Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 11

Thursday, August 11, 1988 Mattoon, (II.) Journal Gazette B-l JB5 a Canadians, friends, Calif ornians react to Gretzky deal. Bears, Vikings cool off in Sweden. B2 PGA course may favor Ballesteros. B3 Maddiax survives 8rDtC'8 1 scare, tops Mets CHICAGO (AP) Beating the New Ofork Mets two straight doesn't mean ''much to Chicago Cubs manager Don Zimmer. "But, if we could win eight or nine more games in a row, people would sure be buzzing around here," he said after the Cubs yeat New York 6-5 Wednesday.

I flrpo MnririiiY wnn I for the first time in six starts since the 1 all-star break but left with two outs in the sixth inning when he was hit with a- line drive off the bat of Varn atmnlHc "My heart fell a run during the Cubs' five-run fourth. Jeff Pico replaced Maddux and allowed a run and three hits in three innings before Frank DiPino got pinch-hitter Keith Hernandez to line out for DiPino's fifth save. "While I'm glad we've beaten the Mets five of six times in Wrigley Field, a win is a win, and I'm satisfied with that. But, what about the Pirates whom we never beat?" Zimmer asked out loud. Ron Darling, 12-8, allowed six hits and six runs in four innings.

He threw a bases-loaded wild pitch in the first to score Chicago's first run and then allowed the five-run fourth when Vance Law doubled home two runs, Maddux doubled in another and Mitch Webster hit a two-run homer, his third. The inning was prolonged when second baseman Tim Teufel threw to second trying to get the lead runner on Rafael Palmeiro's grounder. "It was an unfortunate throw, and Teufel never should have thrown the ball," Mets manager Davey Johnson said. 'It was just a bad play. He had no play at all." New York came back with four in the fifth on Tim Teufel's RBI double, Kevin Elster's run-scoring groundout and Len Dykstra's two-run single.

The Mets, who lost their third straight, pulled to within a run in the eighth on an RBI single by McReynolds. Palmeiro singled in the eighth to extend his hitting streak to 19 games and Andre Dawson had three hits for the Cubs. ngnt into my stomach in that sixth inning when Greg Mad n- rv i --4 Greg Maddux dux was hit in the right arm and it puf fed up like a balloon," Zimmer said. "I honestly thought Maddux's arm was broken, but just a few minutes ago, I jj breathed easier when I was told X-rays proved negative and all he has is a severe bruise," Zimmer said. "It scared me more than anything else when I saw my arm puff up," said Mad-j dux, who became the National League's first 16-gamer winner.

"I've been told it will puff up even more and I'll probsbly miss at least one turn." Maddux, 16-6, allowed six hits, struck out one and walked one in winning for the first time since July 10. He also doubled in Photo by Brlin Nlalton Workers push a car onto scales during Wednesday's weigh-ins at Coles County track. Call it a Midget IMy 500 By BRIAN NIELSEN Staff Writer Tudor CHARLESTON So far Ron Popham has gone to enough races and won to be leading the nation. Now the nation is coming to him. v8L eeepts help 7 racers from New York to California are here for the 1988 National Modified Midget Association Nationals today through Saturday at the Coles County Racing Association's tejnile dirt trackr "It's the only race I haven't won," said Popham, a 33-year-old from Charleston who has been racing for 10 years.

"This is like the Indy 500 for us." Popham goes in atop the Mm 'L Charleston's Ron Popham with his car. Site Coles County Modified Midget Racing Association Track, Route 316 between Charleston and Mattoon. Schedule Today 1-5 p.m. -time trials Friday 3 p.m.-practice 5 -1 a qualifiers 6 p.m. -dashes, heats, transfers, consolations Saturday 4:30 p.m.-practice 5:30 p.m.-hard luck consolations; and main features 7 p.m.-A and main features Classes B-125CC A-250 cc, four cycle engine AA single cylinder AA two cylinder Admission $5 (children under 12 free) Viola wins 18th at sweet Dome HNA.bi in imn im I ili By the Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS Frank Viola became the first 18-game winner in the major leagues and Kent Hrbek homered and drove in three runs Wednesday night as the Minnesota Twins beat the Cleveland Indians 10-4.

