Marietta's rookie pitcher John Lester hurled a 3-hit shutout of New Jersey. Lester struck out 5 and walked one en route to his first DMBL win. Joe Blanton pitched well (CG, 5 hits, 3 ER) on the opposite end, but took the loss. Amazingly only six hitters (out of 18) between the two squads were able to get hits!
Tampa Bay once again knocked around the defending champs 8-1. The Sugar Bears are now in unfamiliar territory with a 1-2 record. Torii Hunter hit his third home run and drove in four runs as the Plunkers capitalized on a pair of errors by Marco Scutaro and Matt Stairs. Jeff Francis was brilliant, limiting the Sugar Bears to only 3 hits over 8 innings and striking out 6.
Sardine City pounded the Vancouver bullpen in the latter stages of their 10-5 win over the Iron Fist. Vancouver was cruising with a 5-2 lead entering the seventh, but slowly the wheels started coming loose and finally fell off in a 5-run eighth inning. Raul Ibanez had two doubles and 3 RBIs and Ken Griffey had two solo home runs for the Straphangers. David Ortiz remained red-hot for Vancouver, hitting his third homer, while going 2-3 with 2 RBIs.
Adrian Beltre's triple in the second inning highlighted a 5-run second inning for the Bushslappers, leading to a 6-3 victory over Blue Ridge. Alex Rios hit two homers in the loss.
Showing posts with label francis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label francis. Show all posts
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Friday, June 8, 2007
All-Star Snubs
Well, not everyone's going to make the All-Star teams, and if these guys made it, another worthy player might have to be taken off the list, but these lists are still fun to make. Here's a look at the top five snubs from each team:
Morris Division
1) Justin Morneau, ARK - Morneau fell victim to Albert Pujols' equally impressive 2007 season and his popularity, but Morneau had a bit of a claim to the spot as well. Morneau is seventh in batting average (.333), ninth in slugging (.633), tied for sixth in RBI (66), tied for seventh in home runs (25) and ninth in OPS (1.024). Of course it didn't help him that Pujols was on top of him most of those categories, but maybe Morneau will be better remembered next season.
2) Erik Bedard, PHI - Bedard was *this close* to making the team this year. A tiebreaker sent D.C.'s Derek Lowe instead, but Bedard was just as worthy. Bedard is 8-3 (10th) with a 3.40 ERA (5th) for the first-place Endzone Animals. His 87 strikeouts in 98 innings is not too shabby either.
3) Greg Maddux, VAN - The old man can still pitch. Maddux is having a bit of a resurgence this year, but his lack of decisions has hurt his chances. Maddux is only 5-2 in 13 games so far this year, but his 3.39 ERA is good for fourth in the league and he's only allowed 11.3 runners per 9 innings (4th) and he leads the league in walks per nine innings (1.2). Maddux is also fourth in quality start percentage (.692).
4) Rocco Baldelli, CAR - Throughout his career, Baldelli has struggled to stay healthy, but now that he has, he is fulfilling the promise that many saw for his career. Baldelli is batting .310 on the season with 18 homers, 52 RBI, 58 runs scored, 6 steals, and an .868 OPS.
5) Scott Proctor, PHI - These guys always get overlooked, but Proctor, along with D.C.'s Joe Nathan and South Boston's Brandon League could have easily found a spot on the roster. Proctor may have been the best of the bunch. The Philly righthander has allowed only 32 baserunners in 50.1 innings and struck out 41, while compiling a 1.61 ERA. Proctor also has a 7-0 record, good enough for fourth on his team in victories!
Hanover Division
1) Mark Teahen, NWK - Newark is certainly well-represented on the team, but Teahen could have easily been another candidate. Teahen is batting .324 with a .988 OPS, 20 HRs, 66 RBIs and 62 runs scored. We won't feel too bad since Newark has eight representatives, we wont' feel too bad about it.
2) Josh Bard, HBK - Bard is having a great season as Hoboken's catcher/DH. So far, Bard has a .321 average, 50 RBI, and a .850 OPS. Bard would have liked to back up starter Joe Mauer, but Bard will have to wait one more year.
