(AP) Ann Arbor - The AllKnighters claim sole posession of first place
in the Spock for the first time in the 2000 season.They did it buy
scoring first 21 runs against Atlanta's ace, Mike Mussina, and followed
it up with 14 runs against Galena's #1 pitcher, Kevin Appier. The
AllKnighters were effecient, scoring 35 of their 40 baserunners in the
two games.
"I would have like to have gone for two on the last TD against the
Hamsters, but coach Bell didn't want to run up the score so he sent in
the placekicker," joked CF Johnny Damon. "We fought hard last year but
allways seemed to fall just a run short of Galena everytime, paybacks a
b***h."
Damon paced the attack in the two games going a combined 6-10 while
scoring six runs, 3 HR and 9 rbi, including 7 in the Atlanta game. Other
hot hitters included Jay Buhner who scored 3 runs and knocked in 4 in
the first game along with Chris Stynes who went 4-4, reaching base five
times alltogether, with 3 runs and 2 RBI. Carlos Perez picked up the
relief win pitching 6+ innings, striking out 6, for the victory.
Atlanta's Mussina was torched for the second time in less then 2 weeks
by the AllKnighters, this time allowing 6 runs in 3 innings. Jim Abbott
also allowed 11 runs for the Centennials.
In the second game, against Galena, Damon was added by the bat of Big
Daddy Cecil Fielder. Fielder continued his hot april hitting gong 2-4
with 2 runs and 3 RBI including a HR. Ron Choate scored and drove in 3
runs while seldom used backup David Howard filled in for the departed
Shane Andrews scoring twice and plating 1 run. Paul Wilson pitched 8
strong innings allowing 4 runs while Mike Walker closed out the ninth
with a scorless inning.
"While it seems I have been waiting all season for our offense to
come to life, I didn't think it would do this. Including our first 3
games with Atlanta, we must have scored 60 runs in the last 4 games,"
said field manager Buddy Bell. "It would be nice to combine this offense
with our excellent pitching performances. I really think we have what it
takes to make it to the playoffs this year."
"When I saw that we would be taking on Mussina and Appier back to back,
I would have bet the farm, with Scott Sanders and Paul Wilson pitching,
these would be pitchers duel," said GM Michael Kennedy.
The AllKnighters moved to a full game lead over Galena in the Spock. The
2 teams will meet 5 more times in the next 8 games.
