September 24, 1990
Just a week left in the season for the Red Sox, and they continue to have the worst record in the league. After taking 2 out of 3 this weekend at Yankee Stadium, they sit at 52-105, 1.5 games worse than the San Francisco Giants. They return home to wrap up their season against the Indians and Blue Jays.
Starting pitcher Dana Kiecker has turned his season around in a big way. Over his last 4 starts, he has pitched 28 innings and allowed just 4 earned runs on 11 hits. He has staked his claim to a rotation spot next season. He will make his final start of 1990 tomorrow night against Cleveland.
Winter Haven’s season came to an end this week, losing in 6 games to the Dunedin Blue Jays. Dunedin moved into the finals, where they currently trail Fort Lauderdale, two games to none.
Red Sox infielder John Malzone was named Gulf Coast League MVP this week. On the season, the 22 year old hit .395 with 9 home runs and 53 RBI over 172 at bats. Elsewhere, Lynchburg’s 22 year old pitcher Brian Conroy was named the Carolina League’s Reliever of the Year. Conroy went 8-9 with a 3.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He struck out 68 batters in 75 innings.
Around the League
With a win over the Cubs on Thursday, the Pirates clinched the National League East. This will be their first playoff appearance since 1979. Cincinnati took two out of three games in San Diego this weekend to extend their lead in the NL West to two games. The teams will meet in Cincinnati next weekend to close out the season. Meanwhile, in the AL West, the A’s magic number to clinch the division over the Mariners is down to 4.
Seattle’s Tino Martinez was named AL Player of the Week, going 10-for-24 with 4 homers and 16 RBI this week. In the NL, Pedro Guerrero of the St. Louis Cardinals earned the award going 10-for-21 with 2 homers last week.
The Padres and Reds squared off in a critical NL West series in San Diego this weekend
Week in Review
The Orioles scored at least 1 run in every inning except the 1st and put a beating on the Boston Red Sox, winning 19-5 tonight at Memorial Stadium. Brady Anderson, Randy Milligan and Sam Horn hit back-to-back-to-back home runs as part of a 5 run 2nd inning against Red Sox starter John Dopson. Hitting in the 9 hole, catcher Doug Robbins went 5-for-6 and drove in 3 runs. Baltimore had 20 hits and Red Sox pitchers walked 12 Orioles in the dominant win. Ellis Burks went 3-for-3 with 3 RBI for the Red Sox. After starter Pete Harnisch was removed in the 4th inning after giving up 5 earned runs, the Orioles bullpen fired 5.1 shutout innings.
Dana Kiecker was outstanding for the Red Sox today. He pitched 8 innings of 2 hit ball, allowing 1 run and striking out 4. Kiecker has pitched very well for Boston down the stretch, winning his third consecutive start. Tim Naehring had 3 hits in the game and was a home run short of the cycle. Greg Maddux was a tough luck loser for the Orioles, as he pitched into the 8th inning and allowed 3 runs. Despite allowing a home run to Sam Horn in the 9th, Jeff Reardon picked up his 8th save of the season in the 3-2 Boston win.
Baltimore took the rubber match of this 3 game series against Boston, 6-3 today. John Mitchell got the win for the Orioles, going 8 innings and allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 8 hits without walking any Red Sox. Gregg Olson tossed a scoreless 9th for his 32nd save in 36 opportunities. Doug Robbins continue wrapped up a great series with a 4-for-4 effort, including 2 RBI. Entering the series hitting under .200, he went 9-for-10 with 5 RBI against Boston. Cal Ripken and Billy Ripken had 3 hits apiece as well. Red Sox starter Tom Bolton took the loss, allowing 4 runs on 12 hits in 5.2 innings. He struck out 7. Offensively for the Red Sox, Ellis Burks went 3-for-4 with a double.