Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 29, 1993 TAG: 9307290119
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But for the struggling Salem Buccaneers, all the slick glove work amounted to was a pat on the back and another Carolina League loss Wednesday night before 1,187 perspiring fans at Municipal Field.
Three errors, leaky pitching, and ill-advised base running were all components of a 7-5 defeat to the Frederick Keys.
The mighty Keys (21-12), the Northern Division kingpins, beat on the Bucs with three stolen bases (including Curtis Goodwin's league-best 53rd); 11 hits, five which were doubles and a sixth was a Doug McConathy home run; and flawless defense that was highlighted by a twin killing of their own.
Salem should thank heaven for its three multiple-out plays.
"We could have really gotten our tail kicked," Salem manager Scott Little said.
Even after closing to within two and having the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, Salem (15-19) had to endure its seventh loss in its past 11 outings. The Bucs are still in third place in the Southern Division, five games back of Kinston, which lost 9-2 to Prince William. Nevertheless, the Bucs' shot at a second-half title seem to grow dimmer by the day.
Salem did rally for three runs in the second on Trace Ragland's two-run ground rule double and Chance Sanford's sacrifice fly to take a 3-2 lead, but the pitching betrayed them after that.
Starter Doug Harrah was dusted for seven hits and five runs (four earned) in five innings. He also hit a batter and committed a balk.
"Brutal," he said.
Plunking a guy at the plate, Jose Millares in the second, brought up unhappy memories for the Keys. Basilio Ortiz was drilled in the temple by Dan Jones on Tuesday and will be out for at least a week with a mild concussion and swollen eye socket, said Keys trainer Rudy Higgins. Matters degenerated after Harrah threw behind Millares in the fourth, but there was no violence.
"I don't think they had any reason to hit me," said Millares, who spoke to Harrah after the pitch. "But after last night, it was a reaction."
Millares exacted his revenge by going 3-for-3, and scoring four runs.
\ BUCSHOTS: The triple play, when shortstop Kevin Polcovich snagged a liner with men on first and second, doubled the runner off second, and threw to first in the third inning, was the first he'd been involved in. "It didn't really hit me until I was coming off the field," he said. . . . The oddest play of the night was when Salem's Ramon Espinosa attempted to steal home down three runs and was nailed. "We have no idea what he was trying to do, none," Little said. . . . Temperature at game time was 98 degrees, according to one report.
See microfilm for box score
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB