(AP) WASHINGTON--Washington lost their second straight game to the
Richmond Panthers today, falling in a 7-1 final.
Ask the Sea Dogs if they're backing into the playoffs, and you'll hear a
lot of mixed responses.
Take second baseman Chuck Knoblauch's response, for example.
"You really can't back into anything in this game; it happens sometimes,
and sometimes it doesn't," Knoblauch said. "But can I say we're not
putting forth our effort? Maybe."
But the Sea Dogs have been losing recently, so much so that their record
is only at .500 this month.
"Well, sure, you don't like to lose," said centerfielder Larry Walker.
"But there are a lot of people on the team who need a chance to play, and
a lot of people who need some rest. If that means we can't win every
game, that's probably all right."
Washington's manager says that a lot of the losing has to do with the
batting orders.
"A lot of it has to do with the lineups we've been putting up there," said
manager Aaron Weiner. "We haven't played our full-scale lineup since the
four-game losing string and that 28-1 doubleheader a couple weeks ago."
Still, Washington has won 105 games, and one wonders if they should be
losing back-to-back games to last-place Richmond no matter what lineup
they play.
"Richmond's not that bad a ballclub, not really," said Alex Fernandez,
today's losing pitcher. "A lot of their offensive players have been
having down seasons."
Fernandez was shutting the Panthers down until the seventh inning, where
he allowed six runs, including two homers to Richmond's Craig Paquette and
Jeff Conine.
"I went right after them, and they powered a couple," Fernandez said.
Weiner said that he had lost no confidence in Fernandez despite the fact
that he has now lost his last three starts.
"Lose confidence in Alex Fernandez?" Weiner asked, incredulously. "He's
been great, all year long."
Weiner says that Fernandez will likely be one of the two starters to go
on the road against the Phoenix Gila Monsters, who clinched the Defiant
wild-card today with a win over Moncton.
"Alex is one of the most experienced pitchers on our staff," Weiner said,
"and we feel there's no reason he can't pitch in crunch time."
Washington is just a half-game ahead of Galena for the league's best
record, and wonders how Matt Peck, Galena's owner, gets away with it.
"It's amazing; you'd think he didn't have anywhere near the offense we
have, and yet he's tied with us at 105 wins," Weiner said. "He must have
been playing his regulars."
Notes and Quotes:
"What we'd be very pleased to do is win the runs title. That would clinch
the team's complete turnaround."
-Weiner, referring to Washington's historical run deficit
"Hey, it could be worse. We could be Houston."
-Ernie Young
* * *
The Sea Dogs, who are now four games away from the playoffs, have yet to
finalize their postseason roster.
Part of the holdup is because of the rapidly improving health of the Sea
Dogs' most talented relievers, Nigel Fernandez. Fernandez will likely be
healthy within two weeks, meaning that if the Sea Dogs were to reach the
DLCS, Fernandez would be able to pitch.
"It's a very difficult choice; do we load up with everyone against 91-win
Phoenix, our chief divisional rival, or do we play down a player so that
we've got Nigel back for the playoffs?" Weiner said with a mixed voice.
Weiner said that it's a harder choice because of the Sea Dogs recent
record.
"Well, I mean, in light of the fact that we've been playing .500 ball this
month, it might make sense to load up the team and give Nigel the
offseason to recover," Weiner said.
Nigel Fernandez, however, wants to pitch.
"Listen, I understand that we'd be down a player, but our pitchers go deep
into ballgames," Fernandez said. "We're going to have a big bullpen
anyway, Aaron tells me, so why can't I be in it?"
Weiner said that Washington would likely carry seven bullpen members
through the playoffs, one more than most of the season.
"We have six locks for the pen," Weiner said. "We'll have Tim Belcher as
a long man, and John (Wetteland) will close, of course. Then Nealy
Becker, Delino Wilson, and Mike Timlin are going to go somewhere, and so
will Paul Kilgus."
But Weiner was noncommittal on Fernandez's status.
"Well, there was no question that if Paul (Kilgus) hadn't emerged as such
a force out of the pen, we wouldn't have had a question," Weiner said.
"And if we get Nigel back, we can go lefty/righty in every situation. But
it's not certain."
One of the problems with not choosing another reliever is the amount of
choices Washington has already. If Washington chooses Fernandez, they
will Roy Clingman, who has been miserable this season but possesses one of
the best career ERAs and playoff experience, as well as Steve Reed and
Hank Gill.
"It's going to be hard not to say yes to Nigel, especially since we have
Tim (Belcher) to pitch in long relief," Weiner said. "We'll see what
happens."
* * *
One problem Washington doesn't have is the structure of their
rotation. The Sea Dogs will throw a four-man rotation in the playoffs,
most likely starting Shawn Estes, then going to Alex Fernandez, Ben
McDonald and Mackenzee Leefenhaufenhauz.
"Normally, Ben would have been the Game 1 starter, but he's expressed
interest in a couple extra days off for conditioning purposes," Weiner
said. "Whatever he needs to do is fine, just as long as he's ready to
pitch."
McDonald said that despite pulling almost a full load of pitches in his
first start, he's still not satisfied with his performance.
"Well, I've been running during the time off, but I haven't been lifting
much, because to affect anything, you've gotta use both arms," McDonald
said. "I'll be fine in a week, tops."
Washington will revamp their rotation to pitch Leefenhaufenhauz, McDonald,
Tim Belcher and John Burkett in the final four games of the year.
Burkett, who will not make the playoff roster, was called upon as a
starter so that Washington could reset their rotation.
* * *
Barring injury, Washington has definitely set their postseason position
players.
At catcher, Washington will likely platoon Ben Petrick against lefthanders
and Mike MacFarlane against righties. The combination, which has nearly
700 at-bats between the two, has combined for a .270 average with 19
homers and 18 stolen bases. Washington will not carry Eddie Perez, as was
thought may happen, as a third catcher.
First base will be manned by Jeff King, who has recorded his usual strong
numbers, most with Vero Beach. King has 24 homers and a .290 average this
season in just 452 at-bats. Mickey Kelly, the young phenom, will likely
also see playing time at the postion, and Eddie Murray, the veteran, will
provide clubhouse stability.
Second base, of course, is Chuck Knoblauch's. Knoblauch has had his usual
magnificent season, with 202 hits, a .324 average, 18 homers and a
league-leading 59 steals.
Shortstop is the venerable Barry Larkin's. Larkin, though at the advanced
age of 32, has an even .300 average with 19 homers and 108 runs scored.
Third base will likely remain Ernie Young's. Despite some September
struggles, Young is one of the best defensive players in the game and has
hit .278 with 28 homers and 80 RBI. Bill Mueller, with a .264 average and
10 homers, will back up the infield.
Washington will likely play Lance Johnson in left field. Johnson, a
candidate for September's Player of the Month award, has hit .360 with six
homers and has 43 steals despite just 303 at-bats.
Center field will, of course, be Larry Walker's. Walker has not comitted
an error, and needs one homer in the last four games to become
Washington's first 40-home run hitter.
Right field is slightly up for grabs. Jim Eisenreich is expected to play
designated hitter, though he will undoubtedly see time in right field.
Devon White has played well there in September, with a .328 average this
month. Mickey Kelly might see time there as well.
DH will be manned by some combination of Eisenreich, Mickey Kelly and
perhaps even Harold Baines. Eisenreich has again been one of the league's
best hitters, with a .328 average and 13 homers. Baines has never
recaptured his 1997 form, but with a .277 average and 13 homers this year,
he is still a hitting threat.
In all, this is fourteen bats, leaving spots for exactly eleven pitchers.
