(AP) WASHINGTON--Mackenzee Leefenhaufenhauz put it best yesterday when
asked how he was so easily able to outduel Wilson Alvarez to assure the
Sea Dogs a series victory against Phoenix.
"This is the best team I could possibly imagine," Leefenhaufenhauz said.
"There is so much confidence here, it's amazing."
Washington had reason for confidence, as they earned their fourth straight
series win Monday over division rival Phoenix, winning 3-2, and also took
the first game of a three-game set against Spokane by a count of 7-2.
Leefenhaufenhauz's game against Phoenix - a 8.2 inning, 5 hit, two walk,
three strikeout performance that earned him his 11th win - was only part
of the story. Washington received another big game from Ben Petrick, as
he went 3-3, two hits from Chuck Knoblauch and Barry Larkin's 1th homer.
"We're just on a roll right now," said right fielder Ernie Young.
"Playing .700 ball is a lot of luck, and we're getting all kinds of luck."
The second game was another team effort, as starter Shawn Estes, long man
John Burkett and reliever Fred Smith all went out of the game in the first
inning. Middle man Delino Wilson, a successful starter two years ago,
came on to pitch 5.2 innings for the victory.
"I was stunned when our guys started dropping like flies, and truthfully,
I was a little scared to go out there," Wilson said. "But I mustered up
enough courage."
Left fielder Mickey Kelly had three RBI, including his ninth homer, and
Knoblauch and Larry Walker homered as well.
Washington is now 59-25, and is assured to go into the All-Star Break with
the division lead.
