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Hartford (AP)- The Hartford Whalers snapped their season-high 4-game losing streak while also snapping the Deadwood Outlaws' winning streak today with a home sweep of a double-header.
Randy Johnson received his 3rd no decision of the season against Hartford today, as rookie John Burke and reliever Chris Gott matched up with him successfully. Johnson could not win despite pitching 8 strong innings, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits while striking out 8. The Whalers won on a sacrifice fly by Harold Reynolds in the bottom of the 15th inning, 4-3. Burke went 5 innings, allowing 3 runs while Gott pitched superbly in relief, allowing no runs and only 1 hit in 5 innings. Hipolito Pichardo (4-4) picked up his 4th win in relief by pitching near perfect 14th and 15th innings, not allowing a hit, striking out 4 and walking only 1. There wasn't much to speak of offensively on either side other than Reynolds' game-winnig sac fly in the bottom of the 15th. Even Reynolds, however, was 0-5 despite the game winning sacrifice.
In Game 2, Greg Maddux struggled once again. Hartford won another squeaker, 9-8. Maddux (10-3) allowed 7 earned runs in 6 innings of work before giving way to reliever Jeff McCurry. McCurry pitched 3 innings for the win, his 4th (4-0). Deadwood's Aldred (5-3) took the loss upon allowing 9 earned runs in 8 and a third. Mark Whiten and Ken Griffey Jr. both homered in the win. Whiten had the best day overall, going 2-4 with 4 RBI and a walk. The win pulled Hartford to within 2.0 games of first-place Deadwoon and increased it home record to 24-11 and 26-15 overall in division play. Deadwood fell below .500 (20-21) in divison play.
Greg Maddux was clearly upset upon being pulled today and had this to say after the game, "I've gone over the tapes. And over the tapes. And over the tapes. My delivery seems fine and my pitch selection has been good. I don't know what the hell is going on but I'm sure glad we won today. I probably should've been pulled sooner but Jere has a lot of faith in me. I'm glad someone does because right now I'm at a loss." Meanwhile, Manager Chrabascz said, "Greg has been pitching his heart out all season. He picked up 10 very quick wins. He was bound to slump at some point. We won the game. No harm done. He has to go home, relax, re-evaluate and return in five games ready to win both mentally and physically." Pitching Coach Dennis Lamp added, "He's healthy and, believe you me, has been trying his darndest to straighten this thing out."
Chrabascz spoke at greater length of the day's work in the double header. Here is a tidbit of what he said, "We played very well as a team today. Our relief pitching finally came through and the bullpen was our hero, plain and simple. I'd like to see greater run production, especially earlier in the game. No offense to Joe (Girardi) but we need a solid lead-off man. I'd also like to take the opportunity here and now to tell you all how happy I am that Mark Whiten is fully healed and producing here in Hartford. He has blended in nicely to the system and has been producing runs like a maniac since he got into the lineup regularly." When asked what this meant for previous starting right fielder, Tony Gwynn, Chrabascz was cryptic, "He has a place on this team."
TRADE WINDS...
There are few as Hartford is determined to stick it out with many. However, there have been rumored talks to trade Todd Walker and to re-acquire Paul Sorrento. We'll keep you posted.
Written by Jeremy Chrabascz