Hartford, CT (AP)- After limping out of Deadwood after being swept in their
two-game series with the Outlaws, the Hartford Whalers have rebounded to open
3-0 at home with a sweep of the Montreal Royals. Pitching was the story again,
as newcomers Tom Gordon and Troy Percival shined in Game 1. Montreal's only
run in their 2-1 Game 1 loss came on an error. Meanwhile, Gordon, Mimbs and
Percival combined to "shutout" the Royals on 7 hits. Despite struggling with
his control throughout and walking 6 batters, "Flash" Gordon worked 7 strong
shutout innings, allowing only 5 hits while striking out 2. Troy Percival made
his home debut, pitching a perfect 9th inning for his first save as a Whaler.
1B Jay Buhner and 2B Adam Riggs provided the only 2 runs Hartford would need,
each hitting 1-run, RBI doubles.
Game 2 was more of the same as second-year starter Kevin Millwood (1-0) allowed
only 2 earned runs in 8 innings of work. Millwood struck out 3 and walked only
2 men while allowing 7 hits. Masato Yoshi made his major league debut before
his homecrowd and pitched a near-flawless 9th, not allowing a run or a hit
while walking one batter.
Hartford has won 3 straight to move to within 1 1/2 games of red-hot Deadwood
(5-1). Edmonton (3-3) has dropped two in a row and Montreal (0-5) remains the
only winless club in the majors.
"No hitter?!? Are you (expletive) me?!?"
Those were owner Jeremy Chrabascz's exact words when informed that recently
departed Whaler, Cal Eldred (1-0), had thrown a no-hitter in his first start
for Houston. "Seriously, that guy never did jack here as a starter or a
reliever. Frankly, I'm shocked. I certainly didn't think he had a performance
like THAT in him. If he had we certainly would have kept him on and paid him
whatever the hell he was asking." Obviously, Chrabascz was dumbfounded. Even
pitching coach Dennis Lamp was taken aback, "God. I couldn't get that guy to
rehab right for the life of me and look at that! Oh, well. Even the sun
shines on a dog's (expletive) every now and then." Unlike his former coaches,
his former teammates had nothing but nice things to say of his achievement. "A
no hitter, really? Wow," said Aaron Sele, "He and I went through a lot
together. We've both been jostled between the pen and the rotation. I'm glad
he's been given a shot and I'm glad for what he's done. I can go to the Hall
(of Fame) and tell my kids I knew that guy."
It was a great day for former Whalers pitchers, apparently, as Thunder Bay's
Kevin Brown got off to a spectacular start this season as well.
Kendall lost and confused
"I don't know what the hell is wrong with that kid," commented Manager Kevin
Kennedy, "But we're going to throw him into the deep end and see if he floats."
Second-year phenom catcher Jason Kendall has struggled out of the gate, batting
only .190 with a passed ball. Hartford announced that Kendall would boy thrown
to the dogs...LEADOFF, from now on.
