Runs were at a premium when the Turtles travelled to Springfield Saturday afternoon. After the teams split two tension-filled games, the Isotopes used a mid-game rally to take Game 3 and the Series.
Treasure Island managed only seven runs over the three game set, with slugger John Kruk being the only visiting player to distinguish himself. Krukker's five hits were 25% of his team's total, and his four doubles accounted for half of the Turtle's extra base hit production. On the other side of the diamond, the Isotopes got nothing from from slugger Barry Bonds (two singles and no RBI), and next to nothing from Bonds' heralded teammates, but two light-hitting middle infielders filled the power void.
Game 1 starters Pedro Astacio and Sid Fernandez were excellent, or perhaps the hitters were just terrible. TI's Fernandez threw a complete game, allowing just two runs, but was undone by Springfield shortstop Jeff Huson, who banged two doubles and a triple and scored the winning run. The unexpected production (Huson was hitting just .131 entering the series; after going 8 for 11, he's at .265) made a 2-1 winner out of Pedro Astacio (2-1, 2.17), with the save going to Doug Jones, his seventh. The unlucky Fernandez suffered his third defeat against just one win (Sid sports a solid 2.61 ERA).
In Game 2 Huson collected four more hits, including his first home run of the year, and double-play partner Spike Owen contributed two hits, including his first home run. But Kruk's two doubles and three RBI from Craig Grebeck's were just enough to see the visitors to a 5-4 victory in 10 innings. Huson's two-run single tied the game at 3-3 in the eighth, but Bernard Gilkey doubled home a run in the 10th and came around to score on Grebeck's triple, making Huson's solo home run in the bottom of the 10th moot. Treasure Island won it 5-4, with Jaime Navarro (3-2, 1.80 ERA) going nine to get the W and Jeff Montgomery notching his first save of the season despite the Huson homer.
Up to this point, neither team had led a game by more than a run, except for one inning, a streak that finally ended midway through Game 3. Isotope starter Bob Tewksbury was nursing a 2-1 lead when the Fish EXPLODED for three runs in the fifth, two coming on Owen's single. The control specialist handled it from there, going the distance to improve to 4-1 on the year. His 1.69 ERA is second to Hoboken's Bill Wegman (.082), minimum 20 IP. Frank Castillo (2-2, 3.50) took the loss.
With the series win, the Fish improved to 17-7, one behind the 13-5 Zephyrs, who have played six fewer games. The Turtles are eight back at 9-15.
