Washington Takes Doubleheader Against Larimer July 30, 1998
(AP) WASHINGTON, D. C.--Amidst anger over a front-office botch, Washington
went and took their anger out on the Larimer Knights, pounding out 35 hits
and 26 runs in a doubleheader and capturing both games, 14-5 and 12-5.
Washington was furious because their request that Chuck Knoblauch be
placed on the 15-day DL was ignored by the front office of the PVBL,
despite both direct communication to the league office and information
through yesterday's press release.
"We feel that the league office is ignoring us," General Manager Aaron
Weiner said. "This is neither the first time nor the second time the
league has mishandled our requests this year."
Knoblauch was sent by league management to AAA instead of the disabled
list.
"Well, sure I'm confused," Knoblauch said. "Here I am, foot hurting, and
I'm told I'm playing in Towson. What gives?"
Washington has re-sent their request to the league office.
The first game in Larimer was marked by the Sea Dogs' Mackenzee
Leefenhaufenhauz rebounding from a rough start in Phoenix to post a
tremendous start in one of the worst pitcher's parks in the league.
Leefenhaufenhauz went seven innings, allowing only six hits with no walks,
striking out five and collected his eleventh win of the season.
"I had my good fastball," Leefenhaufenhauz, who allowed only two runs,
both solo homers, said. "When my fastball works, I can be very good out
there."
Leading an offensive charge in which every Sea Dog had a hit were
designated hitter Harold Baines, who went 4-5 with five RBI including a
homer, and third baseman Bill Mueller, who also homered.
"It's these kinds of team performances that show that we can be a
dangerous offensive force at any time," manager Aaron Weiner said.
The second game was actually much closer than the score suggests.
Although the Sea Dogs won the game by seven runs, it was only 7-5 going
into the ninth. However, Mueller hit a grand slam homer to extend the
score and put the game out of reach.
"We couldn't believe it when Jose Lima came back out onto the field,"
Baines said. "I mean, the man had already given up seven runs and had
pitched around 130 pitches, and this guy was a reliever to start the
season."
Lima looked exhausted in the ninth inning, allowing hits to right
fielder Gary Sheffield, Baines and a walk to left fielder Johnny Damon
before allowing the homer to Mueller.
"The pitch had absolutely nothing on it," Mueller said. "Not to discredit
Lima or anything, but he had no business still being out there."
Washington's Ben McDonald went seven innings for the victory, allowing all
five Larimer runs. He left after allowing a three-run rally in the
seventh, but managed to win his 10th game and his third straight decision.
"We just plain outhit them today," second baseman Mariano Duncan, filling
in for Knoblauch, said. "It was a good, old-fashioned slugfest."
Notes and Quotes:
Washington is a little concerned that Randy Reese, who also owns a team in
PVBL, will be the interim commisioner.
"Well, you know, how can he be impartial if he's an owner too?" owner A.
L. Weiner asked. "I mean, his rulings will certainly affect his team."
When reminded that Matthew Peck, Galena's owner, was the regular
commisioner, Weiner rebuked that.
"Peck doesn't manage his ballclub, almost ever," Weiner said. "When
you're 17 games ahead, you don't manage."
* * *
"I don't know about you, but I just hope the Hoersts bring some Eduardo's
pizzas in for the game. Hell, I'll spot 'em two runs for a pizza."
-Starter John Burkett, who starts Game 1 against Chicago
* * *
Washington has moved into 7th place in offense to go with their 5th place
ranking in pitching.
"Well, when you're putting up 10 runs a game like we've been doing,"
manager Aaron Weiner said, "you move up."
The teams ahead of Washington are Vero Beach, Punxatawney, Phoenix,
Spokane, Duluth and Larimer, but the latter three play in three of the
best hitter's parks in the league, as evidenced by the fact that Larimer
and Spokane are 13th and 14th in pitching and Duluth is 10th.
"But Spokane and Larimer are way ahead of us in offense, so they've gotta
be doing something right," Weiner said.
* * *
Left fielderJohnny Damon, amidst rumors that his job was in jeopardy, has
raised his batting average 27 points, going from .211 to .238 in a week.
"I knew I wasn't helping the team out the way I was playing," Damon said.
"I'm a much better hitter than that."
Manager Aaron Weiner mentioned that Damon was hitting so well, he might be
moved back to the top of the order.
"We had Damon at the top to start the year," Weiner said, "and it's a
matter of how well Ben Petrick continues to hit. We're comfortable with
Damon at the number six hole as long as Ben Petrick continues to hit
.300."
Petrick, Washington's starting catcher for the last month, has hit .318
this season with two homers in 22 games.
"Well, of course I'm pleased that the manager has that much faith in me,"
Damon said. "But I'm also pleased that he thought enough of my hitting
ability to keep me in an RBI position even though I was struggling."
* * *
The Sea Dogs are the only team in the DL to have three pitchers in
double-digit wins. Shawn Estes is 11-3, Leefenhaufenhauz is 11-7 and Ben
McDonald is 10-7.
"I think you're seeing the nucleus of our team right there," said the
manager. "Mack and Shawn are the future of the Sea Dogs, and the present,
too."
If John Burkett (8-11) wins two more, he will also have ten, but six of
them came in a Tampa Bay Mets uniform.
The Galena Hamsters are the only other team with three in double-digit
wins; they have four with Jaime Navarro, Kevin Appier, Darryl Kile and
Jeremi Gonzalez.
