[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 30 - October 11, 1971

The Flyers win one of the first two games in Dallas, but the Drifters win one of the first two games in Charlotte, turning a seven-game series into a three-game set for all the marbles. Today's contest is the final game of the year at State Fair Park before the series returns to Mercury Field on Wednesday (and Thursday, if necessary).


Last Week's Results

Oct 4 - OFF

The club had to drop twelve players from the active roster to get back to twenty-five for the playoffs. RP Dave Brown, SS Bill Oliver and LF Danny Bowen were released, while SP Bill Frazier, SP Christopher Horan, RP Chad Williams, 1B Steve Brown, 3B Darrel Robinson and LF Frank Thomas were all assigned to AAA Winston-Salem. C Matt Thompson was returned to Single-A Columbus.

Oct 5 - OFF

SP/RP Roger Coomes was claimed by New Orleans via waivers, while RP Bob Lamb was picked up by Jacksonville.

Oct 6 - at DAL - W 4-1

Bill Morgan (5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 7 K) pitches well but throws 96 pitches, so the bullpen of Thorn (1/3 IP, 2 H), Hodgkins (2/3 IP), Jahnke (1 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 K), Randolph (2/3 IP) and Bingham (1 IP) shuts out the Drifters in the final four frames. Dale Francis gets things started with a two-run single in the 1st, after the first of three wild pitches by Dallas starter Kevin Badgett (L, 7 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 2 K) put runners on second and third. Chris Wayman hits an RBI-single in the 7th, while Russ Roderick adds a solo shot in the 8th, his first homer in over a month.

W - Morgan (1-0)
SV - Bingham (1)
HR - Roderick (1)

Oct 7 - at DAL - L 7-8

A heartbreaker at Mercury Field today, as Bingham (L, 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 K) gives up a solo shot by Drifters pinch-hitter Dan Hagler in the bottom of the 8th, spoiling the Flyers' second comeback of the night. Down 1-0 in the 2nd, Carolina scores four runs on six singles (including a two-run knock by Matt Kirk), but Matt Halstead (3 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K) gives those four right back in the bottom of the inning. After two Dallas runs in the 7th, the Flyers are down 7-4 but tie the game at seven in the top of the 8th, thanks to three hits and a two-base error by Drifters LF Glenn Pitzer. Former Flyers C Mark Johnson gets his revenge, hitting 3 for 4 including a two-run triple and scoring twice. Adding injury to insult, Russ Roderick (2 R, RBI) leaves the game after a throw in the 8th; a strained back will likely keep him out of action for the remainder of the series.

L - Bingham (0-1)

Oct 8 - OFF

Oct 9 - vs DAL - L 1-2

A pitcher's duel results in no-decisions for both Keith Becker (8 IP, 1 R, 7 H, 7 K) and Dallas' John Philips (6 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K) as the Flyers' bullpen loses its second straight game. Entering a tie game in the top of the 9th, Randolph (1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 K) gives up a leadoff double to Drifters 2B Royce Kain. After a strikeout, George Thorn comes in to face left-handed LF Glenn Pitzer but allows a first-pitch bloop single that scores the decisive run. Dave Powell hits 2 of 4 with a double, while Jeff Harvey goes 2 for 3 in his first game subbing for the injured Roderick. Mike Sutton drives in the tying run with a pinch-hit in the 8th. Both Weber and Francis go 0 for 4; they are a combined 3 for 25 (.120) with two RBIs thus far in the postseason.

L - Randolph (0-1)

Oct 10 - vs DAL - W 1-0

Drifters SS Wade Hudson muffs a grounder, leading to an unearned run in the 3rd for the Flyers. After a Jeff Harvey (3 for 3) leadoff single and a Bud Fox (6 IP, 5 H, 7 K) bunt, Steven Robinson hits a ground ball to Hudson, ending up on first and advancing Harvey to third on the error. Chris Wayman then hits a sacrifice fly, driving in the only run of the game. Jahnke (1 IP, 1 K), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and Bingham (1 IP) complete the shutout. Mike Weber goes 0 for 4; he is 1 for 16 (.063) for the series.

W - Fox (1-0)
SV - Bingham (2)

Playoffs: 2 - 2


Who's Hot

Dave Powell
Last 6 games: 10-20 (.500), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Matt Kirk
Last 5 games: 5-17 (.294), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Keith Becker
Last 3 games: 2-0, 2.50 ERA, 18 IP

Who's Not

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 1-20 (.050), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Dale Francis
Last 7 games: 3-24 (.125), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Steven Robinson
Last 6 games: 3-18 (.167), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Valentine Stephens
Last 5 games: 3-17 (.176), 0 HR, 0 RBI


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

Well, I think we're very lucky to still be in this series, considering the heart of our order is hitting 7 for 47... that's a .149 from our #3, #4 and #5 hitters! And if you're thinking that switching the lineup back would help, Matt Kirk has hit 2 for 13, while Steven Robinson has hit 2 for 14. At least Robinson has drawn a couple walks...

The one possible benefit to reverting to the "usual" lineup is that it would move the two guys who are actually hitting the ball closer together: Dave Powell (7 of 15) and Jeff Harvey (5 for 6). Chris Wayman (5 for 15) has been the only decent batter near the top of the order so far. I'm going to leave the lineup as is, and hope that Weber snaps out of this funk soon...

Actually, we could have won all four games if not for a awful cold streak by George Thorn. Two runs on five hits and a walk in 2/3 of a inning equals a postseason ERA of 27.00! So it's unlikely you'll see him again, outside of a mop-up situation...

At least our starters are in their normal routine, with four days rest, while Dallas is using a three-man rotation... That could pay dividends as we get deep into this series...

Anyway, last chance to see the Flyers this year is tonight! Come cheer us on!