ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, July 24, 1996 TAG: 9607240038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
Local baseball historians have known for years that no lead is safe in Salem.
It used to be because of the ballpark. These days, it's because of the defense.
Whereas the cozy confines of Municipal Field made baseball a home run derby, the Salem Avalanche has made it more like bullfighting at Memorial Stadium with its matador defense.
Such was the case again Tuesday, when the Avalanche committed four errors in a 9-5 loss to the Frederick Keys. It was Salem's 14th loss in 17 games and third in five games. Its current homestand already has featured 16 errors by the hosts.
``It seems like we're playing back on our heels,'' said Bill McGuire, Salem's manager. ``Against Wilmington [during the weekend], we came out and went after them. It's like hitting - it's contagious. Errors can be the same way. You lose concentration, confidence and the ability to make plays. It's been contagious on this homestand, as we've seen.''
Walks and errors hurt the Avalanche (12-18 in the Carolina League's second half). Three Salem pitchers walked 10 batters, and the four errors allowed six unearned runs to score.
For the second consecutive night, Salem got an early lead and blew it. This time, a first-inning lead was booted away as Frederick (15-14) won going away.
``I've been farther behind and won and farther ahead and lost,'' said Tom Trebelhorn, the former Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs manager who has taken over the Keys while Julio Garcia attends to family matters.
The loss ruined the return of Avalanche right-hander Luther Hackman, pitching a game in Salem for the first time since May 31.
On that night, Frederick's Eric Chavez laced a missile up the middle that hit Hackman in the face and shattered his nose. Hackman was out of action for nearly six weeks before making two starts on the road this month.
Hackman (6-5) pitched five innings, surrendering six hits and five runs (three earned), walking five and fanning five. He also had two hard-hit balls fly through the box, including Mike Wolff's liner that sailed right by his head leading off the second.
``My confidence is still there,'' Hackman said. ``I was kind of nervous at first. I tried not to think about last time. [Wolff's liner] wasn't that close. It wasn't as close as the other one [that broke his nose], that's for sure.''
John Giudice had two hits and three RBI for Salem, including a two-run double in the first and a steal of home on the front end of a double-steal to make it 3-0. Nate Holdren and Garrett Neubart also had a couple of hits each for Salem.
Three unearned runs were scored in the sixth off reliever Patrick McClinton to break open the game. Another unearned run was added for insurance in the ninth.
Rick Short had three hits for Frederick to extend his club-record streak to 22 games. Jason Rogers (8-6) got the victory despite giving up five runs in 5 2/3 innings. Francis Hernandez struck out the side in the ninth with two on to get the save.
SNOWBALLS: McGuire was honored by his peers this week in Baseball America's annual ``Tools of the Trade'' issue when he was voted the best managerial prospect in the Carolina League. Seven of the Carolina League's eight managers voted for McGuire, with McGuire casting his vote for Frederick's Garcia. ... Baseball America rated former Salem hurler Doug Million as having the best breaking pitch in the league. Million was promoted to Class AA New Haven (Conn.) on July 7.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 linesby CNB