Bums Lose Squeaker to Binghamton in 12 April 17, 1999
Vero Beach, FL (AP) - Last year's Picard Division champs, the Vero Beach
Bums, lost an extremely close game to the Binghamton Mets here yesterday
by a score of 2-1. The Bums' lone run came on a seventh-inning solo home
run by Phil Nevin, who went 3 for 5. The Bums were held to just five hits
overall, which came from the 2-3-4 hitters in the lineup.
The Mets' Frank Rodriguez lasted 10 innings but did not figure in the
decision, giving up just 1 run on 4 hits and 4 strikeouts. Mel Rojas
pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up just a walk and earning his first win of
the year. Bums starter Kevin Ritz, who has been one of many Bums hurlers
pitching well this year, gave up one run on 7 hits and three walks in 6
1/3 innings. John Cummings pitched a scoreless 3 outs, and set-up man
David Weathers was charged with the loss, giving up the winning run on 3
hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. "It's a frustrating thing as a set-up man,
to see no end in sight to an outing," said Weathers. I set the table for
Trev (Trevor Hoffman, Bums' closer) for over 4 innings but the guys
couldn't get a run across."
"You're going to have days like that," said 1B Jeff King, who managed one
hit in five tries, "and I feel bad for Dave and all, but you just have to
chalk it up to the Mets' pitching today."
News and Notes:
* The yearly Al Pechous experiment is over yet again. The 25-year old
Bums first baseman was given another chance to DH this season, having
bulked up to a very muscular 265 pounds. However, Pechous has a problem
making contact, and was hitting just .158 in seven games with 2 singles
and a double in 19 at-bats. "I don't know, I just don't have much
patience with him," said Bums manager Phil Garner, "and Jason (Gohlke,
Bums' owner) seems to agree." Pechous is on the trading block (99 PH!)
and his spot on the active roster has been given to veteran SS Greg Gagne,
picked up at the beginning of the season as a free agent.
* 3B/SS Phil Nevin seems to be doing well in his first April in Vero
Beach. He is batting .286 with 3 doubles, a homer, and 5 RBI in 10 games.
Other Bums who have started the season hot:
- Gregg Jefferies, .393 BA, 3 BB, 3 2B
- Ron Gant, .417 BA in 6 games
- Jeff King, .297 BA, 2 2B, 1 HR, 6 runs scored
- Brian Jordan, 13 hits in 39 AB (.333 BA)
* Virtually the entire Bums pitching staff has started the season hot,
especially the starters. Just one of the 10 starts has not been a quality
start, that in the first game of the season by Albie Lopez. "The secret?
I'm giving them a special concoction of herbal remedies," said pitching
coach Pete Vuckovich. "I'm not giving you the recipe, but I will give you
a web site address -- www.vukes-herbs.com."
* Newly acquired free-agent catcher Sandy Martinez has also quickly worn
out his welcome, giving way to Jim Collins, who has been given the
everyday job behind the plate. Collins, in his third year in the majors,
improved his hitting ability in the offseason. C Tom Pagnozzi, last
year's starter, is currently playing DH against LHP. Martinez was sent to
AAA in favor of Jim Lynch, 2B prospect and Hudler insurance.
* The Bums enter today's action at 6-4, one game behind the surprising
Sacramento Knights. "They aren't too surprising," said CF Marquis
Grissom. "They've got the young, strong arms -- their bats just need to
develop."
