THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509090394
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
The Norfolk Tides and Richmond Braves gained an extra 24 hours to contemplate the decisive Game 5 of the International League Western Division playoff series when rain postponed Friday's action.
For Tides righthander Paul Wilson, who was to start and will try again tonight at 7:15, the delay provides another day of rest and a greater opportunity to plot what he hopes will be revenge for his Game 1 loss.
In that one, Wilson uncharacteristically walked five in a 2-0 loss. Wilson would have returned to the mound Friday on three days' rest rather than the normal four, but it wouldn't have been too soon for the hard-throwing, 6-foot-5 Floridian.
``It wouldn't have been asking too much of him,'' pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. ``After Game 1 he came to me and said, `Use me in relief if you have to.' He wants to pitch again badly.''
Not enough, however, to venture onto the sodden turf of Harbor Park. Wilson said he was pleased the game was called at 5:30 p.m., in contrast to Thursday, when the teams were forced to wait an hour and 29 minutes before sloshing through Richmond's sloppy 7-6 victory.
``You don't want to play in conditions like this,'' Wilson said. ``If anything's going to be decided, let it be settled on dry ground.''
Wilson said he treated his earlier defeat as he does all losses; that is, he analyzed it for lessons but hasn't obsessed over it.
``It's there, but you don't dwell on it,'' Wilson said. ``I beat myself that game. I'm going to give them hell to beat me twice.''
Richmond will counter with lefthander Brad Woodall, who won Game 1. Manager Grady Little had said earlier that he wouldn't come back with Woodall on three days' rest, but Woodall, who was scheduled Friday, judged himself ready to go.
So are Little and Tides manager Toby Harrah - but on a solid surface. Both managers said they were consulted and agreed with the umpires' call, in concert with league president Randy Mobley, to try Game 5 today, though it crimps the playoff schedule.
Minor league playoffs are to end by Sept. 15. The postponement now backs the start of the Governors' Cup finals to Sunday and also wipes out the scheduled travel day after Game 2.
If the Tides advance, they will play host to the first two games of the finals. Sunday's game would start at 6:15 p.m. and Monday's at 7:15. by CNB