(AP) WASHINGTON, D. C. --- Though the Washington Sea Dogs lost a game on
their lead in the wild-card race by being blasted in the latter two of
three games in Phoenix, they profess that they're feeling no pressure.
"We're still very confident," said second baseman Chuck Knoblauch. "We've
got an incredible, experienced group of guys."
This sort of experience benefitted the Sea Dogs last night, because
although they got both blasted and shut down by the Phoenix Gila Monsters
8-0 for the second straight game, they came back to defeat the Duluth
Bjork 3-1 for their 5th straight win over the Bjork behind eight innings
from Ben McDonald.
Catcher Ben Petrick, who drove in two runs in the second game, was able to
bounce back after the losses because of the Sea Dogs' veteran leadership.
"I was discouraged after the second blowout, because I had two hits,"
Petrick said, "and he told me that a loss was a loss, and it didn't matter
how much you lost by. That really helped."
McDonald, who has a World Series ring, said he told Petrick that it wasn't
important to win every series.
"In Hartford, we had only the fourth-best record the year we won,"
McDonald said. "I told he we took one of three from a very good team on
the road, and that isn't bad."
In the first game, Mackenzee Leefenhaufenhauz suffered his first loss in
well over a month, but did manage to go 7.2 innings. He gave up 14 hits
and eight runs, allowing homers to Gila Monsters Raul Mondesi, Pat Meares
and Ed Sprague.
"The manager came to me after the 5th inning," said Leefenhaufenhauz, "and
asked me if I wanted to keep going. I'd already given up seven runs, but
I didn't really feel tired so I stayed in."
The winning pitcher for Phoenix was Greg Swindell, who captured his fifth
win of the season. The Sea Dogs had captured the first game of the series
on a 9th inning comeback, but lost game 2 14-0 and lost the series
yesterday.
"We're not disapppointed that we got blown out in the last two games of
the series," manager Aaron Weiner said. "We went in there to win one of
three, and did it."
In the second game, Ben McDonald got off to a bit of a rocky start, giving
up a first-inning hit to leadoff man Mike Metcalfe, who then stole two
bases on McDonald and was driven in by a Frank Thomas single to put the
Bjork up 1-0.
"That guy has some wheels," Petrick said. "I mean, he just literally
outran my throw stealing third. They had a hit-and-run on, and
Rodriguez didn't get in the way, Metcalfe just outran me."
Duluth led until the fourth, when Petrick came to the plate.
"I'd faced Isringhausen before," Petrick said, "so I knew he'd throw his
changeup late in the count. He threw it and I just pulled it to right."
Petrick, just 19 years old, had another hit on the day to raise his
average to .302 for his rookie season.
"I'm really excited about what I've been doing up here," Petrick said.
"It's like a dream to me."
McDonald allowed only four hits for the rest of the game and allowed no
walks to earn his ninth win of the season and his second against Duluth in
as many days. Nigel Fernandez, fresh off the DL, pitched a scoreless
ninth for his third save this season.
"We're beginning to settle into being the wild-card team," said second
baseman Chuck Knoblauch. "We're relaxed, but we feel the urgency of
beating Duluth."
Washington, with the split moves to 52-42 on the season, the third
straight day holding at 10 games above .500. Phoenix won their second
game to move 12.5 ahead of the Sea Dogs, while Duluth won their first but
dropped their second to remain at .500.
"We always like beating the Bjork Dorks," said third baseman Bill Mueller.
"It'll give us a sense of pride to send them back to Minnesota empty."
Notes and Quotes
"We've had the chance to give a lot of hotfeet recently."
-Bobby Ayala, on the consistency of Washington starters
* * *
Ayala's tribute to the starting pitching was well-deserved. Since the
All-Star Break, Washington pitchers have gone at least seven innings six
times in eight games. The only exception was when Estes started on two
day's rest and Hank Gill got massacred against Phoenix in the 14-0
blowout.
* * *
With a recent surge in Washington offense, the Sea Dogs are one of only
a handful of teams with at least two qualifying batters hitting .300. The
others are Duluth, Phoenix, the Punxatawney Groundhogs, Deadwood Outlaws,
and the Tucson Border Patrol.
"But you know what I think is really amazing?" Larkin asked. "Bobby
Higginson over in the other league. If that kid doesn't watch out, he's
going to win a Triple Crown or something."
Higginson is currently two RBI out of first place in the EL, but leads the
homer race by four over Laurel's Geronimo Berroa and leads the batting
race by six points over Deadwood's Eric Davis. Higginson already is in
the lead for the percentage Triple Crown, with a .413 OBA and a .672
slugging.
"With all that pitching over there, he can still do that," Larkin said.
"It's amazing."
Washington had tried to get Higginson for Chuck Finley, but were rejected.
"He said that he was just hitting too well," said GM Aaron Weiner. "And
who can blame him?"
* * *
The problem for the Sea Dogs this season has not been Knoblauch or Larkin,
however, but finding consistent 1-2 hitters. Knoblauch moved from #3 to
#1 earlier this season when Johnny Damon proved unable to perform to the
task, and Bill Mueller was hitting .210 when he was moved out of the #2
spot.
"What we had hoped is that Mickey Kelly would be able to fill our #2
hole," said manager Aaron Weiner. "However, he got injured very fast."
Kelly's foot injury has healed, and he will be back in the lineup in ten
days when he is available to come off the DL.
"My doctors were amazed at how fast my body recovered from the injury,"
said Kelly, who suffered the fracture just two days ago. "But I guess
when you're young, the body heals faster."
* * *
Speaking of healing Sea Dogs, it appears that Ernie Young might be off the
DL by the end of August. However, there may be no place to play for the
four-year veteran.
"I know they'll get me in there somewhere," Young said. "They told me
that they had gotten offers for me, but turned them all down because they
valued my defensive contribution."
Young is expected to resume his starting centerfield role upon his return,
but may see more limited time when Mickey Kelly gets back.
"We're going to play Ernie full-time," manager Aaron Weiner said, "but we
still have Johnny Damon, FP Santangelo and Mickey Kelly in case he falters
offensively."
Washington is expected to make a pitching change upon Young's arrival.
