Punxatawney Sweeps Springfield, Back on Top June 23, 1998
Houston, TX (AP)--After a long day that involved a quick trip from
Punxatawney to Houston between doubleheader games, the Groundhogs have found
themselves finally back on top of the Riker Division. Although, they only
one of the two games during the day, the Atoms lost both, giving Punxatawney
a 1/2 game advantage.
The day began at home in Punxatawney for the crucial third game of the
Hogs-Atoms series. After a pair of shutouts yesterday, Punxatawney had
pulled to within a 1/2 game of Springfield. With a win in game one,
Punxatawney would regain the lead they held for all of last season.
Sean Bergman toed the mound for Punxatawney, sporting a solid 8-3 record.
He would face the 7-5 Mark Gardner.
The game began as a low scoring affair with Punxatawney tallying a run to
establish a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Scott Rolen solo homer.
However, Springfield scored its first runs of the series in the 4th inning
as Todd Benzinger, playing in place of the injured Cecil Fielder, drove in
Glenallen Hill and Angel Sherid with a single and the Atoms had a 2-1 lead.
The lead was shortlived, however. In the bottom of the 6th, Punxatawney had
the 7-8-9 hitters up, but Punxatawney's bottom 3 are as dangerous as anyone
in the league. They began a rally which featured hits by Scott Rolen,
Roberto Kelly, Marty Cordova, and Ryan Klesko and resulted in 4 runs,
including a Klesko homer, his 19th.
Bergman didn't return in the 7th, but the 4 Punxatawney runs gave him a 5-2
lead to hand to the bullpen. Scott Aldred was given the setup role,
something he has struggled at this year. However, this time he threw 2
perfect innings, striking out 2, and recorded his first hold. Ricky
Bottalico came on for the save and tossed another perfect frame, striking
out 1 and recording his 11th save, moving him into a tie for second in the
DL saves race. Bergman took the win which moved him into a tie for 4th and
the team lead in wins.
In fact, Bergman is making a late run for a spot on the all-star squad.
Currently, he is 9-2 with a 3.26 ERA. Since becoming a starter, Bergman has
been phenomenal. He has walked only 12 men in 66 1/3 innings and struck out
58. His numbers are very reminiscent of Jon Lieber's great totals from last
year.
However, the was not the end of the day, as Punxatawney travelled to
Houston. Unfortunately they lost, cause Scott Ruffcorn blew a 2 run lead in
the 9th inning and is getting to be a major problem in the bullpen. After
an incredible last season, he has really struggled this year. He blew a
great start by Bobby Thomas and a crucial hold by Bobby Munoz.
Dave Martinez is also starting to get his bat going. He has not come near
to matching the departed Rondell White, but he went 2-3, scored twice,
walked once, and stole 2 bases in this game.
However, Springfield was not able to beat the basement dwelling Tampa Bay
Mets, who vanquished them 4-3 in 10 innings. The Punxatawney split allowed
them to catch up and pass the Atoms, who got swept. However, Houston,
currently decimated by injuries, managed to win twice and now trails
Punxatawney by only one game. This makes the current series against Houston
critical. Hermanson will face Stottlemyre first tomorrow, then Lieber will
face Fernandez (tentative schedule, subject to change).
Punxatawney didn't have much to say for the press today. Shapiro had some
brief remarks before the team retired to their hotel in Houston. "We're
happy, yeah, but we're tired. Our goal is to have a few game lead by the
all-star break. Right now, though, we're pretty exhausted from the whole
day, so if you don't mind, we are outta here."
