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Harris Rallies Senators Past Blue Caps |
July 16, 2008. Vienna, Va. -- David Harris came to the plate with the bases loaded in the top of the 4 th inning, and no outs. The team was trailing 7-2, and was on the brink of running its season-long losing streak to 5 games. Harris struck out, and paced angrily back to the dugout. The team managed only two runs in the inning, and continued its inability to drive runners in.
Fortunately, they found the perfect panacea in the Blue Caps' bullpen and a motivated Harris. After the Senators managed to bounce starter Jay Joines from the game, they attacked the bullpen for 6 runs in 4 innings, en route to an 11-10 victory. Harris contributed two home runs and 5 RBI to pace the Senators offense.
Harris is one of the fieriest players on the Senators team, as well as one of the best. He is a player who wears his emotions on his sleeve, and after the team was swept in its exhibition doubleheader yesterday, Harris was at a loss for words to explain the team's offensive struggles.
Tonight, Harris let his bat do the talking. After his strikeout, he came back with an RBI double in his next at-bat. He punctuated his evening with a no doubter, three-run home run that completed the Senators comeback. Even more impressive, Harris is a switch-hitter and hit one home run from each side of the plate.
“You don't see what Dave did at the plate tonight very often, hitting a home run from both sides of the plate,” said manager Chris Burr. “He's been doing that kind of stuff all year. When he gets locked in, he's a tough guy to get out.”
Jimmy Duggan completed a great night by the Senators bullpen by pitching two innings for the save. The bullpen's great effort stood in stark contrast to that of the Blue Caps, whose lack of pitching depth has been their Achilles heel all season.
The Senators bullpen was forced into action early, as starter Jordan Durrance struggled. Durrance, coming off of perhaps his best start of the season, allowed four runs in only one and a third innings of work. Durrance had no command whatsoever, allowing six walks in his stint. The start is especially discouraging considering that last outing he had cut down on his walks considerably.
“He's been struggling with his hand position and release point right now,” said Burr. “He's a work in progress, but he's a young pitcher with a live arm and great stuff.”
Durrance's early exit left Clint Maune with the unenviable task of eating up innings, and saving the Senators' bullpen. Maune performed well, as he managed to pitch almost five innings, and keep the Senators within shouting distance. He allowed four runs, but bridged the gap between Durrance and the normally scheduled middle relievers.
“[Clint] was huge for us today, because we really didn't have too many options otherwise,” said Burr. “He's a great competitor, and he is going to keep the team in the game. His ability to mix up his pitches and keep hitters off-balance really enhanced our ability to come back today.”
Will Krasne came on in relief of Maune, and had a solid outing. Krasne has struggled with his command in recent outings, but pitched a scoreless seventh inning, and earned the victory.
The Senators' comeback began in earnest with a four-run sixth inning. The first three batters smacked hard hits off of Blue Caps reliever Daren McLean. Harris, Matt Goulas, and Wes Joy all had RBI hits.
After Krasne's perfect inning, the Senators' bats set back to work. Kevin Hall, who reached base three times on the night, started the inning with a walk. Nick Boullosa then lined a ball into left field for a base hit. That set the stage for Harris, who crushed a ball deep into the dark July night. The home run staked the Senators to an 11-9 lead, which they would never relinquish.
“It felt good to hit that home run, I'm not going to lie,” said Harris. “I'm a pretty competitive guy. Sometimes I'm too hard on myself and I get negative, but sometimes it does help me.”
Harris' emotions have gotten the better of him at some times this season, but Burr doesn't mind his intensity at all.
“You have to some intensity and control it. But he's got the right kind of intensity, where he takes it and channels it and it enhances him,” said Burr. “He's really learning to channel it, and beginning to succeed every day.”
As Harris exited the playing field, Burr told him to wear the same shirt to batting practice tomorrow.
“Take two rounds of BP tomorrow,” said Burr. “Just keep hitting in that, and don't mess with it,” said Burr.
Andrew Struckmeyer
Vienna Senators