3) Gary Matthews, SAR - Matthews is the heart and soul of the Sardine City offense. So far he leads the team in average (.319), runs (41) and triples (5). Matthews also has 35 RBIs, 18 doubles, and a .832 OPS. Given the way Sardine City's offense has started though, it's understandable that the voters might have overlooked Matthews.
4) Jeff Francis, HON - Overshadowed by the more successful Jason Schmidt and the hot prospect, Jered Weaver, Jeff Francis has been having a great year for the Sharks and is one of the reasons the team is successful this year. Francis has accumulated a 10-3 record to go along with his 3.87 ERA. His low K total might turn off voters (49 in 109.1 innings), but you can't argue with the results.
5) Mike Mussina, MAR - Along with Scott Kazmir from Hoboken, these two are likely victims of poor win-loss records that voters love. Mussina, who is only 6-6 for Marietta, has a decent 4.06 ERA, but he has 98 strikeouts in 104 innings and has excellent peripheral numbers (1.6 BB/9, 11.5 R/9, 5.2 K:BB) indicating Moose may be in for a strong second half.
Plenty of more All-Star news and info is coming in a special edition of This Week in the DMBL tonight!
Morris Division
1) Justin Morneau, ARK - Morneau fell victim to Albert Pujols' equally impressive 2007 season and his popularity, but Morneau had a bit of a claim to the spot as well. Morneau is seventh in batting average (.333), ninth in slugging (.633), tied for sixth in RBI (66), tied for seventh in home runs (25) and ninth in OPS (1.024). Of course it didn't help him that Pujols was on top of him most of those categories, but maybe Morneau will be better remembered next season.
2) Erik Bedard, PHI - Bedard was *this close* to making the team this year. A tiebreaker sent D.C.'s Derek Lowe instead, but Bedard was just as worthy. Bedard is 8-3 (10th) with a 3.40 ERA (5th) for the first-place Endzone Animals. His 87 strikeouts in 98 innings is not too shabby either.
3) Greg Maddux, VAN - The old man can still pitch. Maddux is having a bit of a resurgence this year, but his lack of decisions has hurt his chances. Maddux is only 5-2 in 13 games so far this year, but his 3.39 ERA is good for fourth in the league and he's only allowed 11.3 runners per 9 innings (4th) and he leads the league in walks per nine innings (1.2). Maddux is also fourth in quality start percentage (.692).
4) Rocco Baldelli, CAR - Throughout his career, Baldelli has struggled to stay healthy, but now that he has, he is fulfilling the promise that many saw for his career. Baldelli is batting .310 on the season with 18 homers, 52 RBI, 58 runs scored, 6 steals, and an .868 OPS.
5) Scott Proctor, PHI - These guys always get overlooked, but Proctor, along with D.C.'s Joe Nathan and South Boston's Brandon League could have easily found a spot on the roster. Proctor may have been the best of the bunch. The Philly righthander has allowed only 32 baserunners in 50.1 innings and struck out 41, while compiling a 1.61 ERA. Proctor also has a 7-0 record, good enough for fourth on his team in victories!
Hanover Division
1) Mark Teahen, NWK - Newark is certainly well-represented on the team, but Teahen could have easily been another candidate. Teahen is batting .324 with a .988 OPS, 20 HRs, 66 RBIs and 62 runs scored. We won't feel too bad since Newark has eight representatives, we wont' feel too bad about it.
2) Josh Bard, HBK - Bard is having a great season as Hoboken's catcher/DH. So far, Bard has a .321 average, 50 RBI, and a .850 OPS. Bard would have liked to back up starter Joe Mauer, but Bard will have to wait one more year.
3) Gary Matthews, SAR - Matthews is the heart and soul of the Sardine City offense. So far he leads the team in average (.319), runs (41) and triples (5). Matthews also has 35 RBIs, 18 doubles, and a .832 OPS. Given the way Sardine City's offense has started though, it's understandable that the voters might have overlooked Matthews.
4) Jeff Francis, HON - Overshadowed by the more successful Jason Schmidt and the hot prospect, Jered Weaver, Jeff Francis has been having a great year for the Sharks and is one of the reasons the team is successful this year. Francis has accumulated a 10-3 record to go along with his 3.87 ERA. His low K total might turn off voters (49 in 109.1 innings), but you can't argue with the results.
