THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 6, 1994 TAG: 9406060154
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRY BRLAS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: 940606 LENGTH: TOLEDO, OHIO
Kmak's one-out blast off Toledo pitcher Mike Christopher nailed the USAir sign beyond the leftfield fence.
{REST} ``It's probably my biggest hit this year,'' Kmak said. ``I was looking for a fastball over the middle of the plate that I could just get out of the infield. I happened to get a cutter or a slider. I just happened to get out in front of it and got it in the air.''
Rico Brogna (4-for-5 with 2 RBIs) followed Kmak's blast with his 12th home run for the final margin of victory. The Norfolk first baseman was also robbed of a home run by Mud Hens centerfielder Bobby Higginson in the eighth, but ended up with a triple.
``I've been fairly streaky most of the season,'' Brogna said. ``I get into a groove where I see the ball real well like I did today and then I hit a couple days where I swing at bad pitches. What I'm trying to do is make myself more consistent.
``Both teams showed a lot of character when they had to come back. I think the ball was carrying pretty good today. The wind was blowing out a bit and I think the ball has a tendency to carry better here during the day.''
Brogna's performance was not lost on Norfolk manager Bobby Valentine.
``Rico came up big all day long,'' Valentine said. ``He hit line drives all over the ballpark. He's in a nice groove right now. He's having himself a good year.''
Pablo Martinez, a late-inning replacement, improved his .169 batting average by singling home the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th. Toledo tied the score in its half of the 10th on an RBI triple by Riccardo Ingram.
The two teams finish the 4-game series tonight at 7 with Norfolk's Jason Jacome (4-3, 3.27) facing Toledo's Felipe Lira (3-4, 5.14).
by CNB