ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 18, 1996 TAG: 9605200068
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
Mike Vavrek learned that if you throw your complete game, you throw a complete game.
He didn't do that seven days ago against the raging Durham Bulls and got cuffed. Friday night, the Salem Avalanche left-hander slapped the cuffs on the Bulls and tossed a complete-game two-hitter in a 3-0 win over the Bulls before 2,745 fans at Memorial Stadium.
It was a complete reversal from events of May 10, when Vavrek was touched for eight hits and five runs in a three-inning appearance in the Bulls' $15-million jewel of a ballpark.
``I felt a little better tonight,'' said Vavrek. ``The first time I faced them, I never felt comfortable. You never know what to expect the first time you face somebody. ... Of course I saw their hitters pretty often that last time even though it was only three innings.''
The experience paid off, as Vavrek struck out 10, fashioned a no-hitter for 5 innings and pitched Salem's second complete game of the season. Brent Crowther threw the other in a 1-0 win over Kinston on April 23.
Vavrek had everything working in this appearance against the Bulls, who lost their third straight game and watched their scoreless streak reach 20 innings. Among his 115 pitches, Vavrek kept his slider and curve in on the hands of right-handers, worked the corners with his fastball and sprinkled in some change-ups just to keep the Bulls guessing.
``Phenomenal,'' said Salem manager Bill McGuire. ``I don't care if that lineup hasn't scored in 40 innings. You can't take them lightly.''
Three times Vavrek whiffed Durham's Andruw Jones, the 1995 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year. Twice he got him to chase change-ups, then caught him looking at a fastball to end the sixth after Mike Eaglin had spoiled the no-hitter with a two-out double.
A no-hitter is ``always in the back of your mind,'' said Vavrek. ``I can't say I wasn't thinking about it. After he got the double, I just concentrated on getting the next hitter and hold 'em down to a few runs.''
Vavrek retired 12 straight batters in one stretch.
The offense came from the batting order's lower quadrant, as seven of Salem's 10 hits came from slots 6-through-9. Blake Barthol had three hits and scored twice and No.9 hitter Steve Bernhardt had two infield hits, including an eighth-inning roller that hit third base and plated Barthol to make it 3-0.
``When the bottom of your lineup performs in that manner, it usually means success,'' said McGuire.
Leadoff man Elvis Pena had three hits and knocked in two runs with a single in the third that scored John Fantauzzi.
That was more than enough for Vavrek, who surrendered a ninth-inning single to Jones then finished the game by striking out Wright and Helms.
``I know we've not scored many runs the last three games,'' said Durham manager Randy Ingle, who piloted the Pulaski Braves to the Appalachian League championship in 1991, ``but tonight I take my hat off to that pitcher Vavrek. That was one heck of a ball game. He's the reason we didn't score any runs tonight.''
SNOWBALLS: Salem's Pookie Jones stretched his hitting streak to nine games with an eighth-inning single. ... Colorado Rockies roving minor-league batting instructor Clint Hurdle is in town for the weekend. ... Including Friday's game, Salem's average attendance in seven May home games is 2,850. The team is averaging 1,935 fans per game through 18 home dates this season.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY Staff Mike Vavrek delivers a pitch Fridayby CNBnight during his two-hit shutout over Durham.<