Punxatawney Thanks Schedule Makers August 25, 1998
Binghamton, NY (AP) - After a bizarre experiment in terrorism on Friday when Ken Hill was forced
to pitch two games and left the second with after just 1 inning with an arm
injury, the terrorists were back to try and force pitchers to throw two more
games. But Punxatawney and Binghamton were lucky--they only had one game
against eachother scheduled on the day. However, the terrorists stole the
pitching stats from the game and prevented them from counting for the
pitchers.
"I know Kenny [Hill] was happy about that back on Friday, cause he didn't
throw well. But I want that win, damnit," said an annoyed Jon Lieber.
Lieber thought he had his 9th win after throwing 7 innings, allowing just 1
unearned run against the Mets. But he was told after the game that his
stats had been stolen and they would never show up in his final stats.
Lieber reportedly had a brief fit but calmed down after he realized the team
still got the victory and that was the most important thing.
With slugger Ryan Klesko on the DL, the order was shuffled around a bit.
Roberto Kelly hit 2nd, moving Cordova into the 3rd spot, Valentin into the
4th spot, and Robin Jennings coming in to DH, batting 9th. It worked out
well, as Jennings went 2-4 and Valentin scored once, driving in one with a
single. Dan Wilson went 2-3, driving in one and scoring one. Dave Martinez
also had 2 hits, driving in 2. John Cangelosi got some action off the
bench, coming in to play left, stealing a base and scoring once.
None of the pitchers stats count, but Lieber, Worrell, Munoz, and Aldred
combined for 9 innings of 7 hit, 1 walk, 5 strikeout ball, allowing just 1
unearned in total as Punxatawney won 5-1. They beat the Mets' Andy Ashby,
whole allowed 4 runs, all earned, in 6 2/3 innings.
With the win, Punxatawney held their lead at 8 games over the Springfield
Atoms. The next series is against Vero Beach, a crucial 3 game set in
Punxatawney. Meanwhile, Springfield will try and defeat Duluth.
"We just hope these nutty terrorists lay off us. We want a good, fair
series against the Bums to prove we can beat them fair and square in the
season series," Shapiro said. "Even without Klesko, we think we can beat
them."
Punxatawney leads the season series 2-1.
One brief trade note we heard in the Hogs locker room. Ken Hill, recently
acquired, might be available in return for a good, young reliever or a good
prospect. Scott Aldred and Dustin Hermanson are also available for
prospects.
