Vero Beach rejoices as Adams starts first DL All-Star win
Vero Beach, FL (Special to the Indian River County Journal) -- Willie
Adams, one of the few bright spots this season for our Vero Beach Bums,
started the third annual PVBL All-Star Game yesterday. Adams -- the Bums'
only starting player chosen to the All-Star squad -- pitched four scoreless
innings, striking out 3 and giving up just one hit. "It was an honor to
start the game," said Adams, "and I'm glad I could pave the way for the
win."
Adams was relieved in the bottom of the 5th inning, when Washington Sea
Dogs closer John Wetteland came on to pitch in a still scoreless game.
Wetteland pitched 3 scoreless frames and notched the first Defiant League
All-Star win in history, giving up 4 hits and striking out five. Phoenix
closer Robb Nen saved the victory with a scoreless ninth inning.
Perennial DL also-ran Spokane accounted for 2 of the three DL runs. The
game-winning hit turned out to be a solo home run by Pirates third baseman
Jim Thome in the 7th inning, following RBI doubles in the 6th and seventh
inning by Battle Axe SS Miguel Friantague and Spokane RF Rondell White.
All 3 runs were given up by former Bum Billy Wagner, now a member of the
Anchorage Abominations.
Rich Becker and Barry Bonds' consecutive solo home runs in the 8th inning
against Binghamton "ace" Andy Ashby were not enough to lift the EL to what
would have been their third consecutive all-star win.
"This is a sweet, sweet victory," said Bums owner Jason Gohlke, spotted in
the crowd after the game with actress Heather Graham.
