Washington Refuses To Lose, Even Without Knoblauch August 3, 1998
(AP) WASHINGTON, D. C.--For those who thought Washington was nothing
without their leadoff hitter, Chuck Knoblauch, the Sea Dogs seem intent on
proving them wrong. The Washington Sea Dogs defeated the Chicago Hoersts
yesterday 4-2 and 5-2 to extend their winning streak to eight games, six
without Knoblauch.
"Even without Knoblauch, our team has so much depth, it's scary," manager
Aaron Weiner said. "It's been that depth - specifically Mariano Duncan -
that has carried us this month."
Duncan, who was recently named the Defiant League Player of the Month, had
six more hits yesterday, including his fifth homer of the season. Duncan
hit .370 with four homers and 25 RBI in July, and including yesterday's
games has raised his average to .293.
"There are times in the season where the ball looks like a bowling ball,"
Duncan said. "But right now, the ball's coming in as big as the moon. I
can't explain it."
Duncan's homer led off the bottom of the first inning in the first game.
Then, with one out, shortstop Barry Larkin hit a single to right and stole
second, the first of two steals for Larkin. Two batters later, Washington
had a 2-0 lead as Mike Stanley pulled the ball into left, scoring Larkin.
Washington would give the runs back in the top of the second, as starter
Mackenzee Leefenhaufenhauz (12-7) gave up a two-RBI double to Hoerst
second baseman Brent Gates.
However, these runs were the only that Leefenhaufenhauz, who allowed
eight hits and two walks through seven innings, would allow.
Leefenhaufenhauz said he didn't have his best stuff going today, and that
he was fortunate to get the win.
"My pitches didn't work very well today," Leefenhaufenhauz, who did not
strike out a batter, said. "It's very lucky I came away with this win
today. My defense played very well behind me."
The Sea Dogs would add two more in the third on RBI singles by cleanup
hitter Gary Sheffield and Ernie Young to complete the scoring.
"Mackenzee is just an absolute killer," Weiner said. "The man can shut
'em down any place on the planet."
The second game was a lot tougher for the Sea Dogs, as they couldn't get
on the scoreboard for six innings against Hoerst starter Paul Wagner, and
scored two runs in the first and sixth innings off starter Ben McDonald
(11-7).
However, in the bottom of the sixth, Washington rallied.
Catcher Ben Petrick got on with a walk and proceeded to steal second.
Larkin got on with an infield single, Sheffield walked, and Harold Baines
hit a solid single up the middle to score Petrick to tie the score at 2
apiece. Johnny Damon grounded into a double play, scoring Larkin for the
go-ahead run, and JT Snow was retired to end the threat.
Delino Wilson and Damon did the rest. Wilson pitched a scoreless eighth
and ninth to collect his first save this season, and Damon hit a two-run
homer in the bottom of the eighth, his fourth of the season.
"I just wanted to make up for grounding into that double play in the
sixth," Damon said. "It's a terrible feeling when your team's having a
big inning and you can't finish it."
Washington gained another game on Springfield, who split a pair with
Binghamton. Their lead is now 5.5 games. Washington's record is, by far,
the best in team history and are tied with Tucson as being the 5th-fastest
to 60 wins this season.
"We're just going to try to hold off Springfield," Weiner said. "That
ballclub can really play."
Washington has no clue when they play Springfield again, because the
schedule has two Springfields on it.
"Damn that realignment committee," owner A. L. Weiner said. "This
shouldn't happen."
