Aug. 19, 1985
We get a day off before an eight-game homestand against the Dodgers, Giants and Padres. Then a day off before heading west to once again face the Dodgers, Giants and Padres, with an extra off day in the middle. After the Padres series there’s another off day before a brutal 20-game stretch that includes the whole division. One final off day on Sept. 30 before six to finish: three at Montreal, three at home against Pittsburgh. The season could be decided in Montreal.
The good thing is we’ll have roster expansion in September, and I imagine the bulk of talent will come in before that 20-game marathon. Reading’s season ends just before that, so we’ll simply make those additions then.
Aug. 20, 1985
The Dodgers come in for three. We avoid Fernando Valenzuela, but we get Orel Hershiser and his 1.72 ERA tonight night. He faces Scott Sanderson (10-9, 3.23 ERA).
Game 1985-119: Veterans Stadium - Dodgers 6, Phillies 5 (11) / 72-47
A heavyweight duel goes the wrong way. It seems every time we score, the Dodgers come right back with their own runs. And when the time comes to get big hits, we go silent. We tie it in the sixth with a couple big doubles (Juan Samuel with the biggest), but that’s the end for our bats. Despite great pitching by our bullpen, Los Angeles has 16 hits, none bigger than the RBI single from Steve Sax to put them ahead in extras.
Aug. 21, 1985
Charles Hudson on the hill tonight, and we can use a big outing.
Game 1985-120: Veterans Stadium - Dodgers 9, Phillies 4 / 72-48
One of those that’ll come back to bite us. Kent Tekulve holds onto the 4-4 tie in the ninth, when he just implodes, giving up five runs. I keep telling myself not getting a fireballer isn’t a big deal, but I really hope this isn’t a sign that I’m dead wrong. Shame, too, because in this game, Darren Daulton carried us on his back with two giant, game-tying home runs. The Dodgers once again rack up 16 hits. Ugh. And Montreal wins (as they should), going back up 2.5 games. We needed to win two of three here. Needed to.
Aug. 22, 1985
Kelly Downs got hurt last night, which is the universe just cackling at me. I get it. I get it.
As for tonight, Dick Howser turns to Lefty, pushing him up a start so Joe Johnson doesn’t have to face this hot Los Angeles lineup. I agree.
Game 1985-121: Veterans Stadium - Dodgers 7, Phillies 6 / 72-49
The most frustrating loss of the season. This we should’ve won. We’re up 3-0, then 4-2, then 5-3, 6-4, and then the Dodgers score three in the eighth off Bill Campbell. And it’s not as if Campbell has been bad lately. I know the Dodgers can hit, but this really brings me down. This team would wax us in the NLCS. Luckily, Montreal lost again, so we’re just 2.5 back. But we could’ve at least stayed at 1.5 after this series; instead, we can’t get one win. Frustrating.
Meanwhile, for levity, Reggie Jackson - who has had just 116 at-bats over the last two seasons - injured himself when trying to install something in his bathroom. Poor Angels.
Aug. 23, 1985
Three against San Francisco begins tonight; we can use a win.
Game 1985-122: Veterans Stadium - Giants 3, Phillies 2 / 72-50
Oh boy. Kent Tekulve blows another one, allowing two runs in the ninth. Shame, because John Denny strikes out 10 in 6.1 innings. Really bad loss.
Aug. 24, 1985
More bad news: Kelly Downs is out seven to eight months with a torn labrum. Damn torn labrums. That has him gone through spring training, at best. Sheesh.
And in Reading, Blaise Ilsley - after a nine-day ordered rest - went 7.2 IP, striking out nine and walking four, giving up four earned runs, in a loss.
Dick Howser is giving Paul Molitor a night off, as he’s scuffling. Darren Daulton moves to the three-hole tonight. Man, do we need to turn this around.
Game 1985-123: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 4, Giants 3 / 73-50
Thank goodness. The Giants grab a 3-0 lead in the fourth after a two-run Jeffrey Leonard home run, but Juan Samuel knocks a two-run double in the bottom half, and UL Washington strikes an RBI single to tie it in the sixth. It stays tied until the eighth, when a tailor-made groundout from Terry Puhl is thrown away by catcher Phil Oullette. And despite allowing up two baserunners, Kent Tekulve gets out of it. Exhale. We need more offense.
Aug. 25, 1985
Game 1985-124: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 6, Giants 2 / 74-50
Tommy Thompson has a big day, hitting a three-run home run and driving in four. Tony Armas triples and drives in two, and Paul Molitor is back on board with a 3-for-4 day. And Scott Sanderson goes eight innings, striking out six and walking zippo in a big outing. The Expos lose, as well, putting us 1.5 back once more.
The new rankings:
1. Detroit Tigers - 81-43
2. Toronto Blue Jays - 79-46
3. Los Angeles Dodgers - 76-48
4. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - 74-50
5. Montreal Expos -76-49
The Blue Jays have a 6-0 week to climb within two of Detroit. Here we go again.