(AP) WASHINGTON--While Spokane came out of the gates smoking, it looked
more like the Sea Dogs were toking last night. Despite a new, revamped
offense, Washington managed only three runs in two games, and fell on
opening day to the Spokane Pirates, 7-0 and 6-3.
"Well, it's somewhat unfortunate that we weren't able to score much
tonight," Weiner said, "but Mr. McDowell and Mr. Cone were particularly
strong tonight. But I can promise you, this team is a lot better on
offense than this."
Washington has acquired Terry Steinbach, Barry Larkin, and Mark Whiten to
bolster the heart of the order. The three combined to go 0-23 yesterday.
"Well sure I'm a little concerned that the heart of our order went
0-for-today," Weiner said, "especially with the way Johnny (Damon, the
left fielder) played. But Matt Stairs put in a gutty performance tonight,
and showed you why our lineup is so good 1-9."
Stairs managed a homer in the second game despite nursing an injury
suffered in the first game, and Damon went 4-7 with two RBI in the
doubleheader to lead the Sea Dogs.
"I'm just glad I could help the team out," said Stairs, "even if we didn't
win. But I think this might be a good season for me."
But it was an all-around tough day for the Sea Dogs, as last year's ace
Chuck Finley was charged with six runs in six innings despite a strong
performance (three of them coming on a grand slam after he was out of the
ballgame), and newly acquired #2 starter Ben McDonald got rocked for 11
hits and five runs in six innings as well.
Washington manager Aaron Weiner spoke after the game.
"Chuck was going great tonight," Weiner said. "But he seemed to tire some
in the seventh inning, and so I brought in Heinie Phillips to face Brady
Anderson. Not one of my all-time great decisions, but I guess I'm just
getting into the season too."
Anderson hit a monster shot 50 rows into the bleachers to put the game out
of reach after that.
"They just managed hits off of me in bunches," said Finley, who allowed no
hits in innings 2-6. "In the first inning, there was that homer by
McGwire with a man on, and then they got to me again in the seventh, and
I got kind of tired."
Washington, by losing their first two games has already dug themselves a
game and a half hole on Springfield, but Weiner isn't that concerned.
"I mean, a game is a game," Weiner said, "and the early ones count just as
much as the later ones. But it's too early in the season to be worrying
about games in the standings."
Washington will play two more against Spokane, including the first start
ever by highly touted rookie Mackenzee Leefenhaufenhauz.
"We're looking forward to getting Big Mack out there and seeing what he
can do," Weiner said. "We just hope he has more success than we had
today."
