Newark took the first game of their series against Las Vegas with a 6-3 win in the House yesterday. The Sugar Bears scored 6 runs in the final three innings to grab the lead. Recently activated Pat Neshek took the brunt of the damage, surrendering 4 runs in 2.1 innings. Newark stretched their division lead to 2 games. Game two is later tonight.
Tampa Bay has gone as cold as their manager recently, dropping 12 out of their last 15, falling four games under .500 and out of a playoff spot. Tampa is now two games behind Hillsborough for that 6th spot and they're looking over their shoulder as fellow first-year franchise Blue Ridge is only 2 games behind them.
Jake Peavy won his league-leading 14th game of the season against Arkansas, clinging to a 3-2 victory. Peavy surrendered only 3 hits in his 7 innings of work, while striking out 9. Peavy is now in striking distance of the "Pitching Triple Crown" - third in ERA with 2.97 (.21 behind leader Ted Lilly) and 9 strikeouts behind Las Vegas' Erik Bedard.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Greinke streak over
Well it had to happen eventually, but I think Greinke was hoping it wouldn't go down like this. The D.C. Bushslappers had enough and throttled Greinke to the tune of 7 runs in 5 innings to hand the youngster his first loss of the season. Vancouver went on to lose 14-4 after Billy Wagner let up 6 more runs in 2/3 of an inning. "Actually it's a huge monkey off my back" said Greinke after the game. "All those reporters and the paparazzi hanging around..."
Marietta and Blue Ridge played a marathon 16-inning match yesterday that took them into the wee hours of the night. Blue Ridge took the initial lead in the first inning on a Prince Fielder 2-run single, but Marietta came back in the 5th when Orlando Hudson tied it up with a 2-run single of his own. Derek Jeter gave the Mighty Men the lead in the top of the eighth, but his counterpart Edgar Renteria tied it up in the bottom half. Soon the teams were off to extra innings. Marietta was forced to go to starters Kyle Lohse, who pitched 3 scoreless innings, and Ervin Santana. Meanwhile Blue Ridge got a gutty performance out of reliever Tim Byrdak (4 IP, 1 H, 7 K). Derek Jeter once again broke the tie in the 15th with an RBI-single, but it was short lived as Dan Uggla scored on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 15th. Matt Diaz singled with the bases loaded in the top of the 16th and Blue Ridge escaped further calamity by inducing Derek Jeter into a strikeout-double play. Santana then finished off Blue Ridge for the win.
Marietta and Blue Ridge played a marathon 16-inning match yesterday that took them into the wee hours of the night. Blue Ridge took the initial lead in the first inning on a Prince Fielder 2-run single, but Marietta came back in the 5th when Orlando Hudson tied it up with a 2-run single of his own. Derek Jeter gave the Mighty Men the lead in the top of the eighth, but his counterpart Edgar Renteria tied it up in the bottom half. Soon the teams were off to extra innings. Marietta was forced to go to starters Kyle Lohse, who pitched 3 scoreless innings, and Ervin Santana. Meanwhile Blue Ridge got a gutty performance out of reliever Tim Byrdak (4 IP, 1 H, 7 K). Derek Jeter once again broke the tie in the 15th with an RBI-single, but it was short lived as Dan Uggla scored on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 15th. Matt Diaz singled with the bases loaded in the top of the 16th and Blue Ridge escaped further calamity by inducing Derek Jeter into a strikeout-double play. Santana then finished off Blue Ridge for the win.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Ping Ponged Pineiro
Crazy game down in Vegas yesterday as the Plunkers pulled out to an 8-1 lead after two innings. But Vegas pounded out 8 runs in the 6th to take a one-run lead. In the top of the ninth, the Plunkers tied it up, but Placido Polanco hit a single with the bases loaded to give the Rats the 10-9 win. The win was the Rat Pack's 7th straight, keeping them in a first-place tie with Newark.
