Le Grand Return

[so49as]

I've been itching to do a dynasty and couldn't decide on which team I wanted to manager or which era even. So as I'm thinking and crunching won-loss records of teams I wanted to try and rebuild I played out the 1982 season with the Astros.

Come to the offseason, and I DFA'd backup Danny Heep. He got claimed. So I shopped him around and found the Expos willing to exchange him for Rusty Staub.

So 38 y/o Rusty Staub returned to the Astros, the team that originally signed him. As I played out most of April, Staub was hitting about .360 as a regular and I was thinking, Boy, this would make a good story.

The game crashed and I reverted back to my April 7th save, 2 games into the season.

Ding! We have a winner...

***********************
Home Sweet Home, by Rusty Staub

So I’m returning home.

Well, not home, since that’s in New Orleans, but this is close.

Home in the sense of my Major League beginning. I was 18 years old and barely four months out of Jesuit High School when the fledgling Houston Colt .45s gave me a contract. I spent a year in the Carolina League where I hit only .293 and was the MVP. The .45s called me up for ’63.

The idiots left me available in the ’69 expansion draft, and I ended up in Montreal. They loved me up there. Gave me my nickname, Le Grand Orange. I bounced from them to the Mets, who gave me my only taste of post season play in ’73. Then over to Detroit and a spell in Texas as the DH. Then back to New York where I lost my starting job and worked at 1B in a strange platoon with Kingman, Mazilli and Wilson. We weren’t really that good and finished 4th and 5th in the split season, so the team decided to rebuild. And they decided they didn’t want to rebuild with a 36 year old first baseman/outfielder.

So early in ’82, they sent me and a middle reliever to the Expos for Charlie Lea – who, on a side note, was traded at the end of the ’82 season for Bob Watson, a 36 year old firstbaseman. Can’t wait to play them this year.

But the Expos manager, Ryan Fleming, could never decide on who he wanted to start at 1B. Terry Francona, Chris Smith, Al Oliver, Warren Cromartie and myself all saw playing time. I only started 12 games. And ended up mostly pinch hitting with only 73 at bats, and a .233 average, my worst since ’64. Fleming was fired. He picked up with the Giants, another team I’m anxious to play.

But dad-gummit, I can start. I might be 38 right now, but I can start. I made my trade request know to the Expos and sat back to see what’d happen. On November 23rd, they sent me back to Houston, in exchange for a younger version of me, 1B/OF Danny Heep.

It’d be a happier homecoming, but Houston has a good LF in Jose Cruz (.320, 10 HR, 87 RBI), and a decent 1B in Ray Knight (.251, 5, 61). I talked to their Manager/GM and he told me while I wouldn’t be an everyday starter, I’d see plenty of time versus righties.

It’s not perfect, but it’ll do for now.

Let’s see how bad this team plays before I ask for another trade.

At least we play in a dome and don’t have to fiddle with the heat.

[so49as]

I’ve never really been a huge fan of Spring Training, and a phrase not to use would be “over exert myself.”

So I didn’t. I knew my role on the team, back up Cruz in left, Knight at first and Puhl in right.

So I wasn’t really hitting much, just playing the late innings and pinch hitting. But I had half the at-bats I’d had in Montreal last season. Go figure.

Then, by a stroke of luck for me, and a bad break for Jose, he broke a bone in his foot. Out six to seven weeks. The manager called me in to his office and gave me the good news. I’d be starting in LF on opening day.

At least I would have been if it not for the 2nd bit of bad luck. In the last spring training game – which Floyd Bannister and Dave Rucker combined on a three hit shutout – Knight collided with Glenn Hoffman of the Phillies and tore up his ankle all to shreds.

So it looks like I’ll be starting at 1B this season, and Knight will be watching and rehabbing from home. Tough break, but he’ll make it back next year.

Maybe even in time for the playoffs.

If we can score enough runs to win a few games.

And boy, can this team *not* hit home runs. 10 in 24 games. Yoiks!

[so49as]

The World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers came into the Astrodome for the first series of the season.

It was great running out onto the turn during introductions. I got a standing ovation. They love their Staub.

Unfortunately, Sutton got rocked in game 1, and Dave Rucker (1.93 with 23 saves in Detroit last year) gave up a couple of lucky hits in the 11th of game 2. We lost 2-1.

But I won, I think. I’m proving folks that I can start here at the fresh age of 39. 3-4 in game 1, 1-4 in game 2, both from the 8 hole.

