West Michigan WhiteCaps at Burlington Bees
June 3rd, 2002
| West Michigan |
|
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
2 |
2 |
| Burlington |
|
|
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
0 |
6 |
1 |
|
0 |
0 |
X |
|
|
9 |
11 |
1 |
E-Scott, Petty, Groves, LOB WM-6, BUR-8, 2B-Gomez, SB-Francia, HBP-Knoedler, Gotay, SACF-Gotay
HB-Badgley, Armitage, WP-Badgley, Griffin 3, PB-Draper, SO-Gonzalez 3, Mattle, Rabelo, Knoedler, Shanks 2, Groves 2, Figuereo 2, Guzman 2, BB-Tejeda, Kelly, Rabelo, Groves, Gotay 2, Ayala, Guzman, Gomez 2
T-2:40, A-995
Burlington Hawk Eye
by John Bohnenkamp
It was a little ironic that on a night the Burlington Bees broke their recent offensive slump, they only needed one run.
Colt Griffih and two relievers combined on a two hitter as the Bees downed the West Michigan WhiteCaps 9-0 in a Class A Midwest League game at Community Field Monday night.
The Bees' strong pitching was backed by a productive offense, something Burlington didn't have in the two previous games against West Michigan. The Bees left 22 runners on base in two games in which they were outscored by a combined total of six runs.
"We've been playing hard, we haven't been driving in runs," said leadoff hitter James Shanks, who had two hits and drove in two runs in this game. "It's all about situational hitting. That's something we talked about in our meeting today,"
"We said that there were three reasons why we weren't bringing in runs, and two of them we couldn't control," Bees manager Joe Szekely said, "We had to have better game plans when we went to the plate, and tonight we did that. Every ball we hit fell in, and sometimes that's going to happen. But tonight we had better at bats."
Every Bees hitter reached base at least once in this game. Ruben Gotay and Anibal Figuereo each drove in two runs. Brett Groves, Galinda Gomez and John Draper each scored two runs.
"We were just seeing the ball better," Shanks said.
Burlington, which scored two runs in the third inning, broke open the game with a six run fifth inning in which 11 hitters came to the plate.
That long inning, combined with a lengthy sixth inning, took Griffin out of his rhythm. Griffin (3-1) in only his fifth professional start, matched his longest stint with 6 2/3 innings. All three of his walks allowed came in the seventh inning, when he struggled with his control.
"Colt did a good job tonight," Szekely said. "I know it gets tough when you have long delays before getting back out there, and I think it got to him."
"He was right there on his pitch count when we took him out. He was pretty economical with his pitches, getting that first out of the inning quickly every time."
Griffin struck out five hitters, all in the first three innings. He retired 13 consecutive hitters during one stretch.
Barry Armitage and Thomas Zurita closed the game, allowing just one baserunner the rest of the way.
How They Scored
Bees 3rd
Gomes walked. John Draper singled to left. Gomez moving to second. Gomez to third and Draper to second on an errant pickoff throw from pitcher Chad Petty. James Shanks single to left, scoring Gomez. Groves struck out. Gotay flyed to out to left field, Draper scored. Figuereo popped out to second.
Bees 5th
Gomez doubled to left. Draper singled to right center, Gomez to third. Shanks single to left center, scoring Gomez, Draper to second. Groves singled to right, bases loaded. Dan Badgley replaced Petty. Figuereo singled to right, scoring Shanks and Draper, Gotay to third. Gotay scored and Figuereo moved to second on throwing error by Mike Scott. Odannys Ayala grounded to short. Matt Cleveland fouled to first. Gomez singled to left scoring Figuereo and advancing Guzman to second. Draper grounded out to third.
Bees 6th
Shanks grounded out to pitcher. Groves walked. Groves moved to second on wild pitch. Gotay hit by pitch. Figuereo singled to short, base loaded. Ayala reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Groves, Gotay to third. Guzman struck out.