Whalers take double header from Outlaws June 29, 1998
Deadwood (AP)- The Hartford Whalers have actually won two in a row. Stop the
presses. Not only that, they've actually moved into sole possession of second
place in the McCoy Division by a 1/2 game (and some miracle). The stories of
the day are unbelievable...
In the first game, rookie starter Brian Rose (2-0) won his second career
decision in only his second attempt. Rose went 7 innings, allowing 3 earned
runs on 6 hits while striking out 4. Said Rose, "It felt great, especially
being a rookie, to win my first 2 here in Hartford." Fellow rookie, Will
Cunanne, pitched one shaky inning but managed to pick up his league-leading
13th save on the season. Cunnane holds a 2 save lead on second-place
Heathcliff Slocumb. The Whalers won 6-4 on tremendous hitting by re-surgent
Matt Williams and Rafael Palmiero. Williams went 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and an
RBI while Palmiero went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, a walk and a towering homerun.
Another rookie, LF Socks Byrne, stole 2 bases. He has 22 stolen bases on the
season (he had another one in Game 2).
The second game belonged to the newcomers. Recently acquired catcher Jason
Kendall and right fielder Mark Whiten were a combined 5 for 10 with 2 runs
scored and a double. Meanwhile, Matt Williams continued his hot hitting by
going 3 for 5 in Game 2 as well. Williams belted a 2-run homer. On the day,
Matt Williams was 6 for 10 with 3 RBI, a run scored, 2 doubles and a homerun.
Ken Hill (5-9) pitched a strong game, going 7 1/3 allowing just 3 earned runs
on 6 hits while striking out 6. Hartford won the game 7-3.
Hartford outscored Deadwood 13-7 on the day with 25 total hits.
On his team's sweep of the double-dip, Manager Jeremy Chrabascz was near
speechless, "Maybe things aren't so bad around here after all." Maybe not.
Hartford is back in the running for the division, temporarily. Also, with
Arthur Rhodes on his way and Cal Eldred back anchoring the pitching rotation
things should improve. The biggest question will be how new acquisitions
Reggie Sanders and Brian McRae will do.
