June 3, 1985
- SP Jeff Ballard promoted to A Clearwater
- SP Blaise Ilsley promoted to A Clearwater
- SP Jeff Norwood demoted to A Peninsula
- RP Steve Labay demoted to A Peninsula
- RP Brant Weatherford demoted to A Spartanburg
- RP John Hill demoted to A Spartanburg
Ilsley and Ballard deserve the promotions, so there they go. In Ilsley’s case, his ERA was over 4.00, but the strikeout-to-walk ratio was outstanding. We need to see him against better hitting.
Game 1985-48: Jack Murphy Stadium - Phillies 4, Padres 1 / 33-15
A really good win. Charles Hudson continues to dazzle, going eight and giving up one run (unearned) to lower his ERA to 0.88. Offensively, Jeff Stone played igniter with two hits, a stolen base, and an RBI. Also, Mike Schmidt has yet another three-hit night.
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the Mets’ Bruce Ruffin - a first-round draft pick this season - threw a one-hit shutout. Plenty of young guys making an impact already.
June 4, 1985
Early phone call from my manager out in Clearwater, Tim Terzic. Blaise Ilsley started his first game there last night against the Vero Beach Dodgers, and here’s his line: 9 IP (CG), 0 ER, 2 H, 11 K, 0 BB. That’s it. The best start for any pitcher at any level. He accumulated 0.7 WAR in one night. I start cracking up.
As for the game, Jeff Stone goes to the eight-hole as UL Washington bats second against a lefty.
Game 1985-49: Jack Murphy Stadium - Phillies 5, Padres 0 / 34-15
The reigning Pitcher of the Month turns in a three-hit shutout (all singles), striking out four and walking two. But that’s not all! First, from that eight-hole, Stone absolutely fuels the offense. He doubles in the fifth to score Darren Daulton, then triples in the seventh. Both times on base he scores, via Mr. Pitcher of the Month. Gross goes 1-for-4 with 3 RBI!
- RP Rob Hicks promoted to A Clearwater
Jeff Gray went down with a tired arm, so Hicks comes from Peninsula to keep the bullpen staffed.
Around the league, Dwight Gooden threw a one-hitter to beat the Dodgers 7-0. Two young Mets pitchers with consecutive one-hit starts.
June 5, 1985
Joe Lefebvre wasn’t claimed, so he’ll take up space in Portland. I feel bad for the guy but don’t want to let him go just yet; maybe after Dave Stegman returns.
Mike Diaz in right field tonight, spelling Glennbo for a start.
Game 1985-50: Jack Murphy Stadium - Padres 4, Phillies 3 (10) / 34-16
Rarely, Dick Howser has made a bad call this season, but tonight he does that. Down 3-1 in the sixth, we rally to tie the game thanks to a one-out Mike Diaz double. UL Washington is intentionally walked, and then Howser has a choice to make, but decides to stick with pitcher Scott Sanderson. Obviously, Sanderson strikes out, then Von Hayes makes the final out to end what could’ve been a heck of an inning. It stays 3-3 until Luis Salazar hits a game-winning single in the 10th off Bill Campbell. We finish the West Coast road trip a somewhat disappointing 4-4.
June 6, 1985
Here’s where my guys stand on the National League leaderboards:
Batting
Batting Average
1. Mike Schmidt - .384
3. Von Hayes - .354
Home Runs
T2. Mike Schmidt - 12
T4. Glenn Wilson - 9
Runs Batted In
1. Mike Schmidt - 49
T5. Von Hayes - 32
T7. Juan Samuel - 31
On-Base Percentage
1. Mike Schmidt - .460
3. Von Hayes - .398
Slugging Percentage
1. Mike Schmidt - .669
4. Glenn Wilson - .541
5. Von Hayes - .531
WAR
1. Mike Schmidt - 3.1
4. Von Hayes - 2.6
Hits
1. Von Hayes - 74
3. Mike Schmidt - 66
Runs
2. Von Hayes - 38
T3. Juan Samuel - 36
Doubles
3. Von Hayes - 16
Triples
T2. Juan Samuel - 2
Total Bases
2. Mike Schmidt - 115
3. Von Hayes - 111
Stolen Bases
3. Juan Samuel - 24
6. Von Hayes - 15
Walks
T4. Mike Schmidt - 26
6. Darren Daulton - 25
Isolated Power
1. Mike Schmidt - .285
2. Glenn Wilson - .255
Pitching
Earned Run Average
1. Charles Hudson - 0.88
5. Kevin Gross - 1.56
Wins
T1. Kevin Gross - 8
T5. Charles Hudson - 7
Saves
T7. Bill Campbell - 9
Walks / 9 IP
T7. Charles Hudson - 1.8
WHIP
3. Kevin Gross - 0.88
4. Charles Hudson - 0.91
Fielding Independent Pitching
7. John Denny - 2.55
Holds
1. Larry Andersen - 5
T2. Donnie Moore - 4
Quality Starts
T2. Kevin Gross - 10
So, Schmidt is still front-running for MVP, but the gap is smaller, with Ryne Sandberg, Willie McGee, and Hayes trailing. On the mound, I can’t quite see Hudson taking Cy Young, as both Dwight Gooden and Orel Hershiser look more dominant right now.
June 7, 1985
First thing today is Bill Campbell wants to talk extension. Not so sure about that. Gonna hold on those words.
As for tonight, huge three-game set with Montreal starting up. The Expos are just 2.5 games behind us in the standings.
Game 1985-51: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 6, Expos 5 / 35-16
A signature win. Steve Carlton suffers a hamstring injury and is pulled right away. Kenneth Walker comes in and allows five runs in the second, putting us in a lousy spot. But Paul Assenmacher debuts with a scoreless 3.1 innings, and Tug McGraw follows it up with two shutout innings of his own. Along the way, we get a run back.
Then, with one out in the seventh, Von Hayes walks, Jeff Stone walks, and Juan Samuel rips a two-run single. Next is Mike Schmidt, and yup, he tattoos one to tie the game. Darren Daulton follows up with a shot of his own, the back-to-back homer deciding the game.
As for Carlton, he’s fine.
June 8, 1985
Tough news from Reading: RP William Morton is out with a torn UCL. He’s done for a year.
And in somewhat sad news, California places Tommy John on waivers. The guy is retiring after this season; that said, the Angels are in first place. I get it.
Game 1985-52: Veterans Stadium - Expos 8, Phillies 2 / 35-17
Yuck. John Denny gives up four, then Tug McGraw makes sure it’s out of reach by giving up four more. Andre Dawson and Gary Carter have good nights for the ‘spos, who are back to 2.5 behind us.
June 9, 1985
Blaise Ilsley alert: 9 IP (CG), 1 ER, 6 H, 13 K, 1 BB. Cackle city.
In NL all-star voting, Mike Schmidt remains the top vote-getter, leading Leon Durham in first base ballots by 100,000 (which is incredible). Elsewhere, Juan Samuel is third among second basemen, Von Hayes leads left fielders, and Charles Hudson is fourth among starting pitchers.
Game 1985-53: Veterans Stadium - Expos 4, Phillies 2 / 35-18
Damn. More early runs for the Expos. We tie it, but Charles Hudson allows a tough two-out hit to break it in the sixth. Meanwhile, we can’t get the big hit. After such a blazing start, and such a great record, we’re just 1.5 up on Montreal now. It also snaps Hudson’s 12-game win streak, dating back to last season.
Meantime, power rankings:
1. Detroit Tigers - 37-16
2. Montreal Expos - 34-20
3. Toronto Blue Jays - 35-20
4. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - 35-18
5. Cincinnati Reds - 33-21