Brewers 1982

Covering the Milwaukee Brewers throughout the 1982 season, in real-time, as it would have happpened.

Jerry Augustine

Blue Jays Bully Brewers

Leave a Comment

Blue Jays 9, Brewers 4
Brewers now 59-44 (1st-Tied)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Bob McClure
Bob McClure's day was over in a hurry.

TORONTO — The Blue Jays entered today’s game in last place and 10 1/2 games back in the AL East. But they sure didn’t play like it.

And to be fair, they haven’t played like it at all lately. They are 12-6 since the All-Star break. After a first inning unearned run, Dave Stieb toyed with Brewers batters until Don Money hit a solo homer in the eighth and two desperation runs were scored with two outs in the ninth.

Bob McClure was not nearly as good for the Brewers. He allowed three runs on a double, triple, two singles and a walk in the first inning. The next two batters reached in the second, and McClure’s day was quickly over.

“Bobby just didn’t have it today,” manager Harvey Kuenn told the Milwaukee Sentinel after the game. “He had no location and was high with all his pitches.”

Jerry Augustine and Randy Lerch, making his first relief appearance since being removed from the rotation, weren’t much better. They combined to allow five more runs in six innings to put the Brewers in a 8-1 fifth inning hole.

Former Brewer Buck Martinez was also a thorn in his old team’s side. He went 2-for-3 with a home run, driving in two for the Blue Jays.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t fun to beat these guys,” Martinez said about his last place team beating the first place team.

The Red Sox beat the Orioles 5-2 to to pull back into a first place tie with the Brewers in the AL East.

Game Notes: Cecil Cooper left the game in the fourth with a sore big right toe after being stepped on by Garth Iorg. … Robin Yount had a routine day off. Rob Picciolo got the start at shortstop and went 1-for-4.

Randy Lerch, Jerry Augustine Blow Game

Leave a Comment

Indians 7, Brewers 2
Brewers now 57-42 (2nd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Randy Lerch
Randy Lerch was removed after facing six batters.

MILWAUKEE — Today’s game between the Brewers and Indians was all about pitching. The Indians had it. The Brewers didn’t.

Brewers starter Randy Lerch only faced six batters. He was lucky that the Indians weren’t able to score more than two runs off of him in an inning plus. After helping the Indians score a run and load the bases on two singles, a hit by pitch and a walk in the first, Lerch struck out Chris Bando looking before Rod Craig hit a well-placed shot to Paul Molitor at third that resulted in an inning-ending double play. Lerch wouldn’t be as lucky in the second, as he’d walk the only two batters he’d face on nine pitches.

Just three starts ago, Lerch shut out the powerful Royals offense. But this is the second disaster in a row. On July 25 against those same Royals, Lerch allowed five runs on eight hits and was unable to get through the fifth.

Of course, it wasn’t just Lerch’s two runs that led to a 7-2 loss. Jerry Augustine was no better, allowing five runs on seven hits in five innings. But a reliable fifth starter is more important to this team’s success than a reliable mop-up reliever.

The fans have noticed. They filled County Stadium with boos in the first inning and later in the sixth when Brewers pitchers were unable to throw strikes and get outs.

This staff could use a guy like Indians starter Lary Sorensen, a former Brewer. Sorensen pitched a complete game, holding the Brewers to only two runs on nine hits while not walking a single batter.

“Obviously it feels good to beat the team that traded you,” said Sorensen. “When you beat these guys you know you’ve beat one of the best teams in baseball.”

This team may not deserve that label without a reliable fifth starter. Brewers officials plan to meet in the next couple of days to discuss Lerch’s role on the team. It would seem that a bullpen move is very likely. “There is always concern when you can’t throw the ball over the plate,” manager Harvey Kuenn told the Milwaukee Sentinel.

Who would take his spot? One possibility is Jerry Augustine, but today’s performance was unlikely to help his case. Another option is Jim Slaton, but the Brewers also need his steady hand in the bullpen.

Dating back to July 11, the Brewers have been dancing with the Red Sox for rights to own first place in the AL East. After today’s loss, the Brewers have dropped seven of the last 11 games, failing to take advantage of an opportunity to take first place while Boston struggles.

A trade may be necessary. Another dependable starter is needed to get over the hump.

Twins End Brewers’ Streak at Eight

Leave a Comment

Twins 6, Brewers 4
Brewers now 53-36 (1st)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Paul Molitor
This was a game that Molitor would prefer to forget.

MINNEAPOLIS — Heading into today’s game, the last time the Brewers lost was on July 8 to the Minnesota Twins. Guess it was only fitting that those same Twins would be the team to end the eight-game winning streak that took place in between.

After the first at bat, there was a sense that this game may not go the Brewers’ way. Paul Molitor lined a rocket into center that Twins outfielder Bobby Mitchell chased after. He took the risk of diving for it at full extension. It’s a risk in this situation because if Mitchell misses and the ball gets by him, it was a likely inside-the-park home run. Instead, Mitchell made a magnificent catch and Molitor was the first out of the game.

