The fans would not be disappointed. In today's action against the Houston
Hellraisers, Jon Lieber continued his return to dominance, outdueling
Houston's Mariano Rivera as the Punxatawney Groundhogs edged Houston 1-0.
Both Lieber and Rivera threw amazing games. Lieber threw 8 innings,
allowing just 3 hits and striking out 4. Rivera tossed 7 1/3 innings, also
giving up 3 hits and striking out 7, but he also allowed 1 run.
It came in the 6th inning. Jason Giambi, who has been called a
disappointment by even commissioner Matt Peck, came through on this day. He
hit an early game double, but was stranded on second. Then, in the sixth,
Giambi rifled another two base hit down the third base line. 9th hitter
Alex Ochoa grounded out to second, moving Giambi to third. Dave Martinez
lofted a routine flyball, but it was easily deep enough to bring Giambi
home.
"That was the most important part of the inning," said manager Dan Shapiro.
"Giambi's double got it started, and while I mean no offense to Martinez,
anyone can hit a flyball. But Ochoa did his job, he got it on the ground to
the right side of the field. That was crucial."
In the 9th, little used closer Ricky Bottalico came on for just his 10th
save. He gave up a single to Bernard Gilkey, but nothing else.
With the win, Punxatawney moved 3 games ahead of Houston with only 5 left to
play. If the Hogs can win one of the next two against Houston, they will
clinch a tie for the Riker title. The team's magic number is down to 3 for
a 3rd straight outright title. In addition, just 1 win for the Hogs will
give them a record better than last season's.
"I know this may be my last year here," said slugger Ryan Klesko. "This
ridiculous free agency plan might force me out of this great town. But I
already told Shapiro that I'm ok with leaving, if its for the betterment of
the team. We all just wanted to make one last statement as the Punxatawney
Groundhogs, with all of us still here--that we have been one of the best, we
are still one of the best, and we will continue to be one of the best
forever."
