Chicago, IL (AP) The Vero Beach Bums have continued their hot streak --
marred only by the World Series -- into the current regular season. They
have won 4 games in a row and now sit atop the Picard Division by 1/2 a
game -- a familiar position for the Bums.
The Bums defeated the Binghamton Mets twice in a three-game series to open
the season. Albie Lopez and Willie Adams chalked up wins for the Bums in
that series. Angel Miranda picked up a save in the first game, which
the Bums won 5-3.
Game two in the series was a 6-5 loss. Ismael Valdes' first start of the
season was shaky, but lefty John Cummings, given another chance this year
in Vero Beach after racking up an 6+ ERA last year, pitched four innings
of scoreless relief. Mark Langston, recently taken out of the Binghamton
rotation, got the win in 7 innings of work.
In the third game, Willie Adams pitched a complete-game marvel, giving up
just 1 run in nine innings. The Vero Beach offense never fully
got on track that day, as Binghamton led 1-0 going into the ninth. Rex
Hudler doubled and scored on a fielding error, however, and Ron Gant
scored the winning run on Jeff King's double.
Binghamton has since had injury problems of their own, mirroring somewhat
the problems Vero Beach had last season.
"I hate to see Binghamton lose three starters to injury this early in the
season," said Bums manager Phil Garner. "Everyone knows we suffered
injuries but pulled through last season. Unfortunately, Binghamton just
isn't as deep as we are. We wish the injured players and their families
the best, however." When asked about the allegation that Bums players may
have somehow passed a curse to the Mets, Garner replied, "That's the most
ridiculous thing I've ever heard. We don't even have any players
currently practicing voodoo -- Orlando! Put that live chicken away -- um,
like I said, I wish them the best."
In three games so far against the re-christened Chicago Hoersts, the Bums
have won each game. Thursday, April 9th, the Bums won 4-2. Orlando
Hernandez pitched just 4 1/3 innings in his major league debut, giving up
2 runs on 4 hits, including a Mickey Tettleton home run. Angel Miranda
got the win in relief, however, as the Bums scored 4 runs on 12 hits,
including 4 hits by Marquis Grissom.
Kevin Ritz won his first start of the season against Chicago on Friday the
10th by a score of 4-1. Ritz pitched 7 1/3 innings and gave up just 4
hits and one run. Jeff King hit his third home run of the season, and Rex
Hudler hit a triple and a home run in the Bums win. Trevor Hoffman
notched his first save of the year with a scoreless inning.
Albie Lopez improved to 2-0 on the season in the third game of the series,
which the Bums won again by a score of 4-1. Lopez pitched another good
game, giving up no runs in 7 innings and scattering seven hits and 3 walks
while striking out six. This time Dave Hollins drove in 2 runs with a
single and a sacrifice fly. Rex Hudler walked once, scored twice and
stole 2 bases in a 2 for 3 effort. Jose Barnowski, in his first start for
the Hoersts, gave up 4 runs in 7 innings for the loss. John Cummings got
his first major league save.
The Bums face the Hoersts again today in the finale of the series, after
which the Bums will travel home to Vero Beach. The Bums will play their
home opener Tuesday the 14th against Binghamton.
