THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 29, 1994 TAG: 9406290540
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KARL PETRAROJA, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: 940629 LENGTH: CHARLOTTE
That hit, catcher Joe Kmak's line drive off the right knee of Knights' starter John Farrell, ignited a three-run rally in the top of the eighth that lifted Norfolk to a 4-2 victory. The game was called after eight innings because of heavy rains.
{REST} Kmak's shot, which ricocheted into leftfield, sent designated hitter Rich Parker, who had walked, to third.
After a short conference on the mound, Farrell, who was on a 75-80 pitch limit, stayed in the game. Second baseman Quilvio Veras then laced a triple into the rightfield corner, scoring Parker and Kmak to snap a 1-1 tie.
That was it for Farrell.
The Tides added another run off reliever Bill Wertz when centerfielder Doug Dascenzo singled home Veras. Dascenzo was thrown out attempting to steal second to end the inning.
The Knights got one back in their half of the eighth when rightfielder Brian Giles belted his seventh home run of the season.
But as the Knights took the field to start the ninth, the rains came and play was called.
Farrell (0-1), who started the season with the California Angels, hadn't pitched in four weeks, but his sinker had the Tides baffled. The righthander admits thoughts of a no-hitter were on his mind.
``I started thinking about it in the middle innings,'' Farrell said. ``I realized what was going on. I'm sure everyone else did, too. It's a tough way to have it broken up.''
Lost in the excitement of Farrell's performance was an excellent outing by Tides' starting pitcher Joe Roa. He went eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits in improving his record to 5-2.
It was Roa's fourth straight victory. And when you add six no-decisions, he hasn't lost since May 4 at Ottawa.
Roa credits Kmak with calling a great game.
``We were on the same wavelength tonight,'' Roa said. ``He was thinking what I was thinking. It's always a great feeling as a pitcher when you and your catcher are thinking the same thing.''
Tides manager Bobby Valentine had nothing but praise for both pitchers.
``Joe Roa was absolutely superb and John Farrell was equally superb,'' he said.
The victory improves the Tides to 37-42, 8 1/2 games back of the first-place Knights.
Weather permitting, the three-game series wraps up this afternoon at 12:30. Dave Telgheder (5-4, 3.93) starts for the Tides against Dave Mlicki (3-4, 4.60). by CNB