Mudcats clean house

They're at it again...The Sugar Bears had their second 20-run game of the season, this time against the Hoboken Cutters (no Jason Jennings was not traded to Hoboken). Newark pounded Hoboken 21-8 yesterday on 24 hits and only 6 walks this time. (DMBLNews readers will remember the last game was largely the fault of 11 walks in the first two innings) The game was actually a more modest 13-8 in the middle of the eighth when Newark exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the eighth off relievers Adam Wainwright and Braden Looper. Newark scored in every inning except the first and only hit two home runs in the game (both two-run shots). Michael Barrett and Nick Swisher each had four RBIs and five Sugar Bear batters had three hits apiece.

Carolina made a statement yesterday - cutting Tadahito Iguchi, Aubrey Huff, and Rheal Cormier. The club hopes that the moves will serve as a warning to the team that the poor play will not be tolerated. Jose Vidro was also benched for the near future in favor of newcomers Ron Belliard and Mark Loretta. Kiko Calero, cut by Vancouver earlier this year, will fill in for Cormier.

Reyes of Sunshine

Las Vegas rookie Anthony Reyes put on an impressive showing last night against the Mudcats. Reyes carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning and ended up with a complete game, two-hit shutout of the 'Cats. Reyes struck out 7 and walked two. Bill Hall broke up the no-no leading off the ninth with a single up the middle.

There was an exciting game in Marietta, where Vancouver earned their third straight win - all by one run and two in extra innings. Vancouver jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead in the second by pounding the snot out of starter A.J. Burnett. Marietta started creeping back and eventually narrowed the score to 7-6, but Vancouver extended their lead to 11-6. The Mighty Men erupted in the eighth inning, scoring six runs off relievers Chris Britton and Billy Wagner. The Mighty Men were clinging to a 12-11 lead when they brought in their usually-reliable closer Mariano Rivera, but Mr. Clutch, Conor Jackson came through again and tied the game on a double in the gap. Finally in the bottom of the tenth, Jason Bay singled and Michael Young scored to win the game for the Fist.

As lucky as Vancouver has been, Team Buddah has been just the opposite. The dropped their third straight game, all one-run losses.

The Sugar Bears were held in check for the first time this season. And by "in check" I mean single digit scoring. The potent Newark lineup still put up eight runs against Dontrelle Willis and won the game to improve to 4-0. Michael Barrett hit a grand slam in the first inning to set the stage. Tomorrow the Bears face their first right hander of the season.

Two more waiver claims yesterday. Arkansas snagged Orlando Cabrera from Sardine City and Las Vegas grabbed a couple of middle relievers.