[GrimmyDee]

Twins Bobble Win Against Tigers
Tuesday, May 10, 1977

Every manager has many difficult decisions to make during the course of a game, not the least of which is using pinch-hitters and substituting players. Minnesota manager Gene Mauch was faced with such a difficult choice in the game tonight against Detroit.

"I'm not going to stand here and say I made the wrong decision." said Mauch after the game. "Hell, you guys are going write that no matter what I say. I wanted Wynegar in the game and had confidence in him playing in the infield - at that is all that matters. I can assure you, he was not scared to death no matter how nervous he look out there."

Up 4-1 in the seventh inning, Mauch pinch hit Butch Wynegar for 2B Bob Randall and with no bench players left, kept him in the game to play second base. The following inning, Ron LeFlore (.325, 1 HR, 14 RBI) sparks a rally with a two-run double, then scores the tying run thanks to a booted ground ball with two outs by Wynegar. In the bottom of the ninth, Milt May (.244) doubles to open the inning and after a sacrifice bunt to second and a fielders choice moves May to third, Aurelio Rodriguez sends a hard grounder to Wynegar which he bobbles and throws late to first - allowing May to score the winning run.

While Wynegar could not be reached for comment, teammate Lyman Bostock offered up his opinion.

"I'm not going to say one bad thing about Butch - he's one of the main reasons we are playing as well as we are. But those last two innings, they were pretty brutal to watch."

The loss ruins a superb pitching performance as the Tigers manage only four hits in the game with Minnesota starter Pete Redfern (5.20 ERA) allowing only two hits and strikes out nine in 7 1/3 innings.


American League News
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 (.380, 6 RBI) adds three hits and two runs batted in 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.

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.

American League Scores


National League News
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 as the Astros beat the Chicago, 2-0. 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.

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.

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.

National League Scores


Injuries

SS U.L. Washington (.267, 1 HR, 6 RBI) is day-today for about 4 days with a bruised ankle. With the first name U.L. you better believe he will tough this one out.

Contract Signings

1B Pete LaCock (.158, 2 RBI) signs a 1-year free agent contract worth a total of $59,885.

Major Transactions

1B Pete LaCock placed on the active roster (from signing). SS Matt Alexander (.205, 1 RBI) optioned to Triple A San Jose. Isn't it fitting that the guy nobody seems to want ends up on the A's? LaCock will be inserted in the DH slot, moving Jerry Hairston to the ever rotating RF spot with Sheldon Mallory.

Short Season Single A Update
Orlando Beach Bums (14-16) at Jamestown Expos (18-12)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Orlando 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 8 3 Jamestown 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 2 WP: Dominic Odom (2-1, 7.26 ERA) LP: Juan Carlos Garcia (4-2, 3.21 ERA) SV: John Crocker (7) POG: Dominic Odom 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 6 K Attendance: 2,161 The loss drops us four games behind Rockledge.

This game was lost due to a combination of managerial faux pas and a lack of overall offensive production. Juan Carlos Garcia was great as usual, but I probably should have pulled him after Ben Millar (.239) double in the eighth, but I kept him in and Bill Armstrong (.240, 10 RBI) singles him home on batter later for the game winner. Jesus Rivera (.347, 10 SB) continues to hit the ball well, collecting three of our seven hits and stealing two bases, but other that we had nothing as an offense. Home Runs: JAM: None NEW: None