Triple-A World Series Notes

by Press Release
Published on September 2, 2000 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)

Five Clubs Secure Post-Season Berths;

Five IL Teams Remain Alive for Final Three Spots

Five Triple-A clubs can relax and set their rotations for next week's playoffs during Triple-A Baseball's final weekend of the regular season. All four Pacific Coast League playoff spots have been filled - by Albuquerque, Memphis, Sacramento, and Salt Lake - while only Indianapolis has clinched a berth in the International League. Five IL clubs will battle this weekend for the remaining three positions. In the North, Buffalo, Pawtucket, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre look to fill two spots as one will win the Division and another will be the Wild Card Club. In the South, Durham faces a busy schedule as they attempt to hold off Charlotte and win their third consecutive Division Crown. Four clubs from each League will advance to their League's playoffs, which begin on Wednesday, September 6.

Winning the League Championship earns the team a spot in the 3rd Annual Las Vegas Triple-A World Series. The 2000 event will feature the post-season champion from each Triple-A league in a best-of-five game series to begin Monday, September 18 from Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. Call the Las Vegas Stars (702-386-7200) for game and event tickets and for reservations at the MGM Grand, the official host hotel of the 2000 Series.

ESPN2 to Broadcast 2000 Series;

Campbell, DeLuca Return to Booth

For the third consecutive year, ESPN2 will telecast all games of the Las Vegas Triple-A World Series. Returning to the broadcast booth will be veteran announcer Dave Campbell and play-by-play man Ted DeLuca of the IL's Syracuse SkyChiefs. The third member of the broadcast team, serving in the on-field reporter role, will be newcomer Deene Ehlis of the Iowa Cubs. Campbell, a seven-year Major League veteran, will be familiar to baseball fans due to his recurring roles on ESPN's Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter. In addition to ESPN, Campbell has been a broadcaster for the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies. DeLuca, who joins Campbell in the booth for the third straight year, is currently in his fourth season as the Voice of the SkyChiefs. In addition to his work with the IL club, DeLuca broadcasts several sports for his alma mater, Syracuse University. Ehlis, a veteran of eleven Triple-A campaigns with the top affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, will handle on-field interviews during the 2000 Triple-A World Series. Deene has twice called the action at the Triple-A All-Star Game (1995 & 1997), in addition to broadcasting college football, college basketball, and Pioneer League baseball in Montana.

Games One (Sept. 18) and Three (Sept. 20) of the 2000 Las Vegas Triple-A World Series will be carried on ESPN2 at 12:00 noon Pacific Time (3:00 pm Eastern). Games Two (Sept. 19) and Four (Sept. 21 - if necessary) will air at 8:00 pm PDT (11:00 pm EDT). If a fifth and deciding game is necessary to determine the 2000 Series Champion, it will be broadcast at 8:30 pm PDT (11:30 pm EDT) on Friday night, September 22.

Final Weekend Finds Five Teams Still in Contention

Note: The IL playoff structure features a Wild Card Position along with the three Division Champions.