So after two games, I lead the team in hitting and hits. A good start.

Oh, and we haven’t hit a home run yet.

[so49as]

Pittsburgh rolled into town for the first 4 game series of the season.

I’m still in the 8 hole.

Game One – Nolan Ryan struck out 8. I went 1 for 3 with a walk. We win 5-1.

Game Two – In ’82, for the Mariners, Floyd Bannister won 16, struck out 223, and floated an ERA of 2.74. He’ll fit right in in our rotation. Earned himself a cool $39 million dollar 5 year contract for those numbers. I’m making a shade over $159k. I need to call my agent. Pittburgh starts Candeleria, so I get the afternoon off. I’ll be the first in line to pinch-hit though.

And Bannister comes through in his first Houston start, a 4-hit shutout. He only struck out 4, but there’ll be more to come. I didn’t pinch-hit, so my hitting streak remains intact.

Game Three – A sixth inning double extended my hitting streak. Alan Ashby hit the first HR of the season to tie the game in the 7th. We traded single runs in the 9th, and then in the 10th, CF Kevin McReynolds lead off with a double. I’d played with their pitcher, Hausman, in ’81 in New York, so I knew him. I let the first pitch pass, to judge the speed and took a strike. Then I sent the 2nd pitch on a line drive out to the gap and plated McReynolds. We go home.

Game Four – The Pirates railed on Sutton for five runs in the first, and then added a 6th in the second. Due to a Bill Doran error, only two of them were earned. But he’s been shelled in two straight games. Maybe the 38 year-older is slipping.

Sutton settled down and doubled to lead off the 5th inning. Dernier walked and Doran and Puhl added back to back doubles to plate 3, and then Puhl scored on a wild pitch, to put us within striking distance. In the 8th, Manny Sarmiento walked Ashby and Garner to start the inning, then McReynolds singled off Cecilio Guante to load ‘em up for yours truly. Guante walked me on a 3-2 pitch and I collected my 3rd RBI of the season. We tied it up on a Sac fly and then Guante sent one in the dirt all the way to the backstop. McReynolds scored the go-ahead run.

The inning ended with more Pittsburgh mistakes. Two walks to load the bases again, and then Guante threw away the third out. Tekulve came in to minimize the damage, but we scored 4 and took a 2 run lead. Dave Rucker came in to nail down the win, 8-6.

I was 0-3, but scored collected a run and an RBI on the walk. I’m still hitting .389.

Dernier, our lead-off hitter – filling in for Cruz until he returns in about 5 weeks – is hitting .042. Maybe I’ll suggest some lineup rearrangements to the coach.

[so49as]

I talked with the manager and suggested the possibility of some adjustments to the lineup. He suggested the possibility of me batting 8th the whole season, so I clammed up. To be more accurate, with the lack of power he wants the speedy guys up top, to manufacture the runs. But my on-base and .360 average should help up there. He’ll think about it. Maybe there’s something to his philosophy. Dickie Thon was in the chase for the RBI lead right up to the middle of September last year when he injured his hammy. 93 RBIs with only 4 HR.

Game One – The Dodgers plated three in the fourth on two Houston errors – none of the mine. In the fifth, McReynolds singled and then I doubled him in. If I keep hitting doubles, those speedy guys can score!

Monday homered in the sixth, and we rallied in the eighth and ninth, but could only score 3 to their 4. I was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI.

Game Two – The Dodgers started Mike LaCoss, who had been traded from these Astros for a young minor league catcher. I don’t know if he didn’t like Ryan, but Nolan got plunked in the second inning. Nolan returned the favor in the third, but cool heads prevailed and no fisticuffs ensued.

Pedro Guerrero solo homered in the first for the Dodgers and then our lead-off hitter actually singled! and doubled his batting average to .063. Billy Doran singled him in shortly thereafter. Doran scored as well for the lead. McReynolds added a 2-run HR, the first of his career, in the sixth.

We then scored two runs in each of the remaining frames. Ryan struck out 6 and we won 10-4. I went 2-4 with an RBI, and I’m 3rd in the NL in hitting.

Game Three – Reuss, a lefty starts, so I sit. A pitcher’s duel. We traded single runs, but Derrel Thomas solo homered in the 6th and they won 2-1. Bannister was off his game, only striking out 1 in 7 innings.

I’m hitting .444 (3rd in league) with 6 RBI, from the 8-spot no less. Both of those stats lead the team.

