Whalers drop 2 close ones to Frogs August 18, 1998
Hartford, CT (AP)- The Hartford Whalers are sinking fast and having trouble
breathing it seems. There doesn't appear to be a light at the end of their
tunnel. Indeed, yesterday Hartford dropped 2 home games to New Diggens by a
combined total of 3-1. The Whalers lost the first game 2-1 and the second 1-0
in 10 innings, unable to rally for victory in either contest. Hartford has now
lost 6 straight games since winning 2 in a row and are 2-8 in their last 10.
On the brighter side, thanks to the ineffectiveness of the first-place Edmonton
Oil Kings , the Whalers find themselves still only 9 games back in the race for
the division. The red hot Deadwood Outlaws have pulled to within 2 games and
the Montreal Royals are within 4. Nevertheless, Hartford seems to have little
or no chance at competing for the tightest division in PVBL this season. The
Whalers have been plagued with the inability to come from behind all season,
despite winning its first 5 games of the season on late-inning rallys.
Hartford is 0-9 in extra innings and 18-22 in 1-run ballgames. They spoiled a
fine start by rookie Kevin Millwood yesterday and another by rookie Brian Rose.
Reliever Roy Hoffman and Arthur Rhodes picked up the losses.
Amidst all of the gloom and doom surrounding Connecticut these days, there are
rays of hope that can possibly be found in the future. The future, that is,
seen in the Whalers' youngsters. In fact, in an attempt to bolster fan
attendance and interest Hartford has called up rookie pitcher Clint Faatz from
AAA Glastonbury to replace the departed Ken Hill in the rotation. Faatz was
4-4 with a 2.74 ERA in 10 starts for Glastonbury this season. Rumor has it
Manager Chrabascz was debating on going with John Hunter who has also shined in
AAA but opted for Faatz who has a better ERA given the number of innings
pitched. Faatz will make his major league debut in the opener of the upcoming
Tucson series in Hartford two days away. Of his being recalled, Faatz simply
said, "I'll do my best."
QUOTABLES:
-On his team's losing streak and bad luck, Chrabascz responded, "The bullpen
isn't getting it done. I don't know if they're pouting because they all want
to be starters but whatever the case they're not doing their jobs."
-On his team's makeup, veteran catcher Joe Girardi said, "Well, I'm not sure
if we're more like the Expos or the Marlins but I'd say more like the Marlins
because at least we're coming off of a championship season."
-After blowing another late-inning tight game and picking up another loss,
reliever Arthur Rhodes declared yesterday, "I suck. I should be tarred,
feathered or simply blindfolded and beaten. I wouldn't blame these guys if
they set my hotel room on fire."
-On his recent offensive surge, veteran 3B Matt Williams commented, "Somebody
has to show these diaper dandies how it's done, right?"
-On the departure of Ken Hill, Cal Eldred said, "I envy him. We're not getting
any younger and he's going to a contender."
-On her husband's cutting the payroll and bulking up on young talent, Manager
Chrabascz's wife Cathy said, "Well, at least we'll have mroe money to spend on
our son for Christmas this year."
