Brewers 4, Mariners 1
Brewers now 20-17 (3rd)
Box Score | Season Schedule
MILWAUKEE — Nothing had been going right for the Brewers heading into yesterday’s game against the Angels. After losing three straight, rumors of manager Buck Rodgers‘ dismissal were reaching full steam.
Then they won consecutive games by a 4-1 score, yesterday against the Angels and today over the Mariners after a 96-minute rain delay in rain-soaked County Stadium. While Brewers players found reason to complain after yesterday’s win, the clubhouse could be classified as quiet satisfaction today.
Until recently, it was the Brewers who failed to hit. It was the Brewers whose pitchers were roughed up time and time again.
Not now. For the second consecutive game, Brewers’ pitchers allowed only a run. Bob McClure, who hadn’t pitched since May 9 due to an elbow injury, had possibly his finest outing of the season. For the first time in 1982, he pitched into the sixth inning, allowing only a run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out six.
Bob McClure was only the opening act for Rollie Fingers. The reigning AL Cy Young and MVP retired all seven batters he faced, striking out five including the side in the ninth. There was a time this season when we were concerned about Rollie. Those days seem silly and primitive. He’s allowed only one hit in his last six innings of work, striking out nine and walking one.
At 20-17 and five games back in the AL East, it’s not time to declare a corner turned. It’s a good start, but much work needs to be done.
Game Notes: Ted Simmons his a two-run double on a 3-0 pitch from Gaylord Perry in the fourth for his first hit in 21 at bats and first RBI since May 7 … Pete Vuckovich, who would have taken his normal turn in the rotation today, will try to throw tomorrow. He may pitch in relief before making his next start … Marshall Edwards, still in Mount Sinai recovering from a bleeding ulcer, is expected to return on May 25 … Rock Arroyo, a local Bruce Springsteen impersonator, did not perform prior to the game because of the weather.