Felix Hernandez is now 2-0 since returning from the DL last week. King Felix pitched 7 strong innings against Arkansas en route to a 7-2 win. Hillsborough picked up yet another game over 7th place Tampa Bay and moved to one game back of 5th place D.C. Meanwhile Arkansas lost their 5th straight and is only 1/2 game out of 12th place.
D.C. is losing ground rapidly with another loss to Vancouver. Michael Young went 4-4 and Andre Ethier hit a key 2-run home run to propel the Fist to a 6-3 win. Vancouver widened their division lead to 4 1/2 games.
Hoboken meanwhile kept playing yo-yo with pitcher Joel Pineiro, releasing him after his latest start. At one point Pineiro got so fed up with owner Mark Hrywna that he began to choke him after a heated conversation. "He got all up in my face and pushed my buttons" said Pineiro. With Aaron Cook still expected to miss at least one more start, the Cutters may yet ask Pineiro to come back one more time. "Yeah, he choked me" said Hrywna, "but we'll still probably take him back."
Felix Hernandez is now 2-0 since returning from the DL last week. King Felix pitched 7 strong innings against Arkansas en route to a 7-2 win. Hillsborough picked up yet another game over 7th place Tampa Bay and moved to one game back of 5th place D.C. Meanwhile Arkansas lost their 5th straight and is only 1/2 game out of 12th place.
D.C. is losing ground rapidly with another loss to Vancouver. Michael Young went 4-4 and Andre Ethier hit a key 2-run home run to propel the Fist to a 6-3 win. Vancouver widened their division lead to 4 1/2 games.
Hoboken meanwhile kept playing yo-yo with pitcher Joel Pineiro, releasing him after his latest start. At one point Pineiro got so fed up with owner Mark Hrywna that he began to choke him after a heated conversation. "He got all up in my face and pushed my buttons" said Pineiro. With Aaron Cook still expected to miss at least one more start, the Cutters may yet ask Pineiro to come back one more time. "Yeah, he choked me" said Hrywna, "but we'll still probably take him back."
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Hitmen move into wild card spot
Jake Peavy won his league-leading 13th win yesterday as Vancouver cruised to an 8-2 victory over D.C. Curtis Granderson was 3-5 with 3 RBIs and hit his 19th triple of the year. Granderson appears poised to obliterate Jose Reyes' DMBL-era record of 24 triples set last year.
Hillsborough moved one game over .500 and into sole possession of 6th place overall with their third straight win and sixth in seven tries. C.C. Sabathia struck out 11 in 7 strong innings and Carlos Lee had 3 RBIs. Hillsborough has been going back and forth about selling their players, but now sitting in the final playoff spot, they may become buyers.
Las Vegas and Newark remain tied for first in the Hanover Division after both teams won their games yesterday. Javier Vazquez improved to 11-1 in Newark's 5-4 edging of Hoboken, while Tim Lincecum propelled the Rat Pack to a 5-2 win over Tampa Bay.
Mike Lamb hit 3 home runs in Philadelphia's 7-1 rout of fraternal rival Carolina. Jason Bergmann limited the Cats to 3 hits over 7 innings and struck out 9. Philly still trails Vancouver by 3 1/2 games in the Morris.
Lots of movement going on in the league yesterday as the trading deadline looms closer. Arkansas shuffled out Mark Grudzielanek in favor of Tim Wakefield, who had pitched in 4 games in an earlier stint with the team. Hillsborough cut scrub shortstop Alex Gonzalez in favor of DMBL veteran Aubrey Huff, who was cut earlier this year by Carolina. Hoboken dumped prospect Jeff Niemann for former Vancouver backstop Gerald Laird. Las Vegas shook up their AAA squad by cutting Greg Dobbs and signing former D.C. first baseman Lyle Overbay. Finally, Philadelphia signed Adam Lind who Carolina cut a month ago.
