Webrian's Dick Howser Challenge

[so49as]

I think if I weren't in 5th place I wouldn't try anything non-traditional, such as Sheridan in the cleanup spot. In real life he never started there.

But Balboni, Sundberg and White have been a bit of a disappointment, so why not get crazy?!

[so49as]

Game 77 – July 4
5 – Baltimore
8 – Royals

WP – Bud Black (7-4)
LP – Mike Krukow (0-3)
SV – Dan Quisenberry (14)

Eddie Murray won player of the game with 2 solo home runs, but it could have gone to Buddy Biancalana, startin gat third in place of a day off for George Brett. He hit 2, 2-run doubles. The first one gave us the lead in the 4th, the second tacked on 2 insurance runs in the 8th. Quisenberry gave up Murray's second home run, but we had a 4-run lead by then.




Game 78 – July 5
4 – Baltimore
3 – Royals

WP – Ken Dixon (3-4)
LP – Steve Farr (0-1)
SV – Don Aase (12)

Most of the bats were silent for us except for Brett. 3 for 4 with 2 HR's and 3 RBI's. Floyd Rayford hit a solo shot in the 8th for the game deciding run off of Steve Farr.



Game 79 – July 6
2 – Baltimore
0 – Royals

WP – Bret Saberhagen (8-7)
LP – Jose Rijo (5-8)

Brrr.. Cold again. Sheridan and Royster had 2 hits each, but that was all we could muster. Mike Boddicker struck out 2 in 9 innings. Gubicza struck out 10 in 8.



Game 80 – July 7
6 – Baltimore
0 – Royals

WP – Scott McGregor (4-2)
LP – Larry Gura (1-5)

Shut down again, this time by Scott McGregor. Floyd Rayford is apparently a Royal-killer. In 8 games he has 17 hits for a .486 BA, 3 HR's and 10 RBI's. Only have 4 games left against the O's this year.

Gura had a bad game, although I might have pulled him for the 7th instead of letting him pitch and letting the lead go from 4 to 6 runs.

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My record 36-44; 5th; 4.5 games behind Chicago (1 game over 500)
Real Life: 40-39; 5th; 5.5 games behind California

[so49as]

At the half-way point. There are points of optimism and pessimism.

While I feel like I've been floating in 4th and 5th place a few games behind Chicago for most of the year, the record since June 1st has been positive above 500 at 18-17.

Division records since June 1:
20 - 14: Minnesota (2nd)
19 - 15: Chicago (1st)
18 - 17: KC (5th)
17 - 18: Seattle (4th)
17 - 18: Texas (3rd)
14 - 20: California (7th)
14 - 21: Oakland (6th)

Hmm... OK. Not that great. Still have a ways to go.

Toronto seems to have cooled a bit, but with three teams above 640, 2 teams are going to be left empty-handed in October.

[so49as]

Bud Black has been best at staying out of the loss column. He's been pretty consistent all year.

Saberhagen had a ho-hum June, but his first start in July was good.

Charlie Leibrandt has been the most consistent, had a good June, but leads the team in walks.

Gubicza had a poor June. 2-3 record with a 7.84 ERA. (Of course, that might be a by-product of pulling him too late.) But in 2 July starts, he's struck out 14 with an ERA of 1.13.

Larry Gura - Solid and mostly dependable. Danny Jackson should be back after the All-Star Break.

In the bullpen, Steve Farr has struck out 25 in 19.2 innings. He's been apt to give up the long ball though. 4 HRs, which aside from the AAA banished Mike LaCoss (5), leads the team.

Mark Huismann will probably be headed back to AAA when Jackson returns. He's struck out 12 in 8 innings, but given up 3 home runs.

The recently acquired Bob McClure, after posting an 11.57 ERA in Milwaukee, has pitched as a lefty specialist. 5 games, 1.2 innings, no hits, no runs, 1 walk and 2 K's.