Viola, 18-4, gave up four runs on six hits in seven innings. He has won 20 of 21 decisions at the Metrodome since last season. Hrbek's two-run homer off Rod Nichols, 0-3, put Minnesota ahead 3-2 in the fourth. All 21 of Hrbek's home runs have come against American League East opponents. It was Hrbek's 98th career home run indoors, breaking a tie with Jim Wynn for most lifetime homers at domed stadiums.

Hrbek had a sacrifice fly in the fifth and the Twins broke it open with five runs in the seventh. Dan Gladden led off with a homer and Tim Laudner had a two-run single. Julio Franco had three hits, including a two-run homer. His 10th home run pulled the Indians within 5-4 in the seventh. Cleveland lost its fourth straight game.

Athletics sweep White Sox OAKLAND, Calif. Carney Lansford's one-out single in the 10th inning scored Mike Gallego from second base and gave the Oakland Athletics a 2-1 victory over Chicago and a three-game sweep of the White Sox. Greg Cadaret, 4-1, pitched one inning of perfect relief, combining with Curt Young and Gene Nelson on a five-hitter as Oakland won for the 10th time in 12 games. Ricky Horton, 6-10, relieved starter Jack McDowell to start the 10th. McDowell allowed five hits In nine-plus innings.

V'ball, football plans set MATTOON Volleyball practice for Mattoon High School is to begin at 9 a.m. Monday at Green Wave Gym. Girls must have physical forms, insurance or insurance waviers and parent permits turned into the All-Sports Center before practice. Football reminder Sophomore, junior and senior Mattoon football prospects can pick up equipment from 4 to 5 p.m. today at the All-Sports Center.

All high school boys freshmen through seniors interested in playing can get equipment from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday. The first practice is 8 a.m. Monday. NMMA's season point standings in his AA Single Class with brother Mike second.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -John Tudor had thrown 17 consecutive shutout innings against the Phillies. But he wasn't upset that he was relieved in the ninth inning Wednesday night. "I had no feeling about a shutout," Tudor said after leading the St. Louis Cardinals pasf the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0. "What matters is that the club got a shutout.

Who will remember twenty-five years from now whether John Tudor threw two shutouts or one in 1988." Tudor, 6-5, who shut out the Phillies with a two-hitter on June 23, gave up three hits, struck out three and walked two. Todd Worrell pitched a perfect ninth for his 22nd save. "I knew I had Todd pitching behind me. That's what he gets paid for," Tudor said. Tudor said he told St.Louis manager Whitey Herzog that all he had left was his changeup.

In the eighth, he had gotten through his only tough inning, when he walked two. Bob Dernier batted With two outs and Tudor went to 3-1 and before striking out Dernier with two tantalizing changeups. "That was a matter of survival," Tudor said. "In that situation if I walk him the winning run is at second. I wasn't about to give him a ball he could hit for a base hit and tie the game.

I made two good pitches." Herzog said he had no intention of lifting Tudor against Dernier. "If I bring in Worrell he (Phillies manager Lee Ella) brings in Greg Gross." St. Louis scored the only run in the first on Ozzie Smith's one-out double and Pendleton's single. Don Carman, 9-6, gave up four hits In eieht inrtincs. striking out The leader will tell you those standings mean practically nothing this week.

"There's no Popham has put himself first in the season point standings by racing often and well. Point totals come from a racer's best 13 weekly finishes and best five major races in a year. Regularly hitting Areola, Charleston and Sibley tracks some of the most competitive tracks in the country, Popham says he has won 14 of 28 features this season. He won the Illinois State Championship in June when his brother finished second. This is his best season since 1978 when he won the season points championship and was second in the nationals in his second year of racing.

Since then, not until this year has he gone to enough races to compete for a title. "This year I'm racing a lot and it's put me in a position to win," Popham said. "Just because I'm sitting No. 1 now doesn't mean I'll finish No. 1.

It'd be nice, but it wouldn't break my heart (if he doesn't win), because I've done it before." If he doesn't win, it won't be from lack of work, although Popham considers preparing a car more fun than work. Popham builds his cars practically from scratch in a large garage at his farm. Most of that work is done during the winter when a rmer has more free time. Each year he finds new innovations. This year's car has controls that can make adjustments while running.

Once the racing begins, a car may need only minor adjustments after a weekend. Other weeks time consuming repairs might be needed. "If I crash something I may spend 40 or 60 hours a week on it plus farming," Popham said. "I've got a very, very understanding girl friend who lets me get away with it." The rewards are enjoyment, not monetary. This week's nationals, which has a $1,500 purse, is the only time of the season winners take home cash.

"It's a hobby, but there's so much professionalism to it," Popham said. "It's like any other hobby. You get out of it what you put in it. If you don't want to spend much money, you don't have to. If you want to spend it, you spend it.

"There's no money involved, but I feel like I can justify my racing into transfer-ing parts and selling it. That's my profit." This might be the last year of racing for Popham, who grew up with the sport. His father Monte is one of the two oldest members of the 30-year-old NMMA. 'Tm getting old enough now that I don't want to put in the time," he said. Whether he races or not, Popham still plans to be building or working on others' cars.

And before he gives anything up, he will do his darndest to add to an already successful year. "This race is in my backyard," he said, "and I'm not going to justlet someone take it away." set favorite to win this race," Popham said. "You can pick who will win this. There's 50 people who can win this race. "It'd be the best thing that would happen to me, but there's so much luck involved.

Out here just making the A mains will be something. If you can just be in a position to win it'll be quite a feat." The AA Single Class Popham is in draws the most midget racers. This week about 150 will by trying to avoid problems and advance to the 18 spots in Saturday night's AA Single's main feature. a season-high seven and walking LA scores, gains some breathing room one. "Wflll vnn saw some cood Dit ching out there tonight," Phillies manager Lee una saia.

-iney knilt nut mm a sliorvl et tJfttifnrf By the Associated Press 5 I uvui uut uil a uiayiaj vi piwmug, You know you're in for a battle season, struck out eight and did not walk a batter in his fourth career shutout. His last complete game was against the Cardinals on Aug. 13, 1982, and his last shutout was against the Cubs on Oct. 5, 1980. wnen you lace luaor.

ne nas trreat location, creat off SDeed pitches, hits the corners when Expos nip Pirates he's hot he's hot." Robinson blanks Astros HOUSTON Don Robinson pitched a one-hitter, facing only 28 batters, and threw his shutout in eight years, leading the San Francisco Giants past the Houston Astros 5-0. Robinson, 4-2, who has six saves in 39 relief appearances this season, gave up an infield hit off his glove to Terry Puhl ln the first inning. Robinson picked Puhl off first base, ending the inning, and then retired the next 13 batters In until Alex Trevlno struck out in the sixth but reached first base on a wild pitch. Robinson, making his eighth start of the their hold on first place in the National League West. Los Angeles had lost nine of its previous 12 games, letting its lead over Houston shrink to a half-game.

Hershlser matched Chicago's Greg Maddux as the only 16-game winners in the NL. Three of the hits off Hershiser were inning-opening homers by Ken Griffey in the second and Kal Daniels in the fifth and ninth. Paul O'Neill hit a two-run homer in the ninth off Jay Howell, O'Neill's 12th. Los Angeles had "been shut on' In Its two previous games and trailed Marshall led off the fifth with his 16th homer off Jose Rljo, 11-8, who has lost his last four decisions. CINCINNATI The Los Angeles Dodgers' scoreless streak is over and its National League West lead has grown.

Mike home run ended the Dodgers' scoreless streak at 22 innings and sparked a four-run rally Wednesday night that led Los Angeles past the Cincinnati Reds 8-5. Coupled with the Houston Astros' loss, the win put the Dodgers' lead at lMi games after it had been cut to a half-game Tuesday. Orel Hershlsef, 16-6, allowed nine hits in eight-plus Innings to help the Dodgers retain It was the first 1-0 victory for the Cardinals since they beat Montreal last Sept. 29. Tudor retired the first 13 bat MONTREAL Dennis Martinez won his seventh straight decision and hit a tiobrcak-ing, two-run double as the Montreal Expos beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4.

Nelson Santovenia hit a two-run homer as third-place Montreal moved within "5lk games National League East-leading New York. It is the closest the Expos have been since May 3. ters before Lance Parrish singled past the outstretched glove of a diving Smith at snortsiop in the fifth..