[so49as]

Series 4 (5-4) – vs. Montreal (6-1)

First place Montreal Expos into town for 3. Dernier had a decent game, so still batting 8th.

Game One – Not really a close game, although going into the ninth, we were only down by two. Jack Morris had pitched brilliantly for the Expos. But, your ever loving scribe started the inning off with a single, followed by Larry Ray and Bob Dernier singles. A walk to Doran loaded the bases up with nobody out for Terry Puhl. He flied out to LF, but Ray scored to tie, and Dernier went to third. Thon then brought Dernier in on a ‘walk-off’ single for a 5-4 win.

Game Two – Pitcher’s duel through 4, actually, no hitters through 4. Tim Raines broke up Sutton’s bid in the top half, and I collected the first Houston hit in the bottom half, scoring Phil Garner from 2nd. Sutton then plated myself and McReynolds for 3-0 lead.

That’s all Don needed. He struck out 5, allowed 5 hits and we shut them out 3-0. I collected 2 hits and an RBI.

Game Three – You can’t keep a good time down for ever. Niekro was off his game and the Expos batted around in the first. 6-0 before Steve Rogers even took the mound. He completed the game, with a final score of 9-2. I drove in our first run on a Sac Fly. I was replaced in the 8th on a double switch.

So goes me, so goes the team I suppose.

.429, 0hr, 8 RBI. 2nd in league in hitting. First on team with Avg, doubles and RBIs. On pace to drive in 108 this year!

[CatKnight]

Hm. Not a bad start! Are you trading/setting up lineups for the Astros as well, or just 'watching' Staub?

[so49as]

Originally Posted by CatKnight

Hm. Not a bad start! Are you trading/setting up lineups for the Astros as well, or just 'watching' Staub?

I'm playing out the games as GM/Manager. I started in '82, played out the season. I traded for him for Danny Heep (who I think I tried to move to AAA, but was claimed on waivers) and two injuries found him in the starting lineup.

Hopefully he keeps the numbers up. It'd be a great ending for his career.

[so49as]

Game One – With Lary Sorenson on the mound, the manager moved me up to the 4 hole. While I lost my power stroke about 5 years ago, and haven’t hit one since October of ’81 – sweet game, we ended up tied with the Cubs, by my 2 HRs were the only two scores for the Mets – I think it’s a decent spot for me. I’m leading the team in the 4 major average categories and have driven in 8 runs.

Ryan won his 3rd game – striking out 7 – and I went 1 for 4. Not great, but the single advanced Dickie Thon to third and allowed him to score on a Sac Fly. We’re in 2nd place, a half game behind the Padres.

Game Two – Bannister pitched well, I went hitless. I did draw out two walks, so that helped add to Berenyi’s pitch count and to my on base percentage. Another 3-2 win.

Game Three – Two lefties dueled to a 1-1 score until Phil Garner doubled home two in the 6th. I didn’t start – I don’t seem to when there’s a lefty on the mound – and Knepper pitched such a good game, coach didn’t have to pinch hit. Oh well, my average didn’t go down. 3-1 final. Tied for 1st place now.

BA - .390 – 3rd in league
OBP - .447 – 6th
OPS – 1.046 – 6th
RC/27 – 10.34 – 1st

I’m one of 6 NL firstbasemen not to commit an error yet. I’m feeling really good about getting a final chance to start in the league.

[so49as]

A three game set with Philly in the dome. They’ll be without their starting LF George Vukovich for the first two games. He decided it’d be funny to sing “Three Blind Mice” to the Home Plate Umpire last week.

Still in the cleanup spot.

Game One – 0 for 3, but I reached on an error and had a sac fly. So not an unproductive day.

Productive was Don Sutton. The 38 year old allowed a 5th inning single to Garry Maddox and that was it. He struck out 7, walked 3 and we won 4-0. It was Sutton’s 260th career win.


Game Two – Not to be outdone, Niekro went out and tossed a complete game shutout as well. He gave up 4 hits to Sutton’s 1, but struck out 8.

I had what I characterize as a bad game. 0 for 4, and I left 4 on base. Worst game this year. Maybe I’m letting this cleanup role get to me…


Game Three – I don’t know what it is about those Phillies. Their 6 and 9 record must make them want to argue more. Starting Pitcher Bobby Castillo struck out – to Nolan Ryan – and argued the call. Boom. Gone for 3 games.

If you can call three hitless games in a row a slump – which I do – I broke out of it. 2 for 5, including 2 for 3 against lefties. Maybe coach will let me play more against them – although platooning does give my knees a rest.

