After 8 Tries, Royals Get First Win Against Deadwood April 30, 1998
by Jack Frodd
The success the Royals enjoyed against Deadwood is only a memory after the
8 games they've played so far this season against their division rivals.
On Tuesday, the Royals battled hard for the win at home, but the fans left
with an empty feeling after the Outlaws ended the game in the 18th inning
when Al Martin and Ken Caminiti both scored. The game was the the longest
in the short history of the Royals, an affair that last 5 hours and 46
minutes.
The Royals' only run came home in the first inning, thanks to a double by
Roberto Alomar and then an error by Julio Franco at second base. After
that, Montreal fans witnessed a managerial masterpiece: Roger Clemens and 5
other pitchers combined for 17 innings of shutout ball. If anyone had
predicted an 18-inning game, many would have expected the Royals' relief to
come out on top. But the test was put to this bullpen and they failed. In
11 innings of relief, Deadwood pitchers gave up only 4 hits. Montreal
relievers could not boast the same: in 9 innings, they gave up 10 hits.
The contest finally ended after Alex Speaker gave up 2 runs after 5 innings
of solid relief. After the game, Mike Grace reportedly stormed into the
locker room, probably angry that his team wasted a 1-run, 9 inning effort.
(This year, Grace has yet to get a win, despite a 1.29 ERA.) Naturally,
Grace didn't express his frustration publicly. His only comment was that
"if I had pitched against anyone but Clemens, I would have got the win."
Yesterday the Royals heaved a sigh of relief when they ended a 7-game
losing streak against the Deadwood Outlaws. Alomar provided most of the
offense for the Royals with his first home run of the season as his team
went on to win 7-3. Pete Harnisch got his third win of the season to bring
his record above .500.
The struggle against Deadwood has exemplified the troubles the Royals will
have to face this season to stay in contention. Hartford, if anything, is
stronger than ever and both Edmonton and Deadwood have improved their
teams. After 22 games this season, they are 8 games back from the division
leaders, the Whalers, who have a 15-7 record. Already, catching up seems
like an unlikely proposition.
