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The Punxatawney Groundhogs took another leap ahead of everyone else as they swept the Larimer Knights in a doubleheader, getting to the 40 win plateau before anyone else. After a close 8-7 win in the opener, the Hogs rolled over the Knights 19-2 in the nightcap.
The opener was a high scoring affair the whole way through. Hogs starter Dustin Hermanson never had a chance to get his balance, giving up 2 runs in the top of the first. The Groundhogs countered with a run in the bottom of the inning, but Larimer scored once more in the top of the 2nd. However, Punxatawney racked up 5 runs in the bottom of the inning and took an 6-3 lead that they managed to hold, increasing it to 8-3 in the 4th, dropping back to 8-5 in the 5th, and nearly losing it in the 9th, barely holding on to win 8-7.
The top and middle of the Hogs order was responsible for the majority of the runs. 3-4-5 hitters Jose Valentin, Ryan Klesko, and Jason Giambi all had 2 hits. Valentin also contributed with an RBI, Klesko scored a run, and Giambi homered, driving in two. However, leadoff hitter Rondell White, the star of the day in the doubleheader, if not the entire PVBL, was 2-4, scored twice, walked, and drove in 5 runs on 2 homeruns. Marty Cordova, Scott Rolen, and Greg Myers each scored one run as well, as did Tony Batista.
Ex-Groundhog Brian Giles had another fine game against his openents, going 3-5 and hitting a homer. Orlando Merced and Todd Hollandsworth also hit homeruns, Merced's a 2 run blast.
Punxatawney's pitching staff wasn't quite as strong as their offense. Dustin Hermanson struggled through 5 innings, allowing 9 hits, walking one, striking out one, and giving up 5 runs, 4 of which were earned. Sean Bergman entered during the 6th inning and proved his worth once again, going for 3 perfect innings while striking out 3 and using just 31 pitches, 21 of which were strikes. The game seemed a sure thing with Ricky Bottalico coming in to close it out in the 9th inning with an 8-5 lead. But Bottalico didn't have it in this one and poor defense didn't help him. He gave up 3 hits and 2 runs, 1 earned, without getting an out. Scott Ruffcorn, usually the setup man, came in to try and shut down the Knights and get a save. He threw 11 pitches--only 4 strikes--and managed to get 3 outs, only walking one man. When Ruffcorn finished up, Hermanson had his 6th win to improve his record to 6-2 and Sean Bergman got his 3rd hold. The save was the 4th for Ruffcorn who has been the only constant in a bullpen that has been changed time and time again since the game began.
Most of the Punxatawney runs were scored off Larimer starter Alan Benes in the first 1 2/3 innings. Benes gave up 6 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. He was relieved by Jim Kane who threw the last 6 1/3 innings. Kane threw rather well, giving up just 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. It wasn't enough, however, and Punxatawney prevailed in the first game.
The second game was a bit different. The Groundhogs piled up 19 runs, scoring 3 in the 1st, 2 in the 3rd, 2 more in the 4th, 3 in the 5th, 8 in the 7th, and 1 more in the 8th. Larimer scored one run iun the 5th in and 8th, losing 19-2. Once again, Rondell White led the Hogs offense. He was 5-6, scored 4 times, drove in 5, doubled twice, homered, and stole a base. Marty Cordova was 3-4 with 3 runs, 3 RBI and a homer. Jason Giambi was 1-3, but scored 3, drove in 3, homered, and walked twice. Greg Myers also homered, going 2-5 (with a double as well) , scoring 2, and driving in two. Jose Valentin was 2-4, scored one, had one RBI, and doubled. Roberto Kelly also contributed, scoring 3 runs and driving in one with a 2-5 game.
Jeff Branson was 2-4 and homered to account for one Larimer run and Lenny Dykstra drove in the other, scoring Todd Hollandsworth. Brian Giles was finally shut down, going 0-3. However, Jim Edmonds was 2-4 in the losing effort.
Pitching in this game for the Hogs was new ace Mike Hampton. He had another excellent outing, going 7 2/3 innings while allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, 2 runs (both earned), and striking out 8. Rick Aguilera finished up with the last 1 1/3 innings. He gave up 2 hits and struck out two. The win made Hampton 5-3 on the year and kept his ERA in the low 2's.
Larimer's pitching wasn't quite as strong. Dave Burba was hit hard, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in the first 3 innings. He also struck out 5, but was then pulled in favor of Jim Hensiek. Hensiek was rocked for 10 runs, 9 earned, on 8 hits and 3 walks in the next 3 innings. Cal Eldred did only slightly better finishing up, allowing 4 runs in the last 2 innings.
"We certainly showed up today," said Hogs owner Dan Shapiro. "Hampton had another great start and we gave the fans a great show. First a high scoring nailbiter and then a blowout."
This doubleheader noted the return back home of the Groundhogs after a somewhat brief road trip. The fans welcomed them back with open arms as Punxatawney Phil Memorial Stadium nearly sold out for the Friday games.
Rondell White got a standing ovation after the end of the second game. His numbers for the day--7-10, 6 runs scored, 10 RBI, 3 HR, 2 doubles, a walk, a stolen base, and a strikeout. This phenomenal day boosted his season average to .352. He is also 4th on the team with 47 runs, second with 93 hits, second with 18 doubles, 3rd in runs created with 53, second in batting average at .352, second in OBP with .408, and leads stolen bases with 18. He also hits lefties better than anyone else on the team at .413 and hasn't made an error in centerfield. He has been playing great baseball for the last few weeks and may be a candidate for player of the month in a few weeks.
"Rondell has been playing great baseball this whole month. He might even pass Klesko for the batting average lead soon if Ryan doesn't step it up again," said Shapiro.
Mike Hampton, who threw an excellent game in the nightcap, is now 5-3 with a 2.40 ERA. He has walked just 16 men in 75 innings of work, holding opponents to a .219 average.
"We needed a lefty, we needed an ace, and we got Hampton. His first two starts have been great, and his great mix of pitches and control gives him a great edge."
"I'm really enjoying the atmosphere with this team," Hampton said. "Everybody is looking forward to the next game and gives 100%. And man--I didn't 19 runs of support the entire season before I got here and my boys gave me that many in this game alone."
Shapiro also had one other announcement--Kent "Teke" Tekulve is being hired as the team's bullpen coach. He has pitched in more games than most players in baseball history. Tekulve liked what he saw in the new bullpen and Shapiro asked if he wanted a job running the pen. Currently, Sean Bergman, Bobby Munoz, Scott Ruffcorn, Rick Aguilera, Tim Worrell, Ricky Bottalico, and Curt Leskanic are doing an excellent job holding opponents down in the late innings. Bergman sports an ERA of 3.35, Munoz is at 2.38, Ruffcorn at 2.51, Bottalico at 2.31, Leskanic at 3.86, and Aguilera, who has pitched a bit less as a reliever, has gotten his ERA down to 5.65 from the high 6's during his stay in Punxatawney.
"No, I won't be forcing them to use the submarine style delivery," said Tekulve, "but I may encourge a few of them to experiment with it. Hell, it worked for me pretty good!"
As a side note, Punxatawney is more or less withdrawing from all trading at the moment. After contemplating trading with Hartford last night and nearly pulling the trigger on a deal that would have sent Bobby Thomas for Scott Brosius, Punxatawney has opted to stay with their current team until there is obvious need for a change.
Written by Dan Shapiro