THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 30, 1995 TAG: 9505300151
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CLYDE HUGHES, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: MAUMEE, OHIO LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Butch Huskey blasted three home runs and Jason Isringhausen continued his mastery of the International League, blanking the Toledo Mud Hens over seven innings for a 12-5 Norfolk Tides victory at Skeldon Stadium on Monday night.
Isringhausen allowed four hits and three walks, lowering his earned run average to 0.29 in four starts.
``He's given us a great effort every time he's gone out there,'' said Norfolk manager Toby Harrah. ``He's got great stuff and he doesn't let himself get bothered about runners on base. Jason is very strong mentally, and that helps him out there.''
The Tides provided plenty of offense behind Isringhausen with five home runs. It was the most home runs for Norfolk in a game this season. Huskey's three home runs was the most by a Norfolk player in a game this year.
Huskey went 4 for 4, adding a double to his round-trippers. The double was nearly another home run, hitting the bottom of the fence in centerfield.
``I've never hit three home runs in a game before,'' said Huskey, who came into the game with a .205 batting average. ``I've been struggling at the plate but the last few games I've been swinging the bat pretty good.
``They gave me some pitches up in the strike zone and I was able to handle them.''
Huskey hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, giving Norfolk a 5-0 lead. He added a bases-empty home run in the eighth and a two-run shot in the ninth.
``It's great to see that happen to Butch,'' Harrah said. ``He never let his offense affect his defense and he always worked hard. It shows that hard work can pay off.''
Norfolk's first five hits were for extra bases. The Tides broke the game open in the fourth with four runs.
Omar Garcia opened the inning with a triple but was out on a fielder's choice at home plate on the next at-bat.
Bill Spiers drove in one run with a double before Huskey's home run gave Norfolk a 5-0 lead.
Rickey Otero, sent down by the New York Mets last weekend, opened the game with a home run off Toledo starter Mickey Weston. It was Otero's first at-bat this season with the Tides.
Tracy Sanders and Huskey hit back-to-back home runs off Toledo reliever Ben Blomdahl in the eighth inning for a 7-0 lead. ILLUSTRATION: BOX SCORE
STANDINGS
[For a copy of the charts, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB