Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 22, 1990 TAG: 9007220190
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In its final visit to Municipal Field in 1990, Prince William proved to be a lousy guest, wrapping up a three-game sweep by squashing the Bucs 10-2 Saturday night in Carolina League baseball.
It was the fifth consecutive loss for Salem (8-18).
The Cannons (12-13) - who entered Saturday's game tied with Lynchburg for first place in the Northern Division - lived up to their nickname, blasting Salem pitchers for double-figures scoring in each of the three games.
In addition to the royal treatment given to Prince William hitters, the Bucs' offense lacked firepower and Salem was outscored 34-7 in the series.
The Buccaneers had reason for concern even before the first pitch was thrown Saturday night.
Taking the mound for Prince William was Frank Seminara, who entered the game with an 11-4 record and a Carolina League-leading earned-run average of 1.38. He had allowed just 80 hits in his previous 104 innings, and he recorded nearly three times as many strikeouts as walks (79-28).
To the dismay of Salem and its fans, Saturday night was a typical outing for the Cannons' right-hander.
Seminara went 8 innings, allowing six hits and two runs. No Salem player had sunk his spikes into third base all evening until Mandy Romero doubled home Bruce Schreiber with one out in the ninth.
After Darwin Pennye hit a solid single to center to score Romero with two out, Seminara was lifted for reliever Curtis Ralph, who slammed the door on any potential Bucs rally by striking out designated hitter Ken Trusky.
Salem starter Paul Miller, with a staff-leading 2.79 ERA, kept his team in the game through seven innings.
"I was very pleased with Mike," Bucs manager Stan Cliburn said. "He's the most consistent pitcher we've got."
However, relievers Mike Zimmerman and Roger Williams struggled late, combining to allow seven Prince William runs in the top of the ninth. The decisive blow was Sherman Obando's three-run homer off Williams that cleared the scoreboard.
"They came in here confident after the first night [a 10-0 victory]," Cliburn said. "Hitting is contagious. They really got in there and dug in."
PRINCE WM. SALEM ab r h bi ab r h bi Silvestri ss3002 Sims cf4010 Howell rf4110 Schreiber 3b4110 Snow 1b5111 Romero c4111 Davis 3b5020 Hines 1b4020 Obando lf4213 Pennye lf4011 Hernandez dh3210 Trusky dh3000 Viera dh0000 Estep rf2000 Bridges dh1000 Williams 2b3000 Zazueta 2b4110 Bailey ss3000 Ausmus c3221 Oster cf4121 Totals36 10 11 8 Totals 31 2 6 2
Prince William020 000 107-10 Salem000 000 002-2
E-Bailey (2), Hines. DP- Salem 1, Prince William 1. LOB-Salem 4, Prince William 5. 2B-Hines, Romero. HR-Obando (8). SF-Silvestri. IP HRERBBSO Prince William Seminara W,12-4862227 Ralph 00001 Salem Miller L,6-5 736213 Zimmerman 164321 Williams 11101
HBP - Obando by Miller, Ausmus by Zimmerman. WP-Zimmerman. BK-Zimmerman.
Umpires-Home, Langley; first, Sweeney; third, Smith.
T-2:52. A-1,627.
by CNB