Truro (AP) - The Abominations completed their first series sweep in team history
yesterday by defeating the Truro Bears 7-3. The win pushed Anchorage's record
to 3-0 on the year. "Its good to be able to win games on the road, especially
against your divisional opponents." commented manager Ted Simmons. "Its gonna
be wild tomorrow back home in Anchorage."
Festivities have already begun back in Anchorage in preparation for friday's
home opener versus Macon. Scheduled for tomorrow are an ice sculpting
competition, hockey, and a dog sled race, as well as a parade honoring the
first big league opening day in Alaska history. "It makes you proud to be
an American." said Anchorage's mayor.
Garret Anderson continues to be on fire, going 2 for 4 with a walk. His two
hits were both extra base hits, one a double and the other a 2-run blast that
travelled over 450 feet. "I got a hold of a breaking pitch that just hung
there and I couldn't believe it, it just took off like a rocket." said Anderson
in a postgame interview. That was Anderson's second homerun in four games.
Four Abominations already have two homeruns, 7 of the nine starters have homered
at least once.
Felipe Lira, back for his first start in a regular season game since August,
when he went down with a elbow injury which required surgery, pitched seven
solid innings, giving up two runs and striking out three. He was credited with
the win.
Anchorage Plays All Day, Parties All Night
Anchorage AK (AP) - The boys of summer came out of hibernation and decided
to play ball, despite the fridged temperatures in Anchorage yesterday. Game
time temperature was 35 degrees, but Anchorage managed to hold off Macon and
win the home opener 5-3.
Abomination starter Willie VanLandingham was forced from the game with a
sore shoulder after just 18 pitches. "It tightened up on him. He was warming
up before the game, but then sat down at the end of the bench, where it isn't
as warm and it must have just gotten a little tight. Hopefully he won't miss
a start, but we'll call up Dave (Telgheder) just in case." said pitching coach
Chuck Crim after the game.
Anchorage third baseman Jeff Cirillo also left the game early, as did left-
fielder Greg Vaughn. "I wanted to get some guys out of the cold today. I'm
going to make sure that, on days where we come back from warm road trips
to the cold weather, that I give some guys some rest and not push them too
hard." said manager Ted Simmons, who pushed his career record to 4-0.
Cirillo pushed his batting average to .353 with three doubles and a homerun.
He is batting 6 for 17 so far. Gary Sheffield and Omar Visquel, the
players dealt for Cirillo, are batting a combined 6 for 30 with zero homeruns.
Notes:
- Eric Karros and Greg Vaughn, the two best power-hitters on Anchorage are
both starting out the year in big time funks. "Its tough when you are a
power hitter in cold weather. I don't know why, it just is." said Vaughn,
who is on pace to hit zero homeruns this season.
- F.P. Santangelo has made it his personal mission to seek out the culpret
that stole the Abomination's mascot Bigfoot's feet. "I will do everything
in my power, short of actually devoting extra time from my schedule, to
find those feet. If I need to, I may even check my own locker."
Santangelo said just prior to going into a drunken rage that sent area
children screaming for their mothers.
- Despite all the festivities, the Abominations were not able to sell out the
first season opener in history in Alaska. "There is one seat, right next to
the big, fat, smelly guy in the polar bear suit, that we couldn't even give
away. He's a nice guy, but that really hurts, not being able to sell out
an opener."
