(AP) RICHMOND, VA--MacKenzee Leefenhaufenhauz is a year older and a year
better, and it shows. Leefenhaufenhauz shut the Richmond Panthers out
for seven plus innings today and the Sea Dogs collected 21 hits as they
pasted the Panthers 17-3.
Leefenhaufenhauz allowed no walks and just five hits in his outing today.
He has been on fire this season, allowing just 2 earned runs in 20 innings
so far.
Leefenhaufenhauz, who threw just 28 balls against 71 strikes, believed
that his command was on.
"I was controlling my pitches; I was hitting spots and getting good
movement," Leefenhaufenhauz said. "And it was smooth sailing with the
offense they put up today."
The offensive brigade was Washington's highest output of the year, and it
was impressive. Five Sea Dogs collected three hits, including Barry
Larkin's 5 run, four RBI performance.
"We came to Richmond to get our division back," second baseman Chuck
Knoblauch said. "We knew if we came out here and made a good showing, we
would send a message to the rest of the division."
Ben Petrick also had a career-high four hits in the game. Petrick, who
was slumping, is now hitting .273.
"Calling a game like I did, that pumps me up," Petrick said. "Whenever I
catch Mack, I always seem to hit better; I don't know what it is."
Washington, with the victory, moves to 6-4 and within a half-game of the
Data Division lead. Richmond, one of the league's hottest teams, drops to
6-3.
"We want to go in there and sweep them," said centerfielder Lance Johnson.
"We're looking to take control of this division right now."
Notes and Quotes:
"Actually, now that I think about it, I feel kinda weird kneeling in front
of the guy."
-Anonymous Sea Dog, on Opening Day Ceremonies with Clinton
"Ventura's presence makes all the difference. No knock against Bill
Mueller, but Robin's power threat is there even when he's not hitting."
-Barry Larkin
* * *
Washington has been here before with a powerhitter, but last year his name
was Gary Sheffield. This year, Robin Ventura is hitting just .132 with
one homer.
"It's been a frustrating start, especially when you consider that there
are players out there with more homers than our entire team," Ventura
said. "It's a tribute to the way our guys have been gathering hits around
me that we have a winning record."
Indeed, despite the fact that Washington is again just 10th in homers,
this year they've been the third-best offense in the DL.
"Lance Johnson has just been incredible this year," Manager Aaron Weiner
said of his leadoff man, who is on a .488 (20-41) tear so far this season.
"If not for him, we're five games back right now."
Also pleasantly surprising has been the strong performance by Johnny Damon
thusfar. Damon, just a .256 career hitter, has a .382 average so far and
collected six doubles.
"I'm just hoping that this is the first of several good seasons," Damon
said. "And I'd like them to be in Washington, if I can help it."
* * *
Washington's bullpen has been a problem area so far this season. Besides
John Burkett, who has done great work out of the pen, only John Wetteland
has been anywhere near effective.
"We're a little bit nervous about the pen," Weiner said, "but we're gonna
hold onto what we have."
That's probably because two of the less-effective members of the pen are
three of the best relievers in the league, Nigel Fernandez, Delino wilson
and Ben Hamlin.
"When you have guys like that going bad, guys who you depend on - it's
hard to take the starters out," Weiner said. "It's a good thing we've got
such a deep pen this year, or else we'd really be in trouble," Weiner
said.
Washington's pen gave up three runs in under two innings after
Leefenhaufenhauz left the game; however, the game was already decided.
"We're certainly not displeased with the performance of the pitching staff
so far," Weiner said. "But we'd like to see more production out of our
big guys."
* * *
Washington received some very good news after the game today - Shawn Estes
will be available to throw against Curt Schilling.
"We're pleased to say that Estes's shoulder has loosened to the point
where he's cleared to throw," team doctor Ivan Rasika said. "It just
loosened up."
Estes was extremely happy to hear the news.
"I always get up to pitch against the league's best," Estes said. "And a
guy like Schilling...well, I'm just glad Manager Weiner's got enough
confidence in me to put me up against a guy like that."
It was thought that Washington would probably have to put John Burkett or
Chad Ogea against Schilling, a matchup that clearly favored the Panthers.
"We wanted to put our best out against the best, and we did that," Weiner
said.
