Power Outage
Cougars' Homer-leader Hines done for season
Sept. 5, 2009
CHARLOTTE -- One arm draped over left fielder Elmer Smith, the other clutched the shoulder of right fielder Mark Teahen as the duo guided Charlotte Cougars centerfielder Paul Hines gingerly down the dugout steps yesterday after an inning-ending grab by Hines. Little did Charlotte know then that their charge on division leading New York could be upended.
Now they do, as doctors have said Hines tore his hamstring on the play. If the Cougars are going to make up their 6-game deficit, they are going to have to do it without Hines' offense.
"I felt a pop on the break," Hines said of his first move toward Chicago pitcher Amos Rusie's looping liner. "It stayed up for me so I didn't have to bust it, because I never would've gotten there."
Smith and Teahen both moved to a hunched over Hines after the third out, before helping him on a long, slow walk in from the outfield.
His team-leading 22 homers and 94 RBI are gone, leaving the Northern League's 5th rated offense without a true power threat. Roger Bresnahan (.270-5-53) will move from catcher to center field, placing light-hitting Jack O'Connor (.226-0-16) into full-time duty behind the dish.
Can the Cougars persevere?
"We don't have a choice," said third baseman John McGraw. "We need to execute."
Charlotte has three more games home against the weak Chicago Hitmen. They will then venture to Indianapolis for a 4-game set before a quick 2-game series in New York next weekend.
And the Cougars' hunt just became much more difficult.