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In an interesting day for Punxtawney, the Groundhogs split a pair of games against the Tampa Bay White Sox in their final series within the Riker division. The first game seemed like a sign of early season hot streak coming back as Punxatawney racked up 6 runs in the first 2 innings, 5 of those in the first. White Sox starter Reggie Harris lasted for just that first inning, allowing all 5 earned runs. Tampa scored in the 4th and 5th to close the gap to 6-2, but 2 more for the Hogs in the 6th gave them an 8-2 lead. Tampa Bay wasn't yet done and scored 3 times in the bottom of the inning. The scored remained 8-5 until the 9th when Punxtawney got their last 2 runs, and the game ended with that score, 10-5.
Rocky Coppinger picked up the win in this game, lasting only 5 innings but giving up just 2 runs. He did allow 11 hits and walk 2, however. Butch Henry relieved him and after allowing 3 runs in the 6th, settled down to throw a scoreless 7th and an out in the 8th. Scott Ruffcorn relieved Henry and threw 1 2/3 perfect innings with 2 strikeouts to end the game.
The offense was a total team effort as each player had at least one hit. Scott Rolen, who was 3-4 with 2 doubles, 2 runs, and an RBI had the biggest contribution. Ryan Klesko also homered in this game, his 20th of the year. Jason Giambi and Roberto Kelly also had 2 hits and 2 RBI each.
The second game was a loss for the Hogs, and a rather depressing one. After a fine first game, they lost for their 10th loss of the year, making them the last team to break into double digits in the loss column. Jon Lieber stuggled early and gave up 4 runs in the first 2 innings. Although the Hogs scored 2 in the 4th, the Sox rebounded with a run of their own and the 5-2 score remained the same through the end of the game. Lieber did continue to throw the entire game, the first Groundhog pitcher of the year to complete a game. He gave up 5 runs on 9 hits, walked 2, and struck out 7 in an 8 inning complete game. Pat Hentgen threw 8 innings for the White Sox and managed to hold Punxtawney to just 2 runs and 7 hits, walking just one and racking up an astounding 13 K's. Jason Christiansen relieved him for the save.
Harold Baines 3-4, 3 RBI game and Devon White's 3-3, 2 run performance were major factors in the Tampa Bay offense. Brian Giles and Mike Stanley, both 2-4, led Punxtawney's.
News and Rumors from Punxatawney:
A deal with Larimer is rumored to be complete at this late hour that would send Socks Byrne and Dario Veras to Punxtawney in return for Brian Giles and Jack Broskie. This deal would bring in another much needed reliever to the bullpen while parting with a valuable outfielder. Shapiro was not sure exactly where Socks would fit in right away. "We certainly have a lot of options. Either he or Roberto Kelly could certainly play LF, and the other RF. We also have Billy Ashley and Damon Mashone in Roswell who we could call up. Ashley has been hitting tons of homers down there but it seems like homer or nothing with him. We're also considering trying to see if Klesko could play LF if needed and put Giambi back at first. Don't count on that one happening, but it is a possibility. We're just happy to get another youthful player on the team. We're gonna be a great team well into the future with all these youngsters."
Written by Dan Shapiro