Sacramento, CA (AP)--With a pair of victories over the lowly Sacramento Knights, as well as a
Springfield-Binghamton split, the Punxatawney Groundhogs expanded their
small lead to 2 games over the Atoms. The first game was an excellent
pitching performance by the Hogs, leading to a 3-0 shutout victory. The
second game had a final score of 6-4, but the game was not as close as the
score indicated.
Both teams had great pitching performances in the first game. Unfortunately
for Sacramento, their pitching staff was hard hit with injuries in the game.
Rookie Matt Morris, in the middle of a solid year, left after just 1 inning
with a sore arm.
"He had good stuff, but he threw a big curve that Jose [Valentin] grounded
out on, and left the mound holding his arm. Hutton was up in the bullpen
right away," said Hogs manager Dan Shapiro.
After a scoreless bottom of the first, Hutton relieved Morris and tossed a
scoreless frame. Punxatawney starter Sean Bergman matched him as well, and
the score remained at 0-0 after 2 innings. However, Hutton didn't seem to
have his normal velocity in the third, and after an error on shortstop Joe
Vitiello and a walk to Tony Batista, Punxatawney was able to push a run
across.
Hutton called out Sacramento manager Sean George, holding his arm while
cringing in pain. George was forced to go the pen again, and brought in
youngster Carlton Finley. Finley went on to toss the remaining 7 innings,
doing an excellent job, allowing 6 hits, walking 4, and giving up 2 runs.
However, the Punxatawney staff was up to the task.
Starter Sean Bergman notched his 12th win of the year, improving his record
to 12-3. He allowed just 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3 in 7 1/3
innings. Mike Hampton came in with 1 out in the 8th to finish the innings
and recorded two straight outs for his 2nd hold.
In the 9th, Scott Ruffcorn finished the game up, allowing 1 hit and striking
out 1 for his 3rd save of the year.
"I was a bit worried about Scott. We all know he's been having a tough
year. But the way our pitchers dominated that first game, we weren't too
worried," Shapiro said.
This may have been the most dominant single game performance by any pitching
staff this year--including the two no-hitters, one by Hogs pitcher Rocky
Coppinger. Sacramento only got 4 runners on base, none of whom got past
second. 3 of the runners were retired on double plays. Sacramento only
brought 28 batters to the plate, 1 more than the minimum. Only 102 pitches
were needed to retire the Knights, 67 of which were strikes.
Offensively, it was a game of finesse. Punxatawney did not even record an
extra base hit in the victory, but the bottom of the order was integral in
creating the 3 runs. 6th hitter Jason Giambi drew a pair of walks, scoring
once. 7th hitter Scott Rolen scored another run. 8th hitter Dan Wilson had
two hits and drove in one. 9th hitter Roberto Kelly drove in another run.
The other RBI came from leadoff man Dave Martinez.
"Sometimes we just have an off-day, and somebody else has to step up,"
explained shortstop Jose Valentin, who like 2nd hitter Marty Cordova was
0-4. "Today it came from the bottom of the order."
The victory by Bergman dropped his ERA back below 3.00 to 2.84.
"I told Shapiro to give me the ball from the start. He told me to stick it
out in the pen for a while. I hope by now he realizes that I should have
been starting from the get-go," Bergman said.
He has been perhaps the biggest surprise of the league this year. Bergman
is 12-3 in 17 starts, throwing 111 innings with just 17 walks and 74
strikeouts.
"He's the man. Between he and Rocky, we have two of the best starters in
the league in our rotation. Not to mention Jon Lieber, I mean, he's looking
great but he's lacking in the wins just because he was hurt for a while,"
pitching coach Mark "The Bird" Fidyrich said.
In the second game, Bobby Thomas tried to better his 6-6 record and maintain
the newly acquired 2 game lead, following a Binghamton win over Springfield.
The first game started out similar to the last. After 5 innings, each team
had only 1 run and neither offense seemed to be able to get anything going.
However, rookie phenom Kerry Wood tired in the 6th and Punxatawney mounted a
fullscale rally. Led by 2B Tony Batista and RF Roberto Kelly, Punxatawney
mounted a 5-run rally and leapt ahead 6-1. Batista went 4-5, with 2 runs
scored and a pair of doubles on the day. Kelly also doubled, driving in 3
and scoring once. Dave Martinez drove in another 2 with a single and
double.
The game went to the bottom of the 9th with the score still 6-1. Scott
Ruffcorn came in to mop up, but struggled to finish up, allowing 3 runs, 2
earned, and 2 hits. However, he recorded the final out with the score 6-4,
giving Punxatawney another victory.
Bobby Thomas got his 7th win in his game, improving his record to 7-6. He
threw 7 1/3 innings, allowing 8 hits, 1 earned run, walking none and
striking out 6. Mike Hampton threw 2/3 inning scoreless relief.
However, Springfield topped Binghamton 5-1 and managed to stay within 2
games of Punxatawney. Both teams have an off-day tomorrow, and then begin
series at home against other Picard division foes. Punxatawney faces
Spokane and Springfield faces Sacramento.
Quote of the day:
"We weren't happy with our pitching in the first game. We were really
hoping to face 27, which would have been the closest to a perfect game
anyone in this league has done. But I think we can live with 28."
--Punxatawney starter Sean Bergman, after the first game in which only 28
Knights came to bat.
Tony Batista is now surging toward a .300 average, improving to .285 after a
strong day at the plate. He now sports the 3rd highest average on the team,
only .010 behind Dave Martinez and .025 behind team leader Jose Valentin.
Batista also has a team leading 68 runs, 34 doubles, and 69 runs created.
Dave Martinez and Batista are tied with 16 steals. His defense has also
been stellar, making just 4 errors for a .991 fielding percentage.
MINOR LEAGUE REPORT:
The Roswell Weather Balloons (who shortened their official name to Roswell
Balloons so it fits in the standings page better) are 24-19, 2nd place in
the IL's Southern division but 6 games back of the New Iberia Swamp Rats.
Damon Mashore is one of the top offensive producers, batting .272 with 9
doubles, 7 homers, and 26 RBI. Catcher Fred Young is hitting .268. Young
2B Ray Eibel is hitting .266 with 10 doubles and 2 homers. LF Billy Ashley,
recently sent down to AAA after Jose Valentin healed, is hitting .300 with 2
doubles and a homer. Sam Thomas, who is just getting into the lineup, is
hitting .278 with 2 doubles and a homer. Eric Owens is also hitting well,
at .273 and 2 doubles.
The starting pitching has been solid as well. Dustin Hermanson, who was on
rehab but isn't coming back to the majors yet, is 3-5 with a 3.64 ERA.
Steve Tsamis is 3-2 with a 3.16 ERA. Steve Green is 2-3, 4.40. Curly
Karkovice has been a star so far, with 5 quality starts in 5 games, and a
3-2 record with a 1.17 ERA. Tim Scott is 2-1 with a 2.38 ERA in 5 starts.
Pat Mahomes and Jaime Bluma have been a solid 1-2 punch in the bullpen,
Mahomes at 1.56, and Bluma at 1.59. Mahomes has 5 saves and Bluma has 6.
