THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 8, 1996 TAG: 9607080182
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOKOLOSKI, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: MOOSIC, PA. LENGTH: 37 lines
It didn't really take away the sting of a loss Sunday night.
But getting a surprise call to Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game helped Mike Fyhrie put aside his failure a little quicker.
Following a 5-3 loss to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, Fyhrie was informed he'll be replacing fatigued Norfolk teammate Mike Gardiner on the National League All-Star roster.
``It helps ease it a little,'' Fyhrie said. ``It's an honor. I'm excited about it.''
Fyhrie, the International League's winningest pitcher despite falling to 10-5 Sunday, was named to the All-Star team when Gardiner came down with a slightly-sprained ankle, as well as fatigue.
``Mike Gardiner can't make it, he just needs a little rest,'' Fyhrie said. ``It's kind of an honor.''
The Red Barons used a two-run double by Jon Zuber and an RBI triple from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre didn't pay Fyhrie much respect. Wendell Magee Jr. to take a 4-0 lead in the first inning.
Then, Norfolk committed two errors in the second, the last by former Red Baron Shawn Gilbert, which allowed Scranton/Wilkes-Barre another run and a 5-0 lead.
``It wasn't our team, really, tonight,'' Norfolk manager Bobby Valentine said. ``We gave them some runs. And they did a good job scoring early.''
Gilbert blasted a three-run homer in the eighth inning to pull Norfolk within 5-3.
In the ninth, Roberto Petagine led off with a single, bringing the potential tying run to the plate again. But the final three Tides went down, breaking a three-game winning streak and dropping Norfolk to 53-34.
``We gave them a scare, though,'' Valentine said. ``It was close.'' by CNB