“If there was ever an omen for what my night was going to be like that was it,” said Molitor. The worst was yet to come for him.

Brewers spot starter Jerry Augustine was cruising through the Twins lineup into the third inning. Seven up, seven down. Then Lenny Faedo hit a grounder that spun out of Molitor’s glove and reached first on the error. Juan Castino then grounded into what should have been the inning-ending out. But thanks to Molitor’s miscue, there were only two down with a runner on.

Augustine then walked Mitchell and DH Dave Engle rolled another grounder Molitor’s way. The third basemen again misplayed the ball, and the bases were loaded with two outs. Tom Brunansky then launched a drive to center reminiscent of Molitor’s first inning drive. Gorman Thomas attempted to play the part of Bobby Mitchell in center. He dived, but the ball got by him and to the wall.

“If [Thomas] catches that ball,” Brunansky told the Milwaukee Sentinel, “the game’s over and they win it.”

Instead, it was an inside-the-park grand slam for Brunansky. A play that never would have happened if not for one Molitor error, but he made two. That inning was the story of the game.

Augustine would pitch well enough to win, allowing only two earned runs in eight innings. The Brewers would score four runs, three thanks to two home runs by Robin Yount. But because of that one inning — and ultimately because of Molitor — the streak ended today.

It’s tough to be too hard on a player like Molitor, who by all accounts is having a good season with a .289 batting average. But it’s moments like these that give Brewers fans flashbacks to the “old Brewers” of only a couple of months ago that couldn’t get out of their own way in the field.

For now, we’ll chalk it up to a bad day. A new day is tomorrow.

Game Notes: Jim Gantner, who continued his hot hitting with three base hits today, was named AL Player of the Week. Now hitting .346, his average is high enough to lead the league but he does not have enough at bats to qualify.

Brewers Pound Yankees, Guidry

Leave a Comment

Brewers 11, Yankees 4
Brewers now 41-31 (2nd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Cecil Cooper
Cecil Cooper smacked two more homers to pace the Crew.

NEW YORK — After the Yankees jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the third inning with ace Ron Guidry on the mound, things wouldn’t have looked good for most teams.

You know Ron Guidry. Since the start of the 1977 season, he came into today’s game with a 95-35 record and a downright silly 2.71 ERA. So it would be understandable if most teams would pack it in at that point.

But the Brewers aren’t most teams. They are Harvey’s Wallbangers. No lead is safe.

The Crew chipped away with a run on an RBI double by Don Money in the fourth, but that was just the opening act. In the fifth, the Brewers opened the flood gates on the Yankees ace and brought wrath he is not accustomed to experiencing.

The Brewers opened with consecutive singles by Paul Molitor, Robin Yount and Cecil Cooper to score the first run. After Ted Simmons grounded out, Gorman Thomas drew a walk to load the bases and Ben Oglivie singled home Yount and Simmons.

Four singles, three runs. That was all for Ron Guidry. But the Brewers weren’t done.

Don Money then singled home Gorman, and with runners at first and third Ed Romero dropped down a squeeze bunt that resulted in the sixth single of the inning that scored one more run. Charlie Moore then grounded out to drive in the sixth run of the inning to give the Brewers a 9-4 lead.

Wait, what happened to Harvey’s Wallbangers? Six singles including a squeeze bunt? Who are these guys?

Well, Cecil Cooper also hit two homers on the day, including a 420-foot shot to center in the sixth. Is that good enough?

There is no proper superlative to describe this offense right now. The Brewers have scored 45 runs on the five-game road trip against the Red Sox and Yankees, batting a ridiculous .337.

Mike Caldwell also deserves recognition for recovering from a slow start. He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks through the first three innings. From the fourth through seventh innings, he allowed no runs on five hits. Jerry Augustine then came on to pitch two innings of no-hit ball.

Ron Guidry stepped on the mound with an 8-2 record and 3.04 ERA today. The Brewers didn’t blink. After giving up eight runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings, Guidry left with a 3.57 ERA.

“Did George call and send Guidry down yet?” Rollie Fingers joked, referring to the impatient Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner. It was funny, only because such a reaction wouldn’t have been out of character. Last year’s AL Rookie of the Year Award winner, Dave Righetti, was recently sent to the minors after starting the season 5-5 with a typically acceptable 4.23 ERA.

By the time this series is over, George may send his entire pitching staff to the minors.

Game Notes: Pete Vuckovich was ejected from the dugout after arguing balls and strikes … The Brewers are now 18-7 under Harvey Kuenn and remain three games back of the Boston Red Sox … Jim Gantner, recovering from an injured shoulder, has been hitting well in batting practice and may be used as a pinch hitter if he isn’t put on the DL … Charlie Moore has started every game in right field on the current road trip … A Brewers fan who said he was assaulted by a security worker at County Stadium two years ago filed a suit of $125,000 against the team.