Sweep Puts Royals 4 Games Behind First September 19, 2000
The unthinkable has just happened. The Montreal Royals swept a 4-game
series in Edmonton and now remain only 4 games behind the division
leaders. The Royals are now on the long flight to return home to face
the Vampires in a 3-game set this afternoon.
This isn't the biggest series of the season yet. It comes in 3 days time
when the Royals will face the Sled Dogs again... this time in Jackie
Robinson Stadium.
Unquestionably the biggest game of the season for the Montreal Royals
was Sunday afternoon, as Tim Belcher would attempt to put a stop to
Dogs' slide. The two aces, Ben McDonald and Tim Belcher, faced off. It
was a classic pitching duel and the Royals managed to edge the visitors
3-2.
The big blow for the Royals came in the 5th inning, with the score tied
1-1. Otis Nixon reached base and stole second. Then Rusty Greer cashed
in the run on a double to rightfield. Then Brady Anderson's only hit of
the game, a single, turned out to be the winning run, driving in Rusty
Greer from second.
Bill Simas was a bit shaky in the 7th inning and gave up a run, but Mark
Acre, Jose Mesa and Pete Harnisch shut down the Sled Dogs and McDonald
got his 16th win of the season. Tim Belcher dropped to 18-6 on the year.
Monday's game was another nailbiter, and Frank Thomas was the offensive
hero with a 2-run shot in the 5th inning. Arthur Rhodes gave up 8 hits
and 1 run over 7 innings, but manager Gary Carter said it was probably
his best start ever in a Royals uniform. He got knocked around by TOny
Clark, but managed to pitch out of almost every jam he got himself into.
"It was classic clutch pitching," said Carter. "This was a performance
worth of an All-Star pitcher."
In the Wild Card race, the Royals are now 4.5 games behind the Tijuana
Border Patrol. After losing 9 of their last 10 games, the 'Boms
relinquished their lead on the Wild Card.
