Washington Sea Dogs Inch Closer September 22, 1998
(AP) WASHINGTON--If the Washington Sea Dogs are backing into the playoffs,
at least they're not counting on other's misfortunes to do it. Washington
split another doubleheader today, defeating Richmond 7-4 in the rubber
match of one series and dropping the first game of the next to Larimer,
7-2.
"We feel extremely lucky to get out of Richmond with a series victory,"
shortstop Barry Larkin, who scored three runs and stole three bases, said.
"We've had trouble here all year."
Washington jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first, and
though they added another run in the third, they gave it all back on
starter Mackenzee Leefenhaufenhauz's throwing error in the bottom of the
third.
"It was a rookie mistake," manager Aaron Weiner said. "We're not really
upset with Mack, 'cause we didn't lose the game, but we're not happy
either."
With two outs and the bases loaded, Leefenhaufenhauz fired a throw
past first base into right field. The runners, who were going on a
two-strike count, all scored.
"I never thought we were in trouble, though," Weiner said, "because our
offense has been playing on an exceptional level and Mack has too. We've
got total faith in him."
That faith did not go unrewarded, as Leefenhaufenhauz allowed only one
baserunner past the third, and the Sea Dogs won it in the ninth on a
barrage of hits.
The second game was never close, as Larimer shortstop Miguel Friantague
drove in four runs, including the game-winning three-run homer in the 3rd
inning. Washington would pull the game closer on an Ernie Young solo
homer in the top of the 5th, but Larimer closed the door with three more
in the bottom of the inning.
"We were never in the game," starter Chad Ogea, who took the loss, said.
"I blame myself completely for this one - I let it get away from me."
The game also ended Lance Johnson's 11-game hitting streak, as he went 0-5
in the loss.
Fortunately for them, Washington can afford a few losses. Despite two
Spokane wins, their magic number for the playoffs dropped to six games.
"We don't want to just stagger into the playoffs," second baseman Chuck
Knoblauch said. "We're hoping that we can go in with a winning record in
these last 11 games."
Notes and Quotes:
"The best pitching method in Larimer? Cross your fingers and pray for
rain."
-Washington starter Chad Ogea
Washington has to be facing some trepidation in the Larimer series.
Larimer leads the league in runs scored, OPS, and defense.
"Well, when you've got a group of five hitters all slugging .500, you're
going to have problems against them pitching-wise," Weiner said.
Washington has historically scored runs in Larimer, more out of necessity
than productivity.
"We realize we're probably going to have to put up a 7-spot to win the
game here," third baseman Bill Mueller said. "We've done it in the past,
though."
There are some people in the Washington front office that believe that
Leefenhaufenhauz is the second-most valuable pitcher in the Voyager
League.
"Obviously, you have to tip your hat to Joey Hamilton," GM Aaron Weiner
said. "But to maintain a level of consistency such as Mack has is
amazing, especially considering that he's pitched more innings than almost
anyone."
Besides being second in innings, with an astounding 235, Leefenhaufenhauz
is second in quality starts, second in quality start ratio (73%; 26/35),
fourth in wins and sixth in ERA. And hold on to your seats, ladies and
gentlemen - the man is just a rookie.
"This is an unquestionably special kid," Weiner said. "But we knew that
when we drafted him."
Weiner remembers last year's amateur draft.
"Well, we felt pretty lucky to get the #2 overall pick," Weiner said.
"We initially wanted (Motor City's) Gary Niles, but after getting Mack
onto the team, we knew immediately we had something more special than
Niles's power arm."
What they had was a 6'5", 240 pound 18-year old kid with incredible
polish and mind-boggling endurance.
"He finished the first six A-ball games he started," Weiner said, "just
completely destroyed the competition. He was so good, we bucked
tradition and let him come up to AA for a pair of starts. He went eight
inings in one, allowing two runs, and seven in the other, allowing just
one. That's when we knew we had something."
Leefenhaufenhauz wasn't brought up from the minors in the callups because
Weiner wasn't sure that the Sea Dogs were going to be as competitive as
they were before the season.
"Well, remember, we were a team with no offense last year," Weiner said.
"To call up our best prospect, even a guy as amazing as Mack, could have
been a terrible mistake if we weren't going anywhere. Pitching wasn't the
problem."
But once Washington acquired veteran slugger Barry Larkin, there was no
question what they were going to do.
"The minute we knew we had Larkin, we knew that Mack was going to be up,
'cause with Barry and Chuck at the top of the order, we were going to have
offense," Weiner said. "In fact, Larkin's assessment of Mack during
spring training was a clinching factor in the decision."
Larkin told Weiner that Leefenhaufenhauz was the best young arm he'd ever
seen.
"The first day I faced him in an interleague squad game, I walked into the
GM's office and I said, 'listen, I don't know where you got this kid with
the funny name, but there's nothing funny about his pitching,'" Larkin
said. "I literally couldn't believe he was only 19 years old."
So what's next in store for the big guy?
"Winning games in the playoffs," Leefenhaufenhauz said. "I'm just hoping
my luck is as good there."
* * *
The arms race is on with Galena to get the fourth 15-game winner. While
Galena, who stole some beat writer's stat, now has four guys with 15 wins,
Washington's John Burkett may get three more starts to try to achieve the
same goal.
"I'm thrilled to get a chance at 15 wins," Burkett said. "I'd have never
gotten close on Tampa Bay."
