PVBL: Washington Sea Dogs
Sea Dogs Open Season With Series Win
April 8, 1999

(AP) WASHINGTON--On a beautiful day in Washington, D. C., the Washington Sea Dogs opened their season as the defending Defiant League champions by defeating Larimer 2-1 in a three-game series.

Washington lost their first game of the year 3-2 despite eight strong innings from Ben McDonald, who allowed no runs and only seven hits over eight innings. But closer Ben Hamlin came on and promptly gave up three runs to drop the game.

"I felt terrible for Ben (McDonald)," Hamlin said. "I went out there and just stunk; I really blew it today."

Hamlin's miscue mattered little, however, because Washington came back to win the next two games from Larimer, 5-3 in the second game and 8-1 in the third.

In the second game, Washington knocked out Larimer's starter, Paul Quantrill, barraging him for seven hits and three runs in 1.1 innings.

But last year's Rookie of the Year and Cy Young 3rd-place runner-up Mackenzee Leefenhaufenhauz couldn't hold the lead, and the Sea Dogs had to come back in the ninth on Ernie Young's game-winning, two-run homer.

"I just felt the energy of the crowd, and I was really pumped up going up to the plate," said Young, who already had a hit on the day. "It's an incredible feeling to win a game on a home run. I just hope I can hit a few more this season."

The third game was never really close, as Washington pounded Larimer starter Dave Burba for three runs in the first, then reliever Marv Geraghty for four in the fourth inning and won the game going away.

Mickey Kelly had three hits, including a double and two RBI to lead the team; Barry Larkin and Lance Johnson both had two hits and two steals.

"We went out there and just pounded at them today," Washington Manager Aaron Weiner said. "It was murder in game three especially."

Washington's 2-1 record currently puts them alone in second place in the Data Division, behind only undefeated Richmond. Washington will host Duluth (2-1) for another three-game set starting Thursday. Tickets are still available.


Notes and Quotes:

"I'm certainly looking forward to the new season here in Washington. This is the team of America's capital, and a proud champion. I wish them the best for the 1998 season."

-President Bill Clinton, who threw out the first ball

"I'd bend over backward for Bill too."

-Second baseman Chuck Knoblauch
* * *


Washington threw out a new-look lineup to start the year, with Mickey Kelly batting second, Chuck Knoblauch batting sixth and their new third baseman, Robin Ventura, batting cleanup.

Compare the new lineup with last year's lineup, however, and one can immediately see the difference:

1998 lineup                   		1999 lineup

CF Lance Johnson   85-48-92		CF Lance Johnson 85-48-92
2B Chuck Knoblauch 91-63-80		1B Mickey Kelly  74-56-62
SS Barry Larkin    60-81-76		SS Barry Larkin  60-81-76
DH Harold Baines   70-72-21		3B Robin Ventura 59-97-30
1B Mickey Kelly    69-52-60		DH Harold Baines 70-72-21
LF Johnny Damon    60-48-66		2B C. Knoblauch  91-65-80
3B Bill Mueller    67-35-47		LF Johnny Damon  67-62-68
RF Ernie Young     44-78-51		RF Ernie Young   44-86-51
C  Ben Petrick     41-52-66		C  Ben Petrick   44-55-68

Washington's lineup this season is more power-packed, just as fast, and with similar defensive skills. The difference is the dramatic development of their youth, most notably Mickey Kelly and Johnny Damon.

"We're planning to be even more competitive this year than last year with our new-look lineup," GM Aaron Weiner said. "With Mickey (Kelly)'s development, we have the incredible luxury of having a guy like Chuck Knoblauch drive in runs from the #5 spot."

Knoblauch drove in only one run yesterday in the three games, but the lifetime .321 hitter is certainly an RBI threat every time he comes to the plate now.

"With so many good hitters in front of me now, I don't see any reason why I can't drive in, say, 100 runs this season," Knoblauch said. "And what's great is that we've got quality hitters behind me so that if I'm not in an RBI situation, I can put them into one."

* * *


Washington made one major acquisition before yesterday's game - they picked up utility player Nelson Liriano off the free-agent wire.

"We figure that Liriano, who had a really big 1997 season (.273, 15 homers) will be perfect as a backup," Manager Aaron Weiner said. "He's a veteran defender who's very versatile and can play almost anywhere on the field."

Liriano is thrilled that Washington signed him to a contract.

"I'm really happy to be playing for a team that's got a shot at the playoffs," Liriano said. "I had bigger offers from other teams, but chose to come here. They said they really needed me, and that was all it took."
* * *


Washington suffered a small setback in the third game of the Larimer series when Shawn Estes left after 1.2 innings with a stiff elbow, the same injury which plagued him last year in the playoffs. He is currently day-to-day.

"It just tightened up out there," Estes said. "I don't think it's any big deal."

Thankfully for Estes, this injury seems much less serious than the one in the playoffs, which kept him out of action for nine days during the LCS.

"The MRI the doctors took was conclusively negative," Manager Aaron Weiner said. "We're expecting him back into action perhaps by his next start."

If Estes is unable to go, John Burkett, who picked up the win for Estes after pitching six strong innings, will take his spot in the rotation.

"I'm just hoping that I'll be ready for my next start," Estes said.

Chris James is also a little banged up, with a bruised thumb. He's also day-to-day.

--written by Aaron Weiner