June 28, 1985
Trying to steal our thunder before the big three-game set, Montreal announces it has come to terms on a seven-year, $6.65 million extension with pitcher Bill Gullickson. A reliable arm throughout his career, Gullickson is having his best season yet (109.1 IP, 2.22 ERA, 58 K, 13 BB). We won’t see the control artist during the series, but it’s funny timing from our rivals, to say the least.
Anyway, game one tonight. Bryn Smith (10-2, 1.78 ERA) for the Expos, and Scott Sanderson (6-4, 2.76 ERA) on our side.
Game 1985-70: Olympic Stadium - Phillies 3, Expos 0 / 48-22
Big first win in Montreal, and big pitching from Scott Sanderson. He goes eight, striking out seven, walking one, and allowing just two hits. Dave Stegman hits a big RBI double, and Von Hayes and Paul Molitor each collect RBI on base hits. Not a ton of offense in this one, but what we get we take advantage of.
June 29, 1985
Another UCL, and this time it’s Larry Gura of the Cubs. This injury is pretty serious.
Meanwhile, Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola are on the mic for today’s MLB Game of the Week, broadcast on NBC. Big one here with Steve Carlton (7-3, 2.66 ERA) up against Joe Hesketh (7-3, 3.07 ERA).
Game 1985-71: Olympic Stadium - Phillies 4, Expos 2 / 49-22
Heck yeah. But a wacky one.
We go up 2-0, but Montreal ties it in the third. Then, after the bottom of the fifth, rain starts falling, so we get an hour-long delay. NBC switches over to Baltimore at Boston.
Then, Todd Worrell gets to work on two scoreless, and Tommy Thompson hits a big two-run double. We hold onto the lead and take the second of three. Huge. Hoping for a sweep Sunday.
June 30, 1985
First, a new all-star update. Mike Schmidt remains the leader among all players, regardless of league. Von Hayes leads over other left fielders, Juan Samuel is still in third place among second basemen, and Charles Hudson stays in fifth place in the starting pitcher voting.
For today’s game, Dave Concepcion gets the start at shortstop, while Bill Lyons gets a run in center field and Mike Diaz gets a shot in right field.
Game 1985-72: Olympic Stadium - Phillies 1, Expos 0 (10) / 50-22
Sweep! Enormous sweep! We get to 50 wins thanks in part to Charles Hudson, who goes eight, striking out nine while allowing just five hits and a walk. Also getting us there: a small 10th-inning rally that climaxes with a Tommy Thompson pinch sac fly.
This was a tightly contested series, and we took each game thanks to big pitching and timely hitting. Huge. And we’re now four up on Montreal.
Hitter and pitcher of the month awards for June are announced. In the NL, Darryl Strawberry takes home the hitter’s trophy, while - let’s go - Kevin Gross wins NL Pitcher of the Month for the second-consecutive month. At 11-0 with a 1.43 ERA, he’s likely your Cy Young at this point.
Power rankings:
1. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - 50-22
2. Detroit Tigers - 50-22
3. St. Louis Cardinals - 42-29
4. Boston Red Sox - 43-30
5. Montreal Expos - 47-27
We’ve won eight straight and are already at 50 wins. Just tremendous.
Also, Blaise Ilsley had his first start for AA Reading: 8 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 9 K, 5 BB.
Down to earth a bit, but not too bad for a first start. It’ll be good to see how he responds.