Jeff Brantley’s stint as Cardinals closer in 1998 was a bust.
In a three-week stretch, May 30 to June 17, Brantley’s ineffective pitching contributed to at least four losses.
Seeking a replacement for departing free agent Dennis Eckersley, the Cardinals sent first baseman Dmitri Young to the Reds for Brantley on Nov. 10, 1997. Brantley had appeared in only 13 games in 1997 before having surgery to repair injuries to his right shoulder and rotator cuff.
“My shoulder is actually stronger now than before I had the surgery,” Brantley told the Associated Press at the time of the trade.
Brantley was effective at the start of the 1998 season for St. Louis. On May 11, he had six saves and a 1.93 ERA.
Then danger signs developed.
On May 12, St. Louis led the Brewers, 5-3, in the ninth when Brantley entered and gave up a two-run home run to Jeff Cirillo. The Cardinals won in the 10th. Boxscore
On May 22, with the Cardinals ahead of the Giants, 3-1, in the ninth, Brantley yielded a two-run homer to Bill Mueller. Again, St. Louis rallied to win, this time in the 13th. Boxscore
Brantley remained the closer _ and it proved costly to the Cardinals.
On the morning of May 30, the Cardinals had a 28-24 record. St. Louis lost nine of its next 10 and 12 of 17. Included in that stretch:
_ May 30, Padres 3, Cardinals 2: Brantley entered in the ninth with the score 2-2. Quilvio Veras beat him with a one-out RBI-single. Boxscore
_ June 4, Dodgers 3, Cardinals 2: Different game, same outcome. Brantley entered in the ninth with the score 2-2. Charles Johnson beat him with a one-out RBI-single. Boxscore
_ June 13, Diamondbacks 7, Cardinals 4: St. Louis led 4-3 with two outs in the eighth when Brantley entered with a runner on third. After Jay Bell walked, Travis Lee slammed a three-run home run and Matt Williams followed with a solo shot. Boxscore
_ June 17, Astros 6, Cardinals 5: After St. Louis handed Brantley a 5-2 ninth-inning lead, Craig Biggio was hit by a pitch, Bill Spiers reached on a bunt single, Biggio scored on a sacrifice fly and Jeff Bagwell belted a two-run home run, tying the score. When Carl Everett singled, Brantley was lifted for Curtis King. After a walk, Brad Ausmus’ single scored Everett, handing Brantley and the Cardinals the loss. Boxscore
Brantley eventually was replaced as closer by Rich Croushore and then by Juan Acevedo. Brantley recorded one save after July 10 and finished the 1998 season with an 0-5 record, 4.44 ERA and 14 saves in 48 appearances.
After the season, Brantley was traded to the Phillies in a deal that brought the Cardinals another erratic closer _ Ricky Bottalico.
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