Anchorage AK (AP) - The Abominations returned home after a 0-4 series versus
first place Galena without pride and without one other token item: a manager.
After losing 9 of 10 and getting swept twice by defending champion Galena,
owner Nick Tulach decided that Ted Simmons was not the right man for the job.
"Ted and I came to the mutual decision that this was just not working out. Ted
agreed with me when I said that I needed to make a change and he decided to
step down. I will take over in the interm as manager once again. We have
brought in a number of candidates for preliminary interviews. Hopefully the
process will be quick and we can get someone who we have the most confidence
in to guide our team to the next level." said Nick Tulach in a press conference
on Monday night. Simmons' career record with the Abominations was 14-17.
Wagner Hammered in Loss to Bears
Anchorage AK (AP) - Reliever Billy Wagner gave up 7 runs in the top of the
ninth to kill any hopes of an Abomination rally yesterday as Anchorage lost
9-1 against the surging Truro Bears. Wagner, who has been eratic all season,
gave up eight hits and seven earned runs in just two innings of work. "They
were all over him. He pitch terrible. His velocity was down, he was up
there throwing meatballs when the rest of the team is trying to win." said
manager Nick Tulach, who took over the duties after firing manager Ted Simmons
Monday.
Anchorage was held to just five hits again today, as their offense continues
to struggle. They showed signs of coming out of the funk with eight runs in
two games against Galena, but fell back into the drought yesterday. "I can't
explain it. Miguel's a little dinged up, but everyone else is healthy. We've
got to pull out of this slump sometime." said Tulach.
VanLandingham Pulls Anchorage Out of Slump, Pulls Tricep
Anchorage AK (AP) - Willie VanLandingham, the lone bright star on a dim pitching
staff, pitched a masterful seven scoreless innings for the 'Boms yesterday, but
was unable to finish the game, due to a pulled tricep muscle. Reliever Don
Wengert came in and finished off the shutout and the Abominations won 5-0,
snapping a five game losing streak.
VanLandingham, who is listed as day-to-day, has been a diamond in the rough
for Anchorage this season. Despite being hurt in his first start, he has come
back strong and is among the league leaders in stikeouts per nine innings and
walks per nine innings. "I knew Willie could pitch, but its his health that
has always been the problem. He will probably miss a start because of this,
but if he is okay to go, I'll probably move him to #2 in the rotation." said
manager Nick Tulach. Felipe Lira is currently the #2 starter for the 'Boms
but he has struggled and has not had much run support.
Mark Grudzielanek went four for four in the game and Vaughn broke out of his
slump by hitting his eighth homerun of the season. Stan Javier, who has seemed
to have won the starting centerfield spot, continued his hot streak and went
3-for-4. All the Anchorage batters had at least one hit.
Notes:
- Anchorage is rumored to have a deal in the works for centerfielder
Marquis Grissom of the Vero Beach Bums. The speedy outfielder has been
struggling from the plate, but solid defensively. He is batting just
.222 with 11 strikeouts.
- The 'Boms have called up newcomer Steve Tsamis from AAA New Iberia. He
is scheduled to make his first start for the Abominations since coming
over from Hartford on Friday.
