Punxatawney, PA (AP)--With two dominating victories over the hot Larimer
Knights, the Punxatawney Groundhogs are giving fans the impression that they
just might be getting back on track after fighting through two months of
injuries to start the season. In fact, Punxatawney pitching dominated the
one of best hitting offenses in baseball easily, only allowed a grand total
of 5 hits in both games of the doubleheader!
The first game was pitched mainly by starter Sean Bergman who has had his
ups and downs in the starter role so far, but was in top form today. He
held Larimer to two hits, only walking one, and striking out 6 for his 6th
victory of the season, improving his record to 6-2. Tim Worrell and Henry
Neale, who have both struggled so far this year, threw a scoreless final
three innings, only allowed 1 baserunner, a Neale walk.
However, pitching wasn't the only story in this game--the Punxatawney
offense racked up 9 runs to go with the shutout victory. Led by leadoff man
Dave Martinez, playing through an injury, as well as 9th hitter Roberto
Kelly, recently moved out of leadoff, Punxatawney used a lot of singles and
walks to tally their runs. Martinez went 2-3, scoring once, driving in one,
and drawing a walk. Roberto Kelly was 3-4, scoring once and stealing a
base. But the most amazing thing was that all 9 runs came in one inning,
the bottom of the third, capped off by Dan Wilson's grand slam. Bob Bliss
was the Larimer starter who suffered the indignity of the third, allowing 8
of the runs on 5 hits and 4 walks before Dave Burba came on to relieve him,
and did a great job finishing the game.
"We just went out there and had some fun in game one. We knew it was over
after the third so we did our best to hold the shutout for Sean and get him
a win," said Martinez, obviously glad to be back from Roswell. "Yeah, I was
rehabbing down there for a while. I saw some weird stuff. I dunno. Minor
league ball was ok a while ago, but I like it better in the bigs."
Starting game two was another player recently returning from an injury. New
staff ace Rocky Coppinger had his first start back in Punxatawney since his
return to the majors. Like Bergman, Coppinger was pitching his best today.
He tossed 8 innings on just 105 pitches, allowing only two hits and striking
out 7. Ricky Bottalico threw the 9th inning of the 3-0 win for his 8th save
of the year, nearly as many as he had all of last year.
The great start by Coppinger has improved even more on what is shaping up to
be an all-star season for the young righty. So far, he is 6-2 with a 1.55
ERA and 7 quality starts in 8 games. He has given up just 3 homers in 52
1/3 innings and only 30 hits, and his WHIP has dropped below 1.00 as he has
only walked 17. Bottalico has also been dominant so far, compiling 8 saves
and a 1.96 ERA in 15 appearances.
However, as the score was only 3-0, Punxatawney's offense was a bit quieter
in game two than in game one. Dan Wilson and Jose Valentin drove in all the
runs as they each homered. Martinez went 1-4 in another rehabbing game.
Overall, the offense has been way down from last year, but this trend is all
across the league. Marty Cordova has been decent so far, but a bit
agressive at the plate--only 8 walks in 229 at bats, while hitting .275.
Jose Valentin has not dissapointed following his MVP season, currently
leading the team with a .317 average, 14 doubles, 3rd on the team with 11
homers, leading with 38 RBI, 42 runs created, and 9 steals.
Ryan Klesko has ripped 14 homers so far, but he is "only" hitting .276,
while little Tony Batista is struggling to hit for average, but has crushed
12 homers. Jason Giambi is slumping quite a bit, as he did last season, and
has watched his average fall to .234. Scott Rolen is still struggling and
only batting .241 and Dan Wilson hasn't improved his average much and it has
stayed at .216, while he does have 9 homers.
But the centerfield trio so far has supplied some of the best hitting. Dave
Martinez and backups John Cangelosi and Robin Jennings, who've both played a
decent amount due to injury, have compiled for some very solid numbers.
They are hitting a combined .278 with Martinez and Jennings both at least
.300. They also have a combined total of 38 runs, 15 doubles, 4 triples, 6
homers, 21 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.
But through this deluge of stats and numbers, one thing is becoming
apparent. As the Groundhogs gradually heal and get back to full strength,
they are winning more. Currently, they are only 27-25, trailing Springfield
by 3.5 games, but they have taken a 3 game lead on Houston in the highly
competitive Riker division. They have only one game tomorrow, the final
game in the Larimer series. Mike "Hard Luck" Hampton (only 2-6 with 6
quality starts) with face Chris Haney (2-3, 4.70) before Washington comes to
play a few games in rural PA. In the meantime, the Hogspital is busy
healing those last few injuries and hoping to get Jon Lieber back into major
league action by mid June to solidify the rotation.
