One team is bringing down the average and that is our stat of the day. The New Orleans Thrill is just 5-4 when leading after 7 innings. Despite having Mariano Rivera, Joe Neale, and Bruce Sutter handling the late inning duties.
A quick rundown of what's transpired
- April 6 - Rivera gets tagged with a blown save, but the Thrill's defense collectively collapsed resulting in 3 runs crossing the plate. Brews 6, Thrill 5
- April 9 - Rivera again gets the blown save. With a 2-1 lead, he entered the game with runners on 1st and 2nd and 2-outs in the 8th. George Brett lined a 3-1 pitch to right center, plating both runners. Overall, the Banana Bears third basemen hit two doubles and homered in the win.
- April 14 - Sometimes it just doesn't work out. Heading to the 8th clinging to a 4-3 lead over Helena Handbasket, Antonio Bastardi opened the inning issuing 2 walks. Bruce Sutter followed, recording the first out but also giving up a single to load the bases. In comes, you guessed it, the great Mariano Rivera who quickly got Willie McCovey to ground into a force out at home, but gave up the tying run a batter later when Nomar Garciappara looped a single over the second basemen's head. Rivera ended the inning on a strike out but the damage was done. In all, the game lasted 11 innings, and with a tired Rivera still pitching, ended on a Darrell Porter 2-run homer.
- April 15 - One night later it happened again. With another 4-3 lead in the 8th, Bastardo and Sutter combined to give up 3 singles and a double, allowing Helena to tie the game. It should have been a lot worse, twice Handbasket runners were thrown out at the plate.
It's been a difficult start for the relievers
Rivera- 13 IP, 14 H, 3 BB, 7 R
Neale - 22 IP, 18 H, 2 HR, 10 R, 4.03 ERA
Sutter - 7 IP, 13 H, 3 BB, 2 HR
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