TDIB: May 31 - Brawl Leads To Suspensions

Tuesday, May 30 - Brawl Leads To Suspensions

In a game marred by a bench clearing brawl in the third inning, the Pirates put another game between themselves and the Phillies with a 9-7 victory, pushing Philadelphia five games behind. Frank Taveras (.301) has three hits and scores three times, Phil Garner (.287, 26 RBI) has two runs batted in and scores twice with his three hit day, and Dave Parker (.314, 11 HR, 40 RBI) scores two runs and drives in three runs on two hits in the win. The real story, however, was the fight between these two bitter rivals that will likely result in suspensions for two of the sports biggest stars. One batter after Phillies starter Steve Carlton (6-4, 2.61 ERA) gives up a two-run home run to Parker, Carlton drills Willie Stargell in the back with a fastball on a 2-2 count. Stargell started toward the mound and the benches clear, creating a mass of players and coaches in the infield. Stargell and Carlton were both ejected and could face possible suspensions later on today. "Look, I'm 37 years old, I don't need to be taking shots like that." Stargell explained after the game. "I just wanted to go out to the mound and "discuss" things, just him and me. I expected more from someone of his ability - but after today, I've lost a little respect for the man." Carlton was unavailable for comment after the game. Phillies 2B Lee Lacy (.295, 5 HR, 30 RBI) delivers three hits in the loss, including a grand slam in the eighth inning that cuts the Pittsburgh lead to two. UPDATE: It has just been announced that both Pittsburgh 1B Willie Stargell and Philadelphia's starting pitcher Steve Carlton will each receive 10-game suspensions.

Cubs SS Ivan DeJesus (.228, 19 RBI) cracks five hits, including a bases-loaded triple in Chicago's seven run fourth inning that blows open the flood gates in a 14-1 whitewashing of the Cardinals. Joe Cardenal (.266, 2 HR, 21 RBI) drives in three runs and scores three times for the Cubs with a single, double and a solo home run while Steve Renko (6-3, 2.48 ERA) handles the St. Louis lineup, giving up just five hits and one earned run in getting the easy complete game victory.

Even without George Hendrick, the Indians continue to win games, knocking off California 7-5 at Cleveland Stadium for their sixth win in a row and moving to within a half game of the idle Milwaukee Brewers for the AL East lead. Hendrick's replacement, Ron Pruitt (.318, 16 RBI)drives in four runs - two of them on his second dinger of the year. CF Gil Flores (.366) has three base hits to lead the Angels in a loss that puts them into a tie for first place with Texas.

Montreal's Dan Schatzeder (4.26 ERA) allows three hits over eight shutout innings, but Joe Kerrigan (1 BS, 1.35 ERA) blows the save in the ninth on an RBI single by Bud Harrelson (.202, 13 RBI) and an RBI double by Felix Millan (.250, 19 RBI) to force extra innings. From there, it was up to Bill Atkinson (1-1, 2.33 ERA) to lose it as a leadoff walk to John Milner in the bottom of the 11th eventually scores on a sacrifice fly by Bruce Boisclair (6 RBI) for a 3-2 New York victory and first win in ten days. Gary Carter (.364, 33 RBI) hits his seventh home run along with two singles while scoring twice in the loss.

After throwing 16 2/3 innings without giving up an earned run this season, Los Angeles closer Charlie Hough (0-1, 0.54 ERA) gives up a game-winning triple to pinch-hitter Willie Crawford (.385, 7 RBI) in the bottom of the 10th to give the Astros a 2-1 win in the Astrodome. Rafael Landestoy (.271, 11 RBI) has a double and two singles while starter Rick Rhoden (2.28 ERA) goes nine innings allowing six hits and one earned run before handing off to Hough. Houston starter Dan Larson (2.78 ERA) was equally effective in a no-decision, giving up one earned run on seven hits through eight innings.

Reggie Jackson (.317, 35 RBI) collects three hits - including a double and his league leading 14th home run of the year - and drives in four of New York's five runs, but the Yankees fall to Boston 6-5 at Fenway. Little used Red Sox 2B Tim Johnson (.318) hits a double and two singles, scoring two runs and Butch Hobson (.231, 7 HR, 21 RBI) homers for the second straight game in the win.

Other Scores
American League

Baltimore Minnesota

7 3

Oakland Detroit

4 10

National League

San Diego San Francisco

1 4

Atlanta Cincinnati

1 3

Injuries

SP Larry Demery is expected to miss about 1-2 weeks with a strained back muscle. He is placed on the 60-day disabled list. LF Miguel Dilone (.244, 11 RBI, 29 SB - AAA) recalled from Triple A Columbus. Dilone joins a club stacked with outfielders and will be used mainly as a pinch runner.

MR Paul Mitchell is expected to miss about 1-2 weeks with a finger blister. He is placed on the 15-day disabled list. MR Craig Mitchell (0-2, 1 SV, 4.79 ERA - AAA) contract purchased from Triple A San Jose. Mitchell will attempt to hide in the vast expanse that is the Oakland bullpen.

Major Transactions

SS Bill Russell is activated from the disabled list. SS Matt Alexander (.222, 3 RBI) optioned to Triple A San Jose. Russell will resume his starting SS duties.

Short Season Single A
Jamestown Expos (31-19) at Virginia Beach Toreadors (28-22)

Jamestown Virginia Beach 13 Innings

6 4

W: Brian Little (3-1) L: Gulussa Alami (5-1) S: Sandro Duarte (4)
HR – None
POG: Mike Cramer (VB) 4-7, R, 2B

Being that we are at the end of the season, I left everything out on the field - using almost every position player and my entire bullpen to win this game. I even had to pull Brian Little (1.88 ERA) into this game and he was far from recovered from his start a few days ago. With my main bullpen players tired and the score 3-1, I had to go with Tim Taylor (2 BS, 3.94 ERA) to close the game out for us - and he failed miserably. Thankfully, we got three hits from Juan Madrigal (.294) and two RBI from Ed Hansen (.327, 9 RBI) plus a little defensive help as Virginia Beach committed two errors and a balk in the 13th to help us out. For the Toreadors, I couldn't get Cramer (.335) out to save my life and Julian Urmston (.293) added three more hits for the bad guys. Rockledge lost again today, so we are now two games out with three games to play. Thank God tomorrow is an off day.