Groundhogs Finally Celebrate Riker Crown October 4, 1998
Springfield, IL (AP)
After a long season of fighting and holding off the talented Springfield
Atoms, the Punxatawney Groundhogs finally clinched their second consecutive
division title on the 2nd last day of the season. They won it in the first
half of the final regular season doubleheader with a commanding 8-1 victory
before losing the second game, 8-3.
"Honestly, we didn't care about the second game all that much. After we won
the first one, we knew it was over," said team captain Ryan Klesko.
The Hogs quickly jumped to a 2-0 lead in the opener, putting up 2 more runs
in the second and third innings. With a 6-0 advantage after just 3 frames,
the team knew that they just had to hold on to the lead to secure their
playoff berth. Ken Hill was in the middle of one of his best starts, and
surrendering a homer to Glenallen Hill in the 7th for Springfield's only
run, Hill handed the ball over to his bullpen. Tim Worrell and Scott Aldred
threw 2 scoreless innings while Punxatawney scored twice more off Dan
Consedine. Glenallen Hill became the final out of the game on a hard curve
by Aldred that Hill bounced to Rolen at third. With that, the celebration
ensued. The team retreated to their lockerroom and had a brief, private
team meeting.
"I just congradulated them on a great season. These guys worked hard to get
here, and we'll celebrate more when we get back home," said the Hogs GM, Dan
Shapiro.
While Dave Martinez went hitless from the leadoff spot, every other player
had a hit and at least 1 run or 1 RBI. Tony Batista racked up 3 hits while
Rolen scored twice and had a pair of hits. Jason Giambi drove in 3 runs and
John Cangelosi hit the team's lone homer, a 2-run shot.
Hill had one of his best outings since joining the team, throwing 7 solid
innings while allowing just 3 hits, 2 walks, and 1 run while striking out 6.
Punxatawney lost the second game badly as Jon Lieber gave up 5 runs in 6
innings and Tim Worrell was ineffective in relief.
"No big deal," said Lieber. "We're in the playoffs, we'll save our best
until then."
Although Rocky Coppinger was scheduled to throw tomorrow, he will be
replaced by youngster Curly Karkovice in the final game of the season.
Karkovice is making just his 2nd start of the season.
"Coach told me I can throw tomorrow. Says he wants to give Rocky a rest.
I'm gonna show him why I'll be staying in the majors next season," said the
crafty 22-year old righty. Karkovice was highly successful in the
short-lived AVML and has been fairly effective when needed this year with a
2-0 record in 17 2/3 innings with a 4.08 ERA. He has, however, yielded 4
homers and walked 9 batters.
Tomorrow's season finale will be a fairly unimportant game for the team, but
surely the Hogs would love to go into the playoffs on a win. However, they
won't go in healthy. Both their starting left and right fielders and out
for 2-4 more weeks.
"The trainer told me it was more likely to be 2 weeks for both of them. But
its gonna be a tough first series without Marty and Robbie in the lineup,"
said Shapiro.
In addition to those injuries, leadoff man CF Dave Martinez is hurting badly
but playing through the injury. Tony Batista is also hurting slightly.
"Its not quite as bad as last year, at least we have a healthy pitching
staff," said DH Jason Giambi.
Stats 'n Stuff
Shapiro has tentatively scheduled pitchers for the divisional playoffs.
"I'm keeping Rocky off the mound tomorrow so he can throw game 1," Shapiro
said.
For games 2 and 3, Shapiro is planning on going with Jon Lieber and Sean
Bergman. He hasn't decided in which order to use them.
"It'll really depend on how Jonnie is feeling. He threw today, but if he's
ready to go in time for game 2, I'd probably go with him and let Bergman
throw game 3. If it comes to a game 4, it'll probably be Ken Hill or maybe
Coppinger again," noted Shapiro.
Hill and Bergman each ended the season with 16 victories, tied for the team
lead. Both had excellent seasons, but Rocky Coppinger, limited to 25
outings because of injury, showed each of them up with a 13-3 record and a
1.78 ERA. Jon Lieber, also limited in action due to injuries, had just an
8-8 record but a 2.49 ERA and only 12 walks in 148 innings of work.
Offensively, Tony Batista had an excellent season and needs a homerun
tomorrow to reach the 20 mark. He has rapped out 50 doubles, good enough
for a 4th place tie in the DL. The promising youngster also stole 24 bases
this year and drove in 70 runs while creating 95--2nd best on the team in
that category. He also made just 8 errors for a .989 fielding percentage.
That's about it for now. Good luck to all the other playoff teams.
Hopefully the playoffs will be exciting and hopefully we'll play 1 game per
day! :)
