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Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 20 - July 31, 1972

The Flyers are swept by the Tomahawks in Tampa, trimming their Eastern Division lead down to just eight games. The club completes this homestand with three against Miami, then hits the road for three at Jacksonville after an off day Thursday.


Last Week's Results

July 24 - at TAM - L 2-6

Keith Becker (6 IP, 6 R, 9 H, 4 K) cannot keep the ball down, giving up a pair of two-run homers, while Tomahawks starter Don Tapper (W, 10-3, 6 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 4 K) wins his tenth straight decision. Dale Francis (2 for 3) hits a solo shot in the 2nd; Mike Schaaf goes 2 for 4 with a triple.

L - Becker (10-6)
HR - Francis (13)

July 25 - at TAM - L 2-3

Bill Frazier (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 4 BB, 6 K) takes a tough loss when George Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K) comes in and promptly gives up a RBI-single to break a two-all tie with two down in the 7th. John Trull hits an RBI-triple, scoring Rick Roberts (2 for 3, SB, CS), and later scores himself in the 1st.

L - Frazier (6-4)

July 26 - at TAM - L 2-5

George Thorn (0 IP, 2 R, 2 H) strikes again, this time entering a two-all tie with one on and two out in the 7th and quickly surrendering a single and a three-run homer by Tampa CF David Powell, his second of the night, to secure a Tomahawks sweep of the Flyers. Justin Randolph (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K) picks up the tough loss; solo shots by Mike Weber in the 1st and Francis in the 4th produce the only Carolina runs.

HR - Weber (12), Francis (14)

After the game, the club announces a trade, sending RP John Jahnke (3.91 in 53 IP, WHIP 1.34), plus $1 million, to New Orleans for this year's #1 overall pick, SP Gerald "Dragon Slayer" Bonham [5/5/5] (3.18 in 5 2/3 IP; 4-3 in 8 AAA GS, 3.60 ERA, WHIP 1.42). While Bonham is assigned to AAA Winston-Salem, RP Bruce Rafferty [6/8/5] (4.25 in 42 1/3 AAA IP, WHIP 1.32), recently acquired from Houston via waivers, is placed on the active roster.

July 27 - vs JAX - W 6-4

Ken Green (8 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 7 K) finally pitches a good game but almost loses it in the 9th, when Thorn (0 IP, 1 R, 1 H) relieves Green and right away allows a three-run homer. Bruce Rafferty (0 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 H) cannot get anyone out in his Flyers debut either, so Bingham (1 IP) has to save this game with three in, two on and no outs in the 9th. Francis (2 for 4) and Schaaf hit back-to-back solo shots in a three-run Flyers 1st, and Roberts (2 R) adds a tater in the 4th. LaFontaine goes 3 for 5 with a double, driving in two.

W - Green (7-4)
SV - Bingham (28)
HR - Roberts (3), Francis (15), Schaaf (6)

July 28 - vs JAX - L 1-5

On Retro Game Day at State Fair Park, another loss is credited to a Flyers starter that should be blamed on the bullpen. Rafferty (1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) replaces Bill Morgan (6 1/3 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K) in a tie game with runners on the corners and one out in the 7th. After a strike out, a stolen base and an intentional walk, Rafferty gives up the bases-loaded double that scores three Ospreys runs to put the game away. Jacksonville starter Jerry Salmons (W, 13-5, 9 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 5 K) holds Carolina to just six hits by LaFontaine (3 for 4), Roberts (1 for 4, R) and Weber (1 for 3, RBI). Francis, Schaaf, Bruns and Snow all hit 0 for 4 on the night.

L - Morgan (7-3)

July 29 - vs JAX - W 4-3 (10)

Alan Bruns' single with one down in the bottom of the 10th scores Schaaf from third to end this tense affair at State Fair Park. After Weber (2 for 4) walks, Schaaf hits into a fielder's choice but goes to third on a pinch-hit by Francis, bringing Bruns to the plate. John Trull (3 for 4, 2B) and Steve Brown hit back-to-back solo shots in a three-run Flyers 3rd; Kevin Hodgkins (2 IP) throws a perfect 9th and 10th to earn the win.

