Broncos' First Test: A+
5/6/2083
Al Vincent
Staff Writer
The Broncos passed their first big test of the 2083 season by sweeping the Miami Dolphins. They did it in emphatic fashion, pounding the Dolphins' pitching staff in victories of 10-3, 8-5, and 8-3. The first game saw the Broncos deliver four homeruns: A two run blast from third-baseman Michael Phillips in a four run third inning, a solo shot from right-fielder Marvin Lore in the fourth inning, and two run shots from catcher Lee Chappel and center-fielder Russell Thomas in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. Robert McNett produced eight strong innings on the mound to improve his record to 5-0. In the second game, the Broncos' lineup methodically built a big lead, scoring 2 runs each in the second, third, and fourth innings, and additional runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Alexis Vazquez had 4 hits, 1 RBI, and 3 runs scored in the game. Denver overcame a 4-hit, 2 double, 1 homerun performance from Miami's Daniel Armas. In the final game of the series, the Broncos jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first inning, and extended it to 5-0 in the second inning. It stayed that way until the seventh inning when Denver added two more runs. The Broncos made it 8-0 in the eighth inning. Miami finally threatened in the ninth inning. The Dolphins struck for three runs, ending George Buentello's shutout bid, and had the bases loaded with only one out. Denver reliever James Virgen entered the game following an ineffective attempt by Omar Lopez to mop up. Facing Miami slugger Roy Springs, who had whiffed three times against Buentello, Virgen got him to line into a game-ending double play. Lee Chappel doubled, homered and drove in 2 runs in the game. Infielders Jack Rumfelt and Michael Phillips each had 2 hits and 2 RBI. George Buentello earned his fifth win of the season.
The Broncos now head to Atlanta for their second test. The Braves are returning from a disappointing trip to Green Bay. After winning a 16-10 slugfest, the Braves dropped the next two games by scores of 6-5 and 4-2. Atlanta ranks first in all of baseball in runs scored, but the Braves' pitching thus far has been a disaster. Atlanta ranks 22nd in runs allowed and dead last with a 6.26. ERA.
On the offensive side, Atlanta has a number of dangerous hitters. Left-fielder Joey Campos is second in the American League with a .406 batting average. He also ranks third in the league in OPS, second in RBI, and third in runs scored. First-baseman Joseph Ishmael is second in the league in OPS and first in the league in homeruns(14). Ishmael and Atlanta shortstop Roger Attaway are tied for first in the league in runs scored. Another player to pay attention to is 25 year old catcher Bill Baker. Baker has been platooning with veteran Paul Pavone, a left-handed hitter, but has been hitting well enough to make the Braves think about changing the distribution of playing time. Baker has hit .422 in 65 at bats and is currently on a 13 game hitting streak.
On the mound, the Braves have really struggled. However, they are expected to deploy their most effective (at least thus far) starters for this season in this series. Thomas Sanchez has a respectable 4.61 ERA in 7 starts, but has gotten hit very hard by left-handed hitters. That's good news for guys like Lee Chappel, Asbel Fuentez, and Jack Rumfelt. Surprisingly, the aged Raimundo Carbajal has the next best ERA among the Braves' starters at 4.76, though the 38 year old has made only 3 starts. Tony Testa has the third best ERA among the Braves' starters, but that isn't saying much, as it is just 5.98. Testa has been hittable, but his biggest problem has been walks- over 6 per 9 innings- and homeruns- more than 1 per 9 innings.
Taking the mound for the Broncos in this series will be Kenny Pillsbury, 5-1 with a league-leading 1.58 ERA; Ray Lockridge, 3-3 with a 3.56 ERA and a team-leading 38 strikeouts; and Robert McNett, 5-0 with a 3.26 ERA.
One Broncos' hitter to pay attention to right now is Michael Phillips. Phillips is 9 for 16 with 4 extra base hits so far in the month of May. After not showing much power in April, Phillips' four extra base hits are just one fewer than he hit on the first month of the season.