THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 25, 1995 TAG: 9506250178
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON AND RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
The Tides are in the unusual position this season of actually contending for an International League title and are practically a lock to make the playoffs for the first time since 1988.
Thus the New York Mets for once have the power to help the Tides in their effort, after a few seasons of leaving the Tides wallowing in August with undermanned rosters and poor quality fill-ins.
And they will be helped, within reason, said Gerry Hunsicker, the Mets assistant vice president of baseball operations.
For instance, September player promotions will probably be delayed until the playoffs have run their course, Hunsicker said. However, Tides players whom the Mets think could help the big league team win immediately will still be brought up when necessary, Hunsicker said.
Players falling into that category include pitcher Jason Isringhausen and outfielder Carl Everett. But if those two go, the Tides would receive touted Paul Wilson, a righthanded pitcher, and Jay Payton, an outfielder, from Double-A Binghamton. And they could get those two soon anyway, regardless of what happens to Isringhausen and Everett.
``Dvelopment and winning still go together,'' Hunsicker said. ``It helps the younger prospects be better when you surround them with talent. If a team like this is in contention to win, we'll try to go the extra mile to maintain that.''
ALL-STAR GAME ON ESPN2: This year's Triple-A all-star game in Moosic, Pa. will be televised live on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. on July 12.
ESPN2 is available in South Hampton Roads for an extra fee on Cox Cable.
The all-star teams will be announced this week. Isringhausen is the only Tide who should be a definite on the National League team. Others with a decent chance probably are Everett, first baseman Omar Garcia and shortstop Rey Ordonez.
In addition, lefthanded reliever Don Florence, who has been solid if unspectacular, could garner support within the International League, in part because of the lack of quality lefthanded relief. But players from the American Association and Pacific Coast League also are under consideration.
HOT BATS: So much has been made of the Tides' pitching staff and its success that few have noticed the Tides are leading the International League in hitting with a .266 average through Friday.
Seems everyone has a theory. Manager Toby Harrah says the excellent pitching has something to do with it.
``The guys don't feel they have to score eight runs every night to win a ball game,'' Harrah said.
Aaron Ledesma, who was hitting .308 through Friday and would be among the league leaders if he had enough at-bats (197 minimum plate appearances), said the fact that ``everyone is putting the ball into play is important. We make a lot of contact and don't strike out a lot.''
Alberto Castillo, who is hitting .301, pointed out that it could just be a lot of guys having good seasons for various reasons.
``The guys keep asking me, why are you hitting? What are you doing different?'' Castillo said. ``I ask myself, `What am I doing different?' ''
``My dad died in March (kidney failure) and he was sick for a long time. I was pressing to try to get to the majors before he died.
``Now he's up there watching me. Since then I haven't felt as much pressure.''
TIDBITS: Despite giving up nine hits in 7 1/3 innings Friday, Isringhausen is still limiting opponents to a .166 batting average. Howe Sportsdata has named Isringhausen its midseason minor league pitcher of the year. . . . Howe also named the New York Mets as its minor-league organization of the year so far, noting Isringhausen and recent Mets callup Bill Pulsipher, and Binghamton's Wilson and outfielder Payton as the major reasons. by CNB