7/19/2081 to 7/21/2081
The Denver Broncos (53-42)
AT
The Washington Senators (57-38)
Pitching Matchups:
RH Kenny Pillsbury (9-7, 4.29 ERA) VS. RH Juan Fuentes (7-8, 4.11 ERA)
RH Christopher Kirk (13-6, 4.62 ERA) VS. RH Otis Smith (4-6, 6.45 ERA)
RH Tony Rivera (5-5, 5.87 ERA) VS. RH Raymond Garcia (1-0, 5.63 ERA)
The Broncos raced to a 7-0 lead after 4 innings over the Senators in the first game of the series.
Lee Chappel delivered a two run homer in the 4th inning. The Senators battled back, eventually getting as close as 4 runs behind (8-4) after 7 innings. The Broncos pushed their lead to 10-4 in the 8th inning, before the Senators completed the scoring with a two run ninth inning to provide a final score of
Broncos, 10-6.
Kenny Pillsbury pitched 6 innings and gave up 3 runs.
Russell Thomas collected 3 hits and scored 4 runs. Chappel had 3 hits (2 doubles and a homer), 2 walks, 2 RBI, and 4 runs scored.
Tomas Sato had 2 hits and drove in 4, while
Alexis Vazquez had 2 hits and 3 RBI.
With the win, the Broncos moved into sole possession of second place in the division.
******
Through 5 innings, the Broncos led 4-1 over the Senators. Washington rallied with a 3 run 6th inning, and took the lead with a run in the 7th inning. The Broncos came up with their own rally, and took a 6-5 lead in the 8th inning. They pushed the lead to 7-5 with a run in the top of the ninth inning. And then disaster struck.
The Senators got a run across to make the score 7-6, and had the bases loaded with two outs. What should have been a game-ending out number three was instead negated on a catcher's interference call against
Lee Chappel. The runner was awarded first, and the tying run came home. And then
Cristian Zarzuela stepped to the plate as a pinch-hitter.
Boom! A game winning, pinch hit, grand slam with two outs in the ninth, and
the Broncos lost by a score of 11-7.
Christopher Kirk pitched 6 innings, and gave up 5 runs. He struck out 6 batters. Chappel had 2 hits, 2 BB, and 2 RBI.
*******
So Long, Arden
7/21/2081
Al Vincent
Staff Writer
Veteran pitcher
Arden Hawthorn is a Bronco no more. Mired in a miserable season that already cost him his spot in the rotation, the 35 year old right-hander was included in a trade with Hartford today. Hawthorn, who was 2-4 with an 8.74 ERA in 18 games this season, was traded, along with 24 year old catching prospect
William Carter to Hartford in exchange for 27 year old relief pitcher
Roberto Soto. Carter was hitting .299 with 10 home runs at AA this season. Soto has a 3.38 ERA in 31 appearances at AAA, but has not pitched in the majors this season. Soto did make 71 major league appearances a year ago, posting a 3.12 ERA.
General Manager
John Mounts said the Whalers had been looking for a catcher and Carter fit the bill. Mounts also said that he felt Soto would be a good fit in Denver. "We needed another left-hander in the pen, and Robert is guy who throws strikes and will induce a lot of groundballs- something I think we need."
On Hawthorn, Mounts said, "Arden has been an excellent pitcher over the years for us. He's always been a steady guy, when other pitchers were up and down. Arden was able to survive a long time in a difficult place for pitchers. I hated to trade him, but this just wasn't the best place for him anymore. He lost his starting spot, and he really wasn't getting use much in relief, either. Hopefully, Hartford will be a better opportunity for him. I wish him well."
Hawthorn, who has spent his entire major league career with the Broncos, leaves with a career record of 125-72 in 315 games (280 starts), and a 4.79 ERA. Hawthorn was unhappy about being traded, but seemed resigned to the inevitability of it. "It was either that, or getting released, I guess. Although... I
might have accepted a demotion to the minors if I had been asked..."
Mounts said that Soto will not join the team until tomorrow. Getting called up in the meantime will be AAA closer
Omar Lopez. The 26 year old Lopez has a 2.87 ERA in 35 games at AAA. The team also demoted outfielder
Robert Perkins, who went 2 for 8 in his brief callup. Getting called up was infielder
Michael Phillips. Phillips was hitting .284 with a .384 OBP at AAA. When asked why Perkins was sent back down so soon after being called up, Mounts just said that he wanted to reward Perkins for his strong performance at AAA but that the at bats were hard to come by in Denver. "I want Robert playing every day. I just don't think that is feasible in Denver, right now."
******
Washington drew first blood in the concluding game of the series, scoring 2 runs in the third inning, when Denver committed errors on three consecutive plays (
Jack Rumfelt,
Asbel Fuentez, and Rumfelt again). It stayed 2-0 until the 6th inning, when the Broncos offense exploded. Nine runs were scored before an out was recorded; four of them came on a grand slam by Fuentez. By the time the inning was over, the Broncos led 11-2.
The Senators began to get back into the game with a 4 run seventh inning, but
Joseph Swayze hit a two run homer in the 8th to give the Broncos a 13-6 lead. The Senators would get two more runs, but
the Broncos prevailed 13-8.
Tony Rivera finished with 7 innings pitched and 6 runs allowed. Fuentez had 3 hits and 4 RBI. Swayze had 3 hits and 3 RBI.
Armando Navarro delivered 3 hits and a walk in a rare start.