Punxatawney Loses Game, But Holds Lead May 5, 1999
Punxatawney, PA (AP)
It has been a challenging first few weeks of the season for the reigning
Riker division champions, but so far the Punxatawney Groundhogs done what
they were able to do for the past two years--hold the Riker division lead.
They played the first two weeks without their owner/manager Dan Shapiro, who
was on vacation, and then endured injuries to starting CF Dave Martinez and
his backup John Cangelosi, as well as catcher Dan Wilson.
Bobby Thomas was another case all to himself. After nearly dying after an
offseason cocaine overdose, Thomas had a miraculous recovery, managed to
avoid a suspension, and was back to full health by opening day.
"Bobby went into a deep depression late last season. He had a great August,
then we all time travelled back a month and he was never the same," said
Shapiro. "Apparently he started using drugs and we didn't even know about
it until it got so bad he nearly died this offseason. We have the doctors
at the Punxatawney Hogspital to thank for keeping him alive. We weren't
sure if he was going to be ready to pitch yet, but he is back and he is
throwing pretty well. Maybe not 100% yet, but certainly at least 90%."
Now, nearly a full month into the season, Punxatawney holds a slim 2.5 game
lead over both the Houston Hellraisers and Springfield Atomas, while Tampa
Bay, considerably better than last year, is only 5 back. However, the 2.5
game advantage held by Punxatawney is the largest lead any division leader
has at this point.
The lead could have been 4.5 over Houston, but Punxatawney lost 5-4 to them
in yesterday's action. Pat Hentgen threw well enough to hold off a late
rally by the Hogs as Bobby Thomas got tired in the 7th and allowed 3 runs,
making the score 5-1 after 7. The Hogs 3-run rally fell short, as Roberto
Hernandez threw a perfect final frame for the save. Jorge Fabregas went 2-3
with 3 RBI and Scott Rolen hit 2 doubles and scored twice in the losing
effort. Three Hellraisers--Canseco, Cordero, and Belle--all hit homeruns.
"We lost, but we played well," said Thomas. "I made a few mistakes late in
the game, and they took advantage of them. Any lineup that can bat Albert
Belle 8th is gonna score runs every time. We'll have a tough time holding
them off."
Stats 'n Stuff
So far, it has been the amazing play of the Hogs keystone combo which has
kept them in front of the Riker. Tony Batista has sparked the offense from
the 2nd spot, and with Martinez injury, as a leadoff hitter. So far,
Batista is hitting an impressive .349 with 26 runs, 10 doubles, 2 triples, 5
homers, 28 runs created, and 5 steals with a perfect 1.000 fielding
percentage. Meanwhile, Jose Valentin is hitting .290 with 8 homers and 24
RBI, also yet to make an error.
So what about the three big hitters in the lineup? Geronimo Berroa,
acquired for Ken Hill, has 7 homers and lead the team with 7 RBI. Jason
Giambi is hitting a fairly weak .257 with only 7 RBI, and Ryan Klesko is
hitting just .250 with 4 HR and 11 RBI.
"I'm not seeing the ball at all," said team captain Klesko. "I don't know
why, but it looks like a tiny little pill coming in at me, not a baseball."
Scott Rolen, meanwhile, is turning into the star player Punxatawney saw in
his first year in the league. Rolen is batting .289 with 12 doubles and 4
homers, slugging an impressive .500. Injured catcher Dan Wilson was
starting to hit like he is supposed to, batting .271, but after he was
sidelind by injury, Jorge Fabregas stepped into his role. Fabregas is
batting an impressive .318 in 44 at bats and has made just 1 error. In the
outfield, after Dave Martinez was injured, Roberto Kelly rejoined the
starting lineup after watching Robin Jennings for the first few weeks.
Kelly has made the most of his opportunity, hitting an incredibly .385 with
12 doubles, 5 homers, 18 RBI, and 24 runs created in just 78 at bats.
"He won his job back from Robin," said Shapiro. "The question is can he
keep it up."
The pitching staff has continued to be a solid. Rocky Coppinger has begun
this year much like the last, with a 5-1 record and 1.48 ERA to this point.
Sean Bergman has been equally impressive, going 4-1 with an 0.97 ERA. Scott
Aldred is also coming into his own as a starter, the owner of a 1-0 record
and 2.64 ERA in his first 5 outings. Jon Lieber has struggled more than
normal, but his 2-2, 3.71, is acceptable so far. Bobby Thomas has not found
the "groove" yet, at 0-2, 4.42, but he should be back to his full ability
soon.
The bullpen has been a little less solid, but Tim Worrell, Mike Hampton, and
Curly Karkovice have all done better than adequate jobs. However, closer
Ricky Bottalico has allowed 3 of 4 inherited runners to scoreand has just 2
saves while last year's anchor, Bobby Munoz, has a allowed 11 runs in 10 2/3
innings. Henry Neale has been decent, but not as good as Shapiro had
hoped--but he is holding lefties to a .154 average.
"We're looking for big things this year. We want a pennant. Two years, two
playoffs, and just Riker crowns. We're ready for more," said Coppinger.