NORTH DIVISION: Things could not be any tighter in the IL North where the Buffalo Bisons (Cleveland Indians), Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston), and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Philadelphia Phillies) enter the final weekend of the regular season battling for two post-season berths (no other club is in contention for the Wild Card position). Although Buffalo leads Pawtucket by ½ game and Scranton/WB by 2, there are scenarios for a combination of any two of these three teams to advance to the playoffs. The Bisons had a 2.5 game lead entering play last weekend, but lost 2 of 3 at home to the PawSox to see their advantage drop to 1.5 games. Both Buffalo and Pawtucket faced Rochester and Syracuse this week, with Buffalo going 2-2 while the PawSox won 3 of 4 to climb within ½ game. Scranton/WB went 1-2 against Syracuse over the weekend, but rebounded with a four-game sweep of Ottawa this week. Things will be decided this weekend as Buffalo is home for four games (two each against Syracuse & Rochester) while Pawtucket travels to Moosic, PA for a four-game set with Scranton/WB. The Bisons have performed well against their in-state rivals this season, posting a combined 19-9 record against the SkyChiefs and Red Wings to date. Scranton/WB and Pawtucket are even in the season series and split in their previous four games in Pennsylvania in July. All three clubs have been affected by the expansion of rosters at the Major League level. Buffalo lost slugging outfielder Russell Branyan (21 HR/60 RBI) to Cleveland and second baseman Marcos Scutaro to Indianapolis (see West Division for more). Pawtucket saw two players head to Boston, outfielder Israel Alcantara (.308/29HR/ 76 RBI) and reliever Sang Lee (5-2, 2.03 ERA in 45 games). Saturday night's scheduled starter, Dan Smith (7-10, 4.84) was designated for assignment yesterday to make room in Boston for Dante Bichette. Left-hander Brian Barkley (7-9 for Pawtucket in '98) was promoted from Trenton to fill one of the roster spots. Scranton/WB saw two key players promoted to Philadelphia - All-Star Catcher Gary Bennett (.306/12 HR/52 RBI) and starter Cliff Politte (8-4, 3.12, 106 Ks).

SOUTH DIVISION: The Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) hold a precarious 3.5 game lead over the defending Governors' Cup Champion Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox) but both face a challenging schedule over the weekend as they look to secure the Division Crown. Rain has played havoc on these two teams this past week, resulting in seven games to be completed for Durham over the next four days and six for Charlotte. Tonight the Bulls could clinch a tie if they can win all three games in Richmond. The two teams will complete last night's suspended game - the first of a double-header - then will play two more seven-inning games. Charlotte also has its second consecutive double-header tonight, brought on by rain Wednesday in Norfolk. After tonight, the Bulls and Knights return to North Carolina to close the season. The two clubs will play single games in Charlotte on Saturday and Sunday, then will complete a suspended game and play a scheduled game Monday in Durham. The Bulls, who had three players named to the League's All-Star squad (Aubrey Huff, Ryan Jackson & Ozzie Timmons), must replace three players who head to San Diego today for the Olympics - catcher Pat Borders (.274/12 HR/55 RBI), second baseman Brent Abernathy (.290/5HR/50RBI), and starter Matt White (3-2, 2.83 ERA). The Knights have lost catcher Josh Paul (4HR/19RBI), pitcher Chad Bradford (1.51 ERA, 10 saves in 55 games), and infielder Craig Wilson (3HR/33 RBI) to the parent Chicago White Sox.

WEST DIVISION: Even though there are just four days remaining in the regular season, the Indianapolis Indians (Milwaukee Brewers) became the first IL club to secure a Division Crown thanks to their 5-1 victory over Louisville last night. The win, coupled with the Columbus Clippers' (New York Yankees) loss to Toledo, gave the Indians a six-game lead with four to play. The post-season berth is Indianapolis' first since 1997, when they were a member of the American Association, and their second overall in the International League. The Tribe won the IL's Governors' Cup in 1963, their only season in the circuit before Triple-A realignment in 1998. Indianapolis took the Division title thanks to a 4-2 record since last Friday. The Indians went 2-1 last weekend against Toledo before traveling to Columbus for a showdown with the Clippers. Columbus won the opener 10-8 on Tuesday to remain in playoff contention at 4.0 games out, but Indianapolis clinched at least a tie for the Division with a 5-1 victory on Wednesday. Outfielder Lyle Mouton had a homer and 3 RBI for the Indians in that victory. Indy took the Title in front of the home fans last night in Victory Field, getting another monster night from Mouton (4-4, 3 runs, HR, 2 RBI) to halt Louisville's eight-game winning streak. Right-hander Allen Levrault pitched a complete game two-hitter, striking out nine, to earn his sixth victory of the season for the Tribe. With his home run Wednesday night, Mouton became the fifth active Indian with 10+ home runs and the seventh with 40 or more RBI. Indianapolis received help for the post-season last night with the arrival of second baseman Marcos Scutaro from Buffalo. The 24-year-old was acquired by Milwaukee from Cleveland as the player-to-be-named in the Richie Sexson/Bob Woodard trade and was hitting .275 in 124 games for the Bisons. Indianapolis faces Louisville to close the season, then will open the playoffs at home on Wednesday against the South Division Champion. IL All-Star closer Bob Scanlan (33 saves) needs one more in the Tribe's final four games to tie the franchise record.

