Hartford takes first 2 from Deadwood, regain division lead September 3, 1997
S.D. (AP)- The Hartford Whalers flew to South Dakota a game back of first-place Deadwood. After demolishing the Outlaws in a double-header on September 1st, the Whalers are back on top of the division with a slim one-game lead. Hartford continued its dominance of the McCoy division, moving to 47-25 (.653) in divisional play (75-57, .568 overall).
In Game 1, All-Star pitching ace Greg Maddux (18-4) tossed a gem. Maddux went 7 innings, allowing only 7 hits and not walking a single batter. He lowered his ERA to 1.58. The Whalers won the game 7-0 but RF Mark Whiten's 3-run shot would be all they would need. "Rocket" Roger Clemens (13-8) opposed Maddux and was pulled in the 7th inning after surrendering 5 earned runs on 8 hits and 4 walks in 6 and 2/3. All-Star center fielder Ken Griffey Junior also shined for Hartford, going 2 for 3 with a double, a stolen base, 2 walks, an RBI and a run scored. But it was Randy Velarde's 3 stolen bases on the day that brought the crowd to its feet (he was also 3-7 on the day). Over 5,000 Whalers fans made the trip to see the critical series and all 4 games of the series are being nationally televised live on ESPN.
In Game 2, Kevin Brown (11-10) matched Maddux's effort pitch-for-pitch. Brown too went 7 innings, not allowing a single run on only 6 hits and a walk. He lowered his own ERA to 2.21. Brown and Maddux are clearly anchoring the hottest pitching staff in the EL right now and perhaps all of the PVBL. With a combined record of 29-14 (.674), Kevin and Greg have accounted for 39% of Hartford's total wins on the season thus far. Both have ERA's around 2.00 and Brown certainly would've been in contention for the CY Young alongside Maddux had he not begun the year with the floundering Tucson Border Patrol. Brown gave way to Cal Eldred in Game 2, who notched his 1st ever save in his first attempt. Hartford won the second game, 4-0 but Ken Griffey Junior's solo shot would be all they needed as Deadwood's anemic offense couldn't muster even a manufactured run of any kind the whole day.
Hartford clearly dominated Deadwood but Manager Chrabascz was not without concern, "I just hope we aren't spent. You run the risk, when embarassing someone so badly, that you'll have nothing left tomorrow." Indeed, Hartford looks to maintain its division lead on Wednesday (September 2nd) when the middle of its rotation will face the top of Deadwood's rotation. Randy Johnson will face rookie John Burke in Game 2 on Wednesday. Ben McDonald will go for the Whalers in Game 1. After the critical series with Deadwood, Hartford returns home to host Montreal for a three-game set on Thursday, September 3rd. Aaron Sele will open the homestand.
*Nothing to worry about? All-Star Ken Griffey Junior claims too much hub-bub was made about his sore right wrist of late and it has not affected him in any way (his performance yesterday would seem to support that).
*Lineup shake-up? Manager Jeremy Chrabascz said he is considering giving
some rookies a chance against Montreal when Hartford returns home from Deadwood on Thursday. Chrabascz said, "Both we and Montreal know that it's not all that important a series for either team except, perhaps, in our battle for first with Deadwood. I think you'll see some fresh faces, regardless."