Ryan’s arm looks like it’s going to fall off in the locker room. *162* pitches. Including walking the bases loaded in the 9th inning. Coach would have pulled him, but Ryan wanted that Shutout – which he got. A 4-hitter, Ryan struck out 12. Good thing there’s a day off tomorrow, Ryan can have an extra day’s rest. 3 games and 3 shutouts. Our bullpen is well rested also.

Phil Garner homered which brings up an interesting stat: Through18 games, that was the team’s *3rd* home run. We’re on a pace to hit 27 all year! It’ll be interesting to see if we can continue to manufacture runs without the long ball.

I’m hitting .340 – 7th in the league - with 10 RBI. Thon is hitting .343 with 15 RBI. On pace for 135. Imagine that many RBIs without a home run.

[so49as]

Game One: Coach is trying to go with a more traditional cleanup hitter with Alan Ashby. He led the team in homeruns last year with 17. I’m batting 5th. And Ashby connected in the first for his 2nd homerun of the year. Kevin McReynolds followed two outs later – one of the mine – with his 2nd of the year. And like that, the team has doubled its home run out put!

And the team scoreless innings pitched streak came to an end in the 4th inning. Al Oliver doubled home two Expos to tie the score. A Tim Wallach single brought home Oliver to take the lead 3-2. That was Bannister’s only bad inning, but unfortunately, we couldn’t muster anything over the two home runs. We lose 3-2. I went 2 for 4.


Game Two: A pitcher’s duel with no one scoring through 5. Ashby hit his 2nd homer in as many games to give the ‘Stros a 1 nothing lead. Expos tied it in the bottom of the 6th with a Tim Wallach single.

We tagged Montreal SP Stever Rogers late in the game and brought around 4 runners in the ninth. Sambito came in and only allowed 1 run to keep the win intact.


So we split a short 2-game set. Not bad. We hit a couple home runs And we’re still in 1st place, 1 game ahead of the Dodgers and 1.5 ahead of the Braves.

.350 w/ 10 RBI. 4th in the NL in hitting.

[so49as]

Game One: Still batting 5th. I lead off the 2nd inning with a stand-up double, and scored on a McReynolds fielder’s choice. The Phillies evened it up in the bottom half, scoring the first run on Sutton in nearly 20 innings. Sutton had to leave in the 4th inning. He injured his back. We’ll find out later what happened.

I was nearly perfect (1-2 with 2 walks), but that didn’t help the team. After a 6th inning Ernie Whitt home run, we tied it in the 8th. But Dave Rucker was out of rhythm tonight. He gave up 4 runs on 3 hits, including a 3 run Ozzie Virgil blast, and we lost, 7-4.

The news on Sutton wasn’t bad. He just tweaked his back. He might miss his next start, but the other pitchers have been holding their own. We’ll be fine.


Game Two: A big 6-run 7th helped solidify the win, 7-1. Niekro pitched wonderfully, allowing 7 hits in 8 innings. I didn’t do much, only 1-4 with a run scored. Still no errors at firstbase.

CF Kevin McReynolds won the April National League Rookie of the Month Award. He’s hit .320 with 2 HR and 11 RBI, and also made no errors. Fernando Valenzuela won the Pitcher of the month award, but I think Ryan should have. Valenzuela has won all 5 of his starts; Ryan all 4 of his. Ryan has more strikeouts and a better ERA, 1.69 to 1.90.


Game Three: Steve Carlton is on the mound against Ryan. This should be a “K”-fest. Fortunately, I didn’t strike out, unfortunately, I only pinch hit. I grounded out in the 8th. I don’t know how much longer this platoon will last. Art Howe, 1B against lefties, went 0-4, with 2ks and he left 4 on base. He’s 0-14 this year.

A couple of errors doomed Carlton. He gave up 3 runs, all unearned. Ryan won his 5th striking out 9 and Sambito picked up his 2nd save.


We’re tied for 1st in the NL West. My average (.343) is 7th in the league.

[so49as]

Back up to the cleanup spot. Despite having 3 HRs, Ashby’s down to 7th as he’s hitting .238.

Game One: A decent game. 1 for 4. But our only highlight was McReynolds 3rd HR of the season. Swan held us to 5 hits and the Mets won 4 to 1.

Game Two: We clubbed Lynch and Orosco; Backman made 2 errors making 5 of our 9 runs uneared; Knepper pitched great, giving up only 6 hits and 1 run over 8; but yours truly stank, going 0 for 4. I did walk and score a run, but that's not good enough for me. I'm down to .320.

