Vero Beach jumps out to 2-0 lead in LCS October 17, 1997
Ponxatawney, PA (AP) The Vero Beach Bums (5-1, playoffs), winners of the
Defiant League Picard Division and the wild-card playoff against the Data
Division champions, the Phoenix Gila Monsters, have a 2-0 lead over the
Ponxatawney Groundhogs (3-4, playoffs) in the Defiant League Championship
Series. By decisive scores of 10-5 and 5-1, the Bums have muzzled the
mighty Hogs on their home turf. The two best teams in the DL now travel
to Vero Beach, possibly to decide the series.
Vero Beach currently has a five-game winning streak, have won 10 of their
last 11 games including the end of the regular season, and has been the
hottest team in October. Only one other team has even put together
back-to-back playoff wins -- Hartford has done it twice. Especially
impressive is the Bums' ability to win crucial games on the road. Three
of the Bums' five playoff wins so far have come away from Ellsworth Park.
"It's a good feeling to be going home with 2 wins under our belt," said
Vero Beach CF Marquis Grissom, who is 4 for 9 in the two games, with 3
RBIs and one run scored. "The Hogs are a tough team, though, and we
aren't in the clear yet."
"I know they've been having pitching problems, with 2 starters out," said
2B Rex Hudler, leading the team with 6 RBI in the series, "but a
championship team comes back from injury. I'm impressed with Albie
[Lopez] and Izzy [Ismael Valdes], that they've held that potent offense to
so few runs."
Indeed, the Bums' first and second starters -- who have performed with
poise beyond their ages of 23 and 21 -- have come through in the most
important games of their careers so far. Lopez pitched seven good innings
in the first game after a loss in the wild-card series. He came away with
his first playoff win, giving up 3 runs in 7 innings.
Valdes has been almost perfect. He has assembled a brilliant 2-0 playoff
record in 16 straight scoreless innings. His game against Phoenix was a
masterpiece, the best game ever pitched by a Vero Beach Bum -- a one-hit,
nine-inning shutout. He continued to shine against Ponxatawney, giving up
only 3 hits and 2 walks in 7 innings. "I cannot say enough about Ismael
Valdes," said Vero Beach manager Phil Garner. "He's been amazing."
