DLCS Even Again as Hogs Take Game 4
October 15, 2001
Washington, DC (AP)
After a relatively easy game 3 victory for Washington, Punxatawney fought back
in game 4 as their ace, Jon Lieber, easily outmatched Joey Hamilton as the
Groundhogs coasted to a 7-3 win to once again lock up the series at 2-2. The
Hogs jumped on Hamilton early and often, knocking him from the box after two
innings in which they scored 3 times. John Burkett held the Hogs to just 1
more run until the 6th, but after Washington scored once to make the score 4-1,
the Hogs put the game away with 3 more runs of their own. Bobbu Munoz, Juan
Guzman, and Jeff Taylor closed it out, allowing two late runs but never letting
the game get close.
"This series is intense," said winning pitcher Jon Lieber, who also won two
starts in the divisional playoffs. "I'm hoping whoever wins this one still has
something left for the World Series."
Punxatawney scored most of their runs without many extra base hits. With
steals and timely sac flies, the Hogs manufactured most of their runs.
Batista, Rolen, Martinez, Ochoa, and even slugger Ryan Klesko all successfully
stole a base off catcher Einar Diaz.
"We knew Hamilton wouldn't give us many chances, so we wanted to give ourselves
every opportunity," said Klesko. "We got a ton of hits in the game, but we
didn't take anything for granted."
Now the series turns to what may be the most critical game for both teams.
Punxatawney will look to game 1 starter Rocky Coppinger, who dropped a 2-0
heartbreaker to Shawn Estes. The two will face off again in one of the biggest
games in both of their careers. Bobby Thomas and Hideo Nomo are scheduled to
face each other in game 6, and Punxatawney has already rearranged the rotation
to ensure that Jon Lieber will be ready to throw game 7 if necessary.
"Its not that we don't trust Yoshii, its just that Jon is the heart of this
team and has been for a long time. He deserves that game," said Shapiro.
"Hopefully we'll just win the next two and not even need it."
Tomorrow will be the final game in Washington before the series shifts back to
Punxatawney for the last two games. Galena is on the verge of another Series
appearance as they hold a 3-1 lead in their series with New Diggens, so it is
quite likely the winner of the DLCS will have to face the commish and his
talented squad.
"The DL is the better league now, that's not even a question. One of us will
have to reassert our authority again, its just a matter of who gets the
chance," said Shapiro.