5) Mike Mussina, MAR - Along with Scott Kazmir from Hoboken, these two are likely victims of poor win-loss records that voters love. Mussina, who is only 6-6 for Marietta, has a decent 4.06 ERA, but he has 98 strikeouts in 104 innings and has excellent peripheral numbers (1.6 BB/9, 11.5 R/9, 5.2 K:BB) indicating Moose may be in for a strong second half.
Plenty of more All-Star news and info is coming in a special edition of This Week in the DMBL tonight!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Spring Training Wrapup: Pitchers
Arkansas claimed two players off the wire: rookie catcher Dioner Navarro, recently with Vancouver, and outfielder Xavier Nady, who was with D.C. Carolina shockingly released Endy Chavez, who was having a very strong spring (and made our list of top spring training performers yesterday).
Anyway, onto our top pitchers this spring.
Francisco Liriano, Marietta. Marietta gave up a lot to acquire the youngster, but Liriano proved that he was worth it (so far). Liriano was 4-1 with a 1.70 ERA. More importantly, Liriano only allowed 7.7 runners per 9 innings, and struck out 45 batters and allowed only 10 walks in 47.2 innings (4.5 K:BB).
Jeremy Sowers, Marietta. Liriano's teammate and another rookie pitcher slated to start the season in Marietta's rotation was 5-0 in spring training, with a 2.95 ERA. Sowers was not quite as dominant as Liriano though. Sowers only managed 9 Ks in 39.2 innings! Sowers' 1.18 WHIP is good, but will it last against real lineups?
Anibal Sanchez, D.C. This is starting to look like the rookie report. Hopefully Phil Plantier won't get jealous. Sanchez was 4-0 in the spring with a 1.73 ERA. Sanchez only allowed 8.9 R/9, but, like Sowers, he is a bit strikeout-averse. Sanchez only struck out 11 in his 36.1 innings of work, but he did only surrender one home run.
Ruddy Lugo, Newark. Another rookie, but this one's a reliever. Lugo was the second most used pitcher in Newark's pen (after Brandon Lyon). Lugo pitched 26 innings, but only allowed 20 baserunners while compiling a 1.04 ERA. It is not known who Newark will choose as their closer - Newark only had one save combined, with a mere 4 save opportunities (and half of those have been released when they cut ties with George Sherrill) - but Lugo may end up in the mix or at least be a valuable setup pitcher.
Brandon Webb, Philadelphia. Our first non-rookie! Webb has put together an impressive spring - 3-2, 1.15 ERA. Webb has compiled an impressive 0.97 WHIP and opponents have managed a meager .487 OPS against him.
Ervin Santana, Arkansas. The "other" Santana, Ervin was 2-0 with a 1.55 ERA in spring. He only allowed 17 hits in 29 innings of work, but he will need to get his walks down (15) if he wants to sustain any success in the regular season. Santana has most likely earned himself a spot as the fourth or fifth starter in the Falcons' rotation.
Felix Hernandez, Hillsborough. "King Felix" had a solid rookie campaign last year and seems to be building his way to another solid year this season. Hernandez put together a 4-1, 2.10 spring with 20 Ks in 30 innings. Pitching coach Brien Taylor expects Hernandez's strikeouts to increase during the season. "I've figured out a flaw in his mechanics" Taylor said. "I've instructed him to use a new delivery similar to the one that brought me success in my career."
Jeff Francis, Honolulu. Francis had very limited action last season, but looks poised to be a contributor this year. Francis was 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA this spring for the Sharks, but his peripheral numbers suggested a warning. Francis' K:BB ration was horrid: 8 Ks vs 13 BBs (0.6) and his 1.20 WHIP seemed to be a bit high for the ERA that he showed. Expect Francis' production to level out a little, but he should still be a valuable member of the Shark rotation.
Bob Wickman, New Jersey. The old dog still has some tricks up his sleeve. Wickman tied with Honolulu's Geoff Geary for the league lead in saves with 6. Wickman compiled an impressive 1.72 ERA in 15.2 innings of work. His 1.15 WHIP was solid, but Wickman did blow 2 saves in the spring. Will New Jersey have enough save chances for Wickman to make a run at the Eck?
