(AP) WASHINGTON--After the Sea Dogs lost twice to Larimer, the Washington
Sea Dogs came back from a 7-3 loss in the first game of a four-game series
in Phoenix to defeat the Gila Monsters 9-6 in the second game.
The win broke a three-game losing string that had mangement and players
alike worried.
"When you drop two at home to a fourth-place team," centerfielder F. P.
Santangelo said, "it worries you, especially after being so far up there."
The first game was marked by ineffectiveness from Sea Dog stablizers.
All-Star Ben McDonald got lit up for seven hits and four runs in five
innings, and bullpen rock Fred Smith was beaten up for three hits and
three runs in an inning and a third.
It was the first time since the All-Star break that McDonald had not gone
seven innings.
The second starter, Shawn Estes, fared much better. Estes went 6 2/3
innings to mark up his 14th victory of the year against just three losses.
He allowed just six hits and one walk, striking out four.
"Shawn isn't going to win the Cy Young," manager Aaron Weiner said of
Estes, who is tied for third in the VL for wins. "He doesn't have the ERA
of a Curt Schilling. But he's handled everything we've thrown at him this
year."
Notes and Quotes:
"Damn, this is a short press release."
-Aaron Weiner, student suffering from finals
* * *
Despite the shortness, Washington isn't jealous of Punxatawney.
"They've got more pressure to write," journalism major Aaron Weiner said,
"because they're in a tighter race than we are."
* * *
The Sea Dogs have received two good pieces of news. Chad Ogea, thought to
be out until September, may return in the middle of August, and Chuck
Knoblauch's heel is 100%.
Doctors say that Ogea will take only about another week to heal, and
that's not a long time.
"We're very pleased to hear that Chad's getting better," GM Aaron Weiner
said. "He should be a very big part of the pennant run."
The Sea Dogs are expected to send down young swingman Hank Gill when Ogea
is ready to return.