The most interesting pitching stat I could find was the fact that Dan Quisenberry, 31 games, 41 innings, 14 saves, has given up only 2 walks! More home runs than walks. He's sporting a nice 12.0 K/BB ratio, which is tops in the major leagues by nearly 5! Tom Niedenfuer has a 7.1 ratio.

[so49as]

I've said that Jim Sundberg has been a touch disappointing, and a .182 June backed that up. But in 4 July games, he's hitting 5-11.

Wathan's been solidly below .190 since April.

Steve Balboni is Balboni. A .685 OPS, I could probably find better, but he's on a pace for 30 HRs. Hal McRae has some nominal infield ratings. He sounds like a good option.

Frank White looks headed to one of his worst fielding seasons. Most errors and fewest double plays since 1982. And his range factor is the worst of his career. He's on pace for 20 HR's, which would be his career high. He had a strong May, but has hit poorly the rest of the time.

Jerry Royster is the current shortstop. Since joining the team (31 games), he's hit .228; OPS'd a .548 (is that a verb?); scored 7 runs and knocked in 5. Which was better than Concepcion's .150; .350. (He's hitting Royster's line in AAA).

George Brett. I don't know where we'd be without him. Leads the team in all offensive categories except triples. Fielding-wise, he's only been part of 9 double plays, which would be the lowest of his career.

Dave Collins cooled off from his hot start, but over his 6 weeks with the team has hit .289 with 25 runs and 20 RBI's. Paced over 162 games, he'd be over 90 RBIs, and nearly 80 stolen bases.

Willie Wilson leads the other offensive stat, triples, with 9. He's on a pace for his most games played since 1980.

Rightfield. The platoon/swap of Motley, Cowens and Sheridan. All are hitting better than Sundberg and White. None seem to have taken the spot and ran with it. Sheridan has the defensive edge.

The Orta/McRae platoon at DH has gone well. Together they're hitting .314; with an OPS over .800. 6 HRs; 31 RBI's.

[so49as]

We go into New York for 3 games next series, and we'll catch a little break as LF/DH Don Baylor will be serving a 3-game suspension for a bench-clearing brawl against the Twins.

My record against the other AL West teams:
4 - 2: Oakland
5 - 1: California
1 - 6: Minnesota
3 - 4: Seattle
5 - 2: Chicago
5 - 1: Texas

My last game against the big 3 in the AL East is August 18th. If we're still close by then, perhaps we can make a strong run to the finish.

[webrian]

Originally Posted by so49as

At the half-way point. There are points of optimism and pessimism.

While I feel like I've been floating in 4th and 5th place a few games behind Chicago for most of the year, the record since June 1st has been positive above 500 at 18-17.

Division records since June 1:
20 - 14: Minnesota (2nd)
19 - 15: Chicago (1st)
18 - 17: KC (5th)
17 - 18: Seattle (4th)
17 - 18: Texas (3rd)
14 - 20: California (7th)
14 - 21: Oakland (6th)

Hmm... OK. Not that great. Still have a ways to go.

Toronto seems to have cooled a bit, but with three teams above 640, 2 teams are going to be left empty-handed in October.

In other words, at least two teams are gonna hate whoever wins the AL West -- especially if that team goes on to win the World Series.

[webrian]

Originally Posted by so49as

We go into New York for 3 games next series, and we'll catch a little break as LF/DH Don Baylor will be serving a 3-game suspension for a bench-clearing brawl against the Twins.

My record against the other AL West teams:
4 - 2: Oakland
5 - 1: California
1 - 6: Minnesota
3 - 4: Seattle
5 - 2: Chicago
5 - 1: Texas

My last game against the big 3 in the AL East is August 18th. If we're still close by then, perhaps we can make a strong run to the finish.

The real-life Royals were 64-51 on August 18th and went only 27-20 from there -- mostly because they had so much trouble with Seattle and Minnesota in September.

They got hot after the ASB and went 11-3 in the second half of July, then after a little dip went 11-4 from August 8-22, had another little dip in late August, and then went 12-1 over the first 14 days of September, surging to a 3-game lead in the division.

