By Michael Point

June 20, 2001

SAN ANTONIO--In any other Double-A Texas League ballpark the 2001 all-star game, showcasing several hitters on a record-breaking pace, would have been an old-fashioned exercise in double-digit scoring amidst unrelenting offensive fireworks.

But in Nelson Wolff Stadium, where a steady breeze blows in to create a pitcher's oasis in the otherwise hitter-friendly TL, the biggest bats couldn't even break out in batting practice. What resulted was a quick and well played 6-2 defensive duel won by the West, powered by pitching but punctuated with a couple of big innings.

San Antonio Missions manager Dave Brundage led the Western Division squad and succinctly described the game. "It was more about pitching and defense than just swinging away," he said. "It took a team effort to win because it took a team effort to manufacture runs."

The heavy-hitting West lineup featured sluggers Jacques Landry of Midland and Jason Lane of Round Rock (Astros), who hit 27 and 25 home runs in the season's first-half. Neither one of them could get a ball over the fence in the pre-game home run competition--won by Arkansas first baseman Robb Quinlan. The league's batting average leader, El Paso DH Lyle Overbay, had the best set of the home run derby, hitting six in the first round.

The power production of the West was never realized as it finished the game with just six hits, all singles. But four walks and an East error helped the West efforts, especially in the decisive eighth inning when the home team scored four runs. Tulsa lefthander Andy Pratt, giving up three singles and walking three, took the loss as the responsible party for the four runs in the eighth.

The originally scheduled West starter, Round Rock's Tim Redding, picked up his first Triple-A win the night before the TL all-star game. So, the pitcher second to Redding in ERA, Travis Smith (8-5) of Round Rock, took his place. Smith, a 1997 Texas League all-star as a member of the Brewers system, surrendered three weak singles in two innings of work. He escaped an East scoring threat in the second inning when Round Rock teammate Lane fielded a single and rifled a throw to San Antonio shortstop Willie Bloomquist, whose perfect relay throw cut down Wichita's Shawn Gallagher at the plate.

Wichita's big lefty Jeremy Affeldt started for the East and threw two shutout innings. Rangers prospect David Elder, striking out three, ran the scoreless streak to four before Round Rock catcher Carlos Maldonado knocked in the first West run with a single up the middle that scored San Antonio's Bo Robinson. Bloomquist then brought home another run with a fielder's choice, tying the score at 2.

The East had pushed across two runs off Round Rock lefthander Carlos Hernandez in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Shreveport second baseman Ryan Luther and speedy Arkansas shortstop Alfredo Amezaga. But the East wouldn't get another baserunner until the eighth.

Shreveport third baseman Nelson Castro and Luther each had two hits for the East, as did Quinlan. Third baseman Robinson was the only West batter to get two hits, while Midland center fielder Ryan Ludwick had two RBIs.

Both managers used their full pitching staffs. El Paso reliever Jose Valverde turned in the most impressive pitching performance. The 21-year old Dominican righthander faced six batters, striking out five. Midland closer Midland's Tyler Yates picked up the win. Round Rock closer Travis Wade, the league leader in saves, pitched a perfect ninth to end the event.