4/27/2081 to 4/29/2081
The Grand Rapids Tigers (12-10)
AT
The Denver Broncos (9-13)
Expected Pitching Matchups:
RH Aaron Williams (1-4, 3.67 ERA) VS. RH Kenny Pillsbury (1-3, 5.66 ERA)
RH Dennis Kenzo (3-1, 5.11 ERA) VS. RH Arden Hawthorn (0-2, 8.20 ERA)
LH Norman Dale (2-1, 9.45 ERA) VS. LH Robert McNett (1-1, 5.79 ERA)
Chappel Comes Through In Denver Victory
4/28/2081
Al Vincent
Staff Writer
Catcher
Lee Chappel delivered a game winning, 2 run homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth yesterday to give the Broncos an 8-7 win over the Tigers. The Broncos jumped on Grand Rapids early, leading 5-1 after just two innings, but
Kenny Pillsbury couldn't hold onto the lead. Pillsbury gave up a run in the third, three runs in the 4th, and runs in the 6th and 7th innings to turn a 5-1 lead into a 7-5 deficit. The Broncos picked up a run in the 8th, and then Chappel, who had a total of 3 hits, 4 RBI, a double and a homer in the game, hit the game winning blast in the ninth.
Manager John Wilkerson was uncharacteristically critical of Pillsbury's performance. "We feel Kenny is our ace. He has the ability to be that guy for us. But right now, he just isn't doing that. He is not getting the job done. When you get handed a 4 run lead, there are no excuses for blowing it. None. But this has been a year long pattern for Pillsbury and it needs to stop," Wilkerson said after the game.
Hawthorn Hammered Again
4/29/2081
Al Vincent
Staff Writer
Arden Hawthorn continues to struggle, getting blasted for 5 runs in the first inning of yesterday's game and 9 runs in 5 1/3 innings, as the Broncos were pounded by the Tigers 10-2. Hawthorn also coughed up 14 hits and 3 HR in the game. Providing little help was the Denver lineup, which whiffed 10 times. Hawthorn seemed mentally tired in addition to being physically tired after the game. "I've been feeling good, but everything I'm throwing right now is just getting pounded. You hate to think that you might be at the point in your career when you just don't have anything left. Am I at that point? I just don't know. I hope I'm not, but I feel like when you start wondering about it.... it probably means that you are...."
Broncos Blow Huge Lead
4/30/2081
Al Vincent
Staff Writer
In a season filled with blown leads, this may have been the worst. Starter
Robert McNett gave up a 2 run homer in the first inning, but was quickly and emphatically bailed out by the Denver hitters(perhaps embarrassed by the previous game's showing), who built an 8-2 lead after two innings, and led 10-2 after the 5th inning. Grand Rapids starting pitcher
Norman Dale was chased in the first inning, giving up 4 hits, 2 walks, and 6 runs, while retiring only two batters.
In the 7th inning, McNett began the implosion, giving up 2 homers and a total of 4 runs. Relievers
James Virgen and
Ramon Gomez continued the collapse, as they combined to give up a run in the 8th and 4 runs in the ninth inning to give the Tigers an 11-10 victory. Succumbing to the frustration of the game was manager John Wilkerson, who was ejected in the ninth inning arguing a strikeout call. After the game, Wilkerson criticized the pitching staff. "Absolutely inexcusable! An 8 run lead! How the [bleep] do you blow a [bleeping] 8 run lead?! One of these [bleeping] pitchers needs to stand up and pitch like [bleeping] man! You get a [bleeping] lead, you finish the [bleeping] game off! I'm sick of this [bleep]! If it doesn't stop soon, there will be changes made."
Among the Denver hitters who came through in the ultimately futile cause, were
Mark Bakke, with 3 hits, 2 RBI, and a homer;
Ellis Bolling, with 2 hits and a homer; and
Lee Chappel, who had 3 hits and 2 RBI.