Aug. 13, 1984
At AAA Portland, SP Steve Fireovid has an elbow injury that will sideline him for two weeks. This gives me an opportunity to push a prospect or three:
- SP Mike Maddux promoted to AAA Portland
- SP Marvin Freeman promoted to AA Reading
- SP Pete J Smith to A Spartanburg
Some big promotions here. Maddux in Reading (150 IP, 4.38 ERA, 92 K, 46 BB). He could bring down the walks a bit, but he deserves a seven-start tryout up in AAA. Freeman in Spartanburg (129.2 IP, 3.47 ERA, 92 K, 62 BB). Again, walks, but he has improved his control quite a bit this season. Smith in the GCL (66.2 IP, 2.70 ERA, 43 K, 9 BB). Very good.
Aug. 14, 1984
Game 1984-119: Jack Murphy Stadium - Padres 5, Phillies 3 / 52-67
We rally in the ninth, but Ivan de Jesus hits into a double play. Would’ve loved to have reversed that Cardinals outcome from a couple days ago.
Aug. 15, 1984
Game 1984-120: Jack Murphy Stadium - Padres 3, Phillies 0 / 52-68
Dave Dravecky throws a three-hit complete-game shutout. John Denny isn’t bad, either (7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 3 BB).
Aug. 16, 1984
Game 1984-121: Jack Murphy Stadium - Padres 3, Phillies 2 / 52-69
Swept in San Diego. Yuck. Eric Show goes eight strong for them, while we can only muster a Mike Schmidt home run and a couple more hits. Of course, the Padres only have four hits but win. We can’t buy a good swing of games.
Aug. 17, 1984
Game 1984-122: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 6, Phillies 2 / 52-70
At least Juan Samuel steals his 48th base and hits his 28th double. Otherwise there isn’t much to write about. Would be nice to get a win or two out west.
Aug. 18, 1984
Game 1984-123: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 7, Phillies 5 / 52-71
Well here we have a 5-3 lead before Los Angeles gets four against Charles Hudson and Tug McGraw.
Aug. 19, 1984
Game 1984-124: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 2, Phillies 0 / 52-72
0-6 on the West Coast trip. Fernando Valenzuela strikes out 13; only Mike Diaz (2-for-4) has a good day against him.
The power rankings have us 25th. One from the bottom. Yikes. The top-five:
1. Toronto Blue Jays - 83-41
2. Los Angeles Dodgers - 75-50
3. Kansas City Royals - 74-50
4. Detroit Tigers - 80-45
5. St. Louis Cardinals - 70-54
With the recent losses we have the worst record in the National League, 0.5 games behind the Giants, who we play next. We’re just in front of California, Oakland, and Texas league-wide.