April 17, 1984
Game 1984-11 - Three Rivers Stadium: Phillies 3, Pirates 1 / 5-6
After 10 consecutive road games to start the season, the Pirates come home, but Steve Carlton puts his best face on. 8.1 IP, 3 K, 1 BB, 6 H, 1 ER for Lefty, while Mike Schmidt and Len Matuszek add homers.
April 18, 1984
Game 1984-12 - Three Rivers Stadium: Phillies 2, Pirates 1 / 6-6
Against lefty John Candelaria, Glenn Wilson doubles, while Juan Samuel gets two hits (and unsuccessfully tries to steal home). John Denny (8 IP, 7 K, 1 BB, 5 H, 1 ER) is outstanding.
April 19, 1984
Von Hayes needs a seat; he was ejected a day ago arguing balls and strikes and has been just terrible (hitting .095). Garry Maddox will start for him, while John Russell gets a go at first base against lefty John Tudor.
Game 1984-13 - Three Rivers Stadium: Pirates 2, Phillies 0 / 6-7
No luck getting over .500 as the offense falters once again. Mike Schmidt is now hitting .196. Boy oh boy.
April 20, 1984
Game 1984-14 - Veterans Stadium: Mets 4, Phillies 3 / 6-8
I move Juan Samuel up to the No. 2 hole before this one. It’s where I ultimately want him to be, and it seems he’s gotten comfortable at the plate (hitting around .270, though with plenty of strikeouts). Also, I want a shakeup at the top of a scuffling order. It sort of works, with both Von Hayes and Samuel collecting two hits, and Joe Lefebvre knocking in two from the five-hole, but we’re still working out the kinks.
April 21, 1984
Game 1984-15 - Veterans Stadium: Phillies 8, Mets 4 / 7-8
That’s what I’m talking about. Schmidt slams a granny to cap this one. Hayes-Samuel-Lezcano (hitting for Gross) -Schmidt go 8-for-16. Kevin Gross does yeoman’s work in 6.1 innings (2 ER, 9 H, 6 K, 2 BB).
April 22, 1984
Game 1984-16 - Veterans Stadium: Mets 3, Phillies 1 / 7-9
We load the bases in the ninth, but Joe Lefebvre watches strike three. Crushing. Juan Samuel continues his hot streak, lifting his average to .302.
Meanwhile, we move up a spot to 19th in the latest power rankings. The top five:
1. Toronto Blue Jays - 15-1
2. Cleveland Indians - 10-5
3. Pittsburgh Pirates - 10-6
4. Boston Red Sox - 10-7
5. San Francisco Giants - 9-7
So the middle of the league is pretty bunched up. Then there are the Blue Jays, who are first or second in nearly every offensive and pitching category in the American League. Leading them is Tony Fernandez, who’s hitting .455/.507/.606 in the early going. Also not shabby: Cliff Johnson (.357/.403/.589).