WILD CARD STANDINGS:
Pawtucket 82 57 .590
Scranton/WB 81 59 .579 1.5

SERIES TO WATCH (SEPTEMBER 1-4)

September 1-4 - Pawtucket @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre - The two North Division rivals battle each other with a playoff berth (or berths) on the line. The clubs have split the season series to date.

September 1-2 - Syracuse @ Buffalo; September 3-4 - Rochester @ Buffalo - The Bisons control their own destiny and must finish strong against their thruway rivals.

September 2-3 - Durham @ Charlotte; September 4 (Suspended Game + Scheduled Game) - Charlotte @ Durham - After tonight, Charlotte might have to win all four of these games to advance and get the opportunity to defend their 1999 Governors' Cup Championship. The Knights hold a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first of the Suspended Game.

NOTE: Due to weather-related postponements, Pawtucket will only play 143 games. All other contending clubs will play the full 144-game schedule.

Memphis, Sacramento, Salt Lake Secure Playoff Spots

Salt Lake sets a new scoring record, there are races down to the wire in several offensive categories, and a pair of PCL cities enjoy super fan success in new ballparks. It's the final weekend of the regular season with the playoffs beginning next Wednesday. Details below.

PACIFIC CONFERENCE

NORTHERN DIVISION: With their 16-5 drubbing of the Edmonton Trappers on Monday, August 28, the Salt Lake Buzz (Minnesota Twins) became the highest-scoring team in modern PCL history, surpassing the 960 runs scored by the 1983 Albuquerque Dukes. They have scored 988 runs and have four games remaining in an attempt to surpass the 1,000-run mark. The all-time PCL record, by the way is 1,416, set by the 1924 Salt Lake team. The Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners) have wrapped up second place in the division and are beaming about the four Rainiers selected for the US Olympic Team: outfielders Mike Neill and Tony Sanders and pitchers Todd Williams and Ryan Franklin. Williams set a new PCL saves mark with 31 last week and added to that with his 32nd on Tuesday. The Edmonton Trappers (Anaheim Angels) hold a 5½-game lead over the Calgary Cannons (Florida Marlins) with four more games remaining between the two clubs this weekend. As Salt Lake gears up for the playoffs, they're rooting for outfielder John Barnes as he attempts to hold off late charges toward his batting average leadership. Barnes is batting .365 through August 31 with Sacramento's Jose Ortiz just nine points behind. Barnes is also three runs scored behind Sacramento's Mark Bellhorn, trailing 108-105. Teammate Brian Buchanan has driven in 103 runs, trailing league leader Ortiz by four. Scot Shields of Edmonton is the new leader in strikeouts, passing the injured Ryan Anderson of Tacoma and holding a 156-143 advantage.

SOUTHERN DIVISION: The Sacramento River Cats (Oakland Athletics) wrapped up their 2000 home schedule last night and joined Memphis as the only minor league teams in the country to draw over 850,000 fans. Memphis finished with an attendance of 859,823 while the River Cats saw 861,808 come through the gates this season. The Las Vegas Stars (San Diego Padres), currently at 71-68, are working toward compiling their first winning season since 1996 and need one victory to secure that accomplishment. The Tucson Sidewinders (Arizona Diamondbacks) are five games behind Las Vegas and the Fresno Grizzlies (San Francisco Giants) are enjoying the finishing kick of first baseman Damon Minor, who has driven in 106 runs, a new franchise record and good enough to tie for second in the league. Sacramento infielder Jose Ortiz is just nine points behind PCL batting leader John Barnes of Salt Lake and leads the league lead with 107 RBI. Ortiz is two runs scored behind teammate and league leader Mark Bellhorn (108-106) and should also end up leading the league in hits (180 through August 31). With the promotion of Jon Ratliff (8-3, 3.02) to Oakland, it's unlikely the River Cats will have a starting pitcher in post-season with more than 18 starts. But watch out for Justin Miller; he's 4-0, 2.13 in his first eight PCL starts. And Ariel Prieto tied for the club lead with his eighth victory on Tuesday; that matches Bryan Corey (8-3) and Ratliff. Out of the bullpen, Scott Service (6-2, 1.37) has been nearly untouchable and has combined with Chad Harville (5-3, 4.72) for 20 saves.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