Game Three: It was Sutton’s turn in the rotation, but his back is still bothering him, so he was skipped. Niekro gets the start. And he and Mike Scott rolled through another pitcher's duel through 7 innings. Tied at 2-2, the score remained until the 12th when Ron Hodges scored on a fielder's choice. 1 for 5 for me, not great, but I did get an RBI.

I sit at .313 with 11 RBIs. The pitching staff leads the National League in all important categorie. The starters have an ERA of 2.11. Most importantly, they’ve only allowed 6 homeruns all season.

[so49as]

One drawback of the Floyd Bannister signing is that all extensions are off until the end of the season. Ryan is set to become a free agent. Sutton and Niekro are both signed next year and both 38. It’s possible one of them won’t be here at the end of the season.

I’ve been thinking also, at this point in my career, I’m just glad to have a job. I’m going to stop bending the coach’s ear about platooning or starting all the time.


Game One: Ryan cruised again, tossing a shutout on 6 hits. He struck out 8. He’s 6-0 with an ERA of 1.47. I unfortunately went 0 for 5 and dripped below .300 for the first time this season. Bummed out.


Game Two: Bannister sailed along with a 5 run lead for 7 innings, giving up only 2 runs on 4 hits. He collected his 3rd win and McReynolds hit his 4th homerun. I sat in lieu of Howe, who went 0 for 4.


Game Three: Hit parade. 14 hits for the ‘Stros. I collected one and scored once. McReynolds ripped his 5th homerun. Knepper didn’t pitch well, giving up 4 runs on 6hits in as many innings, but we scored more than them. Smith came in in the 9th, but didn’t pitch well. Still collected his 2nd save, but it wasn’t pretty.


Game Four: I dropped down to the 6th spot, flipping with McReynolds, who seems to be a legitimate homerun threat. By the end of the first, it was 2-1 and it stayed that way until we added another run in the 8th. I didn’t collect a hit, but reached on an error, and walked twice.

Speaking of errors, I made my first. I’m still 3rd in FA in the NL.

A good series, a 4 game sweep. We’re still only a half game ahead of LA for first place. Niekro has the worst ERA out of our starters, and that’s only 2.54.

I’m still hitting .286, .362 OBP; a walk to K ratio of 3 to 1; have scored more runs than I did in the last two years; more walks than last; and more RBI than last.

Still a nice season.

[so49as]

Game One: Sutton’s back from his ailing back, matched up against Mike Scott. Scott pitched well against us. I went 1 for 3 that game.

And it didn’t go that well today. 4 bad at bats. 2 ground outs where I at least advanced the runner, but I hit into an inning ending double play with a runner on third. Blech.

Sutton pitched well, giving up only 2 runs. He also drove in our first two. Sambito held the Mets scoreless in the 8th and 9th and we won, 4-2.


Game Two: Jose Cruz returned to the lineup today. He fractured his foot in spring training. He immediately returned to the number 3 spot in the order where he hit .320, with 10 HR and 87 RBI last year. Thon goes down to the cleanup spot and I return to the 8-hole.

Well, it wasn’t pretty and we didn’t win. I went 1 for 3 with a walk and a run. I’m hitting .276, but the telling line is the fact I’m hitting .125 for May. I’ll spend some extra time in batting practice tomorrow.

We made a game of it in the ninth scoring 2 runs, but Thon stranded Puhl at 3rd to end the game. Mets win, 4-3.


Game Three: Bannister is lining up against New York rookie Orel Hershiser. Orel is 2-3 with a 3.92 ERA. Banny is 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA.

Small ball and good pitching rule the day. Hershiser pitched a nice game, but gave up 2 runs. Puhl led the game off with a single, stole 2nd, sacrificed over to third by Doran, then scored on a Cruz sac Fly. Garner tripled in Cruz for the final run.

Another bad game. 0 for 3 with a K. I’m down to .267 with 11 RBIs.

[so49as]

Series 12 (23-10) vs. Atlanta (16-15)

Game One: Phil Niekro (0-1) vs. Bob Knepper (4-0). Niekro is 2 wins shy of 250, and looks like he’s relegated to the #5 spot in the rotation. This will be his 4th start in 7 games. This will be Knepper’s 7th start.

