by: Brian Bohl | Senior Writer - NY Sports Day | Tuesday, June 5, 2007
CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Roster turnover is a fact of life in all professional sports. In the Atlantic League, the comings and goings occur frequently, making depth an integral part of a successful team.
The Ducks lost the services of Levittown native Randy Leek yesterday, depriving the rotation of a dependable starter who was also scheduled to pitch against the Road Warriors. Instead of shuffling the other four starters to compensate for the absence, manager Dave LaPoint didn’t look too far to find a temporary replacement.
Tim Cain started the season in the bullpen, making four appearances in relief. But the 38-year-old is also the Atlantic League’s all-time wins leader, giving the Ducks a veteran presence to stabilize the staff before replacements for Leek and reliever Kevin Tolar can be signed.
“I think he did a great job and kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win,” LaPoint said after Cain allowed two runs in four innings last night’s emergency start. “We’re looking at different people, but as of right now, he’ll start.”
In his first start of the season, Cain put at least one runner on base in each of his four innings. He escaped trouble in every frame except the second, when he surrendered a RBI single to Gabe Suarez and Norm Hutchins’ sacrifice fly.
Cain allowed five hits in his longest outing of the year, striking out four in the no-decision. The righty exited before the fifth inning after registering his longest outing of the year in a contest the Ducks eventually won, 4-2.
“I hadn’t pitched in awhile, but you know there will come a time when something’s going to happen,” Cain said. “So in the back of my mind, I’ll be ready. On a great team like this, you don’t know what you’ll be doing today or tomorrow, so I might get an opportunity. Somebody might call. You don’t know. That’s baseball.”
Leek and Tolar both left the Ducks to play in Taiwan yesterday, providing Cain with the opportunity to make just his seventh start since 2006. The Naples, Fl. native worked out of a one-out single to pitch a scoreless first, and struck out the side in the fourth inning to complete his night.
Travis Wade, Ben Grezlovski and closer Danny Graves combined to pitch five innings of scoreless relief as the Ducks won their seventh straight game and started the nine-game homestand 6-0 after completing a second consecutive series sweep.
Cain’s previous season-high was a 2 1/3 inning-performance against Somerset May 15. But the former Rangers draft pick (1990) has started 207 games in his 16-year minor league career. He also is one of the few players who has been in the Atlantic League since its inaugural season in 1998, providing the Ducks with an experienced long-man and spot starter.
“In the Atlantic League, this is the best team ever,” said Cain, who owns a career 70-61 record in the league and 94-84 ledger in the minors overall. “Not only numbers wise, but we’re also a fun clubhouse. We have a lot of ex big league players, and I know for a fact that they’re enjoying this season. And part of [the] enjoyment is winning.”
Leek was tied for the team lead in wins, compiling a 3-0 record with a 3.13 earned run average. Tolar, who is also left-handed, struck out eight in 11 innings as a setup man. The Ducks announced no signings to replace the two pitchers who will be heading overseas after having their contracts purchased.
“Tolar’s had offers since the beginning of the season. Leek was a little bit of a surprise,” LaPoint said. “But they deserve it. They’re both good pitchers and they can make a little bit more money over there.
“About the only reason you go to Taiwan is to make more money, because you fall off the map over there. You have no chance of going back to an organization.”