The Royals went 4-9 over 4 consecutive series against the Mariners & Twins in mid-to-late September and fell a game behind California before a critical 4-game series AT HOME against the Angels. They split the first two games but got stellar pitching from Bud Black and Danny Jackson to win the next two.

They clinched the division on a Willie Wilson RBI single in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win against Oakland on the next-to-last day of the season.

The rest is history.

===============

You're gonna get a nice lift when Danny Jackson gets back into the rotation. That will allow you to move Gura (or Gubicza) to the bullpen. I'd move Gura, but the 1985 Gubi is still a bit wild and inconsistent -- and maybe you'd not want to "reward" Gura for his tenacity by shoving him into the pen. Either way, it'll be nice having another quality arm in the pen when you need it down the stretch.

The hitting can still get better. But that's the biggest challenge with this team; piecing together a lineup that will go out and score runs on a regular basis -- especially against Minnesota and Seattle.

[so49as]

Game 81 – July 8
1 – Royals
2 – New York

WP – Bob Tewksbury (2-0)
LP – Mark Huismann (0-2)

Nothing like your slowest (Balboni) runner failing to stretch a double into a triple with 2 outs of a tie game in the 14th inning. Sigh...

17 innings. Mark Huismann took the loss because there was nobody else. All 5 relievers pitched. McClure for 2/3rds and the others for an inning or two. There will likely be some bullpen shuffling AAA before tomorrow's game.

Hitting was (obviously) down but only Motley drew a collar. 0-7. New York left 13 on base, and we shut them down twice after they loaded the bases with nobody out.



Game 82 – July 9
2 – Royals
5 – New York

WP – Ron Guidry (12-3)
LP – Bud Black (7-5)
SV – Rich Bordi (4)

Brought Mike LaCoss back up to take Huismann's spot in the bullpen. Not much of an improvement, but he'll be available to eat a few innings.

Guidry shut us down hard until the 8th. White doubled in pinch runner Pat Sheridan. And then in the ninth, we loaded the bases with 1 out, but White and Balboni both struck out.


Game 83 – July 10
1 – Royals
9 – New York

WP – Phil Neikro (8-8)
LP – Charlie Leibrandt (8-8)

Brett spoiled the shutout in the 9th.

I can scream blue murder at the screen, but it won't make the 1's and 0's go my way!




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Oakland offered us 40 year old Don Sutton for Pat Sheridan and 21 y/o catching prospect Mike Macfarlane. I'll pass.

Seattle traded both Jim Beattie and Gorman Thomas. Beattie to the Cardinals; Thomas to the Twins.

Swept, but didn't lose any ground. That's what keeps me from jumping off a ledge!

Huismann has been claimed by Cleveland.

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My record 36-47; 5th; 4.5 games behind Chicago (2 games below 500)
Real Life: 41-41; 3rd; 7.5 games behind California

[so49as]

Game 84 – July 11
11 – Royals
5 – Cleveland

WP – Mark Gubicza (8-7)
LP – Neal Heaton (2-8)

Time to feast. 11 runs on 12 hits, but concentrated at the top and tail of the lineup. Cowens went 4-4 with 4 RBI's. Brett went 3-4. White, Pryor, and Wathan were 0-14.

I'm going to not start Balboni this series. With the All-Star Break that will give him 7 days of not starting. I did use him as a defensive replacement after starting Brett at first. Balboni hit a double and scored in his only plate appearance.




Game 85 – July 12
4 – Royals
3 – Cleveland
13 Innings

WP – Al Holland (2-1)
LP – Jeff Barkley (2-4)

Here's a headline you wouldn't normally hear, Larry Gura dueled Don Schulze through 6 innings. Gura lasted 7 giving up only 3 hits, but 5 walks, and was in line for the loss when McClure relieved him in the 8th. Schulze left in the 6th with an injury.

