Randy Lerch

The Doctor is Out, Brewers Lose

August 15

Blue Jays 3, Brewers 2
Brewers now 68-48 (1st by 4.5 games)
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1982 Donruss Doc Medich — Doc Medich made his unimpressive Brewers debut.

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers couldn’t wait to get rid of Randy Lerch. He was removed from the rotation after a start on July 30. He made his last relief appearance on August 2nd. After a pretty decent spot start as part of a double header on August 12th, Lerch was sold to the Montreal Expos. Today, Doc Medich made his debut as Lerch’s replacement.

The verdict? Not impressive. He allowed only two runs through 5 1/3 innings, but the Blue Jays had six hits and walked six times. As a veteran arm, Medich is supposed to stabilize the bullpen. So far, not so good.

The play of the game was in the Brewers’ half of the sixth inning. After Ned Yost led off with a single, Paul Molitor came to the plate. He squared to bunt, pulled the bat back and slapped it down the third base line. Rance Mulliniks made a nice play to stab the ball and throw to second for the force. Damaso Garcia turned and fired to first. First base umpire Larry Barnett called him out. Manager Harvey Kuenn busted out of the dugout to argue the clear mistake, but to no avail. There were two outs and no one on.

Robin Yount then launched his 20th home run of the season over the left field wall. It was a solo shot to tie the game at two instead of giving the Brewers a 3-2 lead.

Jim Slaton, who relieved Medich in the top of the sixth, was terrific. For the first 2 2/3 innings of relief, Slaton didn’t allow a baserunner. Then, with Rollie Fingers unavailable with a sore pitching elbow, Slaton walked Alfredo Griffin to lead off the ninth. After a sacrifice bunt and a flyout, Ernie Whitt hit an RBI single with two outs for the eventual game winning run.

After winning the first three games of a five game series with the Blue Jays, the Brewers blew the final two. Suddenly, there are questions. Is Doc Medich the answer? Though Fingers’ injury is not thought to be serious, can this team win without him?

“At this point, we’ll stay with what we have,” Kuenn said in regards to the starting rotation. “You never can tell. Maybe we’ll make another deal.”

Only players with the team before August 31st are eligible for the postseason, so if a deal is going to be made it needs to be made soon. After seeing Medich today, one needs to be made soon.

The good news is that Fingers received a cortisone shot and is expected to be back for the Oakland series, which starts on August 17 following a day off.

Game Notes: The Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles to pull back to within 4 1/2 games of the Brewers in the AL East. … Damaso Garcia was picked off for the third time in the series. … In the sixth inning, Cecil Cooper recorded a single, his 1,000th hit as a member of the Brewers. … Prior to the game, Jerry Miodzik of Port Edwards was named the winner of the Rollie Fingers Look-Alike Handlebar Mustache Contest. Fingers picked the winner from 11 finalists, and there were more than 600 entries from across the state. … Gorman Thomas hit his 32nd home run of the season.

Fingers Missing, Caldwell Loses Game

August 14

Blue Jays 4, Brewers 2
Brewers now 68-47 (1st by 5.5 games)
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Without Rollie Fingers, the Brewers lost grip of the lead late.

MILWAUKEE — Holding a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the eighth inning, the Milwaukee Brewers were on cruise control. Mike Caldwell had allowed two hits and was untouchable. A two run lead seemed insurmountable. And then…

With two down, Barry Bonnell hit a double to left center field to score Damaso Garcia to make it a 2-1 game. Caldwell would get out of the inning when Leon Roberts grounded out, but the fact that he allowed as many hits that inning as he had in the first seven should have been a warning sign.

Caldwell was out of gas.

Jesse Barfield led off the top of the ninth with a sharp single to left. Willie Upshaw bunted, hoping to sacrifice Barfield to second. Instead, Caldwell fumbled the ball and the Blue Jays had two runners on with no outs. Tony Johnson hit a triple off of the wall in right center to score Barfield and Upshaw. And then former Brewer Buck Martinez brought home Johnson on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-2 Blue Jays.

Dave Stieb nearly matched Caldwell pitch-for-pitch. But while Caldwell ran out of gas late, Stieb shut the door when it mattered. He retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced, and the Brewers’ offense never had a chance.

So, how could this happen? How could manager Harvey Kuenn leave Caldwell in a close game when he was clearly losing it? It’s simple. All-world closer Rollie Fingers wasn’t on the premises. He is back in San Diego getting treatment for a sore elbow. With Fingers, this would have been a win.

The Boston Red Sox fell to the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 in 10 innings, so the Brewers maintained their 5 1/2 game lead. But today is a preview of what can happen if Rollie Fingers is not available to anchor the bullpen. Get well, Rollie. We can’t afford to blow many more of these.

Game Notes: Randy Lerch has been sold to the Montreal Expos. Lerch had been recently demoted to the bullpen, and veteran hurler Doc Medich was acquired to take his place in the rotation. No corresponding transaction has been made. … Gorman Thomas went 3-for-4 and hit his MLB-leading 31st home run of the season.

Jays Roll Over, Give Brewers Two

August 12

Brewers 7, Blue Jays 1 (Game 1)
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Brewers 4, Blue Jays 3 (Game 2)
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Brewers now 67-46 (1st by 5.5 games)
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Gorman Thomas hit a home run in each game to take the MLB lead.

MILWAUKEE — Earlier in the week, the Toronto Blue Jays did the Milwaukee Brewers a big favor by sweeping the second place Boston Red Sox in a three game series. It was only natural that they’d roll over in a double header with the first place Brewers today.

