Saturday, March 29, 2008

Sioux take 2/3 in opening series vs. Knights

Burlington, VT

In a matchup of two teams figured to challenge for the LF Central crown, the Vermont Fighting Sioux and the New York Knights played three enjoyable games with Vermont winning the rubber match by one run.

Game 1 - John Lackey hurled a complete game 4-hitter, King 8 and allowing only 1 BB in the 3-0 Vermont victory. Knight starter Orlando Hernandez also had a good outing, yielding only 1 run through 5 1/3. Vermont got RBIs from Albert Pujols (HR), Chris Duffy and Reggie Willits.

Game 2 - Things appeared to be going VFS' way when they chased NKY starter Matt Cain after only 1/3 of an inning and built a 5-0 lead after two innings. However, thanks in most part to 8 RBIs from Hideki Matsui New York stormed back for the 17-8 victory.

Game 3 - A good pitching duel between Adam Wainwright and Vermont's Tom Gorzelanny left the score 3-2 Vermont after 5 innings. Vermont's pen kept NYK in track the rest of the way with 2nd round draft pick Hideki Okajima pitching a perfect 9th for his 1st save of the year.

Series notes - Pujols hit HRs in his fisrt two ABs of the season. Vermont hit .305 in the three games and New York hit .252. New York batters whiffed 27 times in the 27 innings.

No comments: