TDIB: June 1 - Rangers Keep Rolling

Wednesday, June 1 - Rangers Keep Rolling

The winning ways of the Texas Rangers continue as Bert Blyleven (7-2, 2.62 ERA) holds the powerful Boston lineup to four hits - two by 1B George Scott (.245, 18 RBI) - and one earned run while striking out nine as the Rangers win 4-1 at Arlington Stadium. Juan Beniquez (.229, 5 HR, 17 RBI) provides all of the offense Texas would need as he takes Red Sox starter Mike Paxton (3.50 ERA) deep in the third inning for a three-run home run. The win is the 11th in their last 12 games and puts Texas back in the lead in the AL West by a 1/2 game over California.

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to plummet as they drop their fifth straight contest, this one 7-1 to Joaquin Andujar (5-5, 3.31 ERA), who manages to deliver more hits (3) than he gives up to the entire Dodger lineup as he throws a complete game two-hitter. Andujar also drives in two runs in the victory and is hitting .321 in 28 at-bats on the year. Eight game winner Doug Rau (3.77 ERA) suffers his third loss, giving up seven earned runs in just over six innings of work.

Toronto rookie Jim Clancy (8-0, 2.76 ERA) runs his winning streak to eight games as he throws his first complete game of the season in a 6-1 win over the Royals at Exhibition Stadium. Clancy permits six hits and allows the one run while striking out four. Al Woods (.304, 19 RBI) and Dave McKay (.381, 4 RBI) each drive in a pair of runs to pace the offense. Jim Colborn (5-3) takes the loss for Kansas City.

Baltimore storms back from five runs down to tie the game going into the ninth inning, only to have Eric Soderholm (.217, 26 RBI) hit a one-out RBI single in the bottom of the frame to give the White Sox a 6-5 victory. Richie Zisk (.258) hits three singles and Oscar Gamble (.250, 22 RBI) drives in two runs on his sixth home run of the year for Chicago while Larry Harlow ( .269, 19 RBI) has three runs batted in for Baltimore in the loss.

Ed Ott (.288, 17 RBI) has four hits and drives in three runs to lead the Pirates to a 7-4 victory and a three game sweep over the hometown Philadelphia Phillies. Bruce Kison (6-3, 2.96 ERA) goes eight innings, striking out six while allowing two runs on seven Phillies hits. Tim McCarver (.274, 17 RBI) and Davey Johnson (.285) each had three hits for Philadelphia, with McCarver driving in two runs. The loss puts the Phillies a distant second in the division, six games behind the Pirates.

Minnesota starter Pete Redfern (1-8, 4.52 ERA) finally gets into the win column as he blanks the Yankees 1-0 by allowing just five hits through seven innings. Ed Figueroa (4-5, 2.12 ERA) is the complete game loser as he gives up just four hits, but a triple to Rod Carew (.277, 18 RBI) after a Butch Wynegar (.295) single brings in the only run of the game. Wynegar has two of the Twins four hits in the game. Gary Serum (5.54 ERA), Jeff Holly (3.13 ERA) and Tom Johnson (12 SV, 3.29 ERA) hold down the fort for Redfern.

An error by newly recalled SS Pepe Frias (his 1st) to lead off the 16th inninng would give the Mets the extra out they needed as Bruce Boisclair (.243, 7 RBI) collects his third hit of the game - a single that scores Leo Foster and gives New York a 4-3 win over the Expos. Both Montreal's Steve Rogers (3.08 ERA) and Tom Seaver (3.69 ERA) of the Mets pitched well in their no-decisions with Seaver striking out six batters while Rogers whiffed eight. Tony Perez (.230, 12 RBI) delivers two doubles and a single and Warren Cromartie (.307, 7 RBI) drives in two runs with his ninth double of the season in the losing effort.

The Indians quest for the division lead was put on hold with one swing of the bat as Steve Kemp (.286, 9 HR, 18 RBI) sent a pitch from Cleveland closer Dave LaRouche (2-3) into the right field seats in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Tigers a 4-3 triumph over the Tribe. Mark Fidrych (3.16 ERA) goes 10 innings in getting a no-decision, giving up three runs while allowing 10 hits and striking out five. Lou Whitaker (.267) strokes three base hits for the Detroit while Rick Manning (.246, 21 RBI) does the same for Cleveland along with two runs batted in.

Oakland's Earl Williams (.214, 3 HR, 9 RBI) breaks a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth with a two-out solo home run, then watches in disbelief as the Mariners rally in the bottom of the inning as pinch hitter Joe Lis (.239, 12 RBI) doubles home Juan Bernhardt with nobody out off of closer Bob Lacey (0-2, 2 BS) to tie the game and pinch runner Tommy Helms tags up and scores the winning run on consecutive fly balls to give Seattle the 4-3 comeback victory. Seattle starter Byron McLaughlin (3.13 ERA) allows four hits over seven innings and Stan Thomas (3-5, 4.86 ERA) pitches the final two innings to get the win.

Other Scores
American League

No Other Games

National League

San Diego San Francisco

3 1

Atlanta Cincinnati

2 4

Chicago St. Louis

8 3

Injuries

SS Bud Harrelson is expected to miss about 1-2 weeks with a fractured hand. He is placed on the 15-day disabled list. 3B Roy Staiger (.276, 3 HR, 31 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Tidewater. Staiger should get some at-bats against lefties. Maybe.

Contract Signings

SP Doc Medich (5-4, 3.36 ERA) signed a 3-year extension worth a total of $1,206,000. He will earn $402,000 a year through 1980.

Major Transactions

LF Bruce Bochte is activated from the disabled list. LF Gil Flores (.366, 1 HR, 8 RBI) optioned to Triple A Salt Lake City.

RF Charlie Spikes (.299, 3 HR, 12 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Toledo. RF John Lowenstein (.216, 5 RBI) optioned to Triple A Toledo. Spikes will perform routine corner outfield maintenence when needed.

SP Gary Wheelock (7-5, 2.87 ERA - AAA) recalled from Triple A Sidney. MR Mike Kekich (0-1, 7.71 ERA) optioned to Triple A Sidney. Wheelock moves into the rotation as Stan Thomas gets the demotion to the bullpen.

C Kevin Pasley (.000, 3 AB) is designated for assignment and placed on irrevocable waivers. C Johnny Oates (.500, 2 RBI, 2 AB - AAA) recalled from Triple A Albuquerque. Oates will assume the backup catching duties for Bob Boone. 1B Boog Powell (.091, 11 AB) is designated for assignment and placed on waivers (from active). LF Dusty Baker (.416, 5 HR, 28 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Albuquerque. Baker moves right into the starting LF spot in place of the platoon of Don Baylor, Vic Davalillo and Manny Mota.

SS Stan Papi (.162, 6 RBI) is designated for assignment and placed on irrevocable waivers. SS Pepe Frias (.285, 3 HR, 25 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Denver. Frias enters the starting lineup as the new shortstop. 3B Larry Parrish (.258, 4 HR, 20 RBI) optioned to Triple A Denver. CF Sam Mejias (.259, 10 HR, 30 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Denver. Mejias will be backing up Del Unser in CF whenever Del needs a break from the metric system.

Short Season Single A
No Game Scheduled