Willie Wilson had a 'day off', meaning he didn't start. But down 2-0 in the 7th, Orta singled, and I subbed Wilson into pinch run. It worked. He scored on a Frank White double. And then, down 2-1 in the ninth, he knocked his 3rd home run of the year to give us a 3-2 lead.

But Quisenberry couldn't hold the Indians and they tied it in the 9th. On the plus side, he held them scoreless in the 10th, and Holland held them scoreless for 3, as Frank White hit a solo shot for his 11th of the year, and the game winning run in the 13th.




Game 86 – July 13
2 – Royals
1 – Cleveland

WP – Bret Saberhagen (9-7)
LP – Bert Blyleven (10-4)

Saberhagen versus Blyleven brought exactly what you'd think. They scattered a total of 18 hits only allowing 3 runs. Fortunately, I took 2 of those, with the winning run scoring on a wild pitch.

Huismann pitched 2 scoreless for the Indians.



Game 87 – July 14
1 – Royals
2 – Cleveland

Huismann had a _ ERA against me, and was the victim of not having an option remaining. Nominally I'd like to see him pitch well, just not against me. 3.1 innings with no runs given up these two games.

Black pitched OK, but Jones, Barkley, Huismann, and Waddell scattered 8 hits, and we couldn't capitalize on them. Hal McRae went 2-2 with 2 doubles and a sac fly RBI, but hurt his thumb on the last double in the 6th inning. He'll enjoy the All-Star break coming up.


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The nominally first place White Sox traded reliever Dan Spillner (4-2, 2 saves, 2.10 ERA) for a minor leaguer and Randy St. Claire (1-5, 2 saves, 6.02 ERA). Sometimes I feel like the AI is rooting for me.

The Braves offered me Rick Camp for 3 minor leagues – Jeff Schulz, Don Woyce, and Mark Van Blaricom. None have extreme upside, but Schulz is hitting over 300 in AA Memphis. I'm thinking I'd like to land another solid right for the pen, but Camp has an ERA of 8.61. This one's not even worth responding to.

A 3-1 series win helps us pick up games, but no standing spots. I'll take the upside of the yo-yoing this go around.

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My record 39-48; 5th; 2.5 games behind Seattle and Chicago (4 games below 500!)
Real Life: 44-42; 3rd; 7.5 games behind California

[so49as]

All-Star game.

Brett finished 2nd in the 3rd base voting behind Wade Boggs. Boggs is hitting .390 with a 1.038 OPS. Brett was the only Royal to show up on the voting leaderboards.

Appointed to the game:
Al Holland - Since being acquired from Philadelphia in May, Holland has a record of 2-1, with 2 saves, and a 1.23 ERA.

George Brett - Still leads the team in most offensive categories. .345/.985. 17 HR's, 54 RBI's. 117 hits. And he has 7 stolen bases without being caught.

The American League shut out the National League 4-0. Al Holland didn't contribute much, allowing a hit to Terry Pendleton in his only action.

Brett subbed for Boggs in the 6th, but went 0-2 and left 4 on base.

[so49as]

Steve Balboni is hitting .222; .266 OBP; .419 SLG; .685 OPS. and has 15 HR's with 41 RBI's. Subtract April and he's hitting a cool .193. with 10 HR's and 30 RBI's.

At the risk of getting too far away from the real Royals, I've decided he can try and 'get it right' in Omaha.

To cover at first base, I traded Memphis 1B Jeff Citari for Cecil Cooper.

The Royals will Cooper's third team this month. He was first traded from the Brewers to the Expos on July 3rd for Andre Dawson.

On the year he's hitting .307/.341/.462/.803 - 6 HR's and 34 RBI's. The power seems a tick down for the 35 year old, but his numbers are up there with Brett and McRae.

He has 2 Gold Gloves to his name, went to the World Series in 1982, and apparently hit a game winning triple against me in May.

Cooper is set to be a free agent at the end of the season. He also brings some leadership skills to the clubhouse.