EASTERN DIVISION: The Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals) finished their home season with a crowd of 14,690 and a final season attendance of 859,823, surpassing the previous league record by 140,000 fans. Their success at the gate is magnified when you consider that the club is a not-for-profit foundation. The Oklahoma Redhawks (Texas Rangers) are locked in a battle with the New Orleans Zephyrs (Houston Astros) for second place, with the Redhawks holding a 1½-game lead after Thursday's games. The Nashville Sounds (Pittsburgh Pirates), five games behind the Z's in fourth place, have won seven of their last ten. Memphis has lost Ernie Young to the US Olympic team and is trying to figure out how to replace his 35 home runs and 98 RBI in their lineup. The Redbirds' team ERA still leads the league with a 3.96 mark, and Clint Weibl (9-4, 2.57) is a lock to win the ERA title. After Weibl, starters Jason Karnuth (5-4, 4.04), Bud Smith (4-1, 2.42) and Luther Hackman (7-9, 4.76) will have to come through. Rick Heiserman (6-3, 6 saves) and Jim Dougherty (3-7, 4 saves) are sharing the closer's role.

CENTRAL DIVISION: The Albuquerque Dukes (Los Angeles Dodgers) were the last of the four division winners to clinch, but they did it in exciting fashion on a 12th-inning solo home run by Shawn Gilbert in a 3-2 victory at Colorado Springs last Saturday night. Gilbert, one of the cogs in the Dukes playoff-bound lineup, left today for the US Olympic team, taking his .333 average, 14 homers and 49 RBI with him. The Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Colorado Rockies) had two players named to the Olympic team, but both Brent Butler (.292, 35 doubles, 54 RBI) and John Cotton (.328, 16 HR, 62 RBI) have developed injuries which may change those plans. The Omaha Golden Spikes (Kansas City Royals) can point with pride to starting pitcher Dan Murray, winner of his tenth game on Monday night. The right-hander leads the club in wins, innings pitched (134 2/3) and strikeouts (94) with one start remaining, pending a major league promotion. The Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs), winners five of their last ten, are currently at the .400 mark, thanks to the awesome final month put together by outfielder Ross Gload. The left-handed hitter is batting .404 with 14 HR and 39 RBI in just 104 at bats - that was all the Cubs needed to see, as he was promoted on August 31. As Albuquerque waits for the September 1st roster guillotine, several Dukes are staying hot at the plate. Paul LoDuca is reminding the Dodgers about September 1st by batting .398 with 28 runs scored and 26 RBI in his last 29 games. Second-sacker Hiram Bocachica is also after a September callup, hitting .323 with 62 extra-base hits, 96 runs scored and 80 RBI. Lefty starter Chris Michalak owns an 11-3 mark after a win on Wednesday, and Robinson Checo (7-3, 3.64), Cam Smith (7-3 in relief) and Ricky Stone (9-5, 4.81) will be counted on heavily in the playoffs.

SERIES TO WATCH (SEPTEMBER 1-4)

September 1-4 - Tacoma @ Salt Lake - Can Tacoma's stingy staff hold off Salt Lake's bid for 1,000 runs scored?

September 1-4 - Colorado Springs @ Omaha - Phil Hiatt returns to his old stomping grounds in an attempt to win the HR crown.

September 1-4 - Fresno @ Tucson, Sacramento @ Las Vegas - Fresno's Minor and Sacramento's Ortiz battle for the RBI lead.

Pacific Coast League Stories from September 2, 2000

• Triple-A World Series Notes - OSC Original by Press Release

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.