Let's see how Mark's first five starts went:
1) April 9 @ Visalia Mets
The Bird's career gets off to a rocky start (just like last time) as he allows 12 hits and 7 runs (6 of which were earned) and pitches 5 innings in a 5-14 loss.
2) April 14 vs. Salinas Packers
Even though he once again gives up 12 hits and allows all five Packers runs, he whiffs 7 batters and gets credited with the 9-5 win.
3) April 19 vs. Modesto Reds
Fidrych has another decent game, striking out 6 batters and allowing only two runs. He also gives up the first home run of his career. He now leads the team in strikeouts with 15 so far.
4) April 24 vs. San Jose Bees
The Bird pitches only one inning as he is taken out of the game early with a sore ankle. He does manage to strike out one batter however. The Dodgers go on to lose the game 8-10.
5) April 29 vs. Fresno Giants
Now recovered from the sore ankle he sustained in his last start, he pitches a complete game, striking out 5 and walking 4. He gives up only two runs and get credited with the 5-2 win.
Here are his stats through the first month of his first pro season:
Now, let's check out how the rest of his first season goes.
May 1974
Fidrych continues to pitch brilliantly, notching a 5-1 record and striking out 43 batters over the course of the month. He only gives 2 home runs and his WHIP for the month is 1.32. I should mention that at the end of this month, the Bakersfield Dodgers are in a three-way tie for first place in the CALL with the Reno Silver Sox and the San Jose Bees. They are the only three teams with winning records, each posting a record of 33-17.
June 1974
This month is a down month for Mark as he posts a 1-2 record over the course of 6 starts. For the month his ERA is 5.67 and he strikes out only 29 hitters. He still only gives up a pair of home runs, however. Despite this, the Dodgers promote him to their Double-A Eastern League affiliate, the
Waterbury Dodgers, at the end of the month.
July 1974
The Bird pitches only three starts for Waterbury, all of them wins. Over those three games he compiles a 2-0 record, an ERA of 3.47, and whiffs 29 batters. This causes the Dodgers to promote him once again, this time to their Triple-A Pacific Coast League affiliate, the
Albuquerque Dukes, immediately after his third start is over. Already The Bird is one step away from the majors. He starts three games for the Dukes over the rest of the month. He has a rough time of it, posting an ERA of 5.71 and getting only 11 strikeouts.
August 1974
His rough time continues this month as over six starts he puts together a record of 2-3 with an ERA of 5.92. He also seems to strikeout just as many batters as he walks. Let's see if he can improve in what's left of the regular season.
September 1974
The Bird improves somewhat, posting an ERA of 4.09 along with an even 1-1 record. He still seems to be strikeout and walking batters at an even clip.
Final Stats And Standings
Here are the final Standings in the PCL:
The Salt Lake City Angels defeat the Tacoma Twins in seven games to win the PCL championship.
Let's have a look at The Bird's picture, stats, and rating as of the end of the PCL season:
This was certainly a season of ups and downs for him, but he did manage to make it to Triple-A in the course of one season. His ratings have also improved somewhat. Let's hope this is the start of great things!