Washington Waits a Long Weekend to Clinch September 19, 1999
(AP) RICHMOND, V. A.--The Washington Sea Dogs, whose magic number has been
reduced to one game, have taken an entire week to clinch the division
title outright.
That's because the Sea Dogs' main rival, the Phoenix Gila Monsters, can't
seem to lose.
While Washington has seemed to be backing into the postseason, with a .500
record in their last 20 games, the Gila Monsters have won six in a row,
nine of their last ten and fourteen of their last 20.
"We just can't seem to shake these guys," Sea Dogs GM Aaron Weiner said.
"It's actually a little frustrating; we can't seem to win the way we're
used to and we're watching our main division rivals catch up to us."
While the Sea Dogs are keeping their current .500 string in perspective,
what makes it harder is that it included a series loss to Phoenix at home
two weeks ago, the first such series loss to Phoenix in several days.
"We pitched Mack (Leefenhaufenhauz) on three-day's rest for that series,"
Weiner said. "Probably a bad idea. It won't happen again."
Though the Sea Dogs can't seem to shake the Gila Monsters, they're keeping
their woes in perspective.
"We have a hundred wins," Weiner said. "We're going to probably break the
Defiant League record for wins and we've still got a shot at Galena's
mark. And we could be in Houston's position, with Punxatawney creeping
up."
The Sea Dogs managed a split with last-place Richmond Friday to clinch at
least a tie for the division title. Washington dropped the first game
4-2, as Richmond's veteran ace Hideo Nomo outdueled Washington's 17-game
winnner Shawn Estes.
"Listen, to lose to a guy like Nomo is not that surprising," said Estes,
who allowed just six hits in seven innings. "He's a great pitcher."
Nomo was magnificent in picking up his eleventh win, allowing just two
hits and three walks over six and two-thirds innings. Nomo had lost two
previous times to the Sea Dogs this year, but was under control for this
outing.
"Nomo's one guy we don't look forward to facing," third baseman Ernie
Young said. "He's a real tough pitcher to handle."
After Nomo's outing, Washington's Tim Belcher came back with an even
better performance as Washington won the second game, 9-0.
Belcher, who allowed just four hits over seven innings and struck out
eight, said that he's just playing for a playoff roster spot.
"Aaron tells me I'm gonna be right in the thick of things in the playoffs,
and I like to hear that," Belcher said. "He says I might end up being the
long man, but that he likes the way I've been pitching."
Weiner said that it was possible that Belcher, who has averaged seven
innings a start with an ERA around 3.5, would be a part of the rotation in
the playoffs, but that it was unlikely.
"Well, it's hard to say no to Ben McDonald or Mackenzee Leefenhaufenhauz,"
Weiner said. "So who do you take out of the rotation? Answer: nobody.
We're just not sure whether Belcher will be the long man or - maybe - the
fifth starter."
Leading the nine-run offensive outburst was Chuck Knoblauch, who knocked
his 18th homer and drove in four runs. Knoblauch jokingly credited
Belcher for his success.
"Well, I had to make a few good plays on hard grounders, and it really got
me into the game," Knoblauch said. "Naw, I'm just kidding Timmy
(Belcher). I felt pretty good out there today."
With the split, Washington took their 101st game of the year and need only
one more win to capture their first division title of their history.
Washington will face Richmond's Bob Wolcott and then Moncton's Salomon
Torres. Washington will pitch Leefenhaufenhauz against Richmond and Ben
McDonald for the first time in three months aginst Moncton.
