Motor City (AP)- Finally the Hartford Whalers exploded for more than 10 runs
in a game and against someone not in the McCoy. However, they still found a
way to lose. The baseball and PVBL Gods and powers that be were not kind to
Hartford today as starting pitcher Bob Ardell was forced to pitch a second
consecutive COMPLETE game. And for the second consecutive time Ardell (3-5)
lost. Tanked for 8 earned runs in yesterday's complete game, an exhausted
Ardell was shored up for 11 more earned runs today in Hartford's 12-11 loss in
Motor City. The Whalers wasted an explosive offensive day for themselves.
Outfielders Reggie Sanders, Brian McRae and Mark Whiten combined to go 10-16
(.625) with 6 runs scored, 11 RBI and 2 walks on 5 homers (2 each to Whiten and
Sanders, one from McRae) and 3 doubles. Of his team's play on the day Manager
Chrabascz simply said, "Pathetic. If you can't win on 11 runs with 5 homers
then you just plain suck." None of his players would argue against his
comments following the game. In fact, Ardell stated, "I agree. We suck.
Granted, I shouldn't have been forced to pitch 2 straight complete games but I
couldn't manage to win either one!" With the loss, Hartford has dropped a
franchise high 10 in a row and have fallen 11 games back of first place
Edmonton. They are 18-25 in 1-run ballgames and 0-10 in extra inning affairs.
They are also 18-39 out of their division.
Tradewinds
Many have been swirling and pitchers Eldred and Rhodes appear headed out of
town as does veteran catcher Joe Girardi. The Whalers are still entertaining a
variety of offers at this time.
