Vol. I, Issue VI
Sunday, May 8 - Saturday, May 14, 1977
Sunday, May 8
The bats of San Francisco are silenced as Mets starter Nino Espinosa (3-2, 1.79 ERA) holds them in check in game one of a doubleheader for a three-hit shutout and a 4-0 victory. Lee Mazzilli (.240, 2 HR, 11 RBI) hits a two-run home run to provide all the offense New York would need. In game two, Ed Halicki (5-2, 4.01 ERA) strikes out seven and allows just five hits over eight innings while Darrell Evans (.314) has three hits to lead the Giants to a 4-2 victory.
Cleveland's Al Fitzmorris (2-4, 3.45 ERA) holds the White Sox to just three hits, but four walks hurt him as he loses the game 2-0. 35-year-old Wilbur Wood (2-1, 2.91 ERA) walks five, but holds the Tribe to four hits for his 24th shutout of his career.
Nolan Ryan (5-2, 2.78 ERA) strikes out 12, walks seven, but holds the Red Sox to four hits in 8 1/3 innings as California crushes Boston, 12-0. Tony Solaita (.354, 7 HR, 20 RBI) and Ken Landreaux (.348, 3 HR, 13 RBI) drive in three runs apiece and Thad Bosley (.371) has three hits in the blowout win. George Scott (.236) has three of Boston's four hits.
Sixto Lezcano (.212, 17 RBI) hits a based-loaded triple off of Dennis Leonard (3-3) to break a 3-3 tie and leads the Brewers to an eventual 6-4 win over Detroit. Milwaukee starter Jim Slaton (3-3, 4.31 ERA) gives up just three hits in 8 1/3 innings, with one being a three-run blast by major league home run and RBI leader Ben Oglivie (.298, 9 HR, 27 RBI).
The losses continue to mount as Montreal loses its seventh and eighth consecutive games - a doubleheader sweep to the Padres. San Diego starter Dan Freiselben (1-5, 5.53 ERA) gets his first win of the year in game one, scattering nine hits in seven innings of shutout baseball while Dan Winfield (.247, 3 HR, 11 RBI), Gene Richards (.267) and Jerry Turner (.202) each have three hits and Bob Stinson drives home four runners in the 8-0 win. In the second game, Mike Ivie (.333, 14 RBI) has three hits and five Padres pitchers keep Montreal at bay and score a 8-1 victory.
Other Scores
| Oakland New York | 4 11 | Cincinnati Pittsburgh | 2 6 | Philadelphia Los Angeles | 2 1 | Houston St. Louis | 6 3 | |||
| Minnesota Toronto | 6 5 | Atlanta Chicago | 1 6 | Seattle Baltimore | 1 3 | Kansas City Texas | 5 3 | |||
Injuries
 | LF Bruce Bochte is expected to miss about 3-4 weeks with a scratched cornea. Placed on the 15-day disabled list. RF Rusty Torres (.264, 7 HR, 35 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Salt Lake City. |
Major Transactions
 | MR Jeff D'Acquisto activated from the disabled list. 3B Ken Reitz (.188, 1 RBI - Majors) optioned to Triple A New Orleans. |
Monday, May 9
Rick Burleson (.188) scores twice on three hits and Butch Hobson (.305, 5 HR, 14 RBI) adds four more - including two doubles and a solo home run - to help Boston to a 7-1 win over the Athletics - sending Oakland to their eighth straight loss. Eight of the Red Sox 14 hits were for extra bases. Boston starter Rick Wise (3-3, 3.78 ERA) scatters seven hits and allows one unearned run to gain the win.
Angels' SS Rance Mulliniks (.286, 4 HR, 15 RBI) hits a three-run home run off of Kansas City starter Doug Bird (1-1, 3.09 ERA) in the seventh inning to push California past the Royals, 4-1. Paul Hartzell (4-1, 2.29 ERA) goes 8 1/3 innings, giving up four hits and the only Kansas City run. Bird strikes out eight in the loss.
Houston starter Mark Lemongello (1-1, 4.67 ERA) outduels Ray Burris (2-3) and the Cubs by a 2-1 score at the Astrodome. Lemongello goes eight innings, giving up four hits and the one run run. Burris goes left one inning earlier, scattering seven hits and two runs (one earned).
Al Oliver (.356) triples to the right field corner to open the bottom of the eighth inning off of Phil Niekro (3-4) and scores on a sacrifice fly by Ken Macha (.261, 11 RBI) to give the Pirates the lead and the win, 3-2. Macha has three hits on the day, scoring two runs and driving in Oliver for the game-winner.
The baseball gods continue to shine on the Blue Jays in the late innings as Phil Roof (.353, 3 RBI) hits a bases loaded one-out single in the bottom of the 13th inning to give Toronto a 7-6 win over the Mariners. Alan Ashby (.337, 17 RBI), Doug Ault (.376, 9 RBI), Sam Ewing (.313) and Hector Torres (.255, 8 RBI) each have three hits in the Blue Jays 19-hit attack, while only Steve Braun (.255) manages the feat for Seattle.
After errors by Ted Simmons (his 9th) and Ken Oberkfell (3rd) contribute five unearned runs and a six-run sixth inning, the Cardinals come back with three runs in the seventh to hand Pat Zachry (6-1) his first loss of the season. 3B Buddy Bell has three hits for St. Louis, including a game-tying RBI double and scoring the game-winner on Oberkfell's sacrifice fly.
Other Scores
| Milwaukee Cleveland | 1 2 | Milwaukee Cleveland | 4 3 | Chicago Texas | 3 4 |
Trades
Atlanta trades 28-year-old SS Craig Robinson to Philadelphia for 33-year-old LF Ollie Brown.
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Contract Signings
| CL Max Leon signed a 2-year extension worth a total of $385,920. He will earn $192,960 a year through 1979. |
 | MR Diego Segui signs a 1-year extension worth a total of $69,000. |
Major Transactions
| LF Ollie Brown placed on active roster (from trade). CF Barry Bonnell (.273, 1 HR, 4 RBI - Majors) optioned to Triple A Richmond. SS Pat Rockett (.222, 7 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Richmond. |
| SS Craig Robinson placed on active roster (from trade). SS Larry Bowa (.268, 9 RBI - Majors) optioned to Triple A Oklahoma City. 1B Tom Hutton (.248, 3 HR, 21 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Oklahoma City. |
| SP Pete Falcone activated from the disabled list. MR Doug Capilla (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 IP - Majors) optioned to Triple A New Orleans. |
American League Player of the Week: May 1 - May 7
1B Eddie Murray
The 21-year old first baseman hit at a torrid .650 clip as he collected 13 hits in 20 at-bats, 3 home runs, 5 RBIs and 7 runs scored.
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National League Player of the Week: May 1 - May 7
SP Steve Renko
The 32-year old pitcher recorded 2 wins and no losses while working 17 innings, striking out 7 and posting a 0.53 ERA.
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Tuesday, May 10
California's Ike Hampton (.375, 4 HR, 13 RBI) has four hits, scores twice and drives in four as the Angels crush Kansas City, 12-5. Thad Bosley adds three hits and two runs batted as every member of the California starting lineup except Ken Landreaux scores at least one run. Hal McRae (.252, 18 RBI) has three hits while Amos Otis (.284, 2 HR, 14 RBI) hits a three-run blast in the eighth inning for the Royals.
Despite three hits, five RBI and two runs scored from John Milner (.315, 2 HR, 12 RBI), the Mets still manage to lose to San Diego 10-9 as Bill Almon (.219, 11 RBI), Jerry Turner (.213, 1 HR, 8 RBI) and Bobby Valentine (.417, 1 HR, 8 RBI) each drive in three runs for the Padres. A passed ball by Jerry Grote in the ninth allowing Gary Sutherland to score proves to be the game-loser for New York as a rally in the bottom of the frame comes up short. Dave Winfield (.267) scores twice on three hits as the Padres win their fifth in a row while Mike Phillips (.241, 12 RBI) has three hits, an RBI and scores three in the loss.
Houston's Ken Forsch (1.73 ERA) improves to 4-1 as he holds the Cubs to five hits while striking out five through eight innings. Cubs starter Rick Reuschel (3-4, 3.63 ERA) throws a five-hitter as well, but gives up single runs in the first and third to take the complete game loss.
Down 4-1 to Minnesota in the bottom of the eighth, Detroit comes back with three runs in the inning to tie the game and wins the game in the ninth when Butch Wynegar muffs a two-out ground ball - his second in two innings while playing second base for the first time in his career. Ron LeFlore (.325, 1 HR, 14 RBI) sparked the eighth inning rally with a two-run double, then would later score in the inning when Wynegar boots his first ground ball - again with two outs in the inning. Wynegar pinch hit for regular 2B Bob Randall in the seventh and with no position players left, manager Gene Mauch kept Wynegar in the game - and it cost him. The Tigers only manage four hits in the entire game as Minnesota starter Pete Redfern (5.20 ERA) allows only two hits and strikes out nine in 7 1/3 innings.
Don Sutton (4-2, 2.54 ERA) gets his second consecutive complete game win as he five-hits the Expos to their ninth straight loss, 7-2. Manny Mota (.364) has three hits and Bob Boone (.323, 3 HR, 17 RBI) hits a grand slam in the fifth to put the game away.
Toronto's Jeff Byrd (3-0, 1.91 ERA) extends the Mariners losing streak to five as the Blue Jays win, 7-2. Byrd gives up three hits - two to Carlos Lopez (.243, 1 HR, 4 RBI), including a two-run shot in the fourth - and strikes out six in the complete game win - his first in the majors. Al Woods (.282, 9 RBI) leads the 15-hit assault with four, with Bob Bailor (.290, 12 RBI) and Otto Velez (.231, 17 RBI) adding three apiece.
37-year-old Woodie Fryman (1-1, 1.57 ERA) blanks the Cardinals on three hits through eight innings as Cincinnati cruises to a 7-0 win. The win keeps the Reds a half game ahead of Los Angels for the lead in the NL West.
Other Scores
| San Francisco Philadelphia | 4 8 | Milwaukee Cleveland | 5 2 | Atlanta Pittsburgh | 9 1 | Chicago Texas | 6 8 |
Injuries
 | SS U.L. Washington is day-to-day for about 4 days with a bruised ankle. |
Contract Signings
 | 1B Pete LaCock signed a 1-year free agent contract worth a total of $59,885. |
Major Transactions
| 1B Pete LaCock placed on active roster (from signing). SS Matt Alexander (.205, 1 RBI - Majors) optioned to Triple A san Jose. |
Wednesday, May 4
Jim Lonborg (3-1, 1.76 ERA) wins his third straight game as he shuts out the Padres on five hits while striking out 10 a 6-0 Philadelphia victory. Phillies runners steal six bases off of San Diego catcher Bob Stinson.
Detroit was held to two hits by Rangers starter Gaylord Perry (4-2, 2.17 ERA) however one of those hits happened to be a solo home run by Jason Thompson (.208, 2 HR, 14 RBI) and Tigers starter Dave Roberts (2-3, 5.85 ERA) allowed only three hits in nine shutout innings to give Detroit a 1-0 win.
Toronto's Alan Ashby (.302, 4 HR, 13 RBI) has three hits and drives in four and Doug Alt (.386) adds three hits but it is the Brewers who score six runs in the top of the ninth - led by a bases clearing, three-run double by Sixto Lezcano (.202, 11 RBI) - that gives Milwaukee an 8-5 win at Exhibition Stadium.
Led by three hits by Johnny Grubb (.346, 9 RBI) and George Hendrick (.305, 4 HR, 13 RBI) hits his first American League home run in Cleveland's four-run eighth inning that gives the Tribe a 5-1 win over the Twins. Wayne Garland (4-2, 2.12 ERA) throws his third consecutive complete game, giving up five hits and one earned run. Twins started Paul Redfern (5.90 ERA) drops to 0-5 with the loss, giving up seven hits and two earned runs while striking out six in seven-plus innings.
After scoring 14 runs between them in the eighth inning, neither Houston nor the Cubs score again until the bottom of the 12th inning when Jerry Morales (.371, 1 HR, 5 RBI) hits a two-run, walk-off home run to give Chicago a 10-8 win. Houston scores six runs in the top of the eighth to take a 8-0 lead, then watched in disbelief as the Cubs scored eight in the bottom of the frame - capped by a three-run home run by Joe Wallis (.265, 2 HR, 5 RBI) to to tie the game. Rookie Steve Ontiveros (.292) has three hits for Chicago while Astros 2B Art Howe (.317, 2 HR, 12 RBI) drives in four runs in the loss.
Cincinnati starter Pat Zachry (2.94 ERA) runs his record to 6-0 as he scatters eight hits over eight innings, giving up two runs while striking out five and leading the Reds to 5-2 win over St. Louis. Buddy Bell (.267) and Ken Oberkfell (.429, 1 RBI) each have a trio of hits in the loss.
California finally gets to Yankees starter Ed Figueroa (3-2, 1.62 ERA) for a run in the eighth before lighting up relievers Ken Clay and Gil Patterson for five more in the ninth for a 6-0 Angels victory. Joe Rudi (.339, 5 HR, 14 RBI) hits a three-run blast in the ninth and was followed two batters later with a solo shot by Tony Solaita (.364, 6 HR, 17 RBI) in the late-inning win. Paul Hartzell (3-1, 2.53 ERA) goes eight innings, giving up five hits and no runs.
Injuries
- SP Andy Hassler is expected to miss about 1-2 weeks with a tender elbow.------------ Is placed on the 15-day disabled list.
------------ MR Gary Lance (0-0, 6.23 ERA) recalled from Triple A Omaha.
Thursday, May 5
Ken Forsch (3-1, 2.14 ERA) throws eight innings of five-hit baseball while striking out seven and Enos Cabell (.311) delivers three hits as Houston gets by the Cubs 2-1. Rick Reuschel (3-3, 3.89 ERA) goes the distance in the loss, giving up nine hits and one earned run.
Backup catcher Buck Martinez (.600, 1 HR, 2 RBI) scores two runs and drives in two more on three hits to lead Kansas City to an 8-1 win over the White Sox. Marty Pattin (3-2, 3.28 ERA) scatters seven hits and strikes out five in 7 2/3 innings.
Led by three RBI from Bill Madlock (.322, 2 HR, 12 RBI) and two more from Rob Andrews (.315, 4 RBI), the Giants beat Montreal 8-3, but lose starter Bob Knepper (5.03 ERA) in the process after the second inning to what team officials are calling a back strain.
Seattle scores two runs in the top of the ninth on back-to-back, two out, RBI singles by Bill Stein (.241, 13 RBI) and pinch hitter Tommy Helms (.167, to give the Mariners a 4-3 win over Boston at Fenway Park.
Injuries
- SP Bob Knepper is day-to-day for about 2 weeks with a strained back muscle.
- 2B Steve Staggs is day-to-day for about 1 week with a damaged meniscus (knee).Contract Signings
- SP Andy Messersmith signed a 6-year extension worth a total of $11,346,000.------------ He will earn $1,891,000 a year through 1982.
------------ He has a player option for 1983 worth $1,891,000.
------------ He has a $100,000 performance clause if he wins the Cy Young Award.
