|
|
"All I know is whoever made the schedule is some kind of maniac," stated a tired Punxtawney OGGM Dan Shapiro following his team's 9-7 victory over Phoenix late tonight.
The Groundhogs day started with an early 12:30 game at Tampa Bay. That game last nearly 3 hours, including a rain delay. The Groundhogs went directly from the stadium to the airport, boarded planes bound for Phoenix, and then went directly from the Phoenix airport to Dry Heat Ravine Stadium to play the Gila Monsters in a 7:30 game. Somehow, as the last game ended around 10:30, Punxtawney had prevailed in both games, making Shapiro smile for the first time in a few days. Punxtawney had lost 3 of 4 before this series.
They opened the day in Tampa on a overcast, drizzly day. Dustin Hermanson was making his 3rd start of the year, holding a 2-0 record with a minute ERA. He had another great start, going 7 innings while allowing just 1 run on 7 hits. He also walked just 2, a great improvement from his previous games and major control problems.
Scott Ruffcorn relieved Dustin and he allowed one run in the 8th, but Randy Myers threw a scoreless 9th for the save. The itself was rather close. Tampa Bay drew first blood with a run in the 2nd inning and held a 1-0 lead until the Hogs scored twice in the 4th. After tacking on another run in the 6th, Punxatawney led 3-1. The Sox scored once in the 7th, but neither team was able to score again and Punxtawney held on to win 3-2. Brian Giles was 3-4 and walked in one of his last games as a Groundhog and Jason Giambi was also 3-4. Ryan Klesko hit his 21st homer, but that was his only hit. Mike Stanley and Scott Rolen drove in the other runs as each had an RBI double.
Tampa starter Roger Pavlik threw an excellent game, but he took the loss as he gave up 3 runs in 7 innings. That dropped him to 1-4 on the year but Esteban Loaiza threw an excellent 2 innings of relief to hold Punxatawney. For the Hogs, Scott Ruffcorn recorded his 4th hold and Randy Myers his 5th save.
After the game was over, the players went to the airport in their uniforms and flew to Phoenix for their first out of division game. Phoenix was fighting for the top spot in their division at the time. This was a far more offensive game as the Groundhogs were victors by a score of 9-7.
After jumping out to an early 3-0 lead after 2 1/2 innings, the Gila Monsters responsed by racking up 4 runs in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings of Roger Clemens to take a 4-3 lead. The game remained scoreless until the 8th inning when Punxtawney scored 3 times to regain the lead by a score of 6-4. However, Phoenix responded with 2 runs to tie the game again at 6. Punxtawney was not to be denied and scored 3 more in the top of the 9th to take a 9-6 lead. Phoenix scored once more, but it was not enough to beat the Groundhogs.
Ryan Klesko was the offensive star as he went 3-4, scored twice, drove in 4 runs, and hit his 22nd homer. Brian Giles was 1-4 with a 3 RBI homer. Rondell White and Roberto Alomar each had 2 hits and 2 runs.
On the pitching side of the game, Clemens had another very average start as he allowed 4 runs over 7 innings on 7 hits, 5 walks, and 10 strikeouts. Butch Henry relieved and he was battered for 2 runs without even recording an out. Scott Ruffcorn came in and threw 1 1/3 innings, giving up 1 run. He got the win and Randy Myers got the save, his 6th, with 2/3 of an inning of perfect baseball to finish up. For Phoenix, Danny Jackson got shelled early, lasting just 3 innings and allowing 3 runs. Greg Swindell relieved him and gave up 2 runs in 4 2/3. Jeff Nelson gave up another 2 in 2/3 of an inning. Jeff Montgomery allowed 2 runs in 2/3 of an inning as well.
Following the game, Brian Giles said his farewells and left for Larimer. "He was very professional about it. He certainly isn't happy to be leaving us, but I think Brian will be happy working under John in Larimer. If you respect John and try hard, you can't go wrong. That's why Raffy Palmeiro is out of Larimer," said Shapiro.
Giles did a phenomenal job in his 35 games as a Groundhog. He batted .322, hit 12 double and 8 homers while driving in 33 runs. He was also a consistent hitter against lefties and righties, batting .324 against righties and .316 against lefties.
This trade resulted in two other roster moves for Punxtawney. LF Billy Ashley was called up and 2B Ray Eibel was sent down. Also, Pat Mahomes is being sent down to make room for Dario Veras on the major league roster. Ashley will be platooning with newly acquired Socks Byrne in left field.
Written by Dan Shapiro