HELTON HITS FOR CYCLE; BUT MOBSTERS DOWN SLUGGERS, 15-1
For Immediate Release
May 5, 2001
VIRGINIA – Todd Helton hit for the cycle and had six RBI as Virginia welcomed the visiting Chicago Mobsters into town for a six game set on Friday May 5th. A crowd of 18,527 saw the Sluggers out-hit Chicago 15-14, but the Mobsters came out on top in the runs department with the 15-14 being in Chicago’s favor. Chicago upped their record to 22-7, and Virginia fell to 16-13. Helton a strong hitting first baseman from Knoxville Tennessee was 5-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and a ninth-inning home run. Helton had twelve total bases, and included a walk in his performance.  Helton is now batting .385, on the young season, and could be in the running for MVP of the American League. Mobster reliever Kerry Ligtenberg (1-0) got the win with one shaky inning. He allowed three run but no runs were earned.  Mobster’s starter Jeff Weaver went three and 2/3 innings allowing five runs on six hits, while striking out four and walking three. Chicago got on the board in the first inning when Mo Vaughn’s, RBI – bloop Single by Mo Vaughn, scored Bobby Higginson from second and Fred McGriff cranked out a 3 run homer. Virginia tied the score at five in the 4th inning, but Chicago then broke the game open with six runs in the fifth inning, and held on to win for the 15-14 Win. John Franco worked the two and 1/3 innings for his first save of the year. Gil Meche (3-1) suffered the loss for Virginia, as Virginia manager Paul Roe left him out to take a beating. Meche surrendered eleven runs, eight of which were earned, on ten hits in four and 2/3 innings. The Mobsters and Sluggers meet again on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Camden Yards.