Boof Bonser, Hoboken. We started with a rookie and we'll end with one. Bonser has been impressive for the Cutters this season - 3-0, 2.82. Bonser's more impressive stats are his 28 Ks, 7 BBs and 32 hits in 39.1 IP; a 1.02 WHIP, .586 OPS allowed, and a complete game shutout against Newark.
Well those are the top players this year. Tomorrow will be the final entry before opening day.
Anyway, onto our top pitchers this spring.
Francisco Liriano, Marietta. Marietta gave up a lot to acquire the youngster, but Liriano proved that he was worth it (so far). Liriano was 4-1 with a 1.70 ERA. More importantly, Liriano only allowed 7.7 runners per 9 innings, and struck out 45 batters and allowed only 10 walks in 47.2 innings (4.5 K:BB).
Jeremy Sowers, Marietta. Liriano's teammate and another rookie pitcher slated to start the season in Marietta's rotation was 5-0 in spring training, with a 2.95 ERA. Sowers was not quite as dominant as Liriano though. Sowers only managed 9 Ks in 39.2 innings! Sowers' 1.18 WHIP is good, but will it last against real lineups?
Anibal Sanchez, D.C. This is starting to look like the rookie report. Hopefully Phil Plantier won't get jealous. Sanchez was 4-0 in the spring with a 1.73 ERA. Sanchez only allowed 8.9 R/9, but, like Sowers, he is a bit strikeout-averse. Sanchez only struck out 11 in his 36.1 innings of work, but he did only surrender one home run.
Ruddy Lugo, Newark. Another rookie, but this one's a reliever. Lugo was the second most used pitcher in Newark's pen (after Brandon Lyon). Lugo pitched 26 innings, but only allowed 20 baserunners while compiling a 1.04 ERA. It is not known who Newark will choose as their closer - Newark only had one save combined, with a mere 4 save opportunities (and half of those have been released when they cut ties with George Sherrill) - but Lugo may end up in the mix or at least be a valuable setup pitcher.
Brandon Webb, Philadelphia. Our first non-rookie! Webb has put together an impressive spring - 3-2, 1.15 ERA. Webb has compiled an impressive 0.97 WHIP and opponents have managed a meager .487 OPS against him.
Ervin Santana, Arkansas. The "other" Santana, Ervin was 2-0 with a 1.55 ERA in spring. He only allowed 17 hits in 29 innings of work, but he will need to get his walks down (15) if he wants to sustain any success in the regular season. Santana has most likely earned himself a spot as the fourth or fifth starter in the Falcons' rotation.
Felix Hernandez, Hillsborough. "King Felix" had a solid rookie campaign last year and seems to be building his way to another solid year this season. Hernandez put together a 4-1, 2.10 spring with 20 Ks in 30 innings. Pitching coach Brien Taylor expects Hernandez's strikeouts to increase during the season. "I've figured out a flaw in his mechanics" Taylor said. "I've instructed him to use a new delivery similar to the one that brought me success in my career."
Jeff Francis, Honolulu. Francis had very limited action last season, but looks poised to be a contributor this year. Francis was 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA this spring for the Sharks, but his peripheral numbers suggested a warning. Francis' K:BB ration was horrid: 8 Ks vs 13 BBs (0.6) and his 1.20 WHIP seemed to be a bit high for the ERA that he showed. Expect Francis' production to level out a little, but he should still be a valuable member of the Shark rotation.
Bob Wickman, New Jersey. The old dog still has some tricks up his sleeve. Wickman tied with Honolulu's Geoff Geary for the league lead in saves with 6. Wickman compiled an impressive 1.72 ERA in 15.2 innings of work. His 1.15 WHIP was solid, but Wickman did blow 2 saves in the spring. Will New Jersey have enough save chances for Wickman to make a run at the Eck?
Boof Bonser, Hoboken. We started with a rookie and we'll end with one. Bonser has been impressive for the Cutters this season - 3-0, 2.82. Bonser's more impressive stats are his 28 Ks, 7 BBs and 32 hits in 39.1 IP; a 1.02 WHIP, .586 OPS allowed, and a complete game shutout against Newark.
Well those are the top players this year. Tomorrow will be the final entry before opening day.
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