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[Vero Splits 4 with Duluth, Splits 2 with Sacramento]
In a four-game series against pesky last-place Duluth, Vero Beach won two and lost two, ending Vero Beach's 6-game winning streak. They lost more than two games, however. In game 1, leadoff hitter Omar Vizquel, in the top ten in the league in five offensive categories, fractured his foot in the first inning turning a double play. Vizquel was covering second on John Jaha's ground ball to Rex Hudler. Hudler flipped the ball to Vizquel, and just as he threw the ball, Albert Belle slid hard into second. Vizquel's feet were taken out from under him. After Chuck Carr came in for Vizquel, it became known that Vizquel's foot had been fractured. [1]
"Yeah, it was some tiny d*** bone in his foot," growled Vero Beach CEO J. Lee Gohlke soon after the injury occurred. "Belle should be banned from the league for that slide. Everyone knows he's got a bad attitude." Later, Gohlke cooled down a bit. "I may have been a bit rash with my statements, but I still contend that some sanction should be held against Belle." [2]
Tony Fernandez and rookie prospect Joseph Idstein will split time subbing for Vizquel at short.
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Vero Splits 2 with Sacramento
Sacramento beat Vero Beach on June 13th 8-1 in a rare lack of offense by the Bums. Vero Beach's only run came on a Chuck Carr triple and a Brian Jordan RBI out. Kevin Ritz took the loss after being pulled after two innings. In the second inning, Ritz was pulled after giving up 2 runs. However, reliever Chris Hammond, just back from AAA in place of John Cummings, gave up six runs in 4 1/3 innings--an inauspicious first appearance back. Dave Weathers impressively finished off 5 batters on 6 pitches, however.
In the second game of the series, Vero Beach returned to form with a 6-2 victory. Chuck Carr hit another triple, this time to drive in 2 runs. Tony Fernandez, just up from AAA and playing for the injured Omar Vizquel, drove in 2 runs on a double. Rex Hudler went four for five including a triple, bringing Vero Beach's team triple total (TTT) to 6, tied for tops in the division.
Ismael Valdes had seven strong innings, giving up only one run on 3 hits. He had an uncharacteristic 3 walks but struck out four. Billy Wagner and Dennis Springer finished off the game for Vero Beach.
Again, Vero Beach beat former Bum John Hayes. Hayes went four innings for Sacramento and gave up two runs. Jody Reed had 2 RBI for the Knights on a home run.
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Footnotes:
[1] Well, it must have been something like that, anyway.
[2] C'mon, who am I kidding?
Written by Jason Gohlke