1988 Dodgers Week 4 review: Don Sutton enters the win column

The Dodgers' franchise leader in wins added to his tally this week, as Don Sutton beat the Cubs for his first win of the year. Sutton, who also leads the Dodgers in starts, innings pitched, strikeouts, and shutouts, won his first game as a Dodger since Sept. 27, 1980.

Unfortunately for the Dodgers that was one of just two wins during the week for the team, that now trails the Houston Astros by a half-game in the National League West.

The Dodgers offense struggled with just 16 runs scored in their six games, including just one hit in their loss to the Cardinals in St. Louis on Sunday. John Tudor, making just his second start since returning from the disabled list, pitched six scoreless innings and didn't allow a hit.

Kirk Gibson hit the Dodgers' only home run for the week, on Friday, just the eighth home run of the season for the Dodgers in 21 games. It was the first home run at Dodger Stadium for Gibson, who is hitting .211/.268/.289 in 10 home games this season.

"I've just been terrible, period," Gibson told Sam McManis of the Los Angeles Times. "If I knew why, I wouldn't be terrible. I'm constantly making adjustments, almost from at bat to at bat. I've just got to let my hands do it. I've been struggling a little bit."

Dodger Batter of the Week: Though he missed the series finale against the Cubs with tendinitis in his right knee, Pedro Guerrero was still able to inflict damage, as he hit .471 (8-for-17) with three runs batted in. Guerrero had a pair of three-hit games against Chicago, and on the season is hitting .352/.420/.465 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 20 games.

Honorable mention goes to Danny Heep, who filled in for the injured John Shelby with three starts, and hit .400 (4-for-10) for the week.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week: For picking up his first win of the season and 322nd victory of his career, Don Sutton picks up the weekly honor. Sutton pitched into the seventh inning on Wednesday against the Cubs, the first time he has done so all season.

"Here, I haven't really been stereotyped as a 5- or 6-inning pitcher, and I resent being called that," the 43-year old Sutton told Sam McManis of the Times. "Tommy (Lasorda, the manager) and Ron (Perranoski, the pitching coach) have gone by how I pitch. They've treated me like a veteran pitcher."

Honorable mention goes to Alejandro Pena, who followed Sutton Wednesday for a three-inning save and on the season has pitched nine scoreless innings with five strikeouts, two saves, and a win. Brian Holton also gets kudos for pitching 5⅓ innings on Sunday in relief of Tim Leary, who suffered his second loss of the week by allowing six runs while recording just two outs in St. Louis. Leary's was the shortest start of the season by the Dodgers.

Week 4 Record: 2-4

16 runs scored (2.67 per game)
30 runs allowed (5.00 per game)
.240 pythagorean winning percentage

Seasonal Record: 13-8

85 runs scored (4.05 per game)
66 runs allowed (3.14 per game)
.614 pythagorean winning percentage (13-8)

Incentives reached: In addition to pitching six scoreless innings on Wednesday, Sutton by remaining on the roster earned a $25,000 incentive bonus in his contract, which he will earn in addition to his $350,000 salary. In addition, Sutton is scheduled to make his fifth start of the season on Monday against the Pirates, which according to the Times will earn Sutton another $5,000.

Transactions: none this week

Game Results:

• Tuesday, Apr. 26: Cubs 7, Dodgers 3
• Wednesday, Apr. 27: Dodgers 4, Cubs 0
• Thursday, Apr. 28: Cubs 5, Dodgers 1
• Friday, Apr. 29: Dodgers 6, Cardinals 4
• Saturday, Apr. 30: Cardinals 5, Dodgers 2
• Sunday, May 1: Cardinals 9, Dodgers 0

Upcoming Week: The Dodgers run the Nelson Briles Gauntlet, finishing up their homestand with the Pirates, then open a seven-game road trip which starts at Busch Stadium against the Cardinals.

Previous 1988 weeks in review: Apr 4-10 | Apr 11-17 | Apr 18-24

Week 4 Stats