W - Hodgkins (6-2)
HR - Trull (1), Brown (2)

July 30 - vs JAX - L 3-6 (12)

After loading the bases with two singles and a walk, Thorn (1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) gives up the three-run double in the top of the 12th that ensures a series split for the Ospreys. The game is nearly lost in the 11th when Bingham (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) allows a solo shot by Jacksonville CF Matt Alexander, but a pinch-hit double by Schaaf and sac flies by Snow and VanWinkle (RBI) keep the game tied for another frame. Frazier (9 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 5 K) makes the longest start of his career but gets a no-decision, while Davidson leaves after a throw in the 2nd and is listed as day-to-day with a pulled elbow ligament.

L - Thorn (3-3)

After the game, the club announces a trade that sends RP George Thorn (4.35 in 49 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.43) and $700,000 to Nashville for RP Bob Lamb [5/10/3] (3.73 in 70 IP, WHIP 1.07). Lamb pitched for the Flyers late last year, compiling a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings of relief with a 1.40 WHIP, but was lost to waivers during postseason roster cuts.

Last week: 2 - 5
This month: 12 - 14
Overall: 68 - 37, 1st, +8 on Tampa


Who's Hot

Paul LaFontaine
Last 6 games: 13-24 (.542), 0 HR, 4 RBI

Dale Francis
Last 7 games: 9-22 (.409), 3 HR, 4 RBI

Who's Not

Steve Brown
Last 5 games: 1-11 (.091), 1 HR, 1 RBI

Dave Snow
Last 6 games: 2-19 (.105), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Mike Schaaf
Last 6 games: 3-21 (.143), 1 HR, 1 RBI

Keith Becker
Last 3 games: 0-2, 5.68 ERA, 19 IP

Justin Randolph
Last 3 games: 1-2, 4.86 ERA, 16 2/3 IP


A Closer Look - Single-A Columbus

Columbus stands third in A-ball with a 59-46 record. A pair of catchers has been leading the lineup: Matt Thompson (age 25, .291, 7 HR, 55 RBI, 60 R, 60 BB, 22 2Bs) and James Rodgers (age 24, .277 in 155 AB, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 42 BB, 10 2Bs). Other notable performances include 2B Clayton Henderson (age 21, .275, 10 HR, 60 RBI, 22 2Bs) and RF Don Fuson (age 27, .259 in 247 AB, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 49 BB, 16 2Bs), while this year's first-rounder, 1B John Radcliffe (age 18, .228 in 228 AB, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 30 BB, 10 2Bs) is showing good patience at the plate for a teenager. As for pitchers, Herbert Baxley (age 21, 6-5, 2.88, WHIP 1.28), 1970's first-rounder, is starting to make a case for a promotion, and reliever John Thompson (age 22, 1.50 in 6 IP) is making progress after some poor numbers at AA Hickory (6.68 in 33 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.69).


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

That's the first losing week we've had in quite a while... but I'd have to say that it's mostly the fault of a guy who isn't on the ballclub anymore...

George Thorn had to go, even if it was just a bad week or bad month, because I had lost all confidence in him... You can't have guys in your bullpen that you're afraid to put in the game... What was especially frustrating in Thorn's case was that, as the sole southpaw on the staff, his job was to get left-handed hitters out, but this year, he couldn't do it... Right-handed batters hit .254 with a .701 OPS against Thorn, lefties hit .296 with a .914 OPS!

Meanwhile, Bob Lamb has lefties hitting .164 with a .398 OPS (versus .276 / .768 against righties), so he should be able to fill that role well... I hope!

Jahnke became expendable when we acquired Rafferty (though that hasn't quite worked out yet)... He was the weakest member of the relief staff, and he was slated to make nearly $3 mil next year too... My first free agent signing, live and learn...

I never would have thought we could get someone like Bonham, though... That pickup alone improves our minor league system from 'poor' to 'average'...

Steve Brown continues to prove himself as a "quad-A" player, too good for AAA but too poor for the big leagues...

Let's write that week off to poor bullpen performance... Tomorrow brings a new month and a clean slate, so c'mon down to the ballpark and cheer us to the pennant!