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Senators Pound Putty Hill in Doubleheader Sweep |
Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2
July 26, 2008. Baltimore, Md. -- The Vienna Senators coaches called Friday night's loss to the McLean Raiders their worst effort of the season. After the game, the players had a very similar take on the game. Fortunately, nothing rights the ship like a trip to Maryland to play Putty Hill. The Senators took out all of last night's frustration on the Panthers Blue Saturday, trouncing them in a doubleheader sweep. The Senators won the first game 8-4, and the second game 10-0.
The Panthers Blue were shorthanded to begin with, as they only had nine available players in Game 1 of the doubleheader. The Senators were also short some regulars, as a few players had trouble finding the ballpark in Lutherville Timonium, Maryland. Senators manager Chris Burr was also absent due to personal reasons.
The Senators were also using some of their players who will be playing for them in the NBC World Series at the end of the season. Daniel Tillman, Graham Sullivan, and Kevin Watkins all made their Senators debut Saturday.
The result of so many changes was an unusual lineup, but also an opportunity to get in some of their lesser-used players, and give an off-day to their stars. Will Krasne, normally the team's long reliever, made his second start of the season in the first game. Alfred Rodriguez made his first start of the season in the outfield in Game 1. Wes Joy made his first start of the season behind the plate in the second game.
“I have been a utility player all my life,” said Joy. “I'm used to playing all over the place.”
Joy had at least caught for his college team, Washburn, at some point during the season. Rodriguez had a lot less experience in the outfield.
“It's a learning experience for me,” said Rodriguez. “That's probably the first time I've played the outfield since little league, but I'm just enjoying it as much as I can.”
Krasne pitched five innings in Game 1, allowing three runs. The Senators offense backed him up, behind a five run fourth inning. Eric Walker provided some unlikely power as he bashed two mammoth home runs, and finished the game with five RBIs. Seven Senators' hitters had at least one hit in the first game.
Ryan Schwenke came on in relief of Krasne, and recorded two quick outs to start the sixth inning. However, he walked the next three batters to load the bases. He then hit the next batter to force in a run, and just like that his outing was over. Mason Griffin came on, and pitched a perfect one and a third innings to seal the victory.
In Game 2, Ian Kadish produced a start typical of his season so far. He didn't allow a run, but he struggled with his command. He walked four batters, and ran up his pitch count, and so he was only able to make it through four innings.
The Senators had plenty more offense in Game 2. 8 out of the 9 Senators' hitters had base hits. The Senators poured it on in the 6 th inning with 4 runs. At that point, the Panthers were depleted of pitching, and playing another inning would have only added insult to injury. So after Eric Cantrell pitched a perfect bottom half of the inning, the game was called.
The Senators have two well-deserved off days coming up, after having completed a brutal 16 game, 13 day stretch. It was clear in some of the Senators' recent performances that the grind of the long summer season was wearing on them.
“We have been playing a lot of baseball recently,” said Rodriguez. “I know people are really tired, because we've been playing for a week and a half straight now. I think that we have had the effort, but now with a couple of days off I think we're going to really start to pick it up.”
After the Senators recharge their batteries, they will begin play in the 2 nd annual Jacobs Cup. The Jacobs Cup is the end of season tournament for the Clark Griffith League, and the Senators will be looking to defend their title. After a first-round bye, they will play the winner of a first-round game between the Beltway Blue Caps and the Arlington Diamonds.
“It seemed like everyone wanted to come out here today and get two wins and build up momentum for the upcoming tournament,” said Joy. “Last night we didn't play very well. We knew we had to come out with a different attitude, wanting to win, and playing hard, and that's what we did today.”
Andrew Struckmeyer
Vienna Senators