[GrimmyDee]

M & M's Melt Twins
Monday, May 16, 1977
Rick Manning (.210, 3 HR, 15 RBI) had a career day against the Minnesota Twins today, going 4-for-4 while hitting two home runs and driving in six RBI as the Indians manhandle the Twins, 17-4 at Metropolitan Stadium.

But he wasn't alone.

Bill Melton (.258, 7 RBI) also has four hits in four at-bats, smacking a pair of doubles and a solo home run while driving in two runs and scoring four times. Rico Carty (.322, 26 RBI) added to the carnage with four RBI on three singles and Johnny Grubb (.325) scores three times with a three hit day as the Tribe pound out 20 hits on the Minnesota pitching staff.

"This is a team united." Manning said afterward. "At any given time another player steps up to the plate. One day it might be Johnny (Grubb), another day in might be Rico, hell every once in a blue moon it could be me. Today, we all did and it's a scary thing how good we can play when we are all on the same page."

Twins starter Paul Thormodsgard (3-5, 4.89 ERA) had a different view.

"That team doesn't impress me. They are a bunch of no-names playing for a team that nobody cares about. They don't matter. Today, that was all luck."

Butch Wynegar (.299) has three hits and Glenn Adams (.317, 5 HR, 20 RBI) hits a three-run home run in the loss.


American League News
Yankees starter Ed Figueroa (4-2, 1.34 ERA) shuts down Oakland on six hits and one run en route to a 6-1 complete game victory and New York's eighth win in their last 10 games.

Tippy Martinez (1-2) lowers his ERA to 10.00 as he pitches 1 2/3 innings of relief and Pat Kelly scores on a Mark Belanger (10 RBI) fielders chioce in the top of the 11th inning to give Baltimore a 5-4 win over the Mariners. Down 4-3 in the ninth, Al Bumbry (.256, 2 HR, 8 RBI) sends the game into extras with a pinch-hit solo home run off of Seattle closer Enrique Romo (3 BS, 5.40 ERA). Jim Palmer (2.77 ERA) goes 9 1/3 innings, giving up 10 hits, but striking out seven for the Orioles while Rick Jones (4.67 ERA) gives up two earned runs on seven hits in eight innings for Seattle. Neither man gained a decision.

Fred Lynn (.235, 4 HR, 10 RBI) hits a solo home run in the eighth to give the Red Sox a 3-2 lead, but the Angels storm back as Jerry Remy (.304, 13 RBI) hits a bases loaded single to score two runs and gains a 4-3 California victory. Gary Ross goes 8 2/3 for the Angels, scattering eight hits but fails to get a decision as Dick Drago (1-1) comes in to get the final out in the top of the ninth. Ike Hampton (.372) leads the California offense with three hits.

American League Scores


National League News
Philadelphia scores two runs in the bottom of the 11th inning when Davey Johnson (.244, 1 HR, 7 RBI) crushes a Stan Wall (2-2) fastball 375-feet down the left field line to give the Phillies a 5-3 win over Los Angeles. Steve Carlton (2.21 ERA) throws nine innings, allowing eight hits and three runs (one earned), but gets a no decision. The loss puts the Dodgers into a tie with Cincinnati for the NL West lead.

National League Scores


Injuries

SP Luis Tiant (4-4, 4.68 ERA) is expected to miss about 5 weeks with a strained back muscle. He is placed on the 15-day disabled list. MR Rick Kreuger (3-0, 2 SV, 0.75 ERA - AAA) recalled from Triple A Pawtucket. Kreuger looked like a dominating closer in AAA. It looks like Don Aase will join the rotation to replace Tiant.

Major Transactions

RF Rusty Torres (.154, 13 AB) optioned to Triple A Salt Lake City. LF Gil Flores (.302, 2 HR, 21 RBI - AAA) recalled from Triple A Salt Lake City. Flores will be getting time in both LF & CF for the injured Bruce Bochte.

2B Bob Sheldon (.250, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 AB) optioned to Triple A Spokane. 1B Ken McMullen (.750, 1 RBI, 4 AB - AAA) recalled from Triple A Spokane. One little used player for another. Look for McMullen to back up Cecil Cooper at first base.

Players Of The Week
American League Player of the Week: May 8 - May 14
1B Rico Carty - Cleveland Indians

Last Week 1977 Stats

AVG .480 .310

AB 25 113

H 12 35

R 4 12

2B 2 6

3B 0 1

HR 1 4

RBI 7 22

BB 3 7

K 2 9

OBP .600 .341

SLG .680 .487

National League Player of the Week: May 8 - May 14
C Ed Ott - Pittsburgh Pirates

Last Week 1977 Stats

AVG .565 .289

AB 23 121

H 13 35

R 5 22

2B 1 5

3B 0 0

HR 1 4

RBI 4 11

BB 2 12

K 1 14

OBP .652 .351

SLG .739 .430

Short Season Single A Update
Rockledge Ponies (25-11) at Jamestown Expos (22-14)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Rockledge 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 6 11 0 Jamestown 0 0 1 0 8 0 0 1 x 10 14 1 WP: Bill Newton (5-1, 3.69 ERA) LP: Jorge Montanio (5-4, 3.78 ERA) SV: Brian Little (3) POG: Dicky Hujibregts 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR Attendance: 2,256 The win pulls us to within 2 games of Rockledge.

Dicky Hujibregts (.356, 2 HR, 13 RBI) doubles and hits a solo home run en route to a three hit, three RBI day as we manage to outslug Rockledge in round one of our three game series. Mark Hutchinson (.280, 11 RBI) adds a two-run double and Weldon Williams (.343, 13 RBI) drives in a pair as well as every starter in the our lineup has at least one hit. Bill Newton gets the win, but looks shaky - allowing all six earned runs on eight hits in 6.1 innings. Home Runs: ROC: None JAM: Dicky Hujibregts (5)