[webrian]

Originally Posted by so49as

Steve Balboni is hitting .222; .266 OBP; .419 SLG; .685 OPS. and has 15 HR's with 41 RBI's. Subtract April and he's hitting a cool .193. with 10 HR's and 30 RBI's.

At the risk of getting too far away from the real Royals, I've decided he can try and 'get it right' in Omaha.

To cover at first base, I traded Memphis 1B Jeff Citari for Cecil Cooper.

The Royals will Cooper's third team this month. He was first traded from the Brewers to the Expos on July 3rd for Andre Dawson.

On the year he's hitting .307/.341/.462/.803 - 6 HR's and 34 RBI's. The power seems a tick down for the 35 year old, but his numbers are up there with Brett and McRae.

He has 2 Gold Gloves to his name, went to the World Series in 1982, and apparently hit a game winning triple against me in May.

Cooper is set to be a free agent at the end of the season. He also brings some leadership skills to the clubhouse.

************ B L O C K B U S T E R ************

The addition of Cecil Cooper should liven things up a bit. Just the shot in the arm the team needs for the 2nd half!

Great addition.

[so49as]

Game 88 – July 18
3 – Royals
2 – Baltimore

WP – Bret Saberhagen (10-7)
LP – Mike Boddicker (9-9)
SV – Dan Quisenberry (15)

Cooper went 2-4 in his debut and scored a run. The offense was spread around with 3 different players scoring runs and 3 different players collecting RBI's.



Game 89 – July 19
3 – Royals
6 – Baltimore

WP – Mike Krukow (2-3)
LP – Bud Black (7-7)
SV – Don Aase (15)

Black and Farr gave up 4 home runs to the Orioles and Ripken went 3-4. Brett added his 18th HR of the year, but it nothing could come from a late 9th inning rally



Game 90 – July 20
7 – Royals
4 – Baltimore

WP – Charlie Leibrandt (9-8)
LP – Tom Seaver (0-1)
SV – Dan Quisenberry (16)

Before the game, the Orioles traded Lee Lacy for Davey Lopes. Lacy was 3-7 against us the last two games, so I'm not distressed by that.

A relaxing non-stressful game, although Ripken lead off the 9th with a triple, George Brett got him with the old hidden ball trick.



Cooper lit it up, going 4-5 with his first Royal home run. Royster started the scoring off with a bases loaded double in the 2nd. Seaver gave up 10 hits and 6 runs in 4 innings.



Game 91 – July 21
1 – Royals
4 – Baltimore

WP – Storm Davis (13-5)
LP – Mark Gubicza (8-8)

Followed the fun game up with a bummer. Willie Wilson nabbed himself 3 hits, but nothing came from it. Cooper singled and has hit safely in all 4 of his Royals games.


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I'll take the split. Not ideal, but we were playing in Baltimore, and we technically improved our record.

Again, sometimes it feels like the AI is trying to help. Chicago traded SP Tom Seaver (6-6, 2.83) to the Orioles for the other Ripken. Righthander Donn Pall takes his place in the rotation. He was 7-8 in AAA Buffalo with a 3.64 ERA.

The Angels picked up SP Vida Blue. He was 3-3 with a 4.81 ERA with the Giants.

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My record 41-50; 4th; 4 games behind Minnesota
Real Life: 46-44; 4th; 7.5 games behind California

[so49as]

Originally Posted by webrian

************ B L O C K B U S T E R ************

The addition of Cecil Cooper should liven things up a bit. Just the shot in the arm the team needs for the 2nd half!

Great addition.

I feel I'm getting a touch away from the Royal corps, but winning is winning. Cooper took to Royal Blue by hitting. 471 against the Orioles, a home run and 3 RBI. It'll be fun to see how it goes.

And he's a good leader.

He and Brett have a bad relationship with my bench coach, who is 'easygoing'. I tried to make an offer to Dick Howser, but he had no interest in working for KC...

