New Orleans Opens Season with Win Streak April 6, 2000
New Orleans, LA (AP)- The New Orleans Vampires (2-0) opened official league
play by crushing the Edmonton Sled Dogs (0-2) on Opening Day by a score of
8-1 and then narrowly edged them in a pitching duel on Wednesday, 1-0.
"The Rocket" Roger Clemens (1-0) took the mound for the Vampires on Opening
Day and swiftly and efficiently disposed of the lethergic Sled Dogs.
Clemens pitched 7 strong innings, allowing only 4 hits and 1 earned run
while fanning 9. Meanwhile, fellow PVBL veteran pitching ace Chuck Finley
(0-1) struggled for Edmonton, lasting just 2 2/3 innings and allowing 6
earned runs on 5 hits and a base on balls. Newly acquired New Orleans left
fielder, Bernard Gilkey, led the way for the Vampires going 2 for 3 with 3
RBI on a homerun and a double. He scored twice and walked once as well.
Right fielder Socks Byrne also contributed 2 RBI on a single and a double.
Veteran hurlers Bret Saberhagen and Mike Mimbs held on for New Orleans'
first victory in history. The Vampires did so in convincing fashion. On
his stellar debut as a Vampire, former Houston Hellraiser Bernard Gilkey
remarked, "It feels great to have contributed. We have a great group of
guys here. I just want to be a part of this franchise's historic future.
Today was a good start,."
Game 2 of the 2-game set was not nearly as pretty as Game 1 but just as fun
to watch. It was a true pitching duel for the ages as Edmonton's Pete
Schourek (0-1) faced off against New Orleans' Ken Hill (1-0). Neither team
could get its act together nor could either muster an semblance of an
offense. Nevertheless, somebody had to win and today Schourek and the Sled
Dogs were forced to be the hard-luck losers. Schourek pitched an
extraordinary complete game to no avail. Despite allowing only 1 earned
run in 8 innings of work, 4 hits and striking out 8, Pete Schourek was
handed his first loss of the year. Meanwhile, Ken Hill was lucky enough to
be on the receiving end. Rookie shortstop Orlando Cabrera knocked in
Bernard Gilkey with a sac fly in the 7th inning (Gilkey had reached on a
double). Despite going 0 for 2 on the day, Cabrera's sacrifice would be
all the Vampires would need as Nigel Fernandez and Clint Faatz (Sv. 1) came
on in succession to seal the victory.
Of his team's play on days one and two, new Manager Pete rose stated, "I'm
content. Not happy. Not excited. And I'm certainly not satisfied. I'm
simply content with the fact that we won and that's the bottom line."
Owner Jeremy Chrabascz was a tad more optimistic and upbeat, saying " I
suspect many people are going to underestimate us this season like Edmonton
seemed to do Tuesday and Wednesday. We're apretty good ballcub."
