THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 29, 1995 TAG: 9507290433
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
On a night when the pitchers couldn't keep the ball in the park, the Norfolk Tides couldn't keep the ball in their gloves either.
The Toledo Mud Hens took advantage of three unearned runs, and a pair of towering home runs, to paste the Norfolk Tides, 8-6, Friday at Harbor Park.
Toledo got back-to-back home runs from designated hitter Rudy Pemberton, who had four RBIs, and Rob Luckachyk to take an 7-5 lead in the eighth, the fifth lead change of the game.
Norfolk had home runs from Trey McCoy and Butch Huskey, whose 22nd homer in the eighth narrowed the margin to 8-6.
But with the bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the ninth, Norfolk was unable to muster a run. Edwin Alicea and Rey Ordonez both walked, then Ricky Otero beat out a bunt for a hit.
However, centerfielder Jay Payton went down swinging, and Omar Garcia grounded into a game-ending double play.
The Tides hurt themselves with errors early, allowing three unearned runs in the first four innings. A balk in the sixth helped score another.
``We had some mistakes that hurt us,'' Tides manager Toby Harrah said. ``But we battled back in spite of the mistakes. We hung in there and had a chance.''
All four home runs were knocked into the teeth of a stiff breeze blowing in from the Elizabeth River, and all cleared the fence with plenty of room to spare.
``It was a wild game,'' Toledo manager Tom Runnells said. ``Both teams battled back and forth.
``The home runs tonight by both teams were just rockets. They would have been out of any ballpark, anyplace, anywhere. What a great show for the fans.
``If we play like this the rest of the year, we'll have a great shot at making the playoffs, probably against Norfolk.''
Though they've lost three of four games in the current homestand, the Tides (66-41) retain an 11-game lead over Toledo (55-52) in the International League West Division. The top two teams advance to the playoff semifinals.
The loss spoiled a solid pitching effort from Dave Telgheder, who was making his second start since being moved from the bullpen.
Telgheder gave up four runs in six innings, but only one was earned. He struck out eight.
``He pitched well,'' Harrah said. ``He's been sharper, but there was no problem with how he threw.''
Nor any problem with how McCoy hit. The Virginia Tech and First Colonial High School graduate had just six hits in his first 40 at-bats since signing as a free agent on July 5. He was 3-for-4 Friday and scored twice.
``He's coming around,'' Harrah said. ``He's a pretty good hitter and he's looking better.''
NOTABLE: The Tides lost one player and gained another. Paul Byrd was called up by the New York Mets to replace Blas Minor, who has a rib injury. That left the Tides' roster three players short of the 25-man maximum.
Norfolk, however, picked up outfielder Alex Ochoa from Rochester as part of the Mets' trade with Baltimore for power-hitting Bobby Bonilla. Ochoa is hitting .277 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs. He has until Monday to report.
``I like Ochoa, like him a lot,'' Harrah said. ``He's got a great arm and I like his bat.''
Moreover, with Ryan Thompson and Todd Hundley almost ready to come back from injuries, the Tides expect to receive one or two other players they've lost to New York recently. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo on page C1]
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
Tides catcher JOhn Orton puts the tag on Toledo's Rob Lukachyk in
the fourth inning, but Orton dropped the ball.
BOX SCORE
STANDINGS
STATISTICS
[For a copy of the charts, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB