Washington Takes Four Straight, .700 in Sight August 26, 1999
(AP) WASHINGTON, D. C.--The Washington Sea Dogs aren't having much trouble
keeping their focus, despite their lofty position.
"We're having fun out there," Ernie Young said. "Every day's a new
challenge."
Washington climbed another mountain yesterday, beating Richmond in a
doubleheader by counts of 4-1 and 5-0, including a defeat of one of the
DL's top pitchers, Hideo Nomo, to sweep a four-game series.
"We were really worried about facing Nomo," shortstop Barry Larkin said.
"It's a real confidence boost to defeat one of the best pitchers in the
PVBL."
Though Washington defeated Nomo in the first game, they didn't get much
off of him. Nomo allowed just five hits and two walks in a complete game,
but Washington got to him in the fifth inning on a Ernie Young two-run
double, the game-winning hit.
"He put it on the outside corner, and I just reached out and poked it the
other way, down the line," Young said. "It was a bit of a lucky spot to
hit it in."
Trade rumors have surrounded Nomo all season long, and there was a point
where it was thought the Sea Dogs might make a play for the righthander.
But Washington General Manager Aaron Weiner hopes that Richmond holds onto
Nomo.
"He's really the franchise over there," said the GM. "He's struggled
lately, but he's one of the best."
John Burkett was the winner for the Sea Dogs in the game, throwing his
second-straight spectacular outing, going eight innings of three-hit
ball, walking one and striking out a season-high eight.
Burkett, whose season has been considered something of a disaster,
believes that he's just starting to get back into the groove himself.
"Well, there was a long stretch when I was out of the rotation," Burkett,
who lowered his ERA to 4.73, said. "I'm not really a bullpen type of guy.
So when I got my chance again, I figured I should take it."
"We're just trying to play as much solid baseball as we can," Washington
Manager Aaron Weiner said. "As long as we don't lose our focus, our lead
should be safe."
The second game was marked by an equally spectacular outing from Tim
Belcher. Belcher went eight shutout innings to mark his ninth victory of
the season and lower his ERA to 4.26.
There were talks of trading Belcher as recently as two weeks ago, when
his ERA was in the mid-5s. But those talks have quelled somewhat with
Belcher's resurgence. He has allowed just four runs in his last 30
innings, a 1.2 ERA.
"Listen, I was just crap before I started this streak," Belcher said. "I
could understand why Aaron would think about dealing me. But even more
than the fact that I wanted to stay a Sea Dog, I wanted to do well."
Washington's lineup also featured some new looks, with centerfielder Larry
Walker at third base and Bill Mueller at second, and also marked the
return of centerfielder Devon White from the disabled list.
White, who had a single and a sac fly against Richmond, said he was glad
to be back in the lineup.
"Well, I've been out almost all year," White, who returned two weeks
early. "I wanted to get back and playing again."
It is expected that White will not start, though he may see a large amount
of playing time in right field.
"Devon will probably spell all of our outfield and our DH, and if he
hits, there's no reason we'd keep him out of the lineup," Weiner said.
With the sweep and a Phoenix split, Washington takes a 15-game lead over
Phoenix with 38 games left to go, meaning their magic number is 46 - any
combination of 46 Phoenix losses and Washington wins in those 38 games
will clinch Washington the division.
"It's a little too early to be talking magic numbers," Weiner said. "But
we feel like we can hold off the Gila Monsters if we just continue to play
good, fundamental baseball."
Washington moves to 86-38 (.694), and will next host Battle Axe for a
three-game series. Battle Axe knocked the Sea Dogs off in a three game
series just a week ago.
"You know, it's a good thing they're not in playoff contention, because
they've really owned us this year," Weiner said.
Washington will send the heart of their rotation against Battle Axe.
Struggling 14-game winner Mackenzee Leefenhauz has lost four of his last
six starts but still has a 2.57 ERA on the year, and will face the
Knights' ace Ugueth Urbina. Washington 13-game winners Alex Fernandez and
Shawn Estes will face off with Paul Quantrill and Bob Bliss in the next
two games.
Notes and Quotes:
"We're really glad to have Devo back. It means I can finally take a few
rests."
-All-Star Ernie Young, who got just his fourth day off this year.
"Naw, Ernie, it means you'll be filling in for me."
-Barry Larkin and Chuck Knoblauch, simultaneously
* * *
While the Sea Dogs continue to chase the all-time PVBL record for wins, it
is expected that few of the Sea Dogs' starters will be playing 25 games in
September when rosters expand to 40 players.
"Well, we'll be calling up just about all our AAA position players, maybe
all of them," Weiner said. "And we'll be using them a lot."
Veteran position player callups will likely consist of Eddie Perez,
Washington's backup catcher in April, J. T. Snow, a former starter at
first base, backup middle infielders Mike Bordick and Nelson Liriano, and
outfielder Ruben Sierra. Only Snow and Bordick have no at-bats this
season.
"The most important people on that list are Liriano and Bordick," Weiner
said. "We have to rest Barry Larkin and Chuck Knoblauch in September."
Other players likely to be getting a lot of days off are Tim Salmon, who
has played in 125 games, Larry Walker (122), Mickey Kelly (122) and Ernie
Young (120).
"We'll be using Bill Mueller a lot, too, sometimes at second base,
sometimes at shortstop," Weiner said. "You'll be seeing a lot of
different looks from us in September."
* * *
The condition of Washington's injured players have improved recently, as
All-Star starter Ben McDonald will now be back in less than a month and
doctors are certain that reliever Fred Smith will be ready for the 2000
season.
The former news means that the Washington ace will be back in time for the
playoffs.
"We're entirely pleased to hear that Ben will be back for certain," Weiner
said. "He's our rock, he's the most playoff-experienced pitcher on our
staff. We need him to get anywhere in October."
Smith, on the other hand, is definitely out for the year. However,
doctors are certain that Smith has improved enough that he can begin
rehabilitation on the arm and be back by spring training next season.
Smith, who has been travelling with the team, says that it's a real relief
to know that his condition isn't career-threatening.
"I want to retire a Sea Dog, but not like this," Smith said. "When they
told me I'd be out for sure over six months, I was really worried, but now
I'm just entirely relieved."
Washington also got some bad news yesterday, as it was learned that top
reliever Nigel Fernandez would likely not be available for the playoffs,
meaning his season is over.
"We're disappointed that Nigel won't be back for the playoffs, but I've
been very pleased with the play of our new bullpen," Weiner said.
"There's certainly a place for Fernandez in the pen next year, however."
Lance Johnson is also nursing a bruised wrist. He sat out Game 2 of the
doubleheader and is day-to-day.
* * *
While Galena continues to win over in the Enterprise League, the
Washington Sea Dogs are watching their back.
"We want the best record in the PVBL," catcher Ben Petrick said. "We've
been shooting for that all year."
Chuck Knoblauch was a little more adamant.
"I wouldn't exactly call it domination, but we've certainly excelled this
year," Knoblauch said. "To be 15 games ahead of any other Defiant League
team - that's an incredible accomplishment."
Even the Sea Dogs manager agreed.
"Yeah, it's probably not Phoenix that's chasing us anymore," Weiner said.
"Galena's the only team within thirteen games of us."
Washington is currently four games ahead of Galena, who have won seven
straight to pick up a game on the Sea Dogs.
"We're certainly talking about last year's champions here, a team that set
an all-time record for wins last year," Weiner said. "Of course they're
in the hunt."
On the other hand, Washington is also on pace to break that record. With
a .694 winning percentage, Washington is now on pace to win 112 games,
which would top the Galena record of 109.
"We think Matt Peck is starting to get worried," Weiner said.
* * *
Miscellany
Washington has six batters over .300 and eight with at least a .349
on-base percentage in their regular lineup.
Ben McDonald still has more wins than anyone but Springfield's Joey
Hamilton, the odds-on favorite for the Cy Young.
Chuck Knoblauch won the June Player of the Month Award in the Defiant
League, his second such career award. This marks the third straight
month Washington has won either the Player or Pitcher of the Month.
John Wetteland received honorable mention for the Pitcher of
the Month award, his first mentioning.
Washington still leads the PVBL in ERA, runs scored and fielding
percentage, and has a 98-steal lead over second-place Binghamton, 201-103.
* * *
Ad Infinitum
People in Washington are already starting to call left fielder/first
baseman Mickey Kelly "The Mick," after Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle.
Kelly, just 22, has raised his average above .300, and has career highs in
homers and RBI after just five months.
"I'm really flattered, but I'm just doing what they ask me to do," Kelly
said. "Though I'm really, really pleased that people are noticing; this
is such a great team, it would be easy to get lost here."
When he comes to the plate, Washington's young phenom receives huge
cheers, and people hold up signs saying things like, "The Next Mantle" and
"Mick With a Stick". There are also all kinds of rumors that he's dating
Washington Wizards star Nikki McCray.
"Well, I'm not going to respond about my personal life," Kelly said. "But
I'll tell you this much - being on this team, they give you all kinds of
space."
Sea Dogs captain Chuck Knoblauch says that the team has noticed, too.
"We've pulled all kinds of jokes on him," Knoblauch said. "We've put a
construction-paper Mantle jersey and three of those Burger King kiddie
meal crowns in his locker as a mock Triple Crown."
But the youngster says the jokes actually help him.
"They really keep me loose," Kelly said. "It makes me feel like my
teammates are really there for me."
Kelly, who ascends from Pennahatock, NY, was drafted out of Florida
State and played minor-league ball in the Edmonton system. He was
acquired in 1998 as the keystone in the trade for Chuck Finley.
