New Orleans falls quickly behind in race with Sled Dogs New Orleans, LA (AP)- The New Orleans Vampires' offense has been non-existent thus far this season, to say the very least. They have dropped 5 in a row, including a 4-game sweep on the road at the hands of the defending world champion Deadwood Outlaws, and currently stand at 4-8, already 5 1/2 games back of first-place Edmonton in the McCoy Division. What has kept New Orleans afloat can be singled out quite simply...its top 3 starters and LF Bernard Gilkey-period. That's it. End of story. So, here's the Good news for New Orleans first:
LF Bernard Gilkey .348 16 hits, 9 runs, 3 doubles, 5 homeruns, 12 RBI, 4 BB, 0 errors and a Slug % of .739
P Roger Clemens 2-1 1.77 ERA 20.1 IP 0 HR 8 BB 23 K
P Ken Hill 2-1 2.84 ERA 19 IP 2 HR 6 BB 14 K
P Sterling Hitchcock 0-2 2.57 ERA 14 IP 2 HR 4 BB 12 K
Here's the Bad news:
P Kevin Millwood 0-2 6.75 ERA 16 IP 4 HR 3 BB 12 K
P Tom Gordon 0-2 6.00 ERA 15 IP 5 HR 5 BB 14 K
1B Mo Vaughn .196 BA 9 H 5 R 0 HR 1 2B 1 RBI 7 BB 11 K .217 Slg%
Thus, the core of New Orleans' offense, the highest paid position player in the game, Mo Vaughn has been pathetic (no splitting hairs here). For a power-hitting slugger with over 70 CH to hit below .200 WITHOUT a HR and with only 1 RBI after 13 games is staggering. But Vaughn is not the only one struggling as the team is having difficulty getting its collective BA over .230. Jason Kendall is second on the team to Gilkey's .348 with .250 Pretty sad. "I have no explanation for this," said Manager Pete Rose, "In all of my years with the game of baseball I have never seen a team struggle so mightily offensively. Something needs to be done and things need to be turned around pronto." When asked about the team's pitching, Rose responded, "'Flash' (Gordon) and Kevin (Millwood) really need to get their acts together or you'll see Denny (Neagle) out there. The relief pitching has also been crap. If people like Sabes and Boehringer don't start contributing I'll give some others guys the chance." "It's deplorable," comments GM Peter Gammons, "to think that we're alrewady 5.5 games back." No word on any major developments or tradewinds out of Vamp Camp but expect a new batting order soon enough.