[so49as]

Game 92 – July 22
3 – New York
5 – Royals

WP – Danny Jackson (3-3)
LP – Brad Arnsberg (3-5)
SV – Dan Quisenberry (17)

Cooper delivered the winning hit with a bases loaded triple in the 6th. Brett went 4-4 with a 2-run single in the 5th.

Jackson gave up 9 hits in his first games since returning from the DL. Quisenberry had a shaky ninth, giving up 3 hits and a run, but preserved the lead.

Jerry Royster was injured. We're waiting on the diagnosis.


Game 93 – July 23
5 – New York
4 – Royals

WP – Ed Whitson (8-6)
LP – Bret Saberhagen (10-8)
SV – Dave Righetti (23)

Don Baylor launched a 3-run homer off Saberhagen in the 7th to put the Yankees up 5-1. We picked and poked but couldn't get the 4 runs needed. Brett hit his 20th home run in the 8th. Righetti was tough.

Cooper wore the collar for the first time in 6 Royal games.



Game 94 – July 24
6 – New York
10 – Royals

WP – Bud Black (8-7)
LP – Ron Guidry (12-5)
SV – Steve Farr (2)

We opened up the floodgates in the 5th during a 2-2 tie. 12 Royals came to the plate, 8 scored. The first 8 batters reached base with Fran White capping it off with a grand slam, his 12th of the year.

The Yankees scored 2 in the 9th off Gura, and Farr snagged his second save by getting Don Baylor to ground into a 4-6-3, bases loaded double play to end the game.

Darryl Motley was injured during the game, and I bunked Hal McRae's 10-game hitting streak when I dragged Al Cowens into the wrong slot.



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Motley's injury was only for a day, so no worry there. Jerry Royster separated his shoulder and will miss 2 weeks. Concepcion will return to take his spot on the roster.

Rod Carew collected his 3000th hit against the Brewers.

Cooper wants to sign an extension. In his 7 Royal games, he has amassed: .393; 1.040 OPS; 11 hits; 8 RBI's.

The Mariners acquired Rick Mahler (5-11, 5.08) from Atlanta for 3 minor leaguers.

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My record 43-51; 4th; 2.5 games behind Minnesota and Seattle
Real Life: 49-44; 2nd; 6.5 games behind California

A little bit of a roll, but not as good as the Real life team who swept the Yankees and the upcoming Indians series.

[so49as]

Game 95 – July 26
1 – Cleveland
2 – Royals

WP – Charlie Leibrandt (10-8)
LP – Bert Blyleven (11-5)
SV – Dan Quisenberry (18)

Dave Clark led the game off with a home run, but Leibrandt locked the Indians down after that, scattering 7 more hits. We didn't must er much offense, but enough. Cooper doubled in Dave Collins in the first, and Al Cowens hit a solo shot, his 5th, in the fourth.



Game 97 – July 27
5 – Cleveland
6 – Royals

WP – Steve Farr (1-1)
LP – Greg LaFever (0-1)
SV – Dan Quisenberry (19)

Up 5-3 in the 8th, I wanted to limit Quisenberry to a 1-inning outing, so I brought Farr in to face the right-handed heart of the Indians' lineup. I had a funny feeling and Andre Thornton confirmed it, hitting a 2-run home run to tie the game.

We were able to regain the lead in the bottom of the frame. Frank White reached on a fielder's choice, Sundberg singled, and Wilson doubled in White.



Game 98 – July 28
7 – Cleveland
5 – Royals
12 innings

WP – Greg LaFever (1-1)
LP – Al Holland (2-2)

Brought Bob McClure in to pitch to George Vuckovich, but the Indians' manager countered with Carmelo Castillo who singled and eventually scored on a Dave Clark single. That gave the Indians a 5-4 lead.

A number of issues led to the loss, errors (in the first nine) by Wathan, Brett and Motley. Loaded the bases in the 10th with 2 outs and didn't score, and we loaded the bases in the 11th with no outs, and couldn't score.


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Shouldn't be too bummed by a series win but there were missed opportunities which could have resulted in a sweep, which the real life Royals did.