Knepper pitched a gem, giving up only 1 run in the first. In the bottom of the 2nd, McReynods singled; backup catcher Alan Knicely singled with McReynolds going to 3rd; then I drove McReynolds on a fielder’s choice. Phil Garner hit a 2-run shot in the 6th to seal the deal.

Good game for me. 2 for 3 with an RBI.


Game Two: Pascual Perez (3-2) vs. Joe Niekro (3-2). Joe’s pitched well, giving up only 1 HR in 49 innings, but got shaky in the 2nd, giving up 2 runs on a 2 hits, but both runs were unearned by his own error. And then a Billy Doran error allowed 2 more runs to score. All in all, 8 innings, 4 runs, but none earned, so his ERA drops by about .30

We pecked away getting a run in the 6th and 8th, but Gene Garber came in and cemented the 4-2 win. Yours truly went 0 for 4 and grounded out to end the game. Blech.


Game Three: Bob Walk (2-2) vs. Don Sutton (4-1). I bounced up to 6th in the lineup. Garner had the night off and Howe – with his 0-18 batting performance – filled in.

We struck first as Dernier led off, singled, stole 2nd, and scored on a Bill Doran single. Cruz grounded out. Thon walked and advanced to 2nd on a McReynolds single. Then I loaded the bases with 1 out on an infield single. Ashby popped out, and then Howe collected his first hit of the year with an run scoring infield single! Sutton grounded out to end our first. 3 runs though.

We traded runs in the third and the scored remained relatively close until the 7th. Kevin McReynolds hit his team leading 6th homerun - with two on – to give us a 7-1 lead. That’s all we needed. The lone Atlanta run came on a wild pitch. Sutton pitched 8 innings, gave up 4 hits and struck out 2.

OK game for me. I didn’t dive headfirst into the offensive showcase – which for us is 11 hits – but I went 1 for 4.


Game Four: John Montefusco (1-2) vs. Nolan Ryan (6-1). Ryan’s pitching one the best years of his career. He might even match his 11-5, 1.69 performance in ’81.

Maybe I jinxed him a little, but he gave up 4 runs in 8 innings. He did strike out 10 though. We could unfortunately managed nothing. A 409 shutout for John the Count Mountefusco. I went 0 for 3 in the stunning defeat.

*****
I officially contacted the GM about a contract extension. But although cheap – I’m only asking for a quarter million – I’ll have to wait until the end of the season…

I’m hitting .261 with 12 RBI from the 8-hole. Certainly deserving of an extension.

[so49as]

As a team, we’re 9th in the league with 16 homeruns. McReynolds, our leader with 6 is on pace for 25. The most for an Astro since Cesar Cedeno hit 26 in ’74. But the Cardinals are in even more of a power vacuum. They have 11 homeruns this year. Bo Diaz, Ken Oberkfell, David Green and Steve Braun lead with 2 each. And Green is on the DL. Hendrick led the team in ’82 with 13.


Game One: Floyd Bannister (4-3, 2.04) vs. rookie Ray Fontenot (2-1, 2.29). From the numbers, it looks to be another pitching duel. I’m batting 8th versus the lefty.

And it pretty much stayed that way until the 7th inning when consecutive hits by Ashby, myself, Bannister and Doran plated 3 runs.

Bannister pitched well retiring the first 12 batters. Then in the fifth, Hendrick collected the first Caridnal hit, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. One more out later, Bo Diaz singled, Tenace doubled, but Puhl nailed Diaz at the plate (5th) to end the inning. They did plate 2 in the ninth, but Bannister worked out of a jam to collect his 5th win of the season, 4-2.

I went 1 for 4 with a run scored. Not bad against the lefty.


Game Two: Bob Knepper (5-0, 2.25) vs. Matt Keough (3-0, 1.95). Keough lost 20 last year with the Athletics, but has turned it around nicely. Knepper is showing some good numbers for a #5 starter.

Something must have been in the water. We scored 3 in the first to raise Keough’s ERA to 2.55. Steve Braun doubled in George Hendrick to eliminate the shutout possibility. We then scored 1, 2 and 2 more runs in the 7th, 8th and 9th (respectively) to pummel the Cardinals 9-2.

I went 2 for 3 – only my second multi-hit game this month. I singled and advanced to second on an error in the 4th, but with runners on 2nd and 3rd, Knepper struck out. One of the downfalls of hitting 8th.


So another series sweep, but we lost 1 thing. Kevin McReynolds tweaked his knee and went down for 2 weeks. Bob Dernier, hitting .195, will fill in during McReynolds’ DL stay.