A trio of infielders has been key to the team's resurgence: 2B Gary Anderson (age 29, .268, 14 HR, 62 RBI, 67 R, 71 BB, 27 2Bs), 1B Everett Putman (age 22, .314, 6 HR, 50 RBI, 52 BB, 26 2Bs) and SS Kyle Smith (age 29, .274, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 62 R, 92 BB, 16 2Bs). The pitching has also improved, thanks to starters Jerry Thompson (age 32, 10-6 in 16 GS, 2.74, WHIP 1.15) and Bryant Hamilton (age 31, 5-1 in 6 GS, 2.05, WHIP 1.02) along with closer Dave Reed (age 27, 7-1, 24 SV, 2.68, WHIP 1.17). This year's first-rounder Johnny Westerman (age 23, 4.50 in 10 IP, WHIP 1.40) has settled after a rough introduction to Double-A.


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

While this has turned out to be a good week, I've finally seen enough drama out of the bullpen. Changes had to be made...

Kevin Hodgkins is out as our closer. After twelve blown saves last year and nine so far this season, I just don't think he has that "closer's mentality", but I believe he can be a great setup man.

Terry Bingham is the closer for the time being, though that four-run 9th on Friday does not inspire much confidence. I also hesitate to use him on back-to-back days, so expect Hodgkins, Thorn and Jahnke to get some odd save opportunities.

Justin Randolph will make his first start of the season on Tuesday. Though he hasn't thrown especially well since the All-Star break, this move is more about not giving Calvin Thayer another start. Randolph may get just the one start, since Roger Coomes is due back for the Dallas series, but if Justin throws well, Coomes may end up in the bullpen instead.

Meanwhile, the starters and the offense have been awesome, which is why we've finally got the lead... but there's a lot of baseball left! Come cheer us on before we hit the road!