Maybe they didn’t roll over. Maybe it wasn’t intentional. But Brewers fans appreciate their effort, or lack thereof.

In the first game of today’s double header, Brewers starter Bob McClure took on the Blue Jays for the second time in 10 days. Last time, he lasted only an inning and took the loss. Today, he pitched a complete game, allowing only a run on five hits and four strikeouts.

McClure looked like a completely different pitcher. He retired the last 15 batters he faced and didn’t walk anyone, the first time he accomplished that in 25 career starts.

“I felt in a lot more control than the last time,” McClure assured us. “It’s always easier when you score a lot of runs early.”

Well, maybe not “a lot” or “early.” The Brewers scored two runs in the second inning on a two-run home run by Gorman Thomas, his 29th of the season. The Blue Jays pulled to within a run in the fourth inning and then the Brewers pulled away in the fifth with four runs to make it a 6-1 game. Jim Gantner, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount all had RBI hits in the inning.

But McClure was the story of the game. His approach was completely different this time around.

“He mixed up his pitches good,” manager Harvey Kuenn explained. “He threw more fastballs than previously, which makes his curveball and change-up more effective.”

The Blue Jays made the second game interesting when they tied the game at three in the sixth inning. But with two down and runners on the corners in the bottom of the inning, Robin Yount lifted a lazy liner into left field. Outfielder Barry Bonnell jogged in… and dropped the ball. Charlie Moore trotted across the plate for what would be the winning run. A gift.

Gorman Thomas hit another two-run home run in the third inning to give him 30 on the season, taking the MLB lead over Atlanta’s Dale Murphy. Randy Lerch, making his first spot start since being demoted to the bullpen, pitched a solid six innings in return to a temporary spotlight.

But in the end, this game was a gift. And since neither the Red Sox nor the Orioles played today, the Brewers gained a game on both. Tomorrow, the Brewers hope the Blue Jays will continue to be in a giving mood.

Game Notes: Outfielder Mark Brouhard was sent to Triple-A Vancouver to make room for recent acquisition Doc Medich. Brouhard is expected to be recalled when rosters are expanded on September 1. The Brewers were rumored to be trying to trade a pitcher, presumably Lerch or Jerry Augustine, but instead decided to go with four outfielders and 11 pitchers. … Jamie Easterly, out since July 12 following knee surgery, is eligible to return but is not expected to be activated until rosters expand on September 1.

Brewers Acquire Doc Medich

August 11

MILWAUKEE — The Rangers may be leaving town, but their veteran right-handed doctor will be staying back.

The Brewers have announced the acquisition of George “Doc” Medich, adding an experienced arm for the pennant race. Medich, 33, will take the spot vacated by Randy Lerch in the rotation, since demoted to the bullpen. The Brewers sent the Rangers cash in return.

If you’re looking for a quick fix, you may be disappointed. Medich is 7-11 this season with a 5.06 ERA. In fact, he was the starting pitcher in the series opener against the Brewers. He took the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits in five innings.

That said, Medich has history as an effective pitcher. He is 119-101 with a 3.74 ERA for his career, a career that he previously announced would end after this season to pursue a career in medicine. Traded to a team in a pennant race, however, Medich may reconsider.

“I’m happy,” Doc said about the trade. “I’m back in a pennant race after being out of it all year. And a chance to pitch on a team with hitting like them, that’s heaven for a pitcher.”

And really, maybe Medich lost his joy to pitch while on the mound for the 43-66 Rangers. Pitching in a winning atmosphere, knowing that he doesn’t have to be perfect to win, may be just what he needs.

The Brewers think so, and they see him as an upgrade as their new fifth starter. “I’m not knocking this staff,” manager Harvey Kuenn said diplomatically, “I think they are doing a great job. I just felt we could use another starter. He became available and we grabbed him.”

Medich is expected to make his Brewers debut with a start on August 15 against the Blue Jays.

Ain’t No Stoppin’ the Brewers

August 10

Brewers 11, Rangers 3
Brewers now 65-45 (up by 4.5 games)
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Ben Oglivie broke out of his slump with a home run and four RBI.

MILWAUKEE — This game belonged to the Brewers from the start. Jim Slaton set the Rangers down in order in the top of the first, and the Brewers’ offense scored four in the bottom of the inning. That’s all they’d need.

Once again, they did everything right. Slaton, stepping in for the demoted Randy Lerch, allowed only two runs in seven innings pitched. The previously struggling Ben Oglivie went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI. Every starter other than Marshall Edwards had at least a hit, and four Brewers had two.

It’s almost getting to the point where running through all of the positives is exhausting. Just about everything is going well. And not only “well,” but “really well.”

At 65-45, this team now has the best record in all of baseball. They lead the Red Sox by a season-high 4.5 games in the AL East. So pardon Brewers fans if they’re getting a bit giddy.

That giddiness is spilling over into the organization itself. In the midst of the five-run sixth inning, County Stadium’s scoreboard lit up with the line “There ain’t no stopping,” inspired by the popular disco song “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead. There were similar slogans posted throughout the game.

Brewers manager Harvey Kuenn, attempting to keep a level head, was not impressed with the hype. “It’s too early to get caught up in a pennant race,” Kuenn asserted, “there are a lot of games left. I think it’s a bit out of place,” he said, referring to the scoreboard messages.

Maybe. But Brewers fans are pumped. We can feel it. This is our year. And we’re going to enjoy every minute of it.

Blue Jays Bully Brewers

August 2

Blue Jays 9, Brewers 4
Brewers now 59-44 (1st-Tied)
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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.