In 1985, the Cardinals led the National League in runs scored, with 747, an average of 4.6 per game. When Joaquin Andujar pitched, the run production usually was higher _ and the right-hander knew what to do when given that kind of support.
Andujar won 18 starts in a row in which the Cardinals scored three or more runs in 1985, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The Cardinals scored at least five runs in Andujar’s first 13 wins in 1985 and in 16 of his first 19. Of Andujar’s six losses in that stretch, the Cardinals never scored more than two runs and were outscored overall, 22-3.
Of Andujar’s 19 wins from April 14 through Aug. 13, the Cardinals only once failed to score three runs _ a 2-1 St. Louis victory against the Padres on July 26 at San Diego. Andujar held the Padres to a run in 11 innings. He got the win when Ozzie Smith drove in Jack Clark from third with a single in the 12th. Ken Dayley shut down the Padres in the bottom half of the inning for the save. Boxscore
During his streak, Andujar won six times by a margin of one run. His most fortunate break came June 14 in a game against the Cubs at Chicago. Andujar allowed four runs and seven hits, walked four and threw two wild pitches before being lifted when his shoulder tightened with one in the sixth and St. Louis leading, 6-4.
Relievers Bill Campbell and Jeff Lahti combined to give up six runs, but the Cardinals held on for an 11-10 victory. Bob Forsch, who entered with two out in the ninth and a runner on second, got Keith Moreland to fly out to right fielder Andy Van Slyke, who made a sliding catch near the bullpen area in foul territory. That earned Forsch the second save of his career and got Andujar his 12th win of the year. Boxscore
“I had to slide between two relief pitchers to get it,” Van Slyke told United Press International of his game-ending catch.
“I was so close to the wall,” Van Slyke told the Chicago Tribune, “that I could have written graffiti on it.”
On Aug. 18, facing the Expos at St. Louis, Andujar lost for the first time that season when the Cardinals scored at least three runs. With the score 4-4, Andujar was lifted in the 10th with one out and runners on second and third. Ken Dayley relieved and Terry Francona greeted him with a two-run single off the glove of third baseman Terry Pendleton. The runs were charged to Andujar. St. Louis scored in the bottom half of the inning and had the bases loaded with two out before Jeff Reardon struck out Van Slyke. Boxscore
Andujar finished the regular season with a 21-12 record, 3.40 ERA and 10 complete games in 38 starts. He was the first Cardinals pitcher since Bob Gibson in 1969-70 to win 20 in consecutive seasons.
After his implosion in the 1985 World Series (0-1, 9.00 ERA, Game 7 ejection), Andujar was traded to the Athletics, pitched three more big-league seasons and went a combined 17-17 for Oakland and Houston.
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