Gaylord Perry

McClure, Fingers Shine on Wet Day

May 21

Brewers 4, Mariners 1
Brewers now 20-17 (3rd)
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Rollie FIngers — Fingers struck out five of the seven batters he faced.

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.

Oglivie Makes Gardner Pay

May 6

Brewers 6, Twins 3
Brewers now 13-10 (3rd)
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MILWAUKEE — Let’s put ourselves in Twins manager Billy Gardner‘s shoes. Your team trails 3-2 in the eighth inning. There are two down. Your starter, Brad Havens, looked solid until now. Through seven innings, he allowed three runs on six hits and a walk. But then he gave up two singles and loaded the bases with a walk.

Havens is 22 years-old, left-handed and in his second season in the bigs. At the plate is left-handed power hitter Ben Oglivie, who had grounded out twice and lined out in his three appearances on the day.

So what would you do? Do you leave the youngster in for the lefty-vs.-lefty match-up? Or, since he’s loaded the bases, do you assume he’s had it and go to the bullpen?

After having a few words with Havens, Gardner heard what he needed to hear. He left his guy in.

Oglivie responded by lining a shot into the gap in right center, clearing the bases and making it a 6-2 game. The hit would be the difference maker as the Twins would score one more run in the ninth.

It’s always easy to second guess when a decision doesn’t work out. But really… No matter how bad the bullpen is, your inexperienced pitcher just walked a guy to load the bases in the eighth inning. He’s gassed. You’re down by one. And you leave him in to face one of the league’s preeminent RBI men?

I guess that’s why the Twins suck. But thank you, Billy Gardner, for leaving a noodle arm on the mound. The Brewers and their fans appreciate the win.

Game Notes: Twins rookie centerfielder Jim Eisenreich pulled himself from the lineup before the game because of a nervous disorder that causes a shorntess of breath. He was then taken to the Mount Sinai Medical Center emergency room and released. He has used two types of drugs in an attempt to control the disorder, without success … Seattle pitcher Gaylord Perry became the 15th pitcher to win 300 games with a 7-3 Mariners win over the Yankees … Ben Oglivie now has 23 RBI, most in the American League. His batting average, though, is .234 … County Stadium crowd of 6,303 was the eighth straight under 10,000.