(AP) CHICAGO--This is just around the time when Sea Dogs faithful are
starting to get a little worried. The Washington Sea Dogs defeated the
Chicago Hoersts yesterday to win their seventh straight, but Sea Dog
faithful remember this better as the time when the Sea Dogs dealt away
their pennant chances last year.
GM Aaron Weiner tried his best to put those possibilities to rest today.
"I thought we put some of that to rest this offseason when we got Barry
Larkin," Weiner said. "We're not, by any means, throwing in the towel
this season. We may try to obtain some prospects, but the travesty that
was performed last year will never again happen."
Washington dealt away Shawn Berry, Ron Karkovice, Jeff Conine and Darren
Bragg, a third of the Sea Dog lineup, for prospects at midseason last
year.
"It was a rookie mistake," Weiner said. "I'm not a rookie anymore."
Washington got six strong innings from Hank Gill and broke a 2-2 tie in
the eighth on FP Santangelo's race home on a groundout to defeat the
Hoersts 3-2.
Larkin got things going in the top of the fifth with a two-RBI double that
scored Chuck Knoblauch and JT Snow and chased Hoerst starter AJ Sager, who
went five innings and gave up three hits and five walks. That made the
score 2-1.
But the Sea Dogs gave the run back to the Hoersts in the 7th inning,
as Fred Smith gave up hits to Brent Gates and Marcus Jensen and a walk to
Jim Hippauf before Jose Guillen scored Gates on a sacrifice fly. Smith
got Juan Gonzalez to pop up, but was pulled when he walked Shawn Green.
Nealy Becker, who also got the win, retired Scott Brosius for the last out
of the inning.
What gives even more trepidation to Sea Dog fans is that the upstart
Duluth Bjork lost yesterday, putting Washington (44-37) in the top spot
for the wild card at the halfway point. Last year, Washington was barely
above .500 and fighting for its playoff life in a five-way race; this
year, they're in a three-way battle for the wild card with Duluth and
Springfield.
"We've got a lot more positive attitude towards winning this year," Weiner
said. "It's been the whole difference."
Notes and Quotes:
"Gary Sheffield? Barry Larkin? Mariano Duncan? How did a team like
Washington get a group like that? These aren't the Sea Dogs I know."
-Sammy Taylor, astounded Sea Dogs fan
* * *
Weiner did, however, mention that the possibility existed for obtaining a
top prospect to add to the Sea Dogs' wealth of prospects existed.
"Well, we're looking at a few names, nothing certain yet," Weiner said."Again, none of the guys that are particularly young will be going, but a
few of our acquisitions this year may be involved."
When asked if this included any of the key members of the lineup, Weiner
was taken aback.
"We've been down that route," Weiner said, "and it will never happen
again."
* * *
Manager Aaron Weiner was pleased with the developments on the team, and
was especially happy with the new veteran quality to the team.
"Bubba Veres has really made a difference for us; the guy's been around,
and he knows the routine, and he's great to have in the clubhouse," Weiner
said. "I can only do so much as a manager."
When asked if Veres, who also has a 1.29 ERA though 14 innings, was also a
leader by example, Weiner was adamant of his leadership qualities on the
mound.
"He works really well with our young catchers," Weiner said. "He's taken
a real liking to Ben Petrick and Charles Johnson, and he's just been a
real help with Hank Gill, who I thought we rushed last year, to becoming a
starter."
When asked who else was leading the Sea Dogs this year, Weiner again
pointed to the new acquisitions.
"Well, Knoblauch always leads by example," Weiner said. "But then you add
a guy like Gary Sheffield, who's been with Series-winners, and a guy like
Barry Larkin, who was the captain of his team for years, and you get a
great mix."
* * *
Ernie Young's knee will take longer than expected to heal.
"I knew it would be a while," said Young, who hyperextended the knee on
July 3, "but it looks like I'll be out a week longer than I thought I
would."
The Sea Dogs have been playing Santangelo and Johnny Damon in his stead.