Friday, May 6
Fresh off of his newly signed contract extension, Atlanta's Andy Messersmith (3-3, 2.68 ERA) holds the Cubs to just one hit - and loses the game. The sole Chicago hit is a home run by Bobby Mercer (.274, 3 HR, 8 RBI) in the second inning and Cubs starter Steve Renko (3-2, 3.29 ERA) holds the Braves to four hits and no runs and wins the game 1-0.
Three Kansas City errors contribute to four unearned runs however Bert Blyleven (5-1, 1.59 ERA) makes the point moot as he throws a complete game shutout and lead the Rangers to a 5-0 victory. Mike Hargrove (.203) has a three-hit day for Texas while Bob Molinaro (.312) and John Wathan (.263) combine for six of the seven Royals hits.
It took one month and seven starts, but former Cy Young Award winner Jim Palmer (1-5, 2.87 ERA) gets his first win of the season, scattering eight hits and striking out four in a 11-0 crushing of the Mariners. Eddie Murray (.323, 3 HR, 18 RBI) scores three runs on four hits, Ken Singleton (.380, 2 HR, 10 RBI) scores three and drives in three while Mark Belanger (.225, 6 RBI) adds three hits of his own in the win.
Angels starter Frank Tanana (5-1, 1.62 ERA) holds Boston to three hits while striking out six through 6 2/3 innings, but leaves the game in visible pain after a pitch in the seventh. Three relievers keep the Red Sox hitless the rest of the way to preserve California's 3-0 win. Team doctors say the injury is in the shoulder area but will not know the severity of the injury until more tests can be done.
Eric Soderholm (.227, 15 RBI) hits a two-run, two-out double in the top of the 10th off of Indians closer Jim Kern to give the White Sox a 6-4 victory at Cleveland Stadium. Larvell Blanks (.300) has three hits for the Tribe in the loss.
Houston's Bob Watson (.293, 21 RBI) drives in a run in his 10th consecutive game, but the Astros lose to St. Louis 8-4 at Busch Stadium. Bake McBride (.326, 12 RBI, 15 SB) has four hits and steals four bases for the Cardinals and Jerry Mumphrey (.270) adds three hits of his own in the 16-hit assault.
Milwaukee 2B Don Money (.269, 2 HR, 11 RBI) hits two home runs and drives in four off of Tigers starter Mark Fidrych (5-1, 2.55 ERA), handing Fidrych his first loss of the season by a 7-4 score. Cecil Cooper (.265, 11 RBI) scores twice on three hits for the Brew Crew while Ben Oglivie (.299, 8 HR, 23 RBI) has three hits and two RBI for Detroit - including his league leading eighth home run.
Dave Parker (.320, 3 HR, 14 RBI) hits a two-run home run to lead the Pirates to three runs in the bottom of the eighth and a 6-4 win over Cincinnati in a battle of division leaders. Phil Garner steals three bases against Reds catcher Johnny Bench.
Rookie Blue Jays starter Jim Clancy (5-0, 2.58 ERA) wins his fifth game of the year, scattering seven hits in seven innings while Bob Bailor (.296, 11 RBI) and Alan Ashby (.322, 5 HR, 14 RBI) contribute three hits apiece as Toronto continues to impress with a 4-3 win over the Twins, running their record in one-run games to 9-0.
Bud Harrelson (.194, 9 RBI) hits a two-out, RBI single in the top of the ninth to give the Mets a 6-5 win on the road in San Francisco. Dave Kingman (.258) has three hits to lead New York while Jack Clark (.305) scores twice on three hits and Derrel Thomas (.279, 9 RBI) drives in three for San Francisco in the loss.
Trades
Kansas City trades 29-year-old 2B Bob Heise and 22-year old Double A 1B Kazuyoshi Miyazaki to Oakland for 27-year-old MR Steve Dunning and 23-year old Triple A 2B Juan Ortiz.
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Injuries
- SP Frank Tanana is expected to miss about 8 weeks with a strained rotator cuff.------------ Is placed on the 15-day disabled list.
