ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996 TAG: 9606270062
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
Elvis Pena and Mike Vavrek can no longer commiserate about their respective afflictions. Both Salem Avalanche players are feeling much better now.
While Pena was laid up with an intestinal bug that weakened him to the point of hospitalization and afflicted him with an anemic batting average, Vavrek was battling a sickening slump on the mound that left him suddenly allergic to victories.
Both players found solace in Salem's 8-3 victory over the Prince William Cannons Wednesday night before 2,457 paying customers. Vavrek got his first win in more than a month and leadoff man Pena continued his recent hot hitting with three hits and three RBI as the Avalanche improved to 3-3 in the second half of the Carolina League season.
``Hopefully, this will get me in a groove,'' said Vavrek, who broke a three-game losing streak.
Vavrek (6-4), whose last win was a complete-game, two-hit shutout over the Durham Bulls on May 17, allowed six hits, three runs (only one earned), three walks and struck out two in six innings. He also was helped tremendously by several big defensive plays.
The Avalanche turned three double plays in support of Vavrek. The biggest came in the fifth while Salem clinged to a 4-3 lead, none were out and the bases were full of Cannons. Wil Polidor smoked a line drive right at third baseman Chan Mayber, who snared the bullet and threw to Pena at second to double off Darren Hayes.
``During the [losing] streak, that ball would probably have gotten through,'' said Vavrek. ``When things were going well, I could make a mistake and get away with it. Lately when I've made a mistake, luck hasn't been with me.''
The fateful fifth ended when center fielder John Giudice made a nice running catch, punctuated with a collision into the wall.
In the sixth, Giudice was part of a relay that cut down the tying run at the plate when he chased down Juan Thomas' double off the wall, threw to shortstop Kyle Houser, who fired to catcher Blake Barthol to nail Mark Avery trying to come around from first.
Ironically, on a night when Salem made three errors (two by Mayber), defense helped win the game.
``We made the plays we had to make,'' said Salem manager Bill McGuire.
And got hits when they needed them. Pena, who reached base four times and scored a run, is 24-for-68 (.352) since recovering and raised his batting average - once in the area of .200 - to .239.
``Since I came back, [hitting coach] Joe Marchese has worked with me a lot on my swing,'' Pena said through interpreter John Fantauzzi. ``I try to get on base any way I can and get in scoring position.''
Added Marchese: ``They only thing we've done is adjust his hands. His bat used to be straight up and down and we've gotten him to level it out and get it back. That's helped make his swing quicker and cut down on flyballs. Any time something new works, it gives you confidence.''
Giudice knocked in a pair of runs with two hits off loser Chuck Smith (4-5), including a single in a three-run second inning that gave Salem a 4-0 lead. Prince William (3-3) scored a couple of unearned runs on Avery's two-run double in the fourth and made it 4-3 with Jason Evans' leadoff homer in the fifth, but that was it.
Salem scored four times in the sixth to put it away thanks to two of the Cannons' four errors, an RBI single by Mayber and two-run hit from Pena.
``Pena's been doing well,'' said McGuire. ``When your little guys get on, the middle of the lineup can whale away.''
SNOWBALLS: Avalanche third baseman Tal Light sat out Wednesday's game after being hit with a pitch Tuesday. Results taken from an MRI exam Wednesday won't be available until this morning. ... Giudice's 12 homers are the most among active Carolina League players.
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines KEYWORDS: BASEBALLby CNB