Hillsborough moved one game over .500 and into sole possession of 6th place overall with their third straight win and sixth in seven tries. C.C. Sabathia struck out 11 in 7 strong innings and Carlos Lee had 3 RBIs. Hillsborough has been going back and forth about selling their players, but now sitting in the final playoff spot, they may become buyers.
Las Vegas and Newark remain tied for first in the Hanover Division after both teams won their games yesterday. Javier Vazquez improved to 11-1 in Newark's 5-4 edging of Hoboken, while Tim Lincecum propelled the Rat Pack to a 5-2 win over Tampa Bay.
Mike Lamb hit 3 home runs in Philadelphia's 7-1 rout of fraternal rival Carolina. Jason Bergmann limited the Cats to 3 hits over 7 innings and struck out 9. Philly still trails Vancouver by 3 1/2 games in the Morris.
Lots of movement going on in the league yesterday as the trading deadline looms closer. Arkansas shuffled out Mark Grudzielanek in favor of Tim Wakefield, who had pitched in 4 games in an earlier stint with the team. Hillsborough cut scrub shortstop Alex Gonzalez in favor of DMBL veteran Aubrey Huff, who was cut earlier this year by Carolina. Hoboken dumped prospect Jeff Niemann for former Vancouver backstop Gerald Laird. Las Vegas shook up their AAA squad by cutting Greg Dobbs and signing former D.C. first baseman Lyle Overbay. Finally, Philadelphia signed Adam Lind who Carolina cut a month ago.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Greinke keeps undefeated streak alive
Philadelphia executed their second deal of the season today, trading reliever Rafael Perez, second baseman Aaron Hill, and two picks to the Hoboken Cutters for Jason Isringhausen, second baseman Kelly Johnson, and a late draft pick. Isringhausen, who had been with the Cutters since their inception in 2001, will likely move into a setup role on the Endzone Animals, as J.J. Putz has the closer role locked down.
Zack Greinke improved to 9-0 on the season with a 3-2 win over Philadelphia yesterday. Greinke pitched 8 innings of 2-hit ball, surrendering 2 runs and striking out 7. Vancouver's first round pick in this year's draft is now second in the league in ERA (2.93) and is now the sole undefeated pitcher in the league (Tampa Bay's Andy Pettitte lost his first game last week).
D.C. and Hillsborough took turns shutting each other out. In the first game, Kelvim Escobar had an incredible game, shutting out the Hitmen on 7 hits in 7.1 innings and striking out 14. The Hitmen pitchers also pitched well, despite John Lackey being ejected for throwing at Jeff Kent and triggering a benches-clearing brawl. "I probably wouldn't have minded so much" said Kent after the game "if the ball wasn't laced with explosives." Kent will miss the next three weeks recuperating and reliever Mike Timlin, who tried to dive over the combustible device, will miss two weeks. Hillsborough came back and shut out D.C. 7-0 in the second game. Justin Verlander pitched 7.2 innings of 3-hit ball to improve to 9-7. D.C. got some vengeance by taking out third baseman Mark Reynolds. Catcher Brian McCann snuck up behind Reynolds as he was taking practice swings and hit his knees with a lead pipe. Why would the Slappers intentionally target one of the worst producers in the lineup? "I thought it was [Ryan] Howard" said McCann. "They look so alike."
Zack Greinke improved to 9-0 on the season with a 3-2 win over Philadelphia yesterday. Greinke pitched 8 innings of 2-hit ball, surrendering 2 runs and striking out 7. Vancouver's first round pick in this year's draft is now second in the league in ERA (2.93) and is now the sole undefeated pitcher in the league (Tampa Bay's Andy Pettitte lost his first game last week).
D.C. and Hillsborough took turns shutting each other out. In the first game, Kelvim Escobar had an incredible game, shutting out the Hitmen on 7 hits in 7.1 innings and striking out 14. The Hitmen pitchers also pitched well, despite John Lackey being ejected for throwing at Jeff Kent and triggering a benches-clearing brawl. "I probably wouldn't have minded so much" said Kent after the game "if the ball wasn't laced with explosives." Kent will miss the next three weeks recuperating and reliever Mike Timlin, who tried to dive over the combustible device, will miss two weeks. Hillsborough came back and shut out D.C. 7-0 in the second game. Justin Verlander pitched 7.2 innings of 3-hit ball to improve to 9-7. D.C. got some vengeance by taking out third baseman Mark Reynolds. Catcher Brian McCann snuck up behind Reynolds as he was taking practice swings and hit his knees with a lead pipe. Why would the Slappers intentionally target one of the worst producers in the lineup? "I thought it was [Ryan] Howard" said McCann. "They look so alike."
Friday, June 20, 2008
All-Star Game tonight
Tonight is the 17th annual All-Star Game, sponsored by JR Cigars and Omaha Steaks - probably later in the evening, so check your local listings. Special guest announcers include Kevin Maas, Charles Johnson, Mark Mendicus, and Chris Nabholz, among others. Look for a brand new This Week in the DMBL - All-Star edition to go up today too.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
At the half...
Well the first half is officially over. Let's take a quick look at the surprises and disappointments so far.
Surprises:
Sardine City Straphangers. Even though they've leveled off a bit lately,
the Straphangers are still only five games out of a playoff spot. No one gave them much of a chance early on, but the Hangmen caught fire midway through the first half. The biggest factor has been the emergence of their pitching staff. Cole Hamels and Fausto Carmona have been the obvious studs, but Dice-K Matsuzaka and Phil Hughes have had some good moments too. And we haven't even mentioned rookie stud Ryan Braun yet...
Tampa Bay Plunkers. Their latest 4-game skid has left them at .500, but the first-year Plunkers are sitting in position for the final Wild Card spot. The team has been up and down so many times that analysts aren't sure if they're for real or just flirting with success.
Disappointments:
Hillsborough Hired Hitmen.
After all the bravado in the offseason, the Hitmen have sputtered into 7th place. It took them quite a lot of work just to get to 1/2 a game out of the final playoff spot, but the Hitmen might have finally righted the ship. There's a lot of talent on the team that hasn't lived up to its promise. In particular the pitching staff has looked pretty mediocre, but C.C. Sabathia and Justin Verlander seem to be waking up.
Hoboken Cutters. Ok the Cutters didn't exactly have lofty expectations for this season, but they didn't expect to be in 13th and threatening for last place. Maybe a terrible finish is what the team needs though to truly rebuild. At least they got Brian Giles back though!
Surprises:
Sardine City Straphangers. Even though they've leveled off a bit lately,
the Straphangers are still only five games out of a playoff spot. No one gave them much of a chance early on, but the Hangmen caught fire midway through the first half. The biggest factor has been the emergence of their pitching staff. Cole Hamels and Fausto Carmona have been the obvious studs, but Dice-K Matsuzaka and Phil Hughes have had some good moments too. And we haven't even mentioned rookie stud Ryan Braun yet...Tampa Bay Plunkers. Their latest 4-game skid has left them at .500, but the first-year Plunkers are sitting in position for the final Wild Card spot. The team has been up and down so many times that analysts aren't sure if they're for real or just flirting with success.
Disappointments:
Hillsborough Hired Hitmen.
After all the bravado in the offseason, the Hitmen have sputtered into 7th place. It took them quite a lot of work just to get to 1/2 a game out of the final playoff spot, but the Hitmen might have finally righted the ship. There's a lot of talent on the team that hasn't lived up to its promise. In particular the pitching staff has looked pretty mediocre, but C.C. Sabathia and Justin Verlander seem to be waking up.Hoboken Cutters. Ok the Cutters didn't exactly have lofty expectations for this season, but they didn't expect to be in 13th and threatening for last place. Maybe a terrible finish is what the team needs though to truly rebuild. At least they got Brian Giles back though!
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