Trade deadline is in 3 days, but I think I'll stand pat. There are a number of good players on the trade block, but the asking price is too high for them to make sense.

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My record 45-52; 4th; 1.5 games behind Minnesota and Seattle
Real Life: 52-44; 2nd; 3 games behind California

[webrian]

Gotta love Cecil Cooper. He has one good week in a Royals uniform and starts beating the bushes for a big extension.

It might take you til September to get to .500 at the rate these guys are going, but I bet you'll overtake the Twins and Mariners before that. It's almost like the rest of the division is laying around waiting for the Royals to kick it into gear.

In an OOTP sim, Dick Howser wants nothing to do with the 1985 Royals. That's cold. That hurt my actual feelings a little bit.

[whiskey4breakfast]

Love these recaps! To inspire this 85 crew, here's Lorde's Royals tribute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcIKh6sBtc

[so49as]

Game 99 – July 29
6 – Royals
9 – Detroit

WP – Doug Bair (4-0)
LP – Bud Black (8-8)

Couldn't completely capitalize on 5 Tiger errors, and with a tired pen, I pushed Black into the 8th. Bah humbug.

Brett hit his 30th double of the year.



Game 100 – July 30
11 – Royals
5 – Detroit

WP – Danny Jackson (4-3)
LP – LaMarr Hoyt (0-1)

6 starters scored and 6 starters collected RBI's. Sundberg went 3-4 and Orta 4-5. Jackson gave up 4 over 7. He didn't pitch particularly well, but by scoring 11, it didn't matter much.

Al Cowens was injured in the 7th and Larry Gura was injured on the last play of the game. Gura has a blister that's bothering him a touch. Cowens tweaked his back, but shouldn't miss much time, if any at all.



Game 101 – July 31
4 – Royals
1 – Detroit

WP – Charlie Leibrandt (11-8)
LP – Jack Morris (11-7)
SV – Dan Quisenberry (20)

Woo-hoo. Didn't need much. Spread the runs and RBI's around. Sundberg went 3-4 again, with an RBI. Motley, subbing for the ailing Cowens, went 2-3 with a run.

Leibrandt pitched well, not allowing the run until the 8th. Quisenberry gave up a hit, but got a double play to end the game.



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2 of 3 from Detroit is good. I didn't check the standings before the series, but was surprised to see they are in first place in the AL East. The Tigers, Blue Jays and Yankees all still have winning percentages over 600, but the Blue Jays have hit a significant skid. Their April/May record was 38-8 (.826 wp); but for June and July they were 18-19 (.486 wp). New York has slipped a touch in July, but Detroit has been consistent losing 7-9-9-8 in each month.

Jim Clancy of the Jays started the year in AAA, then won 5 of 7 May and June starts before being banished to AAA again. He's since been traded to Oakland.

Melido Perez won the Southern League Pitcher of the Month for July. Through 8 starts in Memphis, and 7 earlier in the year in Fort Myers, Perez is 12-1, 1.83 ERA, 7.7 k/9, 0.4 hr/9, and a 4-1 K/bb ratio.

The White Sox acquired Danny Darwin (3-9, 4.66) and AA infielder Dale Sveum from the Brewers. The Brewers received 25 y/o infielder Bryan Little (.272, 5 RBI as a backup). Seems like a good deal for the Sox.

Texas made a solid deal to shore up their rotation. They sent 23 y/o 2B Steve Buechele and another minor prospect to the Indians for SP Bert Blyleven. Blyleven is 11-6 with a 2.49 ERA. Blevenen has a WAR of 5, the current Rangers rotation has a 2.9, with Frank Tanana owning 3.3 of that.

AAA pitcher Arthur Martinez has been lost for the year with shoulder inflammation. He has an ERA of 6.31 and a WHIP of 1.62, so he wasn't really in the plans anyway.

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My record 47-53; 5th; 1.5 games behind Minnesota
Real Life: 54-45; 2nd; 2.5 games behind California

3 more games than the real life Royals up to this point.