Miami, Fl (AP) - Roger Clemens, Maraino Duncan, Andre Hacker, and Jeff Brantley
joined the team for the August 31st game; and Steve Finley,
Travis Fryman, and Ben Hamlin departed.
The first game after the arrival of the new players was conducted
indoors, in Miami, and without the talents of Steve Finley, Travis
Fryman and Ben Hamlin. None of the new players had arrived in time
to suit up.
The Panthers scored first in the top of the second inning, but Vero
Beach answered immediately with one run to tie the game. Conine started
the Panthers offense with a solo home-run in the second inning, off
of Hardie. The Panthers stormed back in the fifth to take the lead
when Flaherty hit Martinez in from second base.
The Panthers looked like they had the pitching, and the
hitting to pull off their first win after the trade. Unfortunatly
Person, who had been great up to the 6th inning, allowed 2 runs to
score. The Panthers offense, lacking Finley, and Fryman, didn't
have it in them to retake the lead. Person lost another game, bringing
his total to 6-6. Vero Beach's Hardie increased his record to 8-3.
Deadwood also lost its first game after the trade, but without the
services of the added offensive power of Finley and Fryman, who
didn't play.
The Panthers second game in Miami proved, even if briefly, that it had
the offensive power to win a game from behind, without Finley and
Fryman helping. Vero Beach jumped out to an early lead, with 2 runs
in the first, and one run in the second off of grizzled vetern, Bud
Black.
Vero Beach lead through four long innings, and 20 game winner
Albie Lopez dominated the Panthers offense; it looked like
the Panthers would be lost without Finley and Fryman. But, in the
fifth ining, the Panthers scored 2 runs. Vero Beach still lead by
one. Will the Panthers be able to overcome that one run? Remember,
Lopez had only lost 3 games and won 20 before this match-up.
Could an over 40 year old, 5 win 6 lose pitcher win over Lopez?
Not without the help of his offense. Calderon walked to start the
8th inning. Flaherty came to the plate and hit a single to left-field,
moving Calderon into scoring positon on second. Clayton was the next
batter up. Clayton hadn't started against Righties most of the year,
and was only playing because of the trade of Fryman. Clayton hit the
second of his two doubles, knocking in Calderon. Flaherty was on
third and Clayton was on second. No outs, and the tieing run had
scored. The Panthers would continue pounding the ball, and would
score 4 more runs before the inning was over.
Black pitched into the 8th, but started having trouble. Would the
Panthers blow a 4 run lead? Aberson came into the game in relief. He
lasted only 18 pitchs, only acquiring one out and giving up 2 hits,
1 walk and 1 strike-out. Aberson left the game, the Miami fans were
shaking the domed stadium.
Who came in for the last 1.1 innings? The Panthers star closer, Ben
Hamlin, who has recorded 17 saves in his career, could not enter.
He had been traded to Washington. Was it the recently acquried
Brantley, performing his new job as closer? No. Was it LHP Mercker,
in to continue his return from last season's place as closer? No.
Andre Hacker walked to the mound. The few loyal Panther fans that
had traveled on the road trip to Miami were stunned. Twenty-six year
old Hacker was playing in the low minors for the Washington
orgainization two days ago. Was the manager insane?
Apparantly not. Hacker lasted 1.1 innings, without giving up a
hit, a walk or a run. Hacker, who may never match this performance
again, had recorded his first save of his season, and his career.
Black played marginally good enough to record his 6th win of the season.
The Panthers tacked one additional loss to Lopez's stellar season.
Has the Panthers rebounded? Do they have a shot at anything? No.
The Panthers have won too many games to attend the playoff draft, but
too few to enter the playoffs. The Panthers can only attempt to
play the spoiler role for here on out. Without a chance at getting
a better draft position, and without a chance of entering the
playoffs, the Panthers have nothing to lose.
In other news, Finley joined his new club, the Deadwood Outlaws,
today. He went 3 for 4, hit 2 doubles, and scored 3 runs.
Deadwood won 11 - 3 over Edmonton, at Edmonton.
Fryman went hitless for his new club. And Hamlin didn't play
for Washington (who, it should be noted, is in the Panthers divison).
