THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 7, 1995 TAG: 9507070487
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
On a Thursday night of radical TV, what with those too-cool cable dudes of ESPN2 in the house, the Norfolk Tides got some relatively extreme performances of their own at Harbor Park.
Would you believe 240-pound Butch Huskey patrolling centerfield, in between homering and knocking in a pair of runs? Derek Lee pounding out three hits, his first three-hit game since May 19, driving in three runs and nailing his first home run in a month? Lanky lefthander Jimmy Williams going seven innings, quietly pushing his record to 7-2, and doubling to boot?
It all happened, and helped the Tides to a 7-4 victory over the Charlotte Knights.
``Even though it was only ESPN2, as the game's about to start you think, wow, this game's on national TV,'' Lee said. ``But once it starts you don't even think about it.''
Tides manager Toby Harrah gave the paid crowd of 8,064 something to chew on when he shifted Huskey, among the sport's larger utility men, from first base to center when Carl Everett had to leave in the fourth inning with a bruised toe.
Huskey handled one chance and, though he had never played center before, he'll be there again tonight if Everett can't go, Harrah said.
``He can play third base, first, leftfield, right, center. He could play shortstop,'' said Harrah, recalling former Milwaukee Brewer Gorman Thomas as perhaps the last centerfielder he's seen of Huskey's girth. ``I have all the confidence in the world in Butch Huskey.''
It was just part of a fun night for Huskey, whose second-inning home run, his 15th, tied the game at one and thrust him into the International League home-run lead. He built on his league RBI-lead - he has 55 - with a third-inning single, part of a four-run outburst highlighted by Lee's two-run shot, his ninth, that made it 6-1.
``I don't think playing center will be a problem, except for maybe running down balls in the gap,'' Huskey said with a smile. ``It was fun. It's different out there. You really can't see the angle of the ball off the bat.''
To his delight, Lee said the cable audience saw more of the hitter he knows he is, rather than the guy scuffling along at .249 coming in.
``I've had a hard time getting going, getting hot,'' said Lee, who had seven home runs by May 19.
``I really can't remember my last home run. That's bothered me a little bit. Hopefully this can be a starting block for me.''
Williams gratefully accepted the support and left after seven innings with a 6-2 lead.
A nine-game winner last season with Ottawa, the 6-foot-7 Williams is tied for fourth in the league in victories. He allowed five hits and struck out six, and pitched out of a two-on, no-out jam in the sixth.
He also made his fourth error, as he was late covering first on a ground ball, and walked five, including pitcher Jeremy Hernandez with the bases loaded.
That latter item was particularly irksome, said Williams, who said he will always be judged, by himself and others, by his walk totals.
``From what I understand, that's what's held me back,'' said Williams, 30, an 11-year minor leaguer who has never pitched in the majors.
He averaged six walks per nine innings before this season, but is down to 4.3 this year.
``I really don't look at wins and losses,'' he said. ``I need to go out and not walk many people. Five walks, that's not good.''
But it wasn't all bad. Even if it wasn't bungee jumping. ILLUSTRATION: TIDES 7
CHARLOTTE 4
L. TODD SPENCER
The Tides' Alberto Castillo slides into second as the ball evades
the Knoghts' Jeff Carter. The Tides won the wacky game, 7-4.
BOXSCORE
STANDINGS
STATISTICS
[For a copy of the charts, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB