Washington Takes Two More, Win Awards July 11, 1999
(AP) SPOKANE, WA--The Washington Sea Dogs have proven they could do it
with the arms all year long. Now, they're proving they can do it with the
bats.
Washington insured themselves another series victory yesterday with a pair
of shellackings, dropping Spokane 14-4 and 15-8 to make them the first
team to 60 wins.
Every Sea Dog starter had a hit in both games.
The first game was marked by the Sea Dogs hitting six homers, one each
from MacFarlane, Knoblauch, the departed Ventura, Larkin, Ernie Young, and
Harold Baines, but none from Larry Walker. MacFarlane, Baines, and Young
each drove in three runs in the debacle.
But perhaps more astounding was not the Sea Dogs' exploits, but that of
Spokane starter David Cone. Cone pitched a complete game for Spokane,
taking on all 14 runs and pitching 208 pitches.
"It was just amazing what David Cone did today," manager Aaron Weiner
said. "I'm glad he didn't hurt himself, truthfully - we stopped counting
his pitches at 150, and that was in the seventh, so we knew he'd been
through a lot out there."
Alex Fernandez was the victor for the Sea Dogs, winning his 11th game in
the Defiant league. Fernandez is now tied with teammate Mackenzee
Leefenhaufenhauz and Springfield's Joey Hamilton for second in wins. He
was named DL Pitcher of the Month yesterday.
"I'm not sure, but I think you might see one of our guys start the
All-Star Game after all," Weiner said. "Alex has been, in my opinion, the
Defiant League's best starter this year."
The second game was marked by an old pro making a glorious effort. Eddie
Murray, the Sea Dogs' emergency starter because of the Garret Anderson
trade, doubled, homered and drove in five runs to lead the Sea Dogs'
offense.
Murray, of course, declined to talk to reporters. But Larry Walker, who
hit his 28th homer and drove in two, said that having Murray batting in
front of him was a great feeling.
"The guy's a wonder to have in the clubhouse; you can always go to him for
hitting advice, and he'll always lend a helping hand with anything,"
Walker said. "It's nice to see him succeeding on the field."
Tim Belcher recovered from a rough outing in Phoenix last week to pitch
six innings of five-hit ball, and allowed only three of the Spokane runs.
Most of the damage was done off of back-to-back homers off of the injured
John Burkett.
Washington is now on pace for 114 wins and has a .709 winning percentage.
Notes and Quotes:
"It would be a great honor if Aaron chose me for the All-Star Game. It'd
be great being there with all my teammates."
-Alex Fernandez
"I'm stunned that we traded Robin Ventura, but for a guy like Tim
Salmon...that's not that weird."
-Barry Larkin
"I'm GOIN' West!"
-Garret Anderson
* * *
June and July have been pretty good months for the Sea Dogs.
Recently, as previously noted, Alex Fernandez won the June Pitcher of the
Month Award for the Defiant League. Fernandez, who has gone 11-2 as a Sea
Dog, was immaculate in June, going 6-0 with a 1.67 ERA.
"I was unstoppable," Fernandez said. "Combine that with our offense, and
it's no wonder I was 6-0." (Ed. You're welcome, Nick. :) -AW)
It was also a month where the Sea Dogs won over 20 games and made their
lead more secure in the Defiant League's Data Division. With one game to
go until the break, Washington is assured a lead of at least 7.5 games
over Phoenix.
In addition, Washington recently received reassurance of their dominating
stance from league statistician Nick Tulach when he recently released the
PVBL's first Power Rankings.
The Sea Dogs were ranked first in the PVBL, but over 450 points ahead of
any Defiant League team. To put the statistic into perspective, there
were eleven teams with less of a total ranking with Washington's LEAD.
Galena was the closest to Washington, with 963 points.
Finally, Washington, with today's wins, has achieved another league first
- they lead the Defiant League in both runs and ERA. Their 29 runs today
allowed them to overtake Calgary, who despite having outhomered them by 80
homers now trail the Sea Dogs by 11 runs.
"It's nice to receive some recognition," Weiner said.
* * *
Despite the laudits that have been heaped upon Washington, it has not been
an easy time for them. Washington has seven injuries on their team, most
in the PVBL.
Newest on the disabled list is Fred Smith, who has a serious tricep
problem and is expected to be out for the rest of the season. He
will have exploratory surgery this week and if all goes well, will
begin rehab in a month.
Doctors are confident that Smith will return by next year, however.
Smith joins Devon White and Lance Johnson on the disabled list.
Additionally, Larry Walker, Harold Baines, John Burkett and the newly
acquired Tim Salmon are nursing minor injuries.
"This just shows how deep we are, that we can get so many injuries and
still be so far ahead," Weiner said. "But we've really been banged up."
* * *
Doctors did give Washington some good news as well; they reported that
Washington would be getting Lance Johnson back by the beginning of July.
"The rehab went way ahead of schedule," Johnson said. "I worked really
hard so that I could get back onto the field and help my team win."
Johnson, who was the runner-up for Player of the Month in April, hit .432
with 13 stolen bases before the injury.
Getting Johnson back isn't necessarily all GOOD news, however. When
Johnson returns, somebody will likely have to hit the bench, which gives
manager Aaron Weiner a dilemma.
"It's not really a dilemma if we clinch early," Weiner said. "I mean, if
we have everything under wraps, there's no way we're going to have to play
everybody every day. But there are people who are producing around here,
and I'd hate to have to sit them down."
The biggest question is what to do about Ernie Young, who has moved from
right field to center field to accomodate the arrival of Tim Salmon.
Young has been a major contributor this year, hitting .294 with 19 homers
and 56 RBI so far.
But it's presumed that when Johnson returns that Larry Walker will return
to center field and Johnson will play left, leaving Young the odd man out
in the outfield.
Weiner says that he's talked to Young about these scenarios.
"Well, Ernie says he'll be happy with whatever we do, but I know that he'd
really like to stay in the every day lineup," Weiner said. "It makes it
hard to do that because he can back up at so many positions, but he's
earned his spot. All things considered, he could be our regular third
baseman."
What will make it harder is that in October, Devon White returns from the
disabled list. However, Weiner says that if Young earns his stripes,
he'll be in the lineup in the playoffs.
* * *
Washington is still almost lapping the Defiant League field in stolen
bases, but a more telling statistic is that Barry Larkin and Chuck
Knoblauch, ranked 1 and 2 in steals, both have as many stolen bases as
three PVBL TEAMS.
"It's a major part of our game; it's part of what keeps us on top," Weiner
said. "I just hope we're good enough to stay there."
