May 13, 1985
Today we get word that the city was ablaze. Police apparently bombed the home where black liberation group members were living. Unreal. The bombing led to an entire city block being up in flames.
Wow.
Now we have to play baseball. A quick two in Cincinnati begins.
Game 1984-29: Riverfront Stadium - Phillies 3, Reds 2 / 19-10
Back-to-back hits by Juan Samuel and Mike Schmidt put us up 2-0, then Samuel comes back in the fifth with a go-ahead double. It stands, thanks to a solid pitching performance from Kevin Gross (6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 2 BB), and sweet relief from Donnie Moore (big bounce back over two innings) and Bill Campbell.
May 14, 1985
This is the last day we can give a major league job to a minor league free agent on a 30-day conditional option. The only player we’re employing under this scenario is 3B/SS Dave Concepcion (.310/.355/.379, 2 XBH), who is blocked by just Luis Aguayo, who is out of options but only has 12 plate appearances to his name.
Essentially Aguayo’s place here is more about having a backup plan if Paul Molitor or UL Washington has to miss time, but I have a solid-hitting Rick Schu (.330/.411/.521, 10 XBH) and Steve Jeltz (.315/.386/.370, 4 XBH) in Portland. Really, Aguayo has hit his ceiling here, and Davey’s veteran leadership and experience could really be nice to have in Philly.
I have a decision to make after the game ends.
Game 1984-30: Riverfront Stadium - Phillies 5, Reds 2 / 20-10
We get the two-game sweep in Cincinnati. Scott Sanderson continues his solid season (7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 K, 0 BB), lowering his ERA to 2.36. Mike Schmidt hits home run No. 7 (he now has 30 RBI), and multiple Phils have a two-hit game, including Dave Stegman, who doubles and triples.
Later that evening at Dodger Stadium, Fernando-Mania reached a new level as the stud 24-year-old no-hit the Cubs. He came just a walk from achieving a perfect game. His line: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 10 K, 1 BB. Sheesh. It’s Valenzuela’s first no-hitter, and the first in baseball since Mike Warren’s no-no in September 1983.
- 2B/3B/SS Luis Aguayo placed on irrevocable waivers
- 3B/SS Dave Concepcion promoted to MLB Philadelphia
I decided we could use just a small injection of veteran-ness. We’ll see what happens to Aguayo. (Also, I just realized I didn’t give Davey a chance to play back at Riverfront.)
May 15, 1985
Well, I wake up to questions as to why I didn’t call up Davey in time for the Cincinnati series. “We liked Aguayo if we needed him against Cincinnati,” I say. Complete lie.
And now, a quick two-gamer in Atlanta before a weekend set back home with the Dodgers.
Game 1985-31: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium - Phillies 8, Braves 5 / 21-10
One of those wins you’re so glad to get. Lefty gets down 3-1 early, but in the fifth a Mike Schmidt single and two-run Darren Daulton homer turn the tide. Big hits, and we’re up 4-3. The Braves tie it right back up in the sixth, and it stays 4-4 until the ninth. Dave Stegman leads it off with a double, Von Hayes is intentionally walked with one out, Paul Molitor singles home Stegman to grab the lead, then a batter later, Schmidt absolutely buries a three-run home run to put it away. It’s Schmidt’s eighth homer, and he now has 34 RBI.
May 16, 1985
A bunch of lineup changes today, with Bill Lyons at third base, Mike Diaz in right field, and Tommy Thompson behind the plate. Plus, Dave Stegman moves up to the five-hole, as he’s been hot with some extra-base hits lately.
Game 1985-32: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium - Phillies 7, Braves 2 / 22-10
Our fifth-straight win puts us at 12 over .500. Another doozy, and again Howser makes the right moves. Thompson breaks through with four hits, including a two-run home run, while Lyons and Stegman each add three ribbies. John Denny puts in seven solid innings of work.
May 17, 1985
Steve Braun, Cardinals 3B, will retire at the end of the season. His best days were back in the early 1970s with Minnesota; since, he’s been mainly a bench bat and sometimes starter.
Three coming with the Dodgers. This feels like a measuring-stick series. We start with the white-hot Orel Hershiser and fire back with Charles Hudson.
Game 1985-33: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 2, Dodgers 0 / 23-10
Charles Hudson is having a season. He goes eight, strikes out six, lets on just five baserunners (all singles and walks), and that is it. His ERA is now 0.68. Schmidty hits homer No. 9, while Von Hayes scores a two-out RBI.
Over in the American League, George Bell smacks three home runs in a game as the Blue Jays beat the Twins. He was one of our prospects back in 1980. Sigh.
May 18, 1985
So, Atlanta claimed Luis Aguayo. Tough to see him go, but I get it. Hopefully he thrives with this new opportunity.
Game 1985-34: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 5, Dodgers 0 / 24-10
Sheesh. Kevin Gross goes a solid 7.1 innings (Dick Howser is trying to keep pitch counts down, which is something he’s experimenting with because we’re a transitional team that is placing importance on its rotation), striking out eight and walking one, while allowing just four hits, all singles. Just terrific.
And we score four in the first, capped by a Glenn Wilson home run - he has three hits in the game. Darren Daulton also homers - he’s now up to .145 on the season. Baby steps.
May 19, 1985
Hoping for a sweep, but the Dodgers will pitch Fernando, who had the no-hitter his last time out.
Game 1985-35: Veterans Stadium - Dodgers 2, Phillies 0 / 24-11
- Johnny Vander Meer, June 11 and 15, 1938.
- Fernando Valenzuela, May 14 and 19, 1985.
You won't believe it.
Valenzuela throws a no-hitter in consecutive starts, an incredible feat. It’s our first loss in eight games, but we’re not upset.
In fact, toward the end of the game every one of our boys is at the top step of the dugout just watching Fernando in awe. After the game our guys even step out from the dugout and give Fernando a standing ovation, along with the 36,893 in attendance. Just wondrous.
And now the eyes of baseball will be watching as Fernando takes the mound again, likely May 24th or 25th in Shea Stadium. We hear NBC is already making the Saturday game the Game of the Week. Damn right.
The power rankings:
1. Toronto Blue Jays - 22-13
2. Detroit Tigers - 23-11
3. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - 24-11
4. Cincinnati Reds - 23-13
5. Milwaukee Brewers - 21-13
Despite a 6-1 week, and having the best record in baseball, we don’t move in the rankings. Odd, but they’re just the rankings. And of course, Fernando wins NL Player of the Week honors. Amazing stuff.