------------ SP Wayne Simpson (4-2, 2.29 ERA) recalled from Triple A Salt Lake City.
Major Transactions
- MR Steve Dunning placed on the active roster (from trade).------------ 2B Frank White (.237, 2 HR, 23 RBI) recalled from Triple A Omaha.
------------ MR Gary Lance (DNP) optioned to Triple A Omaha.
- 2B Bob Heise placed on the active roster (from trade).------------ MR Mike Norris (1-0, 2 SV, 2.29 ERA) recalled from Triple A San Jose.
------------ 2B Larry Lintz (.429, 1 RBI) optioned to Triple A San Jose.
Saturday, May 7
Mets starter Tom Seaver (2-2, 3.04 ERA) took a no-hitter into the sixth and finishes with a two-hit shutout with six strikeouts in defeating San Francisco, 7-0. Catcher John Stearns (.264, 1 HR, 8 RBI) hits a home run and two doubles to drive in three runs to lead the New York offense.
Both Atlanta's Dick Ruthven (1-2, 3.74 ERA) and the Cubs' Dennis Lamp (1-1, 2.11 ERA) throws five-hit complete games, but it is Chicago who puts the runs on the board as they score on a Bobby Murcer (.276, 4 HR, 9 RBI) solo home run and an RBI double by Brian Downing (.244, 13 RBI) to give the Cubbies a 2-0 win.
Ken Holtzman (2-0, 2.35 ERA) scatters six hits in eight innings to lead the Yankees to a 3-0 shutout of Oakland. Reggie Jackson (.350, 21 RBI) drives in two of New York's three runs.
In a game with excellent starting pitching, it took an errant throw on a Ray Knight steal of third to win the game for Cincinnati 3-2 in 11th innings. After walking to open the top of the 11th inning and moving to second on a ground out, Knight attempted the steal and the throw of Pirates catcher Ed Ott (his third error) is wide of the base and into left field. Pittsburgh starter Jerry Reuss (3.20 ERA) goes eight innings giving up six hits and two runs while Reds pitcher Fred Norman (2.67 ERA) goes one better, throwing nine innings, allowing five hits, two runs and striking out six.
San Diego uses a sacrifice fly from pinch hitter Luis Melendez (1 RBI) and an RBI single from Gene Richards (.252, 10 RBI) in the bottom of the eighth to take the win 7-5 over the Expos in Jack Murphy Stadium. Richards finishes the game with three runs batted in while Montreal's Gary Carter (.407, 5 HR, 19 RBI) hits a solo home run in the sixth to maintain his .400-plus batting average. Wayne Garrett (.373, 8 RBI) has three hits for Montreal as well.
In his first start of his career, Don Aase (1-0, 1.98 ERA) makes the Red Sox front office take notice as he throws a complete game five-hitter and beats California, 10-2. Butch Hobson (.289, 4 HR, 13 RBI) hits a three-run blast in the third inning and Bernie Carbo (.259, 4 HR, 14 RBI) follows that up with a grand slam in the fifth - both off of Angels starter Gary Ross (5-1).
Contract Signings
- MR John Curtis signed a 3-year extension worth a total of $2,763,000.------------ He will earn $921,000 a year through 1980.
American League Player of the Week:
RF Ben Oglivie - Detroit Tigers
He batted .450 (9-20), with 4 HR, 9 RBI and 2 runs scored.
1977 Stats: .277 / 10 R / 2 2B / 1 3B /5 HR / 17 RBI / 4 BB / 9 K / .319 OBP / .569 SLG
National League Player of the Week
LF Al Oliver - Pittsburgh Pirates
He batted .444 (12-27), with 2 HR, 8 RBI, and 4 runs scored.
1977 Stats: .431 / 9 R / 6 2B / 0 3B / 3 HR / 16 RBI / 4 BB /3 K / .468 OBP / .690 SLG
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