Punxatawney Loses More than Just Game to Vero Beach October 6, 1998
Punxatawney, PA (AP)
In an emotional, hard fought game, the Punxatawney Groundhogs were unable to
overcome the superior pitching of Vero Beach and lost the first game of the
divisional playoffs in 11 innings by the score 4-1. But the game was not
the only major loss the team had. Staff ace Rocky Coppinger, coming off an
amazing sophomore season, took the mound for his first playoff start.
In the third inning, Coppinger tried to throw a hard slider, but he came up
wincing and holding his right arm. The trainers were at the mound quickly
to check out Coppinger, but they knew right away that he would not be
getting back in the game. An x-ray was performed at the local Hogspital and
Coppinger is expected out 4-6 months with an inflamed tricep tendon.
"I pressed too hard," said Coppinger. "I did this early in the season and
it cost us a few wins then, and now I tried to do too much again and it
might cost us a chance at the series."
"He shouldn't blame himself for anything," said GM Dan Shapiro. "Rocky had
an absolutely amazing year, and this is the time where I want the guys to
try and give 110%. Its not his fault, it just happened. We can win without
him, we've done it before."
But meanwhile, Punxatawney still had a game to attend to. Coppinger had
allowed 1 unearned run while Tony Batista had scored earlier on a Robin
Jennings single and the game was locked at 1-1. Mike Hampton came on to
relieve Coppinger and threw 5 1/3 of his best innings all season, holding
Vero to just 5 hits and no runs while striking out 2. However, Punxatawney
couldn't get any offense going against Vero's Albie Lopez. Lopez threw 8
innings, giving up 6 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 4.
Going into the bottom of the 9th, with the score still tied at 1,
Punxatawney hoped to win the game against Bum Angel Miranda, but he put them
down while allowing 1 hit. Still, Bobby Munoz, who relieved Hampton in the
9th, was also up to the task--at first. He threw a solid 9th, striking out
2. He gave up a hit and a walk in the 10th, but struck out another as the
score remained tied at 1.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, Punxatawney was unable to get any offense
going once again, getting just 1 base hit. It was the 11th that would see
the first scoring since the 3rd inning, but unfortunately for the Hog, it
was Bum offense. Chuck Carr singled, later scored on a Vizquel single, and
then Brian Jordan hit the first homer of the series to boost Vero ahead 4-1.
Munoz struck out 2 more for 5 total in 3 innings, but his efforts were for
naught as he allowed 3 runs.
"I'm not sure why we decided to leave Munoz in there. He was throwing real
hard tonight, and seemed to have his stuff, but they just caught a couple of
his fastballs and hit 'em hard," Shapiro said.
Trevor Hoffman came in to finish the game, and the excellent closer gave up
just 1 hit en route to his first postseason save.
With Coppinger out, Curly Karkovice will be called back up and will pitch
out of the bullpen. Bobby Thomas, who was in the pen before, will now be
called on to possibly start if needed.
In other action, Phoenix topped Washington while Galena and Motor City beat
Tucson and Deadwood.
"We need to win tomorrow, its that simple. If we lose, its basically over.
Coming back down 2-0 against Vero in a best of 5 is just about as hopeless
as it can get," said slugger Ryan Klesko. "We need to start hitting these
guys because we had a few chances to win this game and just didn't take
advantage of them. Forget about the injuries to Robbie and Marty--this team
can win with or without those bats, but it just means one of us